Makita EM4351UH vs Stihl FS 131: heavy petrol clearing

The Makita EM4351UH and Stihl FS 131 both aim at the same job — thick brambles, scrub and regular heavy clearing — but they get there differently. The Makita is the bigger, mix-free 4-stroke built around comfort over long days; the Stihl is the lighter, semi-pro benchmark built around torque and dealer-backed durability. Picking between them comes down to what you value more: raw displacement and no fuel mixing, or a lighter, purpose-tuned machine you’re happy to buy through a dealer.

At a glance

Attribute	Makita EM4351UH	Stihl FS 131
Engine	43cc, true 4-stroke (MM4)	36.3cc, 4-MIX (4-stroke design, still runs 2-stroke fuel)
Power	1.5kW (2.0hp)	High low-end torque, not officially quoted in kW
Weight	~8.5kg — heavier	~5.8kg — noticeably lighter
Fuel mixing	None — runs on pure petrol	Yes — 4-MIX still needs 2-stroke oil mix
Vibration	Very low (1.7–2.2 m/s²), class-leading	Good for its class, not class-leading
Handle	U-handle with harness	Bike handle
Purchase access	Widely stocked on Amazon	Dealer-only, no Amazon listing
Price positioning	The more affordable of the two	The pricier of the two

Clear wins: the Makita wins on displacement, fuel convenience, vibration comfort and buying access; the Stihl wins on weight and torque-per-cc, and carries the stronger semi-pro reputation.

Engine and cutting power

The Makita’s 43cc MM4 engine is the largest here, and its 1.5kW output gives it genuine headroom on the toughest brambles and woody scrub, especially over a long session where a smaller engine has to work harder to keep pace. The Stihl FS 131’s 36.3cc 4-MIX engine is smaller on paper but is specifically tuned for strong low-end torque with a metal blade — Stihl’s semi-pro engineering means it doesn’t bog down on brambles the way a lesser 36cc unit might. In everyday cutting the two feel closer than the cc figures suggest; the Makita’s edge shows most on sustained, back-to-back clearing rather than any single cut.

Fuel system: mixing vs no mixing

This is the most practical difference between them. The Stihl FS 131’s 4-MIX engine is still, fundamentally, a design that runs on 2-stroke fuel mix — you get some 4-stroke smoothness and cleaner emissions, but you’re still measuring and mixing oil into every tank. The Makita EM4351UH’s MM4 engine is a true 4-stroke: pure petrol, no mixing, no risk of getting the ratio wrong on a job site. If you’re tired of carrying mixed fuel and want one less thing to think about, that’s a genuine point in Makita’s favour.

Weight, vibration and handling

The Stihl is the clear winner on carry weight — at around 5.8kg it’s noticeably easier to swing and manoeuvre than the Makita’s roughly 8.5kg, which matters if you’re moving the machine constantly around obstacles or working from awkward stances. But the Makita answers back with vibration: its figures (1.7–2.2 m/s²) are among the lowest in its class, which counts for a lot on a full working day where fatigue, not raw weight, is what actually wears you down. Both use a loop/bike-style handle suited to blade work rather than a straight-shaft trimmer layout, so neither has an ergonomic disadvantage there.

Build reputation and buying access

Both are aimed at professionals and heavy users rather than occasional gardeners, and both carry solid pro/semi-pro reputations. The practical difference is how you buy one. The Makita EM4351UH is stocked on Amazon, so you can check live pricing, read reviews and order it directly. The Stihl FS 131, in keeping with Stihl’s usual approach, is sold almost exclusively through the dealer network — no Amazon listing, so factor in a dealer visit or call for buying, demoing, and future servicing. Full detail on each machine is in our Makita EM4351UH review and Stihl FS 131 review.

Choose the Makita EM4351UH if…

• You’re tired of mixing fuel and want a true 4-stroke that runs on pure petrol
• You cut for hours at a stretch and want the lowest vibration figures available
• You want to compare live pricing and order online rather than visit a dealer
• You don’t mind the extra carry weight in exchange for more displacement and comfort

Choose the Stihl FS 131 if…

• Carry weight matters more to you than outright displacement
• You want Stihl’s semi-pro pedigree and don’t mind buying through a dealer
• You’re comfortable measuring and mixing 2-stroke fuel as part of the routine
• You value a machine tuned specifically for torque on a brush blade

Which should you buy?

If fuel mixing is the thing you want off your plate, or you run long sessions where low vibration keeps you going, the Makita EM4351UH is the more comfortable, more accessible choice — bigger engine, no mixing, and a straightforward Amazon purchase. If you’d rather carry less machine and are happy trading a bit of weight for Stihl’s semi-pro badge and dealer backup, the FS 131 remains the benchmark it’s always been. Neither is the wrong answer for heavy brambles and scrub — it’s a question of whether you prioritise carry weight and brand pedigree, or displacement, comfort and buying convenience.