Stihl Fs 55 R Instruction Manual

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
29 Starting
NPlace the unit on the ground: It must 
rest securely on the engine support 
and the deflector. Check that the 
cutting attachment is not touching 
the ground or any other obstacles.
NMake sure you have a safe and 
secure footing.
NHold the unit with your left hand and 
press it down firmly – your thumb 
should be under the fan housing.NHold the starter grip with your right 
hand.
Version without Easy2Start
NPull the starter grip slowly until you 
feel...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
30
Stopping the engine
NMove the slide control in direction of 
the arrow (h) to STOP-0 or the stop 
switch to STOP / 0.
If the engine does not start
Choke lever
If you did not move the choke lever to e 
quickly enough after the engine began to 
fire, the combustion chamber is flooded.
NSet the choke lever to 
 e.
NSet the slide control, trigger lockout 
lever and throttle trigger to the 
starting throttle position.
NStart the engine by pulling the 
starter rope...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
31 If there is a noticeable loss of engine 
power
NSet the choke lever to g.
NPress in the tab (1) and swing the 
filter cover (2) down. 
NClean away loose dirt from around 
the filter.NRemove the felt element (3) from 
the filter housing (4) and replace it – 
knock out or blow out as a 
temporary measure – do not wash.
NReplace damaged parts.
NFit the felt element (3) in the filter 
housing (4).
NClose the filter cover so that it snaps 
into position.Exhaust...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
32 The carburetor comes from the factory 
with a standard setting.
This setting provides an optimum fuel-air 
mixture under most operating 
conditions.
With this carburetor it is only possible to 
adjust the high speed screw within fine 
limits.
Standard Setting
NStopping the Engine
NMounting the cutting attachment
NCheck the air filter and replace it if 
necessary.
NHave the spark arrestor checked – 
see “Inspection and Maintenance 
by DealerNTurn high speed...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
33
Aadjusting Idle Speed
It is usually necessary to change the 
setting of the idle speed screw (LA) after 
every correction to the low speed 
screw (L).
NWarm up the engine.
Engine stops while idling
NTurn the idle speed screw (LA) 
slowly clockwise until the engine 
runs smoothly – the cutting 
attachment must not turn.
Cutting attachment rotates when 
engine is idling
NTurn the idle speed screw (LA) 
counterclockwise until the cutting 
attachment stops moving...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
34
Checking the Spark Plug
NClean dirty spark plug.
NCheck electrode gap (A) and 
readjust if necessary – see 
Specifications.
NUse only resistor type spark plugs of 
the approved range.
Rectify problems which have caused 
fouling of spark plug:
–Too much oil in fuel mix.
–Dirty air filter.
–Unfavorable running conditions, 
e.g. operating at part load.
Installing the spark plug
NScrew home the spark plug, fit the 
boot and press it down firmly.If engine running...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
35 To help prolong the wear life of the 
starter rope, observe the following 
points:
NPull the starter rope only in the 
direction specified.
NDo not pull the rope over the edge of 
the guide bushing.
NDo not pull out the rope more than 
specified.
NDo not allow the starter grip to snap 
back, guide it back into the housing 
slowly – see chapter on Starting / 
Stopping the Engine.
Have a damaged starter rope replaced 
by your dealer before it breaks 
completely....

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
36 NUse a sharpening file (see Special 
Accessories) to sharpen dull 
cutting attachments. In case of 
more serious wear or nicks: 
Resharpen with a grinder or have 
the work done by a dealer – STIHL 
recommends a STIHL servicing 
dealer.
NResharpen frequently, take away as 
little material as possible: two or 
three strokes of the file are usually 
enough.
NResharpen the cutters (1) uniformly 
– do not alter the contour or the 
parent blade (2) in any way.
See...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RCEnglish
37
Maintenance and Care
The following intervals apply to normal operating conditions only. If your daily work-
ing time is longer or operating conditions are difficult (very dusty work area, etc.), 
shorten the specified intervals accordingly.
before starting work
after finishing work or daily
after each refueling stop
weekly
monthly
every 12 months
if problem
if damaged
if required
Complete machineVisual inspection (condition, leaks)XX
CleanX
Control handle Check...

FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC English
38
Cutting AttachmentVisual InspectionXX
ReplaceX
Check tightnessXX
Metal cutting attachment SharpenXX
Safety labels ReplaceX
1)STIHL recommends a STIHL servicing dealer. The following intervals apply to normal operating conditions only. If your daily work-
ing time is longer or operating conditions are difficult (very dusty work area, etc.), 
shorten the specified intervals accordingly.
before starting work
after finishing work or daily
after each refueling...