Stihl FSE 71 Questions & Answers

No thanks I gave it away it was useless

I've had mine for 15 years and it's perfect for the 12 nature strips in my street. I also have an Ozito 1500 watt mower which I used to cut all my neighbours nature strips. The cord is sometimes cumbersome, however the runninp costs far outweigh the inconvenience

Re the FSE 71 electric motor. Following my investigations on this, I discovered there is a safety cut-out switch built in. After testing it, I discovered it worked. My neighbour told me it may require some internal cleaning after 14 years of great service and possibly replacing the carbon brushes. The carbon brushes, I have ordered from Melbourne. Including postage they will cost me $31.00. After the replacement of the brushes, I am expecting another 14 years of service. Not bad, considering the high cost of running a 2 stroke engine. Fuel, Spark plugs, and general maintenance costs!!!!!

It should use a single 2mm line of about 10-20 meters, you line up the arrows in the head and feed it through until you have 5-10m each side so that it's centered. Having said that I find the line head to be junk, it's difficult to load, the line snaps inside the head constantly this requiring full dismantling and relapsing and the bump mechanism isn't reliable.

A shame since the motor is sufficiently powerful for most yard duty even on large properties, I've used it with 100m of cord from the power source with no voltage drop issues, it's light, well balanced once you move the handle to the appropriate positioning for your height and arm length and the cord strain relief design is simple and brilliant.

The line head which Stihl insist is great is compete garbage.

Thanks Bobby Agree with all you say. Hopefully the newer Stihl "C26-2" Autocut Header is an improvement ? But is it compatible with the FSE71 model Line Trimmer?

If one side runs out of line----take a pair of vice grips to turn the centre black bump knob anti-clock wise. This will allow the head to release. Then clean out old line and replace the head turning the centre clockwise until tight. Line up the arrows on the outer part of the head and feed in through the hole the double length of both arms until each side is equal and then wind the outer part of the bump feed anti-clockwise until you have the perfect amount of line to start.

Push the line in past the first point of engagement. You will feel initial resistance, push a little more. It makes the line engage deeper in the hub and stops the line from coming out.

Open the line storage section by unscrewing the bump down button. Pull out the storage cartridge and take 2 equal lenghts of cutting line (about 2 m) and thread through each opening on the sides and push in until it goes through to the centre.

Push the cartridge back in ensuring the lines are feeding the top and bottom section and not going to the same section.

Turn the cartridge clockwise and start to wind in the cutting line

You will know you are doing it right because it makes a clicking sound as it turns.

Once you get all the line wound in, screw back the bump down button to keep it all in place again.

Trim the line to ensure both sides are even before starting the motor.

Ensure no line is left in the head. Cut 2 lengths of 2.0 mm(Green) line by 3 metres each. With the head fully assembled, and arrows lined up on head, insert the line firmly into the hole on the side of the barrel and push it until you feel it grab. Pushing it a little more will force the line upward into a locking position in the drum. Rotate head and insert the second piece of pre cut line. Wind head anti clockwise and the line will wind itself onto the drum. Stop when the drum will rotate without cutting off any excess. Done!

It sounds like there is a faulty fuse. If you bought it new you can return it and ask for refund or replacement. Under new consumer laws retailers have to refund or replace, you do not need to accept repair. It is under a new law issued by the ACCC relating to consumer guarantees.