Stihl Maintenance Issue???

[Stingingfork]

Hi,

I'm brand new to this forum but I found it by googling for info on my Stihl Trimmer FS70R. I just acquired a like new used one but just noticed it doesn't have the usual bolt in the side of the gearhead to add lube. It's the lowest end of their Professional line and was hoping someone may be able to tell me how to add lubricant to their gearhead when it doesn't have the obvious fitting for it? I believe Stihl with most of their trimmers advises checking lube in gearhead every 25 hours of use and it seems that the Stihl FS56 as well as the FS70 omits this particular part of their maintenance on their schedule in the manual... Can anyone explain their logic???

Thanks in advance for any help with this issue....

Stingingfork

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

They want you to buy a new one when that one craps out.

 

[Landscraper83]

I don’t know.....but I’ve owned dozens of string trimmers and have never greased a single one....and have never had a gear head head failure of any type.

 

[rustyjames]

I bought a Stihl trimmer 12 years ago and never added any grease to the head.

 

[58Yeoman]

What? You're supposed to grease them?

 

[Mustang1167]

My stihl dealer says don’t worry about the missing grease fitting unless your using it commercially. I have a kombi system and most parts have a bolt but a few do not. In the past I’ve never grease a single trimmer so I wouldn’t worry much about it.

 

[rustyjames]

I think Stihl recommends it so you buy a tube of their over priced grease.

 

[cashishift]

I grease my FS90 - a couple times a summer.

I've had it 10 years, plan on having it another 10.

Use Microsoft OneNote to keep track of all my maintenance on that stuff.

 

[firebirdparts]

That little gearbox gets awful hot

 

[jonshonda]

I just bought an FS94R (which is a higher end commercial 2 stroke) this summer and no grease fittings or mention of it in the manual.

 

[Stingingfork]

I just received this reply from a Stihl Tech Service Rep after asking for an explanation of why two different gear head designs are being used with their trimmers and here is his reply:

This is not a new innovation for STIHL products. Several years ago, we began offering our three largest clearing saws (FS360C, FS460C, and FS560C) with these same types of gear heads mounted to them. The purpose in this was to offer a professional user (such as clearers of fire trails and road crew workers) a product that was as maintenance free as possible to allow them more time to complete their task and less time maintaining the components, such as the gearhead. These gearheads have a higher grade of seals, bearings, and pinions that have the capability to withstand a good deal of use and punishment. These gearheads were very successful when introduced to the field, so our design team made the decision to mount a similar gearhead to smaller trimmers in the homeowner and entry level professional applications, such as the FS56/56R and the FS70R, in an effort to give the same capability to the customers operating trimmers in these particular applications..

Any thoughts?

 

[jonshonda]

^I think as time goes on fewer components are being produce that require maintenance, which is a result of lazy consumers and advanced tech. I wonder if they are starting to impregnate more graphite or similar materials into the gears to provide natural lubricating, like toyota and honda (and others?) have done on engine components.

 

[jimindm]

Stihl is a predominant source for commercial users. It would make sense if they are going to change a design, they would do it on that line first.

If they seen no, or few, failures with a commercial line, why would they not introduce that across all of their products.

I have used them for years. Always seen that little plug, but have never ever opened it up. Have never had an issue either.