How to Maintain your Hedge Trimmer Correctly

Each time you use your hedge trimmer, it's exposed to stress. Thorough and regular maintenance will always benefit your hedge trimmer. With regular maintenance, you can avoid more serious damage and malfunctions by identifying and solving issues early on and more importantly, it's safer to use. By checking your hedge trimmer in your tool care routine, this will identify any damage that could impact on it functioning safely. Periodic checking and servicing minimises the risk of injury from using the machine.

How to Correctly Maintain your Hedge Trimmer

Please Note: PPE - Please always wear sturdy work gloves (made from resilient material) when undertaking maintenance on your hedge trimmer.

General Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

Before Starting Work

Do a full, thorough visual check

• Is the rubber coating intact? Is there any tears?
• Are the screws needing to be retightened? Or are they too tight? If they are too tight, the cutting attachment will feel stiff when you're trying to move it. It's a good idea to apply a bit of oil and anti-rust protection if any screws are adjusted.
• Are the blades ok? Are they in good condition or do they need to be sharpened?
• Carefully check the most important functions to ensure they are working correctly and no specific maintenance is required.
• Check the switch lever, switch lever trigger, locking lever, and retaining latch. All of these components will have detailed information which you will find in the operating manual for your tool.

After Finishing Work

• Clean the whole machine. Take particular care over the cutting attachment.
• Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt or mositure. Remove any twigs that may be caught in the teeth and any residue of leaves.
• Then apply a care oil or maintenance spray to both sides of the blades. Briefly run the hedge trimmer to distribute the oil on the moving surfaces.

General Hedge Trimmer Maintenance: Occasionally and as Required

Sharpen the cutting blades. When necessary, professionally replace any blades which are damaged or worn. If your hedge trimmer has blunt blades, this will cause damage to your plants and work becomes more difficult when it doesn't need to be. It also forces the machine to work harder so the performance can be impacted.

• Ensure the cold air intake is clear of debris.
• Visit a Stihl dealer to service the gear unit and top up the Stihl Multilub.
• Re-tighten all accessible screws.

There is also specific maintenance to do dependent on which hedge trimmer you have.

Petrol Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

• Before performing any maintenance work, check the carburettor is correctly in idle mode. Adjust if necessary.
• Check for any leaks and ensure no fuel is coming out anywhere.
• Regularly check spark plugs. Stihl recommend to replace these after 100 operating hours.
• Regularly check the air filter and replace when necessary.
• Clean the fuel tank. If you aren't planning on using for three or more months, it's advised you empty the tank before storage and dispose the old fuel correctly.
• The pickup body in the fuel tank should be replaced by a Stihl dealer as an annual service.

Cordless Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

If your power tool is battery operated, the battery and the charger shouldn't be overlooked during your maintenance.

If the LED's light up in red (or not at all), remove the battery from the power tool. In your operating manual, the Troubleshooting section includes instructions on how to deal with warning symbols and any other maintenance issues.

After each use, remove the hedge trimmer and clean it with a damp cloth. Dry the battery. Stihl recommend always sotring the battery separately from the machine and charge to 40 to 60% (two LED's lit up in green).

Electric Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

Before you maintain your hedge trimmer, always disconnect the plug from the mains! If you have an electric hedge trimmer with a mains connection, carefully check the power cord and plug before and after each time you use it.

Are they well insulated?

Are they showing signs of age or breaking in areas?

You should stop using your device if you notice any damage during maintenance. Electrical components must be replaced or serviced by a qualified electrician only.

Regularly check the carbon brushes. Replace these by a dealer after 100 operating hours.

The gear unit and connecting rod should be checked by a dealer after 50 operating hours.

Maintenance Spray and Lubricating Greases - Hedge Trimmer Care

• Multilub - For lubricating the gear systems of all STIHL hedge trimmers and electric chainsaws.
• Multispray - Leaves a protective film that does not harden on the surface and thereby protects against corrosion.
• Superclean 300ml - Removes resin and dirt, while providing lubrication and corrosion protection.
• Superclean 50ml - Removes resin and dirt, while providing lubrication and corrosion protection.