Stihl FSA 130 R offers a quiet and maneuverable cord trimmer for professionals
We recently had the opportunity to work on our best battery-operated weeders article with a variety of professional-grade and home-grade string trimmers. One of the standout Pro models, the Stihl FSA 130 R Battery String Trimmer impressed us with its thoughtful design and quiet operation.
advantage
- Design reduces tool battery weight
- Backpack battery available for extended runtime
- 3 gear control
- Runs for over 35 minutes on recommended 7.2Ah battery (281 Wh)
- Strong sales and after-sales service dealer network
- One of the quieter models we tested (82 dB(A))
shortcoming
- The trigger safety system takes some getting used to and inhibits your ability to turn the trimmer sideways for light trimming
- Prices are significantly higher than competitors
- No "easy load" rethreading system of any kind
unique battery design
The easiest place to start with the Stihl FSA 130 R is the overall design of the trimmer. Stihl did away with the battery box entirely. Instead, they incorporated a battery tethering system into the design. The idea here is that the battery weight is kept away from the tool, better maintaining the tool's balance and rotational center of gravity.
You can use Stihl's backpack battery or harness system with any 36V Stihl battery instead of a typical car battery. Both systems use a cable that leads from the power supply and locks into a plug on the side of the trimmer's motor housing.
Stihl gives you some room on the cable so you don't have to fight it when you're moving. Plus, both the straps and backpack are adjustable so you can put the weight of the battery on your waist rather than your shoulders. The result is a well-balanced trimmer that is easy to maneuver and causes minimal fatigue.
Admittedly, this feature might be "overkill" for homeowners who just need to buzz around their lawn. But that's not the target audience. For Pros dealing with multiple lawns or a few acreages throughout the day, this custom battery can really take the sting out of the workday.
How much does the spinner weigh?
Because battery design can significantly affect tool weight, we weigh tools using a few different methods. Without any tether, the Stihl FSA 130 R weighs 10.25 lbs. This is one of the heavier bare tool weights we have measured. When you add the weight of the cable, you climb to 10.89 lbs.
In the end, this is better than average for a trimmer we've tested so far. However, we found it interesting that the FSA 130 R felt lighter than it actually was since the weight of the battery did not affect the center of gravity of the tool. This became even more apparent when we started moving around.
silent operation
All of the battery-powered string trimmers we tested can list "quiet operation" as a key feature, but the Stihl Battery String Trimmer is the quietest at 82 dB(A).
Combined with the brand's 0.095-inch Quiet Line string trimmer cord, which incorporates helical grooves to reduce wind noise, you can trim nearly all your accounts in the middle of the night without disturbing anyone.
A Word About Trimmer Guards
Stihl's trimmer guards are kept narrow at the bottom for better visibility. It then sticks out extra wide for better protection against flying debris. It looks a bit unorthodox, but we found it to be very effective and a great compromise in terms of visibility and protection.
How much runtime does the Stihl FSA 130 R provide?
We use a Stihl AP300S 7.5Ah battery to test runtime. Under no-load conditions, the thread trimmer ran at high speed for 36.41 minutes. That's second only to the Husqvarna 520iLX, which runs about half a minute longer on the 5.2Ah battery.
This runtime can be further extended by using one of Stihl's backpack battery models.
Professional Cutting Performance
The Stihl FSA 130 R String Trimmer uses 0.095" wire and cuts 15" strips. It has a bump feed head, but unfortunately, it doesn't have any easy-to-load features. You'll need to rethread this trimmer head the old fashioned way. We have a feeling most professionals won't mind a little.
The FSA 130 R has 3 speeds which you can select by tapping the safety switch upwards one after the other. On the highest setting, we measured an unloaded speed of 5,528 RPM.
a small question…
Speaking of that safety switch…that's one of the few complaints we have about the FSA 130 R. At this point, we can confidently say that Steele cares deeply about your well-being at work. They like to highlight the benefits of using PPE and generally, the Stihl range has safety measures in place to keep you safe. In this case, the main safety feature on the trimmer is the 3-stage safety switch.
You have the throttle trigger, the top trigger, and the thumb switch, all of which need to be engaged before the trimmer will start. Frankly, this is overkill. Our problem revolves around the thumb switch. While the system works, we didn't find it particularly easy to use or intuitive. It takes a little getting used to, and can be especially awkward to use if you need to turn the trimmer sideways for light trimming. We like safety, but this one is wobbly.
How much does the STIHL FSA 130 R cost?
I often think of Stihl as the Apple Computer of the OPE world. I mean a couple of things: firstly, Stihl products have a very distinctive look, and the tools tend to be very streamlined and intelligently designed. Second, the brand has an extensive dealer network that can handle all tool sales and service needs. In the end, Stihl tools tend to fall on the more expensive side.
The Stihl FSA 130 R is a good example. As a bare tool, it retails for about $400, which is about $100 more than the next most expensive trimmer we tested. To add an AP 300 battery and an AL 300 charger, the kit costs about $670. If you want to add battery straps, shoulder straps, battery pockets, and a power cord, you'll have to budget another $134.
The Stihl battery cord trimmer comes with a 2-year professional warranty (or a 3-year residential warranty). And, as we said, part of the appeal of the Stihl line is its highly regarded customer care and service department.
recommend
The Stihl FSA 130 R Battery Cord Trimmer definitely has the Pro in mind, and it's priced like that. But, for that price, you get a machine that performs well, is light and nimble. We like the harness system the trimmer uses to carry the battery. It takes the weight off the tool and the arm, and with it on your waist, you don't feel much. Other than that, it's very quiet.
If you have multiple accounts to manage, would benefit from the early morning operation this quiet cord cutter allows, or simply prefer a good dealer network with quick service, buy it. If you're looking for an edge trimmer that can easily do double duty as an edge trimmer, or if price is a major consideration, pass by.
STIHL Battery Cord Trimmer Specifications
- Model: STIHL FSA 130 R
- Voltage: 36V
- Cutting Diameter: 15″
- Maximum Wire Diameter: 0.095 inches.
- No-load speed: 5528 rpm
- Weight: 10.25 lbs (without tethered battery); 10.89 lbs (tethered to battery)
- Sound pressure: 82 dB(A)
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Warranty: 3 years residential; 2 years professional
- Price: $399.95 (bare case); $669.98 for 6.3Ah battery
Check out Stihl's website or visit your local dealer for more details.