How to Maintain your Hedge Trimmer Correctly

Each time you use your hedge trimmer, it faces wear and tear. Regular maintenance is essential to keep it in good working order. By maintaining your hedge trimmer, you can prevent serious damage and malfunctions. Early detection of issues is crucial for safety and performance. Regular checks help identify any damage that could affect safe operation. Routine servicing reduces the risk of injury while using the machine.

How to Correctly Maintain your Hedge Trimmer

Please Note: Always wear sturdy work gloves made from durable material when performing maintenance on your hedge trimmer.

General Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

Before Starting Work

Conduct a thorough visual inspection.

• Is the rubber coating intact? Are there any tears?
• Are any screws loose or overly tight? If screws are too tight, the cutting attachment may feel stiff. Apply oil and anti-rust protection if you adjust any screws.
• Are the blades in good condition, or do they need sharpening?
• Check the key functions to ensure everything is working correctly and that no specific maintenance is needed.
• Inspect the switch lever, switch lever trigger, locking lever, and retaining latch. Refer to the operating manual for detailed information on these components.

After Finishing Work

• Clean the entire machine, paying special attention to the cutting attachment.
• Use a damp cloth to wipe off dirt and moisture. Remove any twigs caught in the teeth and any leaf residue.
• Apply care oil or maintenance spray to both sides of the blades. Briefly run the hedge trimmer to distribute the oil on the moving parts.

General Hedge Trimmer Maintenance: Occasionally and as Required

Sharpen the cutting blades as needed. Replace any damaged or worn blades professionally. Blunt blades can harm your plants and make work more difficult. They also force the machine to work harder, affecting performance.

• 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.

Specific maintenance may vary depending on your hedge trimmer model.

Petrol Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

• Before maintenance, ensure the carburettor is in idle mode. Adjust if necessary.
• Check for leaks and ensure no fuel is escaping.
• Regularly inspect spark plugs. Stihl recommends replacing them after 100 operating hours.
• Check the air filter regularly and replace it when necessary.
• Clean the fuel tank. If you won't use it for three months or more, empty the tank before storage and dispose of the old fuel properly.
• The pickup body in the fuel tank should be replaced by a Stihl dealer during annual servicing.

Cordless Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

If your hedge trimmer is battery-operated, don't overlook the battery and charger during maintenance.

If the LED lights up red (or not at all), remove the battery from the tool. The Troubleshooting section in your operating manual provides instructions for dealing with warning symbols and other maintenance issues.

After each use, clean the hedge trimmer with a damp cloth and dry the battery. Stihl recommends storing the battery separately from the machine and charging it to 40 to 60% (two green LEDs lit).

Electric Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

Before maintenance, always disconnect the plug from the mains! If your electric hedge trimmer has a mains connection, carefully inspect the power cord and plug before and after each use.

Are they well insulated?

Are there signs of wear or damage?

If you notice any damage during maintenance, stop using the device. Electrical components must be serviced or replaced by a qualified electrician only.

Regularly check the carbon brushes. Replace them through 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.