Stihl FS131R 4 Stroke Weed Eater Review | How to Service & Raw Demo

Learn all about the Stihl FS131R Trimmer, in depth review, service points and raw demo.
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[@johnconway8492]

I just bought one a few weeks ago. I’ve been back to the dealer three times. It runs great for an hour then starts to choke up !

[@WesternEquipment]

How is your fuel mixture? Are you mixing it yourself or buying premix?

[@EugeneCapeder]

Well done, I appreciate your attention to details. Your review and service points is good information - solid steel shaft & quick change heads are important to know.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for the comment.

[@magdabrownis265]

I have 2 of these and they’re awesome! I run string on one and a saw blade on the other for clearing brush. This summer I’ve been using them hours a day. They take the abuse and aren’t too hard on me either

[@WesternEquipment]

They are really nice machines! Glad to hear you are loving them and thanks for watching!

[@chriskourlos4407]

Your very thorough man. I want two .

[@danielbriscoe9592]

I own 3 they're kinda of a piece of shit 2 of mine are in the shop for warranty issues

[@Hugeroost]

@Daniel Briscoe definitely not what they used to be. Get you a 250r two stroke and swap out the handle

[@opichocal]

I just bout another 131 this week and been using them for 3 years now. My biggest complaint is the tiny trigger. I solved this by taking an old fs80 trigger and grinding it down and glueing to make an extension. Much better to use 2 fingers when mowing several yards a day. Another tip is throw away the Spark arrestor and string cutter. Plus I move the guard back using only 2 bolts and run .105 line. It’s heavy but will rip through almost anything

[@WesternEquipment]

Nice! These are some good tips and ideas. Thanks for watching!

[@thedudeguy2356]

Hold up, homie, why would you need to get rid of THIS string cutter? I can see the line perfectly and it's nice not to over string, cuz too much puts more work on the engine.

[@thedudeguy2356]

Both the things you say to get rid of prevent more work on your engine. 3.9 bhp. That's a nice engine

[@Scummy_shovel]

@@thedudeguy2356I have noticed a lot of yard guys ditch the whole guard with the cutter to run more string. But this thing over 3hp and 16” cut. Like you said you can see the string out just fine. Just seems stupid to remove it. I tried it on my husky and dint like it

[@martinklacansky3537]

this is true and also carb is not the best. is overpriced tool. full of problems

[@LK-bz9sk]

I am a newbie to this device and the two reasons I am watching this video 1) I love this fellows calm, detailed reviews and 2) I owned and ran a Stihl chainsaw cutting down the big Ponderosa Pines in Central Oregon for 7 years and that machine never ever failed me.

[@WesternEquipment]

Well thank you and I think you will have the same luck with this machine like you did on your chainsaw. Thanks again and thanks for watching!

[@MrPESensation]

I own this model and never had any problems with it. 3 years later and still running with original Spark Plug & Air Filter. Only watching this video for the maintenance procedure...

[@vincentvanpaepeghem4844]

Another great video Brent! I've always been partial to Black and Decker, but after seeing your reviews on the Stihl, I think I am going to have to try one. Thanks for everything you do and the great information! Thanks for sharing! Have a great and awesome day!

[@WesternEquipment]

We appreciate your comments!

[@hansen370]

Partial to Black and Decker? oh my

[@justtrustinhim62]

It's not a 4 stroke, as he said in the video. It's a 2 stroke 50:1 mix ratio

[@mattburns2185]

I had a 131R, and it was a lemon. Dealer bought it back from me. I had a HT131 pole saw, got about 10 hours out of it before it started running like crap, thankfully the service was under warranty. I bought an additional 131 with the bicycle handles in February of this year, and it has been back to the stihl dealer five times...valves everytime....

[@WesternEquipment]

Oh man. I guess I need to get in the loop and see if I can make a video over fixing this issue. Thanks for the info and thanks for watching!

[@juanmanuelbernal4978]

I SUSPECT ITS THE WAY YOU TREAT IT.TOO MANY COINCIDENCES.

[@mattburns2185]

@@juanmanuelbernal4978 the way I treat it? Taking it to the dealer every time it needs service and putting stihl's premixed fuel in it only? A tool is supposed to work, not sit in the garage and be pretty.

[@franksmith8210]

@Matt Burns lmao yeah sure, you probably have never had any of them. There’s always and idiot who has to try to talk trash.

[@mattburns2185]

@@franksmith8210 frank, I run a commercial landscape and constitution company. So maybe instead getting mad on internet you can take your keyboard warrior cry baby crap elsewhere.

[@ryanlogan2911]

Best attachment is the sickle bar my goodness it eats up briars & brush.

[@WesternEquipment]

Interesting! Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@joshwhite1009]

I would love a video showing how to adjust the valves. Also I would love to see the gear box taken off and changed to a brush head. THANK YOU!

[@WesternEquipment]

Good ideas, thank you! Also, thanks for watching!

[@enigmawyoming5201]

I HIGHLY recommend buying an Autocut C 26-2 head if you ever decide to have an extra head just to keep going if the line gets messed up or run out. In most circumstances, you can restring your line without ever removing the head or even the cover over the spool.

[@WesternEquipment]

I completely agree with this. Thanks for watching!

[@knightimusprime25]

those heads are junk better to stick with what it came with

[@TheGuyWhoDidUrM0M]

happy with the c26-2, it feed .130 line just fine and the 131 likes that line. On the thick stuff it keeps it off the limiter at WOT.

[@pedrosantos6472]

Great video as always ,but don’t be afraid to go hard on the stihl equipment,it’s built tough .😊

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and I agree. Thanks for watching!

[@sherwinsalvatori6997]

I got a fs 130 4mix it's powerful enough that I accidentally slice through a 16 Guage metal stud with the metal blade attached. I am sticking to stihl 4 mix units

[@WesternEquipment]

Nice! Not good for your fence, but glad you got to see the power first hand. Thanks for watching!

[@BRadWilson3]

So does this have a crankcase that requires oil? Or just the 2 stroke mix? Thanks

[@WesternEquipment]

No crankcase oil reservoir. Just have to use the fuel/oil mix. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@rawsonreich]

The stihl FS 131 R is one of the best trimmer

[@WesternEquipment]

I completely agree!

[@KA-sk6pw]

Have been owning a 2 stroke residential stihl weedeater for about 15 years. never missed a beat. Only replaced carb about twice. But what i thought they would have come out with a true 4stroke that you dont add oil to by now? nice vidio

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for watching!

[@fieldtrailer]

Can you show how to adjust valve clearances? That needs to be done a lot. Gets hard to pull to start. The strap too short to use while trimming, at least for me. Not great for delicate work. Can't control the throttle enough. Seems all or nothing which can make it difficult around flower beds. Definitely good for brush around fences, etc. FS94r probably the best all in one weed trimmer.

[@WesternEquipment]

I will try to get a video out on this sometime soon. Great suggestion! And yes, this machine is better for the larger applications for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@JustWayve]

Great video only one I found on this one . I’m having a hard time pulling the spark plug cover off

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@bruceclyne5254]

Great job. Thanks for the close ups of the servicing points!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@davidjaskiewicz3461]

Can you feather the throttle for when you are trimming around chain link fence, or is this model designed to run best at wide open throttle, in which case should I switch to a fs94R or fs240R two stroke motor?

[@garretmontgomery9981]

Wondering the same thing

[@johnconway8492]

I’m wondering too! Mine seems to like to run wide open. Which it does very well for about an hour and then starts to get weird ! If I play with the trigger and run it at quarter throttle , it gets weird sooner. It’s an expensive tool. I told my dealer we need to get it right.

[@duanesee3430]

My brand new stihl 131 handlebar trimmer bought on 8/28 and used for 1 hour same day would not rotate next day Sunday 8/29. Used all the stihl fuel and was verified by the ace hardware tech here in central Texas. Pulled plug to make sure no hydrostatic lock . Appears pistin hitting valve as rotates 1/4 turn until metal to metal. Will return and not buy another. Things that start bad end bad .

[@WesternEquipment]

I hate to hear of your bad experience. With my many years of experience with Stihl we do see, very rarely, a lemon come through. I would say 99 times out of 100, no problems. Thanks for watching!

[@martinklacansky3537]

old times shihl was very good. times are changed

[@mitchellbaker2016]

I run 2 of these in the kombi set up great machines 700 AUD here each not including attachments but they have never fail me

[@WesternEquipment]

They are great units for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@marty232]

what about the fs91

[@mitchellbaker2016]

@@marty232 i have that as my dedicated strim trimmer great for light ro moderate work and edging i run 2.4mm cfc twist line

[@marty232]

@mitchellbaker2016 have u had any trouble with the 4 mix engine I live in australia by the way

[@mitchellbaker2016]

@@marty232 nope and me too qld Brisbane

[@davidmorse8432]

Might want to advise those removing the trimmer head that there are left hand threads on the shaft. I almost damaged mine because i did not know that and of course am reluctant to read the owner's manual.

[@WesternEquipment]

Good point, I definitely should have mentioned this. Thanks for pointing that out and thanks for watching!

[@costasgeorgiou5015]

As slow as your cutting that you could use a sf91r I haul ass with my fs131r why I got it to not go slow! Great video!

[@WesternEquipment]

This is true, I was definitely going too easy with it.

[@juanmanuelbernal4978]

STIHL IS DURABLE AND RELIABLE!!!THE FS131R IS THE BEST!!!

[@WesternEquipment]

I definitely agree!

[@MrJohndeere3720]

might be my next trimmer as my deere trimmer is hard to start,10 years & under powered. + mine has had a hard life..

[@WesternEquipment]

It would definitely be a good one!

[@alfredobenavides8175]

Oh yeah got have this added to my equipment today.youre the best. Thank you so much your videos are spot on.adds excitement to my going to purchase this today.woohooo.

[@WesternEquipment]

Awesome! I’m glad you got a nice unit added to your fleet! Thanks for watching!

[@hiltonthadeu4715]

MUITO OBRIGADO PELA AULA. FOI ÓTIMO PARA O MEU CONHECIMENTO.

[@WesternEquipment]

De nada e obrigado por assistir!

[@hhe5218]

So a four stroke requring an oil mix, you'd think stihl would put that in pretty bold lettering....

[@WesternEquipment]

It is spelled out well in the operator manual and most dealerships should know to tell people this. Especially since they will find that their is no oil reservoir on these units. Thanks for watching!

[@thomasfaucette1660]

i had thought about gettin that size i was hopin the brush blade would fit that one the trimmer i have now is the 130 stihl its been an xcellent trimmer

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, the brush blades/metal blades will fit this unit. Thanks for watching!

[@thomasfaucette1660]

o ok thank u much

[@maironalexandermelgarmelga6522]

Cuál me recomienda fs70 o fs56rc?

[@WesternEquipment]

Depende de como lo uses. Si necesita una unidad más comercial, la FS70 sería mejor. ¡Gracias por ver!

[@zacjohnson8404]

I never seen anyone go through weeds so delicately, are you trying to hide it's power or keep it looking new for the shop floor?

[@WesternEquipment]

Well next time i will try to really put it to the test. Thanks for watching!

[@whitehammeer]

Right I was like 🤣

[@zacjohnson8404]

@@WesternEquipment your review actually made me suspicious, I almost didn't buy it. but for anyone reading this I assure you the thing is a beast.

[@Coholbell15]

Good review it was funny watching u cut the grass 😂

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and glad I could supply some comedic relief haha! Thanks for watching!

[@unboxingreviewvlog7009]

Can we use Steel Cable instead of the nylon string?

[@WesternEquipment]

I suppose you could but I would not advise it due to safety concerns. Have you used this before?

[@darwindropmazda]

Good solid overview!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks and thank you for watching!

[@danielgraham9104]

I purchased one of the 131r and it pops and skips around 3quaters of the throttle and stihl tells me thats the way it supposed to run but I see yours run smooth as expected guess I got a lemon,not happy with my purchase

[@WesternEquipment]

Sounds like to me it needs some carburetor adjustment. I don't think it is a lemon. Have a local small engine mechanic take a look at it and i'm sure it can be tuned up. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@danielgraham9104]

Already had 2 carbs put on it

[@danielgraham9104]

@Rob Amner I've gotten a 2620 echo now no more issues i got rid of the stihl

[@JimmyDean1992]

Does the km 131r have a high, low and idle adjustment?

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes it does. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@xaviersawirjo7128]

question, what fuel mix can i use. is the same stihl mix for 2stroke good for the 4stroke fs131

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, everything will be a 50:1 mixture. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@briancocks1408]

Brian Cocks You forgot to show how to lube the gearbox which is a pretty simple procedure.

[@WesternEquipment]

Good point! I will make sure to do this in future videos. Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching!

[@9kfx450rider3]

So if the one I just bought runs rough wide open, do I just adjust the high screw on the carb?

[@WesternEquipment]

Yes, that is where I would start. But in between each tweaking of the screw I would let it idle and make sure it does not change. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@knightimusprime25]

when it runs wide open like that ya have to take it to the grass they perform the best when under a load

[@Hawkdriver511]

Great review and attention to details!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@hphillips7425]

You do a good job on all your videos. I don't understand the purpose of a 4/stroke that you still have to use premix. More moving parts increases margin of error. I just watched another video where the valves floated and rocker arm was holding the intake valve open.

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and I'm not sure why the Stihl's are this way but I know they have been doing this for a long long time and have had pretty good luck. I will have to check out that video you were talking about. Thanks for watching!

[@hphillips7425]

@@WesternEquipment I think it was mowermedic. Stihl with no compression

[@davidmorse8432]

@@WesternEquipment Stihl went to the 4 stroke design in order to reduce emissions. A two stroke engine cannot keep burned and unburned fuel totally separate so they do not fully combust the fuel. That is why they produce more smoke. With the 4 stroke engine the combustion chamber is emptied of exhaust gasses before a fresh volume of unburned fuel is allowed to enter. This allows for a more complete burning of the fuel.

[@davidmorse8432]

This engine is actually a hybrid because it mixes the two technologies. These engines are made that way so that you can operate them in almost any position, (not upside down). A conventional 4 stroke engine uses oil in the crankcase for lubrication and must be operated in a position that keeps the oil away from the bottom of the piston. With the two stroke crankcase, oil, air, and fuel are drawn in thru the carburator to both fuel the engine and also lubricate the moving parts. This allows the engine to be more flexible as far as operating positions go.

[@hphillips7425]

@@davidmorse8432 good explanation thanks

[@NoristheCat]

Great Video! Thanks!👍🏻

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for watching!

[@0690supermoto]

How does it run upside down for edging lawns?

[@WesternEquipment]

If I understood your question right, you turn your weed eater upside down with trigger up to edge? There isn’t an issue with this. The fuel line hose inside tank and filter is on a rubber hose that bends wherever you turn trimmer. It doesn’t leak fuel either. The rubber grommets on tank keep it from leaking when turning gas tank upside down to edge.

[@albertwright622]

I would like to see how to rewind the string on the head

[@WesternEquipment]

I will see if I can get a video out on this in the near future. Thanks for watching!

[@rileyplamondon8095]

My company normally uses a mix of stihl and echo, my baby is my fx 85x. We also have a SRM-225, when we got these trimmers (in the video) I began to dislike them quite fast. A. Coming for a old 2-stroke type jobby the rhythm of the motor is odd and distracting from my work, B. The loop handle (after a while) if you are not wearing gloves will give you pretty bad blisters, C, the push dispense line knob thing has literally never worked. Don’t get me wrong, I love stihl but I disliked this trimmer alot

[@WesternEquipment]

@RileyPlamondon thanks for your pro input. Feedback like this is what we appreciate on our channel to give viewers what they need to make best decision for themselves.

[@rileyplamondon8095]

Now I will say, if you don’t have any experience with the old school trimmers than you’ll be perfectly fine. All my employees don’t mind them!

[@shermanhatch2716]

Manual says to start it on the ground

[@aitanagamez6996]

Hi need help have fs131r Soo need spark plug are not what's is correct spark plug

[@WesternEquipment]

I think I can help here. The Stihl part number is 0000 400 7011or you can use the NGK number which is CMR6H (3365). I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@aitanagamez6996]

@@WesternEquipment thanks bro

[@user-ts5dx7qm4z]

I have the fs131 with the wide handles, it's very comfortable for me to use.

[@WesternEquipment]

Nice! The handlebars are something I couldn't seem to ever get used to. It just felt so foreign. Do they use those a lot in your area? Where I am from you hardly ever see those.

[@mainamaseeti]

Thank you bro for explaining all these!

[@WesternEquipment]

No problem! I hope they are helpful!

[@johnconway8492]

I didn’t know the machine has an intelligent carburetor! I’m thinking the carb on my machine isn’t so intelligent 😳

[@WesternEquipment]

Haha! Might not be...

[@alexroski8454]

What’s the difference between the 111r and 131r?

[@WesternEquipment]

The only difference is the engine size. The FS111R is 31.4 cc and 1.4 bhp and the FS131R is 36.3 cc and 1.9 bhp. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@OFFICIALUND]

Do these not come with the rider plates anymore? I bought a homeowner model (a 55, I believe) and it came with a rider plate.

[@WesternEquipment]

I'm not sure I know what you're meaning by a rider plate, can you explain?

[@OFFICIALUND]

@@WesternEquipment Sure! It's the plate that goes on the underside of the blade attachments. It kind of looks like a metal donut and has a reverse-threaded nut that goes in the hole to secure the blade/cutter attachments to the trimmer after the trimmer head has been removed. I don't think "rider plate" is a good name, but that's what it's called in the manual. BTW, thanks for the video.

[@OFFICIALUND]

I'm going to answer my own question: I contacted Stihl, and they said that they no longer include the Rider Plate that is necessary to attach blades to these trimmers. You now have to purchase the "blade attachment kit" ($27.00) in order to add that functionality. Funny that when I bought the entry-level model before, it was included, but when you buy the $460.00 model (before taxes), you have to add on another $27.00 item, and that assumes that the Stihl Dealer has it, which mine did not.

[@knightimusprime25]

@@OFFICIALUND it's called a support cup

[@augustalawncareoffenton1461]

I thought 4 stroke doesn't need gas\oil mix?

[@WesternEquipment]

It depends if your 4 stroke has a separate oil reservoir for the engine or not. A lot of manufacturers are going away from the oil reservoir on the 4 strokes. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@PhantomAspect]

FS 131 R started well first use. But ran like a sick pig compared to my old 35CC Honda. It is becoming worse with each day. Now it is very harh to start and i threw it in the corner and im back to using my old honda. The dealer will fix this POS and i will sell to the first sucker. Too many reasons this is a good idea.

[@christined4452]

did i miss the part about greasing the head ?

[@WesternEquipment]

I for got to mention this, but you have to grease it by hand. There is no grease zerk to the gear box for the head. Thanks for watching!

[@knightimusprime25]

@@WesternEquipment ya have to take that bolt out on the right side of the gear head and shoot the grease to it that way

[@mycanon40d]

One thing I have noticed with your demo is that the engine is running nice and smooth while you are out strimming, I have the KM131R which shares the same engine but I am constanlly getting an intermittent popping sound nearly like a misfire and had taken it back to the stihl dealer who adjusted the valves after the initial brake in period and setup the mixture and rpm. I am using the Stihl 2 stroke super mix which was provided with purchase, but I am still not happy that it does not run smooth. I know these have a rev limiter being a 4 cycle 2 stroke which you can notice at full throttle. Did you use full or partial throttle in the video while strimming, any ideas?

[@WesternEquipment]

I am sorry to hear of your bad luck with this unit. I would say I was using a good mix of full and half throttle. I haven't heard of this issue on these. I will look into it and see if I can find anything out.

[@shanebones8766]

@@WesternEquipment I have the same issue at full revs it is missing. Took it back and the dealer said that's normal. Not happy.

[@FishFind3000]

my km131r does the same thing. its the ignition cut from it hitting the max rpms. idk if they do something different with the kombi vs trimmer. its all about the load. if i have my string trimmer or hedge trimmer it will do that. if i have my bed edge in the dirt it doesn't happen. Its just how it is. if you floor your car it will hit the rev limiter and start cutting in and out. its just part of the engine design

[@harryerhart5978]

For some reason the 131 rev limiter is more sensitive than the 91and 111 the low speed adjustment is one and a half turns rather than one and three quarter turns like the 91 and 111 I think that's normal for the 131 it needs a little more stress put on the engine so the rev limiter won't kick in ? Hope this helps 👍👍

[@knightimusprime25]

it's normal for it to do that

[@thunderbirdwomanjewelry1083]

Where you buy the kit?

[@WesternEquipment]

You will have to go to a local Stihl dealer. You can find your closest one by going to StihlUSA.com.

[@jerryjones7112]

How do you oil the head !

[@WesternEquipment]

The best way is to take it completely off the shaft and then take your cutting head off and pack it with grease. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@knightimusprime25]

@@WesternEquipment WRONG WRONG WRONG ya do it by takin the bolt out on the right side of the gear head then puttin the grease to it

[@martinklacansky3537]

4 stoke ? where is the small tank for oil ?

[@juanmanuelbernal4978]

STIHL FS131R = MUCHO POWER!!!

[@WesternEquipment]

Very true!

[@greenmarine5]

They are built in the USA? They use to be built in Germany

[@alan-dr8uo]

Dont yourse have a plug on the head you can remove and grease

[@angussoutter7824]

🤔you don’t need to take the head of to rewind the bump feed

[@WesternEquipment]

This is true. You do not have to take it off. Good point and thanks for watching!

[@3vimages471]

Wow you cut grass one shoot at a time!

[@PJ-tt2nz]

Never seen a guy trimming so slowly

[@WesternEquipment]

Haha, I don't normally trim this slow but I was trying to get good footage for the video. Thanks for watching!

[@scullcap357]

NICE .

[@WesternEquipment]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@Scummy_shovel]

Four stroke? 13:34 huh

[@knightimusprime25]

it's too bad they jacked the price up on em to where you cant hardly afford to buy the damn things

[@WesternEquipment]

I have heard this and I hate how everything is going up. Inflation is crazy right now!

[@knightimusprime25]

@@WesternEquipment yeah look on their site and see for yourself

[@gregorydomaradzki9776]

This guy doesn't know how to use this thing. Let more line out!!! Amateur!

[@WesternEquipment]

Thanks for the constructive criticism. I will work on doing better in future videos. Thanks for watching!

[@christined3953]

i dont think they make a 4 stroke trimmer. thats what they say.

[@WesternEquipment]

It is a 4-stroke but it uses pre-mix fuel. Thanks for watching!

[@christined3953]

@@WesternEquipment I have that model and use 50:1 I didnt know it is 4 stroker

[@Gianniz27]

It's even written in the manual. But not even (every) Stihl dealers know about it.

[@christined3953]

@@Gianniz27 your right, I didn't know. Now I know why it works like a d-9 cat.

[@christined3953]

@@WesternEquipment I found out. Yes it works like a beast.

[@thesmoot4337]

Worst trimmer ever.