Stihl FS 45 C-E
VerifiedMPN: FS45C-E33 reviews
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I have had my Stihl FS 45 CE for about 6 months, I have worked out that if I have the choke fully out and I pull the chord once then I put the choke halfway and pull the chord again, it starts every time. It is a great trimmer in my experience. I had to go back to the store to get a second lesson on loading the string, not having to take the head… Read more
off to load it is great. Although I have found the bump feed isn't great. I have had a few cheap brands over the years but this is the best whipper snipper I have had.Quite happy so far. I definitely would recommend.
Absolute crap, if you can get it to start. Which is hit and miss even if follow the intricate start procedure to a tee. When running still hit and miss even if can rev without stalling. Line always jams in the auto feed head. I'm never buying stihl again Show details
Quick start 4 years later – As an old man I wanted a trimmer that would start quickly. That was my absolute requirement. 4 years later and this snipper starts like I bought it yesterday. Love love love this. I don’t have time, patience or energy for something else that pulls and pulls and pulls. I love my Stihl Show details
Throw the trimmer in the bin – Absolute rubbish , auto cut function is terrible , gets clogged with sand so it is impossible to take the head off so you can put new line on it , I have had for 2 days and think I might throw the grass trimmer in the bin Show details
Sthil was good for me – Had a Victa, lasted me 3 sessions. So went for Sthil. For me it's been a good machine. Not missed a beat in 4 years. The thing with this machine is that it took me a while to figure out how to load the line correctly. Do not remove the spool to do this! as with other machines. Make sure the triangles on the head are aligned, give a slight… Read more
wiggle to make sure seated!! Measure out about four arm pulls of line. Feed through the middle of the head so that 50% of the line is on each side, then twist the head with slight inward pressure using the finger indents. Doing this proved to be the fastest and best line feeding/loading system I have used. If I tried to manually wind the line, it would constantly jam! No jams since I used the correct winding method. During use don't let it get the line get too short otherwise you will have to remove the head, keep bumping so that you have at least 50% of the line span to the cutter. I was using 2.5mm 'star shaped' line. For oil, I used Sthils own brand and added 100ml to 5 Litres of 91. (50:1), motor still running fine.
Worst Auto Feed cut head design – Worst ever cutting head design, bought unit 3 months ago to use on 1 1/2 acre land, I have to reload head manually by hand twice each time around yard. Pull the whole head apart and re-feed new line into - not an easy job. Unit itself overall not bad but has developed a rattling fan sound at idle now. "Read the Reviews and don't buy it". Show details
Poor quality, Hard to start, hard to use – This is the biggest regret of my life, I had a decent Makita unit and thought I'd treat myself. Even with the easy start function and easy load function I've treated myself to 45mins to start it and hours of pulling the easy load head apart yo get the line to feed out without breaking off inside or tangling. Show details
This brand has gone downhill – Previously had a Stihl which lasted 20 years and was fantastic. Bought this one and have had to have it repair because the fuel was too old apparently . Have had to buy 2 new heads because the line was stuck . The line breaks every 5 mins and have to remove the head to fix or replace the line . It’s rubbish Show details
Horrible – It is most definitely NOT an easy start! Stalls constantly. Stihl dealer is hopeless, it has been back to the dealer numerous times since new. I’ve only used it 4 times in a year as I cannot get it to start or stay on. I did get it swapped out with another one and the same issues. I told stihl I want my money back and they said no. Tried to tell… Read more
me it was the fuel mix, the way I was starting it and maybe I wasn’t strong enough to start it… it’s an easy start. The stihl dealers were so condescending. I absolutely hate this thing and I’m so disappointed in the lack of responsibility the stihl dealer has.
Rubbish, stay away – It was bought as an upgrade for a little Ryobi battery snipper due to the larger yard. Admittedly the snipper is powerful and will get through fairly thick grass roots., but that's where the good things end. Firstly the easy start isn't that easy, it takes multiple attempts. Secondly, the cord constantly snaps requiring the removal of the head to… Read more
reinsert the cord length, which will take a good couple mins. The 'tap' mechanism to give more cord is stiff and often doesn't work.
Do yourself a favour and stay away!!
Not the brand it used to be! – I have had this for around 6 years now and every time I use it it takes so long to start and is pain. I have just bought a battery charged one with finally giving up on it. Show details
Good gear - terrible support – It is a little difficult - not for someone with out strong arms. Once warmed up, no issue. My main concern, now it is a few years old, is parts and support. It is a powerful machine and great for home use. Stihl Australia (I spoke with them on the phone today as they had ignored online enquiry a day earlier), unfortunately, are living in… Read more
pre-internet times. They only sell through shop front dealers and tell me that you need to order and pick up in person. Given how few there are, for many of us it means a lot of time and travel to get small items that could be shipped and ordered online.
My air filter cover has broken (see photo), easy to replace (I was told) if you can get someone to actually sell you one! I also needed new cord. Our local dealer (Mitre 10) ordered it in for me (they no longer stock any parts or accessories). I had to take my unit in for them to look at to ensure they could order the right one. Over a month later they called and said they had the part but had forgot to order the cord. When I went to pick it up a few weeks later (I was on holidays when they called) they no longer had the part. They said they would get it and call me back, that was a month ago...it is annoying but also a shame they are so out of date with their customer service.
Absolute Rubbish – I have had this unit for 20 months, it has been back to the reseller twice for repairs, once was for it running rough and I was told I put the incorrect oil in the fuel mix, which I did not, the second time the pull start had no tension, so it was unable to start, , I just pulled it back out after 4 months without use and it does not even sound… Read more
like it will kick over, it is hard to start at all times, most disappointing, as it is advertised as easy start, one of the reasons I purchased it. I had a McCulloch for 15 years it never missed a beat. Time to cut my losses and walk away from this absolute piece of rubbish and buy another brand I wish I had read these reviews before I made my original purchase
Find out how Stihl FS 45 C-E compares to other Petrol Whipper Snippers
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STIHL EASY START – I have had this whipper snipper for almost 5 years and it has not missed a beat. It loves too run hard and I rarely use the whiper snipper chord but much prefer the plastic blades, (which are much cheaper on the internet than at Stihl stores). It has only been serviced once in this time. Best whipper snipper I have ever owned. Show details
Definitely not easy start – It's almost impossible to start. Promoted ad easy start. It's good when you finally get it going, but if it was simple as money back, I'd take it back. Not what I expected from stihl. Show details
Worst Piece of junk – Worst piece of junk. Never never never waste your money on it. Loading the line is an absolute nightmare. Never starts properly as well. You need more than 2 people every time to start this garbage. Show details
Fs45c – I bought a fs45c whipper snipper at stihl tuggeranong ACT. I've had no trouble whatsoever with my machine as many others, ive had it about 3 years . It starts every (every) second pull. I think most people who aren't happy because there not using the right fuel mixture, the book and bottle say 50/1 & i use 95oct i also bought a blower and hedge… Read more
trimmer which i dont have any issues at all. My only gripe is the head which was a proper pain, it now in the lake at Tuggeranong ACT. Stihl sold me another type of head which wasn't much better. I've since bought a UNICLIK head which should be on every w/ snipper, u can change cord in less than 10 seconds, thanks for a good machine and good service at STIHL TUGGERANONG ACT
Big mistake – This machine is terrible it is hard to start after priming it takes at least 12 pulls and once going it will stall for no apparent reason, it appears to over rev and very hard to control appropriate momentum BUT the real problem is the line head just cuts the line off, so i took it back to the Stihl retailer in Grafton NSW and was fobbed off… Read more
telling me it was my fault apparently i was putting the head too close to the ground LOL, I had a Tallon for more than 10 years without any problem. NOT HAPPY STIHL cannot recommend
Stihl FS45c – It’s hard to start and never starts immediately always tends to stall especially when it’s hot. I spent more time fixing line and getting right length. I was told this would be easy for my daughter by the agent and it is light in weight but it is not. I’m a mechanical person and it’s very difficult to operate ,run and is awkward to use . After 10… Read more
mins running, it overheats and won’t idle. An absolute waste of money! Bought Feb 2020 we had to use another old machine which was so much more reliable. I will never buy another Stihl or recommend this product at all!
Easy -start FS C45- E: was not easy started !!! – I just brought FS 45 C -E this week!! I watched on You-Tube that this trimmer was built with system having an easy start : in reality I pulled over 4-5 times for starting this trimmer !!! Was it better I brought the normal Stihl FS 45 or another brand cheaper..... Show details
It is good – Easy to start if you follow instuctions, choke and prime, make sure primer bubble is completly full of fuel. My one starts after 2-3 pulls on starter One fault is the line needs to be heavier. As to line not feeding out, make sure you hit line feed button with full revs, I was told by dealer to do it at idle, would not work, service agent said use high revs, no more problems Meets my needs. Show details
Absolute rubbish – Worst Stihl product i ever had, hard to start keeps stalling, line wont feed, been no good since day 1. Stihl supplier at 239a beach st frankston wont do anything except to blame the user when they know it has problems keep away. Show details
Find out how Stihl FS 45 C-E compares to other Petrol Whipper Snippers
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Could be perfect – Takes s 3 to 4 strokes to start off but once it starts its great till you need to change the line. It doesnt self feed alwais and you have to take the whole thing out to feed manually. Show details
Can't give it away – Runs well. Starts with 3 or 4 pulls. However the line feed is the biggest piece of junk anyone has put on this earth. It will NOT self feed and you have to pull head apart every time. It went back to,dealer and he can't figure it out either. Don't waist your money buy another brand. If I could I would give a negitve rating of -5. Show details
Reliable – I have had my FS45 easy start for about 13 years and its never given me any problems. Its mainly used around the house every week and it starts fine all the time same as my shrill blower. Would definitely by another one Show details
Follow the suppliers directions – Have had Stihls since 1977..Firstly a brush cutter which my daughter still uses ..Two chainsaws..still going..Ten years ago I purchased an FS 45 C..For home use...Following the suppliers advice as to how to start it ...pull..prime.. .choke .and off it goes ..Has never missed a beat in all this time ..Just a new spark plug every year...if in doubt read the book . Ed Douglass Show details
Absolute piece of junk – Only had this for under 6 months, started well the first couple times, now you break a sweat trying to get it started...10 minutes later your heading for the fridge to crack the top of one. Goes through a ton of line an you gotta give it the berries to get through minimal grass.. Never again will I buy a stihl product. Show details
Disappointed – This whipper snipper is high revving and is very temperamental to start. It was purchased to replace my previous Stihl wipper snipper which I had had for many years but this one doesn't stack up to it's predecessor. It is used for my residential front and back garden and just meets my needs. I would hate to be using it in a large area. Show details
Not the best – My machine says that it is an FS 45 C - not sure if that's a different model to the C-E. I think that we bought it somewhere between 2007 and 2010. Either way, this is the worst weed trimmer I own. It is nearly impossible to start - and I mean like, 10 minutes of yanking at the thing. I thought that there was something wrong with it so took it… Read more
back to the dealer and they serviced it and explained how to start it - face SSW exactly, do it at midnight, that sort of thing. I read the starting guide from end to end and followed the steps with my iPad beside me. No dice, it just wouldn't start. I'm not sure how many times I've actually got it started, but when you divide them into the purchase price it's not flattering to Stihl. And it's a two stroke, so you have to mix oil with petrol etc and it's very bloody noisy. It also gets really hot, that is when it does start. So, I bought a cordless Ryobi trimmer and that was from a different planet - obviously it always starts and it's comparatively quiet. I could finish entire trimming jobs in the time that I'd still be struggling to start the Stihl. I then needed something with a little more power than the Ryobi so I did what I should've done from the start, and bought a Honda straight shaft petrol line trimmer. The Honda starts either first or second pull every time, even after being in the shed for months unused. It's also a four stroke, so no mixing of oil and it's relatively quiet. So, between the Honda and the Ryobi I've now got things covered.
Gave me a heart attack trying to start it – Had near heart attack twice trying to start it, vomited, cold sweat and palpitation. I found out later that its the purity of oil used that affects how easy or difficult it is to start it. I bought their Motomix and it started easily enough. This is a powerful cutter but heavy after using it for 10 minutes. It's also very loud and it eats the line very quickly. Show details
Decent machine for the price – Easy to start and runs consistently Quick and easy to refill the head with line I would recommend watching the you tube instructional for this Used for small and medium sized jobs with no issues at all after more than 2 years of regular use on 5 properties ranging in size from a regular residential block and up to a half acre Show details
No problem in 4 years – Bought new 4 years ago. Never had any problems even cutting far north Qld grass! Pushes 2.4mm line no problems at all. Used 2.7mm (probably being a bit hard on it) and worked ok with revs up. Always used Stihl ultra 2 stroke oil and 98 octane fuel (with ultra you’ve got a fuel stabiliser do keeps fresh in tank). Only changed spark plug and air filter once. Follow manual for starting and you won’t have a problem. Show details
A nightmare - never again – "Easy Start" it is - about 50% of the time. The rest of the time it is impossible and we just give up and borrow the neighbour's. Other reviewers have commented on the amount of cord it uses. I thought that must have been normal but apparently not! Everyone in our family has tried this overpriced piece of rubbish and have the scratched and… Read more
bleeding fingers to prove it. The cord is incredibly hard to wind on and, if you're lucky enough to fluke it, you'll be back doing it again in a couple of minutes to repeat the process. When you tap the bottom to release more cord it rarely does. I have seen my sons pull more out by hand (which is dangerous) because they have lost patience and don't have 2 hours to spend on this task (which should only take about 20 minutes).
I have taken it back to the dealer more than once and he said we were probably not winding cord on properly so I got him to do it. He had the same trouble. They quoted me an exorbitant amount to fix it and when I asked what was wrong with it they didn't know. Begs the question, "how do they know how much it will be if they don't know what they're fixing?" Even though still under warranty they said could not be fixed under warranty. I left the store with my petrol-filled stick!
We can't afford a replacement so our yard looks like rubbish. We would never buy a Stihl product again. Even tried to buy new line unit in hope that it would help but no luck so far - it's probably only throwing good money after bad anyway!
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