Stihl Fs 55 R Instruction Manual

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
19 Mounting the Loop Handle with 
Barrier Bar
NFit the square nuts (1) in the barrier 
bar (2); the holes must line up.NPlace the clamp (3) in the loop 
handle (4) and position them both 
against the drive tube (5).
NPlace the clamp (6) against the 
drive tube.
NPlace the barrier bar (2) in position 
as shown.
NLine up the holes.
NInsert the screws (7) and tighten 
them down moderately against the 
barrier bar.
NGo to Securing the Loop Handle.Mounting the Loop...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
20
Securing the Loop Handle
NSecure the loop handle (4) 
approx. 8 in (20 cm) (A) forward of 
the control handle (9).
NLine up the loop handle.
NTighten down the screws firmly – 
lock the nuts if necessary.
The sleeve (10) (not fitted on all models) 
must be between the loop handle and 
the control handle.The carrying ring comes standard with 
the machine or is available as a special 
accessory.
For position of carrying ring see Main 
Parts.
NPlace the clamp (1)...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
21
Fitting the Skirt and Blade
NSlide the lower guide slot of the skirt 
(4) onto the deflector (1) – it must 
snap into position.
NPush the blade (5) into the upper 
guide slot on the skirt and line it up 
with the first hole.
NInsert the screw and tighten it down 
firmly.
Preparations
NLay your brushcutter on its back so 
that the cutting attachment 
mounting face is facing up.
Mounting hardware for cutting 
attachments
The mounting hardware supplied 
depends on...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
22 NGo to Mounting the mowing head 
or Mounting the metal cutting 
attachment.
If the parts are mounted to the 
gearbox
NGo to Removing the mounting 
hardware.
Removing the mounting hardware
NBlock the shaft – see next chapter 
on Blocking the output shaft.
NUse the combination wrench (6) – 
comes standard with machine or is 
available as special accessory – to 
unscrew the nut (3) clockwise (left-
hand thread) from the shaft (2). 
NPull the thrust washer (5) off...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
23 STIHL TrimCut 31-2, 
STIHL FixCut 25-2, 
STIHL PolyCut 20-3
NTurn the mowing head clockwise
Feed out mowing line
STIHL SuperCut
Line is fed out automatically if the 
mowing line is at least2 1/2 in. (6 cm) 
long – the blade on the deflector 
shortens excessively long mowing line 
to optimum length.
STIHL AutoCut
NHold the mowing head parallel 
above the surface of the lawn – tap 
it on the ground – approx. 1 1/4 in. 
(3 cm) of mowing line is fed out
The blade...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
24 Removing the metal cutting 
attachment
NBlock the drive shaft.
NUnscrew the mounting nut 
clockwise.
NTake the parts off the shaft – do not 
remove the thrust plate (5).This engine is certified to operate on 
unleaded gasoline and the STIHL two-
stroke engine oil at a mix ratio of 50:1.
Your engine requires a mixture of high-
quality gasoline and quality two-stroke 
air cooled engine oil.
Use mid-grade unleaded gasoline with a 
minimum octane rating of 89...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
25 Dispose of empty mixing-oil canisters 
only at authorized disposal locations.
Before fueling, clean the filler cap and 
the area around it to ensure that no dirt 
falls into the tank.
Always thoroughly shake the mixture in 
the canister before fueling your 
machine.The type and style of the harness 
depend on the market.
The use of the shoulder strap is 
described in the chapter on Approved 
Combinations of Cutting Attachment, 
Deflector, Handle and Harness....

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
26
Full harness
NPut on the full harness (1).
NAdjust the length of the strap so that 
the spring hook (2) is about a hand’s 
width below your right hip.
NBalance the trimmer/brushcutter.The type and style of the harness and 
carabiner (spring hook) depend on the 
market.
The carrying ring is integrated in the 
control handle on loop-handled units– 
see Main Parts. Loop-handled units do 
not need to be balanced.
Attaching the unit to the harness
NAttach the...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
27 When the correct floating position has 
been reached:
NTighten down the screw on the 
carrying ring firmly.
Detaching the unit from the harness
NPress down the bar on the 
carabiner (1) and pull the carrying 
ring (2) out of the carabiner.
Version with bike handle
Controls
1Throttle trigger lockout
2Throttle trigger
3Slide control
Positions of slide control
4 START – the ignition is switched on 
– the engine can start
5F – normal run position – the engine 
is...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
28
Version with loop handle
Controls
1Stop switch
2Throttle trigger lockout
3Throttle trigger
4Tongue of throttle trigger
5Catch
Positions of stop switch
6I – normal run position – the engine 
can start or is running
70 – Stop – engine off – the ignition is 
switched offStarting
NMove the stop switch to I.
NPress down the throttle trigger 
lockout and hold it there.
NSqueeze the throttle trigger until the 
catch on the tongue (4) can be 
engaged on the housing....