Stihl HS 45 Questions & Answers

Raiders. Firstly stating the obvious make sure you are using the correct 2 stroke fuel mix and that the fuel is fresh. Secondly, make sure the ignition is 'ON', the choke is 'Closed', and then pump the plastic fuel bubble 8 or more times (until you see mainly fuel flowing and then pump it a couple of times more), set the throttle fairly wide, then pull the starter cord. Once it starts open the choke straight away and ease the throttle back if you want to. If you have to restart after its started do not pump again and leave the choke open. I have several 2 stroke Stihl motors and they all start in a similar way.

Get fresh 91 petrol and use outboard motor 50 to 1 mix . Remove spark plug and Clean off electrodes and centre cone with fine sand paper!
NEVER use any wire brush to clean plug end! If you have, throw plug away fit new one ! Reason? The wire brush will leave iron and metal deposit scratches pnnthe centre insulator cone and electrodes ! Can’t get them off again ever ! Spark will jump to any earth nearest centre pin it can under load ! Applies to any motor with spark plugs . If heavy with carbon inside edge of plug use a stiff flat plastic utensil ( cable tie etc) to remove carbon. Wash out and blow out cavity !
Refit to motor. Check choke and throttle valves operate ok and sponge or card air filter is not dirty or blocked ! If fuel is more than 6 weeks old it’s stuffed! The petrol goes off in the mix ! Never use any petrol that has any bio fuel in it! The methanol in it separates after a week from the petrol and ducks on water from the air! Also produces a white deposit on carburettor motors that blocks the jets and electronic fuel pumps .
Good luck !
Global Grandad
New Zealand .

Contact any Stihl shop . Ask the workshop guy how many turns from either end ( flat out or no idle contact ) and wind it in until you get the best high speed rpm . Adjust idle speed Last. Cheers Max AKA Global Grandad NZ.

I assume you mean 3 inch branches - no way, no hedge trimmer will do that. You are pretty much in chainsaw or big hand lopper territory there. This hedge trimmer is pretty good at cutting and will probably do a 1 - 1 3/4 inch branch max if you gnaw around it from several sides. It will cut up to about 3/4 inch cleanly.

No way for 3 inch branches, I use a pole style chain saw for that.

Not sure whether you mean 3" wide branches or 3' long branches. You cannot cut anything wider than about 10 mm (1cm - or less than 1/2 inch) and even then it should be green wood as dry hard wood is asking a bit much of a hedge trimmer. So if it's a 3' long branch with a stem diameter of 1cm or less of green wood it will cut it. Otherwise you need a chain saw or hand lopper or trimming saw.