Stihl FS 55 vs FS 55 R Trimmer (Field Test)
The main difference is the handle: the FS 55 has a bike-style handle for sweeping open ground, while the FS 55 R has a loop handle for close trimming around obstacles. Common published specs list both with a 27.2 cm³ engine and 0.75 kW output. Choose by the shape of your yard, then confirm the exact model’s manual and approved attachments.
If you have several tabs open, the shared engine figures can make these trimmers look like the same purchase with a different name. In practice, handle style affects how you guide the cutting head and where each model feels natural. That matters more than a small difference in listed dry weight for many homeowners.
I compare the published specifications first, then look at the work each handle suits. I can’t present this as a controlled, instrumented field test: model versions and equipment vary, and I don’t have verified head-to-head measurements for vibration, fuel use, or cutting rate. The advice below separates known specifications from practical handling guidance.
The main difference: FS 55 vs. FS 55 R
The FS 55 and FS 55 R share the core engine specification in common published family data. The practical distinction is handle layout: bike-style on the FS 55 and loop-style on the FS 55 R. These positions support different sweeping and maneuvering styles, but neither handle makes the trimmer suitable for heavy brush.
A bike-style handle lets you hold the tool with both hands spaced apart. That position tends to suit broad, level sweeps across open grass. A loop handle puts both hands closer together and gives more freedom to angle the shaft around posts, beds, fences, and other obstacles.
| Comparison point | FS 55 | FS 55 R |
|---|---|---|
| Handle | Bike-style | Loop |
| Engine, common published specification | 27.2 cm³, two-stroke | 27.2 cm³, two-stroke |
| Maximum engine output, common published specification | 0.75 kW (1.0 hp) | 0.75 kW (1.0 hp) |
| Approximate dry weight, without cutting attachment and guard | 5.1 kg | 4.9 kg |
| Likely handling fit | Broad sweeps across open areas | Close trimming and maneuvering |
| Important limitation | Light-duty trimming, not heavy brush work | Light-duty trimming, not heavy brush work |
The listed weight gap is about 0.2 kg, or 200 g, before adding the guard and cutting attachment. Treat it as a published dry-weight comparison, not the weight you will feel while working. Actual equipped weight is higher, and setup can vary by market.
Both use a 27.2 cm³ single-cylinder, two-stroke engine in common published specifications. Maximum engine output is listed as 0.75 kW, or 1.0 hp. Those matching figures do not tell you which handle will feel better in your yard; they show that the key choice is mostly about control and work pattern.
Which handle fits your yard?
Handle fit means how comfortably and steadily you can guide the trimmer through the task. It depends on the shape of the area, your working position, and the machine’s approved setup. The FS 55’s bike handle favors open sweeps; the FS 55 R’s loop handle can be easier to guide close to edges and obstacles.
Choose the FS 55 if most of your trimming involves open ground where you can move in steady passes. The wider hand position supports a side-to-side sweep. If the property has many trees, posts, or tight corners, the FS 55 R’s loop handle may be more convenient to steer around them.
| Yard or task | Better starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Open lawn edges or a broad grassy area | FS 55 | Bike-style handle suits sweeping passes |
| Grass around trees, posts, and beds | FS 55 R | Loop handle favors close maneuvering |
| A mix of open ground and obstacles | Depends on the larger share of work | Choose for the task you do most |
| Woody stems or heavy brush | Neither as a default choice | These are light-duty trimmers; verify approved use and attachments |
These are handling recommendations, not promises about cutting speed. Grass type, line condition, cutting width, operator technique, and the fitted head all affect results. Neither model should be treated as a brushcutter for woody stems or as a substitute for equipment designed for that work.
Before buying, check the rating plate and the manual for the exact machine. FS 55-family specifications and included equipment can vary by market and version. Ask the seller to confirm the handle, guard, cutting attachment, and parts match the model number you will receive.
Equipment Setup and Safety Prep
Setup is the check of the machine, fuel, cutting parts, and work area before starting. A correct setup helps prevent avoidable damage and injury. Use the manual for the exact model and market version, because it governs approved attachments, guards, starting steps, and any stated distance for keeping people away.
-
Wear suitable protective equipment. Use eye or face protection, hearing protection, sturdy footwear, and leg protection suited to the attachment. Keep bystanders and animals outside the exclusion distance stated in the manual.
-
Inspect the trimmer. Check the guard, handle, throttle lockout, stop switch, and attachment retention. If a harness is supplied or specified for your setup, check that it is secure and correctly adjusted. Do not operate with a missing guard or loose cutting attachment.
-
Clear the work area. Remove stones, wire, and other loose objects where possible. A rotating line can throw debris at high speed. A blade, if approved for the exact configuration, carries serious projectile and contact risks as well.
-
Prepare fuel carefully. Common published FS 55-family guidance specifies a 50:1 mixture of gasoline to STIHL two-stroke engine oil. Use fresh fuel and the oil grade specified in your manual; do not use straight gasoline. The listed tank capacity is approximately 0.33 L.
-
Refuel and start safely. Stop the engine and let it cool before refueling, away from ignition sources. Start the trimmer on stable ground using the manual’s procedure, with the cutting head clear of the ground and nearby objects.
Use only a head, line diameter, guard, or blade approved for your exact model and configuration. A blade is not a general upgrade: it may require a specific guard and handle setup. If compatibility is unclear, stop and confirm it with the manual or an authorized STIHL dealer.
Field Trimming Operation: FS 55 vs. FS 55 R
Field operation is the way you guide the cutting head once the machine is running. With either model, use a steady pace and the correct cutting attachment. The handle changes how you steer, but safe technique still depends on keeping the guard fitted, the head controlled, and people clear of flying debris.
For open ground with the FS 55, use smooth, even sweeps and keep the cutting height consistent. For close work with the FS 55 R, guide the head carefully around obstacles without letting the line strike hard surfaces. In both cases, let the line do the cutting rather than forcing the head into dense growth.
Illustrative yard scenarios: An open, grassy verge may suit the FS 55’s wide hand position. A yard with shrubs, fence posts, and narrow borders may favor the FS 55 R’s close steering. These examples describe likely handling fit, not measured results from a controlled comparison.
Stop if the head, guard, or engine behaves abnormally. Shut off the engine before setting the machine down or clearing wrapped vegetation. Never reach near a rotating head, and do not continue using a damaged or loose attachment.
A line head can throw stones and debris; an incompatible blade or guard, or a loose attachment, can cause severe injury. Keep others outside the manual’s stated exclusion zone. Never remove the guard to gain access or fit an attachment that is not approved for the exact machine.
Maintenance, Line Replacement, and Engine Service
Routine maintenance means the checks and care listed in the model’s manual, not an assumed service schedule shared by every version. Cleanliness, secure attachments, and correct fuel matter for both trimmers. Follow the manual for line type, line diameter, service intervals, and any engine adjustments.
After use, stop the engine and allow the machine to cool before cleaning or inspection. Clear grass from the guard and air-intake area. Check that the cutting attachment remains secure and inspect the guard and handle for damage before the next use.
Replace line using the instructions for the fitted head. Use only the line type and diameter allowed by the manual or head instructions. Incorrect line can affect operation and may damage the machine or guard. If the head is difficult to reload or has cracked parts, use the specified replacement parts rather than improvising.
Use the manual’s maintenance steps for the air filter, spark plug, and other service items. If starting, idling, or cutting performance changes, stop and check the basic setup first: fresh correctly mixed fuel, an unobstructed head, and a sound attachment. For unresolved faults, seek qualified service instead of guessing at adjustments.
Storage and Seasonal Care
Storage care means preparing the trimmer for the time between jobs and for longer periods without use. The exact fuel-storage steps depend on the manual and fuel product. Clean the machine, check for damage, and keep it in a safe, dry place where children cannot access it.
After trimming, stop the engine, let it cool, and clean the guard and air-intake area. Check the cutting attachment and fasteners. Store the trimmer in a dry, secure location, following the manual’s directions for fuel and extended storage.
Before the next season, inspect the handle, guard, stop switch, and attachment retention again. Confirm the machine starts and runs as described in the manual before taking it into a work area. Do not use it if a safety part is damaged or missing.
Buying verdict
The buying decision is whether you want the handle that best matches your usual trimming pattern. Because common published engine specifications are alike, choose based on control, included approved equipment, and the exact version available. Verify the manual and rating plate before relying on a specification or attachment listing.
For mostly open areas, the FS 55 is the more natural starting point because its bike-style handle supports broad sweeps. For frequent close trimming around obstacles, the FS 55 R is the more logical choice because its loop handle favors maneuvering. If your yard is mixed, buy for the task that takes the most time.
Do not pay extra based on an assumed power advantage: common published figures list the same displacement and maximum output for both. Compare the actual package, including guard and head, and check that every included part is approved for the exact model. If your work includes woody stems or heavy brush, these light-duty trimmers may not be the right class of machine.
Frequently asked questions
Are the FS 55 and FS 55 R equally powerful?
Common published specifications list both with a 27.2 cm³ two-stroke engine and 0.75 kW (1.0 hp) maximum output. Check the rating plate and manual for your exact version.
What is the main difference between the FS 55 and FS 55 R?
The handle. The FS 55 has a bike-style handle, while the FS 55 R has a loop handle.
Which model is better for trimming around trees and posts?
The FS 55 R is often the more convenient fit because its loop handle favors close maneuvering. Your technique and the approved cutting setup also matter.
Which model is better for open areas?
The FS 55 is a reasonable starting choice for open ground because its bike-style handle suits broad sweeps.
How much do the two models weigh?
Common published dry weights are about 5.1 kg for the FS 55 and 4.9 kg for the FS 55 R, excluding the cutting attachment and guard. Equipped weight is higher.
What fuel mixture does the FS 55 family use?
Common published guidance specifies a 50:1 gasoline-to-STIHL two-stroke oil mixture. Use fresh fuel and the oil grade directed by the manual for your machine.
Can I use a blade on either trimmer?
Only if the blade is expressly approved for the exact model and is used with the required guard and handle configuration. Confirm compatibility in the manual before fitting one.
Can either model handle woody brush?
Do not assume so. These are light-duty trimmers for grass and light weeds, not default choices for woody stems or heavy brush.
Can I operate the trimmer without its guard?
No. Do not operate with the guard removed. It helps limit exposure to the cutting attachment and thrown debris.
How do I choose if my yard has both open grass and obstacles?
Choose the handle that suits the work you do most often. If neither clearly fits, compare the exact machines in person while switched off and confirm their setup with the dealer.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Marcus Thorne. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
