What Size Line Does A Stihl Fs 56 Use

STIHL (which is actually pronounced "steel"—or "shteel" if you're European) has introduced the new FS 56 RC-E, the height-of-the-line model for its new Homescaper Series of straight shaft trimmers. The Stihl FS 56 RC-E trimmer features the company'south new full crank Easy2Start system and semi-automatic choke to ensure starting doesn't become a strength training practice. It's encouraging to know that the industry is responding to consumers who don't relish the idea of ripping their artillery off in the quintessential struggle of homo vs. machine – or whatever y'all desire to phone call that masochistic exercise involved in starting your typical 2-wheel engine. With the Easy2Start arrangement and a semi-automatic choke, Stihl eliminates the hassle and delivers a production that your wife and/or mother could apply.

Editor's Note: Cheque out our all-time gas string trimmer commodity for our superlative recommendations.

Stihl FS 56 RC-Eastward Trimmer Build Quality

We received our Stihl FS 56 RC-Due east trimmer fully assembled from a local dealer. Dealers provide customers with a "serviced out" unit, meaning it's fueled, fully assembled, including handle, and fix to go. STIHL does not retail products in a box. The weight of the trimmer is 12-1/2 pounds, most average for this size engine. Speaking of the engine, Stihl does a thorough job encasing the unabridged forward part of the motor upwardly to the throttle in an almost unibody gray ABS plastic enclosure. It covers all the motor parts, save for a separate department for the air filter and choke assembly. The plastic cover does a great job at protecting y'all from the rut of the engine, should you accidentally bear on the side nearest the spark arrestor. It does, however, come across equally a bit bulky and gives the trimmer a rather imposing look.

On the rear of the engine, we noticed a total crank organization that besides featured Stihl's Easy2Start spring-assisted pull starter. Different another brands, the fancy starter didn't seem to add a ton of weight or bulkiness to the trimmer and composite in well. The orange rear covering was, similar the balance of the trimmer, molded perfectly to protect the parts while delivering a streamlined shape to the FS 56 RC-E. The 50:one oil-gas mixture could be easily poured into the translucent fuel tank while the trimmer is resting on the footing – in that location was no need to plow it on its side. I could appreciate the flip-up half-moon handle which made removing the gas cap quite easy. We establish the priming bulb like shooting fish in a barrel to access and all of the fuel lines were well protected underneath the motor housing.

Stihl FS 56 RC-Eastward Maintenance

Maintenance for the Stihl FS 56 RC-E seemed very simple. Cleaning the air filter required only a star bit commuter and removing and replacing the spark plug entailed pulling off the molded cap and boot and using a standard spark plug socket to remove it. The carburetor can even be adjusted by turning the loftier-speed and depression-speed idle screws located but next to the semi-automatic choke. Similar near trimmers, the Stihl FS 56 uses a centrifugal steel-on-steel clutch for the driveshaft to appoint the spinning trimmer caput. Equally such, it's of import to ensure the caput doesn't spin (i.e. the trimmer doesn't idle besides loftier) when the throttle isn't engaged. Ours was configured perfectly from the factory. All of the throttle cables are fully enclosed.

The flex cable bulldoze shaft is fully lined and straight – which is first-class for both tall people and those who desire to be able to get under narrow areas, like a deck or stairway. Stihl is a visitor that caters to both consumers/homeowners and professionals simply tends to implement every bit many of its pro-line features it tin squeeze into the lower-end models. As such, yous won't find a unmarried model with the capability for attachments, something that pros typically avoid like the plague since information technology provides a specific point of failure for trimmers.

The TapAction Bump Head

We typically avert bump-heads like the plague and Stihl reinforced the many reasons why this is the case. Their particular flavor of bump caput is dubbed TapAction, but we institute it to be more of aRepeatedly-slam-it-onto-physical-at-high-speed Action. No matter what we did, getting this trimmer caput to release cord was not an easy process. To date, we have institute only one or two crash-land heads that we actually liked, and for Stihl products we only recommend you go out and purchase their FixCut 25-ii head (or an aftermarket equivalent) which uses two fixed pieces of viii″ string for fast and easy loading.

The other affair we apace noticed was that the 0.095″ Quiet Line string included with the trimmer has very specific grooves. These reduce noise but almost encourage the trimmer cord to break as often and quickly as possible. I went through more string with this trimmer than with any other trimmer I've e'er used in the same comparable time. Loading the trimmer was piece of cake in theory, however, the graphical instruction sail Stihl provided was extremely confusing to follow. In short, you reload the cord by emptying the cutting head of any remaining string and then:

Line up the pointer on the drum with the dots on the spool
Insert both ends of string (upwardly to 26′ in length)
Wind it up with a clockwise rotation of the bump-head
Cut the middle of the remaining connected cord

Fifty-fifty after nosotros reloaded the string, it broke easily and we were able to wrap the string around some bushes which really tangled things upward. The lesser line is that like most trimmers a fixed-cord pro head is actually the way to become and will provide a great experience and allow for the utilize of thicker string.

Using theStihl FS 56 RC-E Trimmer

Starting up this trimmer was a breeze. The semi-automatic choke is a stroke of genius. From a cold start, you lot simply set the choke, prime the bulb, and and so gently pull the starter string. Once the engine fires over (typically afterwards a couple pulls at most) you can depress the interlock switch and pull the throttle trigger. This disengages the asphyxiate automatically and brings the engine to life. Stihl recommends running the engine through three tanks of fuel earlier opening it upward all the way.

Aside from our bump-caput and string shenanigans, the Stihl FS 56 RC-E trimmer was quite good at trimming grass. Since information technology sports a ii-cycle engine, it easily doubles equally an edger when rotated 90 degrees. We also liked the placement of the fuel line and filter since the trimmer never once stalled when used in this fashion, even though we hadn't topped off the tank.

Reviewer'southward Note:Delight see our commodity on ii-cycle vs. 4-cycle engines.

Larger Lots Welcome

We trimmed our sample quarter-acre lot several times with this trimmer over the form of the review period and constitute it to exercise a decent job. The string bankrupt quite easily and oftentimes and we'd recommend purchasing some better quality 0.095″ string than what comes with this model. The vibration was above average with this model and we quickly plant that gloves are highly recommended. But starting this unit on the ground, it vibrates enough to practically walk around on its ain – very like to the feel of a 4-cycle engine but a tad higher in intensity.

Some other thing to note is that this trimmer comes with the handle assembly mounted flush against the plastic housing for the throttle control. We institute this to exist too shut – at least for anyone over 5′ 8″ – and resulted in an awkward balance to the trimmer. The trimmer just felt downright heavy when we used it the kickoff fourth dimension, and the correct-to-left movement was difficult to guide smoothly when compared to other trimmers we'd used. After we slid the handle just a couple of inches forward, the balance felt improve and the overall weight of the tool seemed to decrease slightly. Stihl anticipates each user volition customize the handle position every bit needed for the best residuum and comfort.

Noise output during idle measured 83 dB SPL, which is reasonably quiet, but at maximum throttle, it outputs a full 104 dB SPL. We definitely recommend ear protection, and the local Stihl rep actually handed me a complimentary pair when he dropped off the tool.

Conclusion

The Stihl FS 56 RC-E trimmer definitely gets the job washed. It has ample ability, doesn't slow down through even heavy grasses, and works well every bit a trimmer and makeshift edger. It has a two-year (consumer-use) warranty and has an first-class build quality and piece of cake-to-start motor. Add to that the fact that Stihl meets current EPA requirements and this is a solid production to use on whatsoever consumer application. Its hefty feel, withal and the substandard TapAction bump head means that some users may want to shop effectually before deciding on this particular product.