Stihl Fc 56 C Manual

							FC 56 C
English
19 NInsert the cap – positioning marks 
on the cap and the fuel tank opening 
must line up.
NThe cap should drop fully into the 
opening in this position.
NWhile pressing the cap down, twist it 
firmly clockwise as far as it will go 
(approx. 1/4 turn).
NFold down the grip.
Checking for proper closure
NThe lug on the grip must engage 
entirely in the recess (arrow), and 
the grip must lie completely flush 
with the top of the cap.
NGrip the cap and check for 
tightness.
NIf the cap can be moved, it is not 
properly installed.
Misalignment of the cap parts
NIf the cap does not drop fully into the 
opening when the positioning marks 
line up and/or if the cap does not 
tighten properly when twisted, the 
base of the cap may be rotated out 
of position vis-à-vis the top.
NSuch misalignment can result from 
handling, cleaning or an improper 
attempt at tightening.NTo correct a misalignment, turn the 
cap (with the grip up) until it drops 
fully into the tank opening.
NTwist the cap counterclockwise as 
far as it will go (approx. 1/4 turn) – 
this will twist the base of the cap into 
the correct position.
NTwist the cap clockwise, closing it 
normally – see the sections 
"Closing" and "Checking for proper 
closure."
NIf your cap still does not tighten 
properly, it may be damaged or 
broken; immediately stop use of the 
unit and take it to your authorized 
STIHL dealer for repair.
001BA221 KN
001BA222 KN
001BA223 KN
001BA225 KN
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tioned for installation
001BA227 KN
001BA226 KN 
						

							FC 56 C
English
20
Opening the threaded filler cap
NTurn the cap counterclockwise until 
it can be removed from the tank 
opening.
NRemove the filler cap.
Refueling
Take care not to spill fuel while fueling 
and do not overfill the tank.
Closing the threaded filler cap
NPosition cap.
NTurn the cap clockwise as far as it 
will go and tighten it as securely as 
possible by hand.
Controls
1Throttle trigger lockout
2Throttle trigger
3Momentary stop switch with Run 
and 0= Stop positions.
Function of stop switch and ignition 
system
The momentary stop switch is normally 
in the Run position: Ignition is on in this 
position – the engine is ready to start 
and may be started. If the momentary 
stop switch is moved to the 0 position, 
the ignition is off. It is automatically 
switched on again after the engine 
comes to a standstill.
Starting the Engine
NPress the manual fuel pump 
bulb (4) at least five times – even if 
the bulb is already filled with fuel.
Cold engine (cold start)
NPress in the choke lever (5) and turn 
it to g at the same time.
Warm engine (warm start)
NPress in the choke lever (5) and turn 
it to < at the same time.
002BA447 KN
002BA448 KN
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13
545BA002 KN
4
547BA015 KN
5
547BA016 KN
5
547BA017 KN 
						

							FC 56 C
English
21 Also use this setting if the engine has 
been running but is still cold.
Starting
NPlace the unit on the ground: Check 
that the cutting blade is not touching 
the ground of any other obstacles.
NMake sure you have a firm footing.
NHold the unit firmly on the ground 
with your left hand and press down 
– do not touch the throttle trigger or  
throttle trigger lockout.
NOTICE
Do not stand or kneel on the drive tube.NPull the starter grip slowly with your 
right hand until you feel it engage 
and then continue pulling it slowly 
and steadily. Do not pull out the 
starter rope to full length – it might 
otherwise break.
NDo not let the starter grip snap back. 
Guide it slowly back into the housing 
so that the starter rope can rewind 
properly.
NContinue cranking until the engine 
runs.As soon as the engine runs
NPress down the throttle trigger 
lockout and open the throttle – the 
choke lever moves to the run 
positionF . After a cold start, warm 
up the engine by opening the 
throttle several times.
WARNING
Make sure the carburetor is correctly 
adjusted. The cutting blade must not 
rotate when the engine is idling.
Your machine is now ready for 
operation.
Shut off the engine.
NMove the momentary stop switch in 
the direction of 0  – the engine 
stops – release the momentary stop 
switch – it springs back to the run 
position.
Other hints on starting
Engine stalls in cold start positiong or 
under acceleration
NMove the choke lever to < and 
continue cranking until the engine 
runs.
547BA018 KN
547BA020 KN
547BA021 KN 
						

							FC 56 C
English
22 Engine does not start in warm start 
position<
NMove the choke lever to g and 
continue cranking until the engine 
runs.
If the engine does not start
NCheck that choke lever is in correct 
position.
NCheck that there is fuel in the tank 
and refuel if necessary.
NCheck that the spark plug boot is 
properly connected.
NRepeat the starting procedure.
Engine is flooded
NMove the choke lever to F and 
continue cranking until the engine 
runs.
Fuel tank run until dry
NAfter refueling, press the manual 
fuel pump bulb at least five times – 
even if the bulb is filled with fuel.
NSet the choke lever to suit the 
engine temperature.
NNow start the engine.
During break-in period
A factory-new machine should not be 
run at high revs (full throttle off load) for 
the first three tank fillings. This avoids 
unnecessary high loads during the 
break-in period. As all moving parts 
have to bed in during the break-in 
period, the frictional resistances in the 
engine are greater during this period. 
The engine develops its maximum 
power after about 5 to 15 tank fillings.
During Operation
After a long period of full throttle 
operation, allow the engine to run for a 
short while at idle speed so that engine 
heat can be dissipated by the flow of 
cooling air. This protects engine-
mounted components (ignition, 
carburetor) from thermal overload.
After Finishing Work
Storing for a short period: Wait for the 
engine to cool down. Empty the fuel tank 
and keep the machine in a dry place, 
well away from sources of ignition, until 
you need it again. For longer out-of-
service periods – see "Storing the 
Machine".If there is a noticeable loss of engine 
power
NMove the choke lever (1) to 
						

							FC 56 C
English
23 NReach into the recess (4) in the filter 
housing and take out the felt 
filter (5).
NFit a new felt filter element (5). As a 
temporary measure you can knock it 
out on the palm of your hand or blow 
it out with compressed air. Do not 
wash.
NOTICE
Replace damaged parts.
NFit the felt filter(5) in the filter 
housing, make sure it is properly 
seated – the arrow points to the 
recess.
NMove the choke lever (1) to 
						

							FC 56 C
English
24
WARNING
If the working tool or cutting attachment 
continues to run when the engine is 
idling, have your machine checked and 
repaired by your servicing dealer.If there is a loss of engine power, the 
machine is difficult to start or runs poorly 
at idle, first check the spark plug.
Install a new spark plug after approx. 
100 operating hours or earlier if the 
electrodes are eroded/corroded.
The wrong fuel mix (too much engine oil 
in the gasoline), a dirty air filter and 
unfavorable running conditions (mostly 
at part throttle etc.) affect the condition 
of the spark plug. These factors cause 
deposits to form on the insulator nose, 
which may degrade performance.
Removing the Spark Plug
NShut off the engine.
NRemove the spark plug boot (1).
NUnscrew the spark plug (2).
Checking the spark plug
NClean the spark plug if it is dirty
NCheck the electrode gap (A) and 
readjust if necessary – see 
"Specifications"
NUse only resistor type spark plugs of 
the approved range. See the 
chapter "Specifications" in this 
instruction manual
Correct the problems that have caused 
fouling of the spark plug:
–too much oil in fuel mix,
–dirty air filter,
–unfavorable running conditions, e.g. 
operating at part throttle.Spark Plug
1
547BA041 KN
2
000BA039 KNA 
						

							FC 56 C
English
25
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire and burn injury, 
use only spark plugs authorized by 
STIHL. Always press the spark plug 
boot (1) firmly and securely onto the 
spark plug terminal (2).
Do not use a spark plug with a 
detachable SAE adapter terminal (3). 
Arcing may occur that could ignite 
combustible fumes and cause a fire. 
This can result in serious injuries or 
damage to property. 
NOnly use resistor type spark plugs 
with solid, non-threaded terminals
Installing the Spark Plug
NScrew the spark plug into the 
cylinder.
NPress the boot firmly onto the spark 
plug.If engine running behavior is 
unsatisfactory even though the air filter 
is clean and the carburetor is properly 
adjusted, the cause may be the muffler.
Have the muffler checked for 
contamination (carbonization) by your 
servicing dealer.
STIHL recommends that you have 
servicing and repair work carried out 
exclusively by an authorized STIHL 
servicing dealer.For periods of 3 months or longer
NDrain and clean the fuel tank in a 
well ventilated area.
NDispose of fuel properly in 
accordance with local 
environmental requirements.
NRun the engine until the carburetor 
is dry – this helps prevent the 
carburetor diaphragms sticking 
together.
NThoroughly clean the machine – pay 
special attention to the cylinder fins 
and air filter.
NRemove, clean and inspect the 
cutting blade.
NStore the machine in a dry, high or 
locked location, out of the reach of 
children and other unauthorized 
persons.
2
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							FC 56 C
English
26 Have the worn wheel replaced by a 
specialist dealer. STIHL recommends 
that maintenance and repair work be 
carried out only by authorized STIHL 
dealers.
Wheel
NEnd of screw thread (1) is deformed 
so that the wingnut (2) cannot be 
lost
The wingnut can only be unscrewed 
from the screw with lots of force. If the 
parts are joined again after this, the 
function of the "filler cap retainer" is no 
longer assured. In this case, have the 
screw and wingnut replaced with new 
ones by a specialist dealer.
Removing the skirt
NUndo and remove the screw (1).
NRemove the washer (2)
NPull the skirt (3) out of the 
segment (6) and out of the gap (5) in 
the deflector
Fitting the skirt
NIn order to push the skirt easily into 
the gap on the deflector, apply a thin 
coating of resin-free oil to the top of 
the skirt
NThread the skirt(3) into the 
segment (6) and push into the 
gap (5) of the deflector – the bore in 
the skirt must be fixed in the 
arbor (4)
NPlace washer (2) onto screw (1).
NInsert and tighten the screw (1)Replacing the Depth Wheel
1
239BA023 KN
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239BA024 KN
1
4
5
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4
521
239BA025 KN
3 
						

							FC 56 C
English
27 Do not attempt to straighten or weld a 
bent or cracked blade – it may break – it 
must be replaced – see "Mounting the 
Cutting Blade".
STIHL recommends you use only the 
following original STIHL cutting blades:
Do not resharpen the blade.
NReplace the blade (1) if its 
length (A) is no longer sufficient to 
maintain the necessary ground 
clearance (B) and obtain the 
required depth of cut (C).
Checking Out-of-Balance
To avoid out-of-balance:
NHave your dealer check the blade 
for out-of-balance on a STIHL 
balancer (special accessory) – 
STIHL recommends an authorized 
STIHL servicing dealer. If blade is 
out-of-balance, fit a new one – see 
"Mounting the Cutting Blade".
Checking the protection against wear
NBefore starting up the machine, 
check that the protection against 
wear (1) is not damaged
NReplace the protection against wear 
at the latest when the gearbox (2) 
becomes visible (arrow)
NOTICE
If worn deflectors are not replaced in 
time, this can cause serious damage to 
the gearbox.
Replacing the protection against wear
NRemove the blade – see "Fitting the 
blade"
NUnscrew screws (4)
NReplace the protection against 
wear (5)
NScrew in and tighten screws (4)
NFit the blade – see "Fitting the 
blade"Replacing the Cutting Blade
Length Thick-
nessMarking
200 mm 2.4 mm 4133 / 01
200 mm 3.8 mm 4133 / 02
A
CB
239BA026 KN
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257BA017 KN
1
45239BA027 KN
4 
						

							FC 56 C
English
28
Spark arresting screen in muffler
NIf the engine is down on power, 
check the spark arresting screen in 
the muffler.
STIHL recommends that you have 
servicing and repair work carried out 
exclusively by an authorized STIHL 
servicing dealer.
Inspections and Maintenance 
by Dealer