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STIHL FS 55
Instruction Manual
English
Contents
Guide to Using this Manual
Safety Precautions and Working
Techniques
Approved Combinations of Cutting
Attachment, Deflector, Handle and
Harness
Mounting the Bike Handle
Mounting the Loop Handle
Fitting the Carrying Ring
Mounting the Deflector
Mounting the Cutting Attachment
Fuel
Fueling
Fitting the Harness
Balancing the Machine
Starting / Stopping the Engine
Transporting the Unit
Operating Instructions
Cleaning the Air Filter
Adjusting the Carburetor
Spark Plug
Engine Running Behavior
Rewind Starter
Storing the Machine
Sharpening Metal Cutting Blades
Maintaining the Mowing Head
Inspections and Maintenance by
Dealer
Maintenance and Care
Minimize Wear and Avoid Damage
Main Parts
Specifications
{
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
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2
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Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a quality
engineered STIHL product.
It has been built using modern
production techniques and
comprehensive quality assurance.
Every effort has been made to ensure
your satisfaction and troublefree use of
the product.
Please contact your dealer or our sales
company if you have any queries
concerning this product.
Your
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This instruction manual is protected by copyright. All rights reserved, especially the rights to reproduce, translate and process
with electronic systems.
English
WARNING
Pictograms
The meanings of the pictograms
attached to the machine are explained in
this manual.
Depending on the model concerned, the
following pictograms may be attached to
your machine.
Fuel tank; fuel mixture of
gasoline and engine oil
Operate decompression
valve
Tube of grease
Intake air: Summer
operation
Intake air: Winter
operation
Handle heating
Symbols in text
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Do not lend or rent your power tool
without the instruction manual. Be sure
that anyone using it understands the
information contained in this manual.
English
STIHL offers a comprehensive range of
personal protective clothing and
equipment.
Fueling
Gasoline is an extremely
flammable fuel. Keep
clear of naked flames. Do
not spill any fuel do not
smoke.
Before Starting
Check that your power tool is properly
assembled and in good condition refer
to appropriate chapters in the instruction
manual.
002BA079 KN
Fuel your power tool only in wellventilated areas. If you spill fuel, wipe
the machine immediately if fuel gets on
your clothing, change immediately.
After fueling, tighten
down the fuel tank cap as
securely as possible.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
002BA055 KN
002BA080 KN
English
15m (50ft)
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Inspect the work area:
Stones, pieces of metal
or other solid objects may
be thrown more than 15
meters and cause personal injury or damage
the cutting attachment
and property (e.g. parked
vehicles, windows).
Check sharpness.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
To reduce the above-mentioned risks
when using a metal cutting attachment,
never use a metal cutting attachment
with a diameter larger than specified. It
must not be too heavy. It must be
manufactured from materials of
adequate quality and its geometry must
be correct (shape, thickness).
To reduce the risk of injury, a metal
cutting attachment not manufactured by
STIHL must not be heavier, thicker,
have a different shape or a diameter
larger than the largest metal cutting
attachment approved by STIHL for this
power tool model.
Vibrations
Prolonged use of the power tool may
result in vibration-induced circulation
problems in the hands (whitefinger
disease).
No general recommendation can be
given for the length of usage because it
depends on several factors.
The period of usage is prolonged by:
Work breaks
Symbols on Deflectors
Use deflector in
combination with
mowing heads
only. Do not use
metal cutting
attachments.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Do not use deflector with
brush knives or circular
saw blades.
000BA015 KN
Shoulder strap
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury,
never use wire or metal-reinforced line in
place of the nylon line.
STIHL FixCut
Check the wear limit marks!
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
002BA049 KN
English
It is important to follow the maintenance
instructions for the PolyCut mowing
head.
WARNING
Improper use may damage the grass
cutting blade risk of injury from thrown
parts.
002BA135 KN
10
000BA020 KN
WARNING
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
10
4
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
13
11
16
18
17
18
17
18
14
15
13
14
15
Approved Combinations
Harness/Shoulder Strap
12
Handle
WARNING
For safety reasons only the cutting
attachments, deflectors, handles and
harnesses shown in each row of the
table may be used together. No other
combinations are permitted because of
the risk of accidents.
233BA058 KN
Cutting Attachment
Cutting Attachments
Mowing heads
1
2
3
4
5
English
6
A
4
WARNING
233BA018 KN
4
10 Deflector for mowing heads
11 Deflector Sharpening aids for metal
cutting attachments
Handles
12
13
14
15
Loop handle
Loop handle with
barrier bar
Bicycle handle
Harness
16 Shoulder strap may be used
17 Shoulder strap must be used
18 Full harness may be used
12
233BA025 KN
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Attaching the control handle
13
14
14
13
N
10
233BA027 KN
11
12
1
1
002BA098 KN
12
002BA357 KN
NOTICE
Do not kink the throttle cable or run it in
tight radiuses the throttle trigger must
move freely!
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
13
English
Mounting the Loop Handle without
Barrier Bar
7
8
7
8
4
002BA615 KN
5
002BA614 KN
002BA099 KN
14
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Polymer Version
002BA262 KN
Metal Version
B
WARNING
Deflector (1) is approved for mowing
heads only and must therefore be
mounted before fitting a mowing head
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
002BA263 KN
002BA142 KN
002BA529 AS
WARNING
Deflector (2) is approved for grass
cutting blades only and must therefore
be mounted before fitting a grass cutting
blade.
Mounting the deflector
Deflectors (1) and (2) are both mounted
to the gearbox in the same way.
15
English
0414BA007 KN
1
2
002BA164 KN
002BA104 KN
002BA266 KN
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Blocking the Shaft
5
271BA057 KN
WARNING
Use a deflector that matches the cutting
attachment see "Mounting the
Deflector".
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
002BA385 KN
002BA330 KN
NOTICE
Remove the tool used to block the shaft.
Removing the Mowing Head
N
English
Mounting Metal Cutting Attachment
WARNING
Wear protective gloves to reduce the
risk of direct contact with the sharp
cutting edges.
WARNING
If the mounting nut has become too
loose, fit a new one.
681BA121 KN
NOTICE
WARNING
Wear protective gloves to reduce the
risk of direct contact with the sharp
cutting edges.
N
18
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Fuel
Your engine requires a mixture of
gasoline and engine oil.
WARNING
For health reasons, avoid direct skin
contact with gasoline and avoid inhaling
gasoline vapor.
Examples
Gasoline
Liters
1
5
10
15
20
25
Storing Fuel
STIHL MotoMix
NOTICE
Unsuitable fuels or lubricants or mix
ratios other than those specified may
result in serious damage to the engine.
Poor quality gasoline or engine oil may
damage the engine, sealing rings, hoses
and the fuel tank.
Gasoline
Use only high-quality brand-name
gasoline with a minimum octane rating
of 90 leaded or unleaded.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
Engine oil
Mix Ratio
STIHL 50:1 two-stroke engine oil: 50
parts gasoline to 1 part oil
WARNING
Pressure may build up in the canister
open it carefully.
N
19
English
Dispose of remaining fuel and cleaning
fluid properly in accordance with local
regulations and environmental
requirements.
Fueling
232BA046 KN
Shoulder strap
20
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Full Harness
2
1
N
Floating position
002BA313 KN
002BA228 KN
002BA311 KN
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
When the correct floating position has
been reached:
N
Starting
Controls
6 5 4
1
2
STO
1
1
2
3
Go to "All versions".
233BA037 KN
1
002BA312 KN
22
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Starting
All models
Controls
7 1 6
1
2
3
4
5
Stop switch
Throttle trigger lockout
Throttle trigger
Tongue of throttle trigger
Catch
Go to "All versions".
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
232BA011 KN
233BA049 KN
233BA048 KN
3
5 4
23
English
Both versions
233BA020 KN
Cranking
Continue cranking.
232BA014 KN
233BA014 KN
24
232TI015 KN
continue cranking.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Stopping the Engine
N
Choke lever
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
681BA269 KN
681BA272 KN
681BA268 KN
25
English
Operating Instructions
During break-in period
During Operation
26
232BA018 KN
232BA017 KN
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
LA
LA
Carburetor 1
2-MIX carburetor with limiter caps on
high speed screw (H) and low speed
screw (L), and marked "2-MIX"
Carburetor 2
Carburetor without limiter caps on high
speed screw (H) and low speed
screw (L)
233BA070 KN
General Information
233BA071 KN
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
27
English
Cutting attachment rotates when engine
is idling
233BA069 KN
Carburetor 2
N
Carburetor 2
N
Carburetor 2
28
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Checking the spark plug
232BA081 KN
A
N
1
000BA045 KN
000BA039 KN
Spark Plug
WARNING
If the spark plug comes with a
detachable adapter nut (1), screw the
adapter onto the thread and tighten it
down firmly to reduce the risk of arcing
and fire.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
29
English
Rewind Starter
To help prolong the wear life of the
starter rope, observe the following
points:
N
30
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
002BA113 KN
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
STIHL SuperCut
002BA104 KN
31
English
Repeat the above procedure as
necessary until both lines reach the
limiter blade on the deflector.
Rotating the spool from one stop to the
next advances about 4 cm (1 1/2 in) of
fresh line.
WARNING
STIHL recommends that you have
servicing and repair work carried out
exclusively by an authorized STIHL
servicing dealer.
STIHL PolyCut
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, always shut
off the engine before refilling the mowing
head.
N
32
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Complete machine
Control handle
Air filter
Clean
X
X
Check operation
Clean
Replace
X
X
Check
Check
Fuel tank
Clean
Carburetor
X
X
Cooling inlets
X
X
Clean
X
1)
X
X
as required
if damaged
if problem
every 12 months
monthly
weekly
The following intervals apply to normal operating conditions only. If your daily working time is longer or operating conditions are difficult (very dusty work area, etc.),
shorten the specified intervals accordingly.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
X
X
X
X
33
Visual inspection
Cutting attachment
Sharpen
Safety labels
Replace
34
as required
if damaged
if problem
every 12 months
monthly
weekly
Check tightness
2)
Replace
The following intervals apply to normal operating conditions only. If your daily working time is longer or operating conditions are difficult (very dusty work area, etc.),
shorten the specified intervals accordingly.
English
X
X
X
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Maintenance Work
Spark plug
Clutch
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
Rewind starter
35
English
Main Parts
1
2
3
4
5
3
7
6
1
2
5
9
15
13
11 12
20
14
16
10
#
17
18
19
11
21
36
233BA076 KN
20
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
#
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Specifications
Engine
2
3
1
2
3
4
5
FS 55
4
002BA270 KN
Mowing head
Deflector for mowing heads only
Blade
Deflector for grass cutting blades
only
Grass cutting blade
Displacement:
Bore:
Stroke:
Engine power to
ISO 8893:
27.2 cc
34 mm
30 mm
0.75 kW
(0.9 bhp) at
7,000 rpm
Idle speed:
2,800 rpm
Cut-off speed (rated): 9,500 rpm
Max. output shaft
speed (cutting
attachment):
7,700 rpm
FS 55 2-MIX
Displacement:
27.2 cc
Bore:
34 mm
Stroke:
30 mm
Engine power to
0.75 kW (1 bhp)
ISO 8893:
at 8,500 rpm
Idle speed:
2,800 rpm
Cut-off speed (rated): 10,000 rpm
Max. output shaft
speed (cutting
attachment):
8,100 rpm
Bosch WSR 6 F,
NGK BPMR 7 A
0.5 mm
Fuel System
All position diaphragm carburetor with
integral fuel pump
Fuel tank capacity:
330 cc (0.33 l)
Weight
Dry, without cutting attachment and
deflector
FS 55:
5.0 kg
FS 55 2-MIX
5.1 kg
FS 55 C:
with ErgoStart: 5.2 kg
FS 55 R:
4.8 kg
FS 55 R 2-MIX:
4.9 kg
FS 55 RC:
with ErgoStart: 5.0 kg
Noise and Vibration Data
Noise and vibration data measurements
include idling and rated maximum speed
with the same duration of exposure.
For further details on compliance with
Vibration Directive 2002/44/EC see
www.stihl.com/vib.
Ignition System
Electronic magneto ignition
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
37
English
Sound pressure level Lp to ISO 22868
with mowing head
FS 55 with bike handle:
FS 55 R:
with metal mowing
attachment
FS 55 with bike handle:
FS 55 R with barrier bar:
95 dB(A)
95 dB(A)
94 dB(A)
94 dB(A)
108 dB(A)
108 dB(A)
107 dB(A)
107 dB(A)
Handle,
right
5.5 m/s2
8.5 m/s2
Handle,
left
Handle,
right
6.8 m/s2
5.6 m/s2
8.0 m/s2
9.0 m/s2
REACH
REACH is an EC regulation and stands
for the Registration, Evaluation,
Authorisation and Restriction of
Chemical substances.
For information on compliance with the
REACH regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006
see www.stihl.com/reach.
38
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
Disposal
EC Declaration of Conformity
000BA073 KN
Category:
Make:
Model:
Serial identification:
Displacement:
Brushcutter
STIHL
FS 55
FS 55 C
FS 55 C-E
FS 55 R
FS 55 RC
FS 55 RC-E
4140
27.2 cc
Thomas Elsner
Director Group Product Management
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
39
English
40
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
0458-233-0121-F
englisch
G
www.stihl.com
*04582330121F*
0458-233-0121-F