Author Topic: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc  (Read 2998 times)

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Offline 660magnum

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Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« on: November 23, 2013, 11:05:38 pm »
The 4140 family of yard tools include three different curved shaft weed whackers as well as "D" handle and bike handle straight shaft trimmers. This goes on to the edger, tiller, and Combi models. They are considered to be part-time home owner tools.

I acquired from Craig's list a few years ago a nice hardly used none running straight FS-55 bike handle bar weed whacker. About six month's later I got a FS-45 with the curved shaft. The FS-45 ran fine but had more sun exposure and use than the 55. These are 27.2 ci two strokes with a regular muffler. This type power head is on its way out for the FS-56 (4125) series or the four strokes.

Stihl FS 45  - Notice the power head is the same as on the FS 55R


All the FS-55 needed was a new carb and some string and then it was just like new.  I soon discovered that I didn't like either one. They ran OK and didn't break down but the FS-45 was too small for me and the FS-55 was too bulky for my needs. The FS-55 may have been OK if I had high weeds and used a saw blade but that was not my need.

Stihl FS 55


What got me to discover that I didn't like the Stihls was that I came across a SRM 2100, 21cc Echo straight shaft and then another SRM 2400, 24cc one. These were great for my yard and in fact I also have a hedge cutter, blower, and tiller. The Stihl FS-55R is just like using one of the Echo trimmers.

Looking on Ebay the individual parts to convert either weed whacker to a FS-55R were too expensive and it would be cheaper to buy a FS-55R D-handle type and use what I had for spares? Keeping a eye on Ebay all summer is that you never see a tube & liner for the curved shaft or one piece straight shaft trimmers and if you do, it is better to buy new.

Stihl FS 55R


Well, that's what I did. I bought a complete ratty FS-55R for the price of a gearbox and shield. I used the FS-55R straight tube, handle, FS-55R label, and gear head assembly on my FS-45 and then had at least one nice FS-55R for use around the house and it works good but I suspect the liner in the tube may be a little worn so down the road I may get one of those from the dealer. The liners are inexpensive.

That has created a CAD type addiction situation and I came across a set of covers for a FS45C that were real nice for $19 including shipping and used them on the bike handle FS-55 to make a FS-55R "D" handle out of it. I found a FS-55R shield and D-Handle on the cheap. But the saga goes on. The gear head on the junk FS-55R I bought was from a FS-90 and I like it better than the FS-55 style gear head. So I bought another genuine Stihl used FS-90 gear head to go on the FS-55 that I already had. When buying these parts you have to be patient for a cheaper one to come along. The actual drive shaft in these is a flex one instead of a solid one. I don't know if that is good or bad as far as my needs go? Might try a rigid shaft sometime in the future but not sure which trimmers have rigid shafts? You have to be careful as the Chinese have jumped on the band wagon and sell parts for these too.

Stihl FS 90R - Notice the different gear head from the one on the FS 55


So, soon, I'll have a pair of FS-55R string trimmers.

Stihl is rather secretive about their 4mix trimmers (Which ones are 4mix?). I get the idea that they are great except expensive when new but if one starts to give trouble, you have a can of worms on your hands?
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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2013, 11:49:03 pm »
Talk about carb problems. Cheaper to buy new carb $20-$30  carb and good for a long time.  I have a bunch of used dead 45 55 carbs here.
 Hate working on my friends 45.   I did figure one out and rebuilt it.  Sometimes it would act squirrely but works.

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2013, 02:38:41 am »
The original Zama carb on the FS-55 had some white corrosion inside the metering valve chamber, otherwise was clean as could be. The HS worked fine but there was no fuel on the LS. I ran wires through the three holes that go into the venturi and took the LS needle out and run wires in there and through the hole in the metering chamber floor that feeds the LS. But still no LS fuel.

So I had to pay like $29 total for a new carb at the Kubota (Stihl) store nearest the house. It worked perfect without adjustment.

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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2013, 06:04:19 pm »
Jim     Whats the story with the smoking dog. Curiosity is killing me and I'm laughing every time I see it.

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2013, 06:21:09 pm »
It is actually a You Tube anti smoking thing? But someone made this one into a Gif. It is too long to upload here so I linked it from one of my posts in another forum. I just thought it was cool. It is Photo Shopped or something for animals like dogs and cats don't like the smoke?

Here is the original maybe with the cigarette cough and the whole bit? Seen several different versions made into ads.

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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2013, 06:28:27 pm »
LOL

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2013, 06:32:20 pm »
Never smoked myself
We should share what we know... someone may learn...
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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2013, 06:37:42 pm »
I did when I drank in the Military first couple years.   Some in Jr High too, but not high school.    Dont know why though.

Offline RoyM

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2013, 08:06:12 pm »
I had an FS-45 but never really liked it. Too noisy and too much vibration to suit me. My current Echo GT-200 is a treat to use.
The FS-55 and FS-90 use the flexible shaft. The 55 can be fitted with a weed blade as well as the 80 tooth brush blade although Stihl discourages the latter. The four mix FS-90 does not accept a blade, it is a commercial grass/weed trimmer.
I'm old school, don't like the four stroke hand helds at all. They have great torque but are heavier and too complex, anything internal fails it goes to the scrap pile. They are not economical to rebuild. I am going to keep my 2 strokes going as long as I can.
Old age and treachery always overcome youth and enthusiasm

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2013, 08:10:20 pm »
+1
We should share what we know... someone may learn...
That knowledge can live after us... and that "Pays It Forward".
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