Author Topic: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc  (Read 2994 times)

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Offline Old Iron Logging

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2013, 08:37:03 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.

FS55 has a cable shaft but the FS90 has a steel shaft. The 90 thru 130 have the same shaft. As for blades all are recommended and used on the 55/56 and up by Stihl. Cable in 55/56 has a lifetime warranty.

Offline jmester

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2013, 08:40:31 pm »
I have a 4 mix Fs 110. That has been a very good trimmer, a lot of landscapers around here use the 4 mix with few problems except for carbs and lines. Really the only thing to worry about with them is carbon build up around the valves that will not let them seal on compression. And the cam lobes will wear down and cause some fits. They make great low end power. I feel the Fs 80 regular 2 stroke was the best from back in my landscaper days.
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2013, 08:44:47 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.

FS55 has a cable shaft but the FS90 has a steel shaft. The 90 thru 130 have the same shaft. As for blades all are recommended and used on the 55/56 and up by Stihl. Cable in 55/56 has a lifetime warranty.

Good to know.
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Offline Old Iron Logging

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2013, 09:01:24 pm »
Stihl does discourage blades on the R models, unless a barrier bar is added.

Offline Old Iron Logging

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #14 on: November 24, 2013, 09:07:33 pm »
There is a new 24cc lightweight 2 stroke straight shaft trimmer coming in the spring. Can't remember if the FS85 tag was revived. Saw the trimmer in late summer. Really light.

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #15 on: November 24, 2013, 09:31:36 pm »
The guy in Greece has a pop up piston for the 27cc engine. It is 34mm and I think made for the Zenoah G26 power head? I think it is made by Chung Yang of Korea?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Piston-Kit-fit-STIHL-BG-45-BG-46-BG-55-FS-55-KM-55-MM-55-34mm-Kolben-/171152677416?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27d97e9a28
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2013, 08:34:24 pm »
I have one Stihl Franken Trimmer ready for next summer as mentioned in the first post. At a distance it is a Stihl 55R. It has a 4140 27.2cc power head, FS 45 covers and FS 90-130 tube/gear head/guard.

I now have my standard Stihl FS 55 on the bench with all the parts on hand to make it a "R" style  like I want too. I just need to cross breed it with the detail parts.
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #17 on: December 20, 2013, 11:44:02 pm »
I finished making my FS-55 bike handle weed whacker into a FS-55R loop (D) handle style weed whacker. I removed the FS-55 power head and then removed the FS-55 covers from the Power head. I then installed a set of FS-45 covers on the power head. What a chore. The throttle cable routing, throttle trigger interlock, and return springs on the lock and the trigger gave a lot of trouble. Everything had to be just right or none of it would work. I then installed the tube on the power head and then a FS-90R gear head and shield, then the 25-2 bump head. Everything seems to work. I'll have to run it tomorrow.
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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2013, 12:14:05 am »
One secret when removing the top cover from a 4140 style power head is that you can loosen (but not remove) the starter housing to get to the bolt on one side that holds the top and bottom covers together. Otherwise you cannot get a T-27 Torx on the bolt. If you completely remove the starter cover, then the tank is loose etc and one thing leads to another. The tank is held by rubber bushings between the bottom cover and the starter housing.
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Re: Stihl 4140 family Weed Whackers FS-45,55, etc
« Reply #19 on: December 21, 2013, 09:37:45 am »
The Stihl FS-55R started up second pull and ran fine without any adjustment this morning in the drizzling rain. So I'm declaring it finished.
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