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PRO

Stihl U handle vs loop handle

Hi Everyone, 

i have a older stihl loop handle strummer and a fs90r U or cow horn handle strimmer. 

I use the U handle of larger sites and clearance jobs because of the more power and comfort with a harness. however i mainly use the loop handle and i am a lot quicker when doing sites walking along with it. Problem is, I'm 6'3 and after a bit of use i find myself with a slight pain in my back from being a little hunched over. I've tried using the newer U handle strimmer, but i find it no where near as quick. 

Anyone have the same of any solutions? 

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Replies

  • PRO

    Well what you've described is exactly why both handle types exist to be honest. The roll hoop is quicker but hunching down for us over 6 feet (my dad at 5 7 doesn't mind a roll hoop all day) tends to get painful. Perhaps the solution would be to cut the bottom of our legs off!

    You do use the Cowhorns with a harness though?

  • There is a shoulder strap that is sold with the kombi's which might make life a little easier
  • PRO

    I do use the harness with the cowhorns luckily! 

    when i upgrade my loop handle this year, may it be worth getting a kombi with the extended bar? haven't used a kombi so don't know whether that would work or not!

    cutting off the legs could be a viable option!

    • It might be an idea. I'm 6'3" and barely hunch. Plus it will be more versatile?

      Go to a dealer and try it, it's the only way to know. It's just a basic strap with a bit of padding so takes some of the strain
    • PRO

      Extension bars come as 0.5 or 1m so possibly too much. It make make it even more tiring as well as the balance point will shift.

  • PRO

    Would you say the strap takes off the weight? because the weight isn't an issue, its just the hunching, maybe i just need to man up!

    • to an extent. I have mine set to hold the head just level on the ground. Although I normally find the strap just gets in my way of speed

  • I use the cow horn strimmer and find it much more comfortable to use as the trigger is in front of you I also have a kombi with a loop handle but the trigger is at the side of you and dos my back in after 4 hrs. if I am doing lawn edges   

  • Hi I have the same St up for the same reasons,I use the cow horns for large clearance jobs and the loop handle for maintenance and edging,the thing we discovered last year was the stihl loop handle strimmer a are considerably shorter than the honda models,we bought a brand new stihl used it for a day,sent it back and went out and bought a honda ums425....end of problem,not once broke down,strimmer heads far easier to bump and load.ditch the stihl and get a honda loop handle,save your back and it starts firt time everytime
  • hi daniel, i would suggest when it comes to upgrading your loop handled strimmer avoid stihl 1's altogether.....their loop handled models all vibrate way too much and simply not safe for pro use as theyre all over 5m/s which doesnt only leave you open to nasty diseases such as white finger over time it makes using the machine more uncomfortable to use and adds to fatigue, if its just for going round lawn edges etc a  strimmer such as the tanaka 230s would be ideal, your losing a bit of power in comparison to an fs90r but what would you need the extra power for anyway? and on the plus side.....its a kilo lighter "which would only help your back" its very near half the price and the old hands and fingers would only have to absorb half as much vibs! 

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