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barrage - powered lawn and garden pecker have come a long way over the preceding distich of decade . Engineers worked on the trouble for a long clock time , but power and runtime were critical restriction . Since the early 2000s , cryptic - cycling lithium - ion batteries , eminent - efficiency brushless motor , and other proficient developments have made it possible to build reliable battery - powered equipment that does n’t be an arm and a peg . These tools weigh less , vibrate less , make less noise , and work as as hard as their gas - powered forerunner , and every big outdoor power - equipment brand that flourish in the gasoline era is staking its claim in the barrage fire - tool market . They do n’t get much giving or better than Stihl .
Stihlhas been a spheric powerhouse in pro - grade business leader equipment for generation . It work up a stiff and enduring reputation for timber by have some of the toughest chainsaws , train trimmers , brushing cutters , hedging shears , andleaf blowerson the market , with repairability built in from the start . But that was during the age of gasoline . The question is , will the fresh battery - powered Stihl equipment carry the torch into the futurity ?
Photo: Mark Wolfe
I recently had the chance to test a variety of Stihl barrage fire - powered lawn and landscape tool , including the newStihl FSA 60 Rstring trimmer . I ’ve tested lots of otherbattery trimmers , including some that run longer on a charge and some that offer a number more torque , but in full term of overall capability and substance abuser experience , this one competes with the top performers . Check out the fall out review to learn more about the tool and why I recommend it .
Stihl FSA 60 R Battery Trimmer: At a Glance
OurRating:9.1/10
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
What is the Stihl FSA 60 R battery trimmer?
Stihl recently unveiled the FSA 60 R as the most powerful trimmer in itsAK systemof electric battery - powered creature contrive with householder in judgement . The one I tested let in the trimmer , AK 20 bombardment , and AL 101 charger , but the trimmer is also available as a bare instrument . Thanks to an efficient brushless motor and the sturdy , lightweight polymer material used for the motor lodging and debris deflector , the trimmer weighs in at a prosperous 9.8 pounds with the battery installed but offers pile of trimming power . The AK 20 36 - volt ( V ) 3.9 amp - time of day ( Ah ) atomic number 3 - ion electric battery give it about 25 minutes of runtime per armorial bearing , and it recharges in 2.5 hours .
Stihl FSA 60 R Specs
A few standout feature on this Stihl shelling trimmer let in a variable - speed throttle induction , thumb - operated trigger meshing , EasySpool cutting head , bump guard , barrage retaining door latch , and attend loop . The trigger interlock and the battery retainer act as base hit features , assure that the trimmer is not circumstantially activated . The bulge safety machine protect Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree trunks , fence , and other delicate surfaces in front of the promontory for close passementerie without hurt . The rapid - loading EasySpool system lets the user reload the trimming capacitor line in second without break apart the head . When the trimming capacitor is not in use , the hanging loop makes store flying and easy .
Customers who are shopping for a Stihl battery trimmer may meet the similar Stihl FSA 57 , which has been around a little longer . While both trimming capacitor operate on the 36V AK bombardment system , they differ in a few key way of life . TheFSA 57is a smaller , lighter shelling trimmer designed for the small urban curtilage . It measures 59 in long , weighs 7.7 pounds with the included AK 10 battery installed , cut an 11 - inch swath , and runs up to 25 minutes per charge . For medium - size suburban peck of between a quarter and a half acre , the larger and more powerful FSA 60 R is the good pick .
How well does the Stihl FSA 60 R work?
From the starting , it is obvious that the FSA 60 R comes from a company that knows string trimmers . Where some manufacturers seem to begin with a gas trimmer and simply replace the engine with an electric motor , this intention is more urbane . The front - to - rear Libra point is located at a sweet spot slightly in front of the forward-moving handle , so that the cut nous naturally stays at ground degree but the wheeler dealer does not expend extra energy while trimming . Balance is extremely important in the heavy gas - powered trimmers that Stihl makes , and it was nice to get that storey of detail here .
Bearing in thinker that this lightweight machine came loaded with a expectant - duty .095 - inch trimmer line , I was somewhat amazed at its performance . Battery trimmers are often equipped with a thinner line in ordering to redeem shelling life or to make up for a lack of torque . This trimmer sliced cleanly and sharply through everything in its course — skunk , weeds , and even fragile green goddess - tree seedlings . Even more surprising was the deficiency of shakiness traveling through the handles . It was n’t exactly buttery fluid , but the vibration was noticeably less than contender I ’ve tested , and I had n’t the svelte shudder in my hands after trim .
As for the comfort and appliance feature , they simply worked . The varying trigger quicken smoothly and allowed me to practice less power while trimming grass and more superpower for coarse Mary Jane . I like the drag - out extrusion guard because I could extend or abjure it as needed for the job at hand , and it worked as publicize when expand . The trigger ignition interlock did its job and did n’t cause any inconvenience when operating . Same for the battery retainer , which pressure the user to double penetrate the shelling in place for operation .
Photo: Mark Wolfe
I put the FSA 60 gas constant trimmer through its paces on my property . My yard is a combining of average ( underweight ) lawn grass , interspersed with landscaped layer , born areas , and a veg garden . I used the barrage fire pruner in all areas in parliamentary procedure to find out how well it would handle fine grass , coarse weeds , some dim growth , and occasionally a few thin tree saplings that bourgeon at the edge of the innate areas . In each grammatical case , the trimmer accomplished the task aggressively but with a comfortably refined tone . The combination of slightly frontwards weightiness remainder , lightweight expression , low vibration , and a surprising amount of cutting power made theFSA 60 R barrage trimmera joy to use .
Is the Stihl FSA 60 R worth the money?
At about $ 300 , the Stihl FSA 60 R is one of the more expensive battery trimmers on the marketplace . Light - duty battery trimmers cost just over $ 100 , but they ca n’t trim anything tougher than Gunter Wilhelm Grass , and they only run about 15 minute per charge . deal - price sound - duty trimmers claim up to an hour of stamp battery life and perchance a full cutting path and commonly go for about $ 200 . In my experience , those employment as advertised , but emptor sell operating comfort and/or enduringness for a cheaper toll .
Competitors in the $ 300 range tender a much better user experience . The machine at this cost spirit level fork up plenty of power for all variety of trimming , a comfortable design , clean press clipping with less quivering , and overall less frustration when it comes to get the job done routinely . This trimmer fits well among its peers at this level , so I consider it a mediocre Leontyne Price .
Is this Stihl battery trimmer right for you?
If your criterion of note value is get the most torsion and runtime as inexpensively as possible , then the Stihl FSA 60 universal gas constant will not be a great conniption . Check out theEgo 56V cordless trimmeror theGreenworks 80V string trimmerinstead ; each of these also extend 45 arcminute of runtime , compare to 25 minutes for the Stihl . However , if you opt to give a bit more for quality tools that will last a tenacious timeandgive you a satisfying work experience , then you ’re on the right track with thisStihl battery trimming capacitor .
With its 25 - second runtime , the FSA 60 R string pruner is an idealistic plectron for most moderately sized landscape painting between a quarter and a half Akko . It offers superior wheeler dealer comfort , hatful of might to clean up the elusive place , safety features to protect from accidental startup , and is built to last . I may just have to get one for my three - one-fourth - acre yard and place in a 2d battery .
Where to Buy the Stihl FSA 60 R Battery Trimmer
Get the Stihl FSA 60 R battery trimming capacitor at :
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and product examiner with an wide background knowledge in the nursery and landscape gardening industry . For more than 20 class he mowed , edged , planted , pruned , cultivated , irrigate , and renovated beautiful landscapes . Now he test and writes reexamination about the latest outdoor power equipment , mitt tools , lawn - tutelage product , and other outdoor - living goods .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you pose up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the right plants for your soil and part .
Photo: Mark Wolfe
Photo: Mark Wolfe
Photo: Mark Wolfe
Photo: Mark Wolfe
