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• PRO

  Gary RK July 18, 2010 at 9:32pm

  We've got 2 KM 85R, 1 KM100, 1 KM130.
  
  Best balance is KM100 for hedgecutting with long reach.
  
  Best power is KM130 for strim/metal blading heavy growth
  
  Best power is KM 85R for normal grass strimming
  
  Best noise is KM 100/130 - easier on ears, client and around buildings
  
  Best power is KM130 when using pole pruner and extension - has grunt to thru wood
  
  Best oil is Stihl Pro or Ultra - the green stuff
  
  Haven't had issues with weight of different power heads
  
  Had 1 probloem with tickover on KM130 - back to dealer and fixed under warranty.
  
  Didn't loose any downtime due to combi units & attachments
  
  Much prefer the Combi units, great flexibility
  
  All new stihl kit will be based on 4Mix engines (except chainsaws).
  
  All that is based on our usage with our typical work load and sites
  
  Each to their own as it will vary .....
• PRO

  Gary RK July 18, 2010 at 9:39pm

  I think it was to do with the tappets and the service tech reset them. We had theories it would be tickover/mixture but apparently not. It was in after lunch and picked up next morning. This was soon after we purchased over a year ago. never had a problem since....
  
  Forgot to add we run two ECHO U handled strimmers (the one with the ultra low vibes - lowest in class - that the guys use for large area clearences).
  
  Have to say that the normal 2stroke ECHO is a far nicer noise and response than than the Stihl KM85R's
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  Dan Frazer Gardening July 18, 2010 at 9:42pm

  I'm finally selling my KM100r, I hate it. Vibrations are beyond acceptable and it's a heavy lump. Up on ebay just now with 75 watchers, so some people must like them!
• PRO

  Gary RK July 18, 2010 at 9:45pm

  Dan, have it checked out.
  
  Our KM 130 came back smoother after the tappets had been reset.
  
  KM100 seems fine..currently...
  
  Wonder if quality control issue on setting tappets, the service tech seemed to 'know' straight away when we took it back ?
  
  Dan Frazer Gardening said:

  I'm finally selling my KM100r, I hate it. Vibrations are beyond acceptable and it's a heavy lump. Up on ebay just now with 75 watchers, so some people must like them!
• PRO

  Gary RK July 18, 2010 at 9:51pm

  Power head weights for interest:
  
  KM85R 2ST - 4.0kg
  KM90R 4Mix - 4.5kg
  KM100R 4Mix - 4.5kg
  KM130R 4Mix - 4.6kg
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  Geoff Norfolk July 18, 2010 at 10:39pm

  I bought an FS130R strimmer.....4 mix....... couple of years back and just swap the heads over if I need the chainsaw or hedgecutter attachment. Great powerful engine with a lovely sound to it........ does seem to need a lot more effort on the starting cord to turn the engine over to get it started. Don't honestly think I'd want to use it for more than an hour cutting hedges...... I'd be done for!!...... maybe I haven't got 11 stone of muscle though lol!!
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  Andy Lawrence July 19, 2010 at 7:52pm

  Hi there,
  
  I run a KM90 and a KM55 (I think that's what it is, the cheapest one anyway) as a backup. Had the KM90 for about two years and highly recommended.
  
  Reliability has been good. (One repair when I dropped it and fuel filter became detatched). Plenty of power for hedge cutting, though there is a fair bit of vibration.
  
  The cheaper one isn't great but is good enough to use with the strimmer attachment and handy as a back up but wouldn't recommend it as your number one machine.
  
  Overall I would highly recommend the 4 mix combi.
  
  Andy
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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk July 20, 2010 at 12:12am

  is it Km 130 r ? like mine .... combi 4-mox . great burble and power machine . total reliability.
  
  Geoff Norfolk said:

  I bought an FS130R strimmer.....4 mix....... couple of years back and just swap the heads over if I need the chainsaw or hedgecutter attachment. Great powerful engine with a lovely sound to it........ does seem to need a lot more effort on the starting cord to turn the engine over to get it started. Don't honestly think I'd want to use it for more than an hour cutting hedges...... I'd be done for!!...... maybe I haven't got 11 stone of muscle though lol!!
• PRO

  Green Giant Gardens July 20, 2010 at 7:07pm

  Thanks to all of you who replied and argued about the Kombi System. I've gone for the KM130R, along with hedge cutter, brush cutter and strimmer. I feel I have a good deal with PPE included.
  
  Thanks to all, I'll post on how I get on with it.
• PRO

  Green Giant Gardens July 20, 2010 at 7:27pm

  That's what the dealer has sorted for me. Seemed pointless to buy two heads for strimming and brush cutting when all you need is the blade kit.