A well-maintained STIHL trimmer is a valuable asset for any homeowner or landscaping professional. Regular maintenance not only prolongs the life of your tool but also ensures optimal performance. One often overlooked, yet crucial maintenance task is greasing the trimmer head.

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Contents hide
1 Why is Greasing Important?
2 When Should You Grease Your Trimmer Head?
3 What You’ll Need:
4 Step-by-Step Guide to Greasing Your STIHL Trimmer Head:
5 Visual Aid:
6 Conclusion:

The trimmer head, that hardworking component at the end of your shaft that spins the cutting line, contains gears that experience friction and wear during operation. Just like any other mechanical system with moving parts, these gears need lubrication to run smoothly, prevent overheating, and avoid premature failure. Neglecting this simple maintenance step can lead to a noisy trimmer, reduced cutting power, and ultimately, a costly repair or replacement.

Fortunately, greasing the head of your STIHL trimmer is a straightforward process that you can easily do yourself with a few basic tools and a little bit of time. This article will guide you through the steps.

Why is Greasing Important?

Think of the grease inside your trimmer head like oil in your car’s engine. It:

  • Reduces Friction: Minimizes wear and tear on the internal gears.
  • Disperses Heat: Helps to keep the head cool during extended use.
  • Prevents Corrosion: Protects the internal components from rust and moisture.
  • Extends Lifespan: Contributes to the overall longevity of your trimmer.

When Should You Grease Your Trimmer Head?

STIHL recommends greasing the trimmer head periodically, typically after every 25 hours of use or at least once a season. However, if you use your trimmer frequently or under heavy load conditions, you might consider greasing it more often. Consulting your STIHL trimmer’s owner’s manual is always the best way to determine the specific maintenance schedule for your model.

What You’ll Need:

  • STIHL Special Grease (or a high-quality, multi-purpose lithium grease): Using the recommended grease ensures compatibility with your trimmer’s internal components.
  • Grease Gun with a Needle-Nose Attachment: This allows you to access the grease fitting on the trimmer head.
  • Clean Rags or Paper Towels: For wiping away excess grease.
  • Your STIHL Trimmer’s Owner’s Manual: For specific instructions and the location of the grease fitting on your model.
  • Work Gloves (Optional): To keep your hands clean.

Step-by-Step Guide to Greasing Your STIHL Trimmer Head:

  1. Safety First! Ensure your trimmer is turned off and the spark plug is disconnected to prevent accidental starting. Let the engine cool down completely before proceeding.
  2. Locate the Grease Fitting: Refer to your owner’s manual to find the location of the grease fitting on your specific STIHL trimmer model. It’s usually a small, round port on the side or top of the gear housing on the trimmer head.
  3. Clean the Grease Fitting: Use a clean rag or paper towel to wipe away any dirt, debris, or old grease around the grease fitting. This will prevent contaminants from entering the gear housing.
  4. Attach the Grease Gun: Attach the needle-nose fitting of your grease gun securely onto the grease fitting on the trimmer head. Ensure a tight connection to prevent grease from escaping.
  5. Apply Grease Slowly and Steadily: Gently squeeze the handle of the grease gun to inject fresh grease into the trimmer head. You should see the old, possibly discolored grease being pushed out around the fitting.
  6. Continue Until Fresh Grease Appears: Keep pumping grease until you see fresh, clean grease emerging from around the grease gun nozzle. Avoid over-greasing, as this can create excessive pressure and potentially damage the seals. Usually, a few pumps are sufficient.
  7. Wipe Away Excess Grease: Carefully detach the grease gun and use a clean rag or paper towel to wipe away any excess grease from around the fitting and the trimmer head.
  8. Reconnect Spark Plug and Test: Reconnect the spark plug. You can now briefly run your trimmer (away from any obstructions) to ensure the head spins freely and smoothly.

Visual Aid:

For a visual demonstration of this process, you can refer to the following YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Xe6pbkfNHps”

Conclusion:

Greasing the head of your STIHL trimmer is a simple yet vital maintenance task that will significantly contribute to its longevity and performance. By following these easy steps and incorporating this into your regular maintenance routine, you can ensure your STIHL trimmer continues to tackle your trimming tasks efficiently for years to come. Don’t neglect this small but important piece of upkeep – your trimmer will thank you for it!