Fences, Freezing, and FAILURE! Stihl FS 131R puts up a struggle.

[@chadschiefelbein8697]

Hey Ross, (or anyone who finds this useful) as a Stihl enthusiast, NOT A EXPERT. I have 7 saws, 4 weed eaters, 2 pole saws, and one of their “combi-tool setups. I will give you some ideas that’s helped me. 1. Im running .130 line in all my trimmers. Notch the feed head with a utility knife as needed to help hold it in place. 2. Stihl makes a speed feed. 3. Soak the trimmer line in water for a day before you install it (google it, Stihl recommends it). That shit sits on the shelves for god knows how long and it dries out and gets brittle. This really does help with the longevity! Also, the head naturally creates heat. If you’ve got a dried out line, (or cold)it gets sticky in the spool, and will mess with the feed rate. 4. When using oversized line like that, don’t put much more than 5’ in the spool. I had the same issue you’re having, but I was trying to shove 8’ of line into it. 5. Spend the money on the saw blade kit. I have a 7 1/4” skill saw blade on one of my smaller ones, and a 10” table saw blade on one of my big ones. This works wonders for sumac/thistles/thorns and vines. 6. A course wire wheel will thread right into the end of that shaft… use this info as you will… works great for sidewalks/driveways. 7. The biggest issue I’ve ever had with all my trimmers is I’ve found that ya run em wide open, or not at all. I know guys that run half throttle or do the up/down with the throttle, but the best performance I’ve ever had is WOT is key. 8. With today’s junk fuel, I recommend you get the premix fuel from your Deere store and ya run about 1/4 tank of that thru all your Stihl equipment once a year. It does help with keeping the carb clean, and the carbon buildup inside the cylinders. It’s spendy, but an easy maintance procedure in my book. These have all worked for me, fine tune to your situation, and I hope this helps!

[@markflick1641]

Buddy always makes a good start to a video . I don’t know cause I never tried it but I have to believe that plastic string in cold temps isn’t gonna preform very well . See my febrile mind is causing me to type what I think 😂😂 . Great education on the fencer , had no idea it took that many ground rods . Great video Ross , see ya tomorrow .

[@clarkjohnson3299]

Hey Ross, try the Echo Speed Feed 300 or 350 head, loads like your bat. unit, best line I've tried is the Husqvarna Titanium Force hands down, also ditch the guard it's a game changer, remember safety 3 rd

[@JasonWoods-d1v]

Ross, I’ve had many Stihl trimmers. I never use those tabs. I simply put the trim line through the metal guides and put the bottom piece back on.

[@iowaoliverguy]

I have one, love it, but it's 20 years old, probably made better than the new ones.

[@gregrhodes8451]

Enjoyed the video Ross! I agree on the trimmer. The line always gets me to cussing. Maybe even a preacher 😂

[@joshcrd7925]

I have spent many many hours of my teenage life trimming weeds off the electric fence with yard man, then a toro, and finally a Stihl weed eater. The Stihl was by far my favorite with the divided spool so the 2 strings cannot get tangled around each other and cause feeding issues. Our Stihl is probably 25 years older than you new one there and doesn't have the plastic tabs to retain the spool. It has a threaded nut. In my experience, no matter the make, the string does not want to feed if its broke off flush with the head. No inertia to pull it out. I don't understand why its breaking off so quickly. Either garbage string, or the cold maybe. Never have had the weed eater out with snow on the ground. Might have to try it now to see what kind of results I get.

[@TheRealKyonko]

Ross, I agree with you on winter. When the NOPEflakes start falling, I’m staying home. I’m keeping my cars off of the roads in the winter because of all the schmutz they put on the roads that literally just rot out cars. Anyway, I finally got caught up on your videos. Looks like you have been pretty busy. Hopefully the new fence charger will work out, along with that new weed whacker head! I’m ready to see that current head get the same treatment of that 1365 intake cup!

[@adamleek1546]

Sthil makes a speed feed head for the FS131. Its a Autocut 26-2 head

[@georgeburch1479]

My neighbor bought one of those and a blade attatchment works great for lil twigs n weeds im the only one who uses it 😊

[@mattwilkinson8502]

I’ve got a stihl trimmer that’s a little bit older than yours and never had near the problems I can see where that would be a big turnoff. Like you said the balance on mine is great but I haven’t had the problems that you had with the feeding head. I also have the 3 plastic blade attachment for large weeds and heavy grass and it works great. Good video Ross

[@tomlallman8772]

We always used international weed choppers never had any trouble with them didn't even use a ground rod and it would drop a 1500 lb cow

[@philipalanparish65]

Ross, I put one on mine that has the plastic blades and I like it much better than the string

[@davekelley8520]

We use the orange nylon blade from styhl they work good on vines and overgrown weeds

[@keithwuchter624]

Nice video Ross. I also have a Stihl weed eater. I had the same issue with the line always breaking. My fix was getting the blade head with the plastic blades. I use it about every 2 weeks. I change the blades only once or twice a year. To me the blades are a life saver or at least a weed eater saver. I don't have the patience for the string anymore. Thanks for sharing.

[@hillbillyhicks8102]

I hate those problems. I switch the auto feed head for one that you hook 3 20-inch pieces of cutting string. Sure you have to fill it alot more often but it only takes a minute to fill it.

[@michaelsheeder148]

Ross, you need to get a universal replacement head "Shindaiwa 78890-30000 Speed-Feed 400 Universal Bump Feed Trimmer Head". I seen a KZbinr talk about this was the best head to have. Hope it helps

[@garyhoward3123]

We used a Stihl FS45 for years and had good luck. Replaced with a new model the same size and had nothing but trouble with it. Same string issues with the string getting stuck in the coil and will not pull out. Hard to start and had it back for warranty twice. Going to try an Echo next go around. Take it back. Stihl has gone down hill.

[@PeteAndersen-e1s]

I feelyourangor

[@markhoppes8210]

I have the plastic blade head, love it, been running that style for over 10 years

[@hacc220able]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SA-76234]

Run a ground wire to all your posts. I do 3 wires top and bottom hot and middle ground. And it will zap them regardless of soil moisture. If our black clay drys out in summer some livestock will walk thru a hot fence without the ground wire.

[@douglasfitzsimmons654]

He Ross I have a stihl strimmer, I use a single length of cord 2m in length. The middle divider in the head should have a notch in it. Fold the line in half and clip it into the notch in middle divider then wind it onto both compartments at once in the direction of the arrows. Then clip it into the tabs opposite one another. I've used oversize lines without issue. That's the way we do it in the UK.. My strimmer always bump feeds without issue. My strimmer has the exact same head as yours. Hope you figure it out Ross, also putting you're nylon in water rehydrates it and stops ot from binding up. Enjoy your vids Ross. Keep em coming. Less sadness is always better

[@fullers1966]

on your electric fencer the way I always installed mine actually buried the ground wire about a foot under the ground I had to wire also bear to all the ground rods always worked well for me hopefully you get yours going where it works well

[@larryklostermann5779]

Nice video Ross

[@davidbussard5396]

By an ego battery powered it is great. They have selfeeding heads.

[@chrisreed6849]

Those notches on the circumference of the inner reel are just to prevent line unspooling while you feed the line out through the two holes, it has to be released from those notches before use by pulling on both ends of wire when you have the cap on. Do not fill the head completely with line, it is too much for these small engines, try about 1/3rd of capacity. Your machine is brand new and a bit tight, If it was a brand new Oliver engine you would be gently breaking it in. Good idea to let these 2-stroke engines warm up for a minute or so before applying full load, and let them tick-over when done and not just shut them off in full flight, always use Stihl or Husky 2-stroke oil @ 50/1 and use a proper measuring bottle, don't guess it On my strimmer with twin-feed head I would use a single strand of line, double it, wind it on reel and feed each end out through the two holes, I would stop and pull line through manually when needed (push the bump feed button) never liked the auto bump feed

[@burrridgefarms]

I was waiting til you found the Cyclops fencer 😊 It shocks differently then my amf 200 mile fencer similar to yours . I have a Brute that uses a 12v battery. The guys at the factory sure are helpful too.

[@jeffwilliams3642]

Speed Feed 400 weed eater head for the win. I'm sure your JD dealer will have one and if not Amazon has them.

[@Jambo-u2k]

You can get a weed eater head with a chain, You will never need to mess with cord ever again..They are Chinesium made but really good.

[@anthonyhengst2908]

Yup I did likewise...

[@Offthehooktowing]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has trouble with their Stihl weed Wacker!

[@a.s.c.2909]

I have always had good luck with Echo products. I have looked at Stihl but always seem to go with Echo. I like two stroke trimmers and Stihl only has four strokes. And you still have to mix oil in the gas.

[@landontesar3070]

I bet Oliver could make a decent weed eater but it would have a 6 speed transmission and over/under

[@joshcrd7925]

With some of the things I tackle with my weed eater, I probably would benefit with it being 310 Waukesha powered.

[@tjjurake3506]

I hate winter too, Ross 6 inch snowfall last night..no chains on my White 1365...need to feed livestock she's useless in snow...and im not prepared for winter and so on...

[@BDBuchanan]

I love your videos, when you said you wanted to wrap the trimmer around the post, I thought that you should take up golf. I think you would fit right in.

[@rickyeggersman6]

Those are good looking ground rods

[@BennyMitchell-d3s]

From old white haired farmer get rid of string head and get head with plastic blades they hold up well and easy to change. Did this 6 or 7 year's a go and have been very happy with it. This got rid of a lot of sadness using weed eater

[@jamieebersole6755]

Hopefully that cyclops fence charger impressed you more then the weedwacker. That's good to know about the number of ground rods. We always had 3 and that was probably enough for the charger that we set it up for but with time they got hotter so we probably should add some more

[@matthewhayes5520]

The Oregon Magnum Gatorline square trimmer line is the best weed eater line I've used. The Stihl blade is also a good option for thicker brush

[@Ron-m9p]

great video on my weed eater I normally just use one side to keep from it balling up

[@TracyWehmiller]

You need basement projects

[@alexgarrod9093]

Oh no bud not good hope get it sorted bud

[@davidwhite4474]

Well tje temperature does matter . Try the ECO speed head , 400 or new 500 . I say new because the old one can melt string in summer . They are about $40 .

[@JasonWoods-d1v]

Ross, did you get the Allis 200 finished?

[@bobearl7859]

Because it's got a bump feed on it the string doesn't come out automatically you got it bump it on the ground when it's spinning

[@samuelashton4344]

I hate winter too .😅

[@dalehammond9152]

Ross I would replace the spool with one of those plactic blades spool.

[@billkroczyk3749]

You can warm your hands up with the exhaust

[@steveshuminski]

Hi Ross the weed whip is it two cold for the line ????. also i have learned that string sits on a shelf all over the world until a person buys it and gets dry. i have let my line soak in water over night twice a year and it brings it back to flexing and not break off. something to try ??.

[@geneporter4849]

I use a porpain torch and my hands do not get cold but I have to be careful not get it to close to my whiskey 😢😢😢😢🎉

[@donaldpresdorf4560]

Is that a four stroke? There the best!

[@keithtyson6457]

Research your string options, Ross there are several different types blades and saw blades even I have one question is that 4 or 2 stroke? On this end sounds like a 4 stroke which means lower RPMS

[@anthonyhengst2908]

On some days you just have to have a brandy and think about things like contemplating life. Play some organ maybe. You are right about jumping spark. A good blue spark is ideal (but you already know that though).

[@drunkensasquach3311]

My deere dealer installed the brush cutter attachment and gave me a extended warranty

[@drunkensasquach3311]

Never have put on string attachment

[@tamaradoggett70]

Pete went through similar stuff until he got a Cyclops charger. He runs all his fence at just a few acres farm with it.

[@billkroczyk3749]

I can remember when I grew up my dad had one with a bull getting shocked on the fence and it had a weed Chopper in it and one piece of galvanized pipe drove in the ground and if you touch that you get your feet blowing right out from under you that thing was so hot that the birds used to land on the bottom wire and it would swoop down and touch the ground and it would literally kill the Blackbirds

[@samuelashton4344]

We used Echos at school for years. Then they bought a Skill. We kept using the Echos. Hated the head on the Skill.

[@JohnIckes-s1j]

Go back and get an after market “Tri-Clone” head with 3 free swinging metal blades that will cut brush as well as heavy weeds. A set of blades, though a bit pricey, last a long time.

[@donaldpresdorf4560]

Stihl has that same head

[@michaelhinkle6648]

Mr Ross you can buy a self feeding head like you had on your DeWalt. I can't stand the factory head's either. I've got a FS 70 R and put one in it and it made it a breeze to load string on.

[@jtwalker2761]

You might think stihl by now could have figured out how to make a simple line head? Any way I bought an battery stihl it feeds a lot easier just not as heavy duty I feel your pain thanks

[@Dan-qy1rg]

So your camera is like me, doesn't like the real hot or the cold temperatures. Well that looked really really frustrating, I was wondering if I would be hearing a lot of farm animal sounds, but not so! Good luck with your new speed head, I hope everything works out for you when you get it. I hope you have a good afternoon.

[@geneporter4849]

You need to drink more whiskey and not worry so much you’re doing a good job of showing what it is like to farm and work on junk I have done it a lot longer than you and I have found that the lord gives it and he will take it away as for as the cold weather and the fence you need to safely drink more whisky and pay it stays on and that you don’t run out of whiskey before it warms up God Bless Y’all and what ever you do don’t let them cuz get into your whiskey they can’t handle them little blue darling they don’t need any thing that is really good 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@troyshoup3695]

095 twisted line. If staying with your line put only half as much on spool.

[@ronwilgenbusch1961]

There’s a head that’s a fast loading type. Just search for one that will fit your model

[@bigun447]

Tip. Use a old battery powered AM radio and walk your fence line. An arching pole insulator or any other arching spot will make noise in the receiver. We used to use that method to find power poles that had leaking insulators that interfered with TVs and radio receivers. Old and dirty fence insulators can pull fence efficiency way down. The guy that invented the "WeedEater" and patented it, was upset that others started making string trimmers. So he hired lawyers and who filed patent lawsuits. Long story short, he spent all of the money he made on his original WeedEaters suing others to no avail. Just like rotary mowers, Bush Hog made the first successful rotary mowers and everyone calls their rotary mowers Bush Hogs but unless it is a Bush Hog it is not one. I hate those string heads. The south of the border gardeners use them and have no problem. I am like you. I bought a swing blade head from Lowes, adapted it to fit my Stihl like yours, and cut 1" thick Memosa trees without much problem. We use it without mercy.

[@brandonwood1397]

I put the saw blade on my weedeater

[@oldasdirt1909]

I liked it but those weed eaters can be frustrating

[@marcbeebe]

Never seen a wind-on weed eater head that work. They all jam, break, refuse to feed ... just crap. The best one I ever had was a single-piece type from Craftsman (with a 4 stroke engine). I have two Stihl cutters; one with the string that causes constant problems and one with a metal blade that doesn't. (Their chainsaws are great.)

[@MarkGossett-c9p]

Geez. It's cold breaks easy ya jack wagon

[@davidroberts3489]

I had one with that same string head😡😡😡😡😡😡 if what you say is correct about the .105 which is what I used and had seen the same as you, Stihl should be making that good. They cost too much for something piss poor like that, and yes I replaced the head with another.

[@danw6014]

My advice and I've literally worn these things out after about four years. Get the head with the replaceable plastic blades and toss the string heads in the garbage.

[@stephenheyes4324]

Stihl of much sadness

[@robertgaylor7881]

Like everything else the newer it is the worse things are

[@georgeburch1479]

My weed eater has same end and i think you are putting to much line on it

[@montanashooter8125]

I call it a weed eater

[@Steve-hy3lf]

Good time to work on chainsaws in the basement

[@dougschmitii6165]

I would take it back if I paid $600 for it and it doesn't work right

[@ThomasPippin-s9g]

Stihl top of line, echo lighter easy to replace line , none are good for woody type weeds disk type cutters to easy to get hurt. You have to get grandpa. hoe!

[@JohnIckes-s1j]

Don’t bother with the Stihl plastic triple blade head.

[@alanmcclorey8914]

what a pace of junk that is