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When was the last time you checked the grease level in your Stihl trimmer? If it has been a while, or if you have never checked it, it is probably overdue.
One of the great things about Stihl trimmers is that there are dealers throughout the country who are trained and authorized to repair and service your yard tool. Some things, however, are simple enough that we can handle on our own.
Stihl recommends checking the grease level at approximately every 25 hours of operation. It’s a simple process that only takes a few minutes and you’ll only need two things to get it done:
Tools Needed:
- Crescent Wrench or Screwdriver with Torx bit
- 1 Tube of Stihl Gear Lubricant (Link To Amazon)
Let’s walk through this process so that you understand exactly what steps are involved and how easy it is to maintain the grease level in that weed whacker.
Steps To Grease A Sthil Trimmer Head
- Using the wrench, loosen and remove the filler plug bolt on the side of the shaft just above the trimmer head. (Most models also have a Torx bit inset that looks like a star shape. This allows for removing the bolt with a Torx bit screwdriver. This may be an option.)
- Remove the cap from the Stihl grease tube. The threads for the tube are designed to screw into the hole of the bolt that you removed.
- Screw the tube into the hole securely. Don’t overtighten but ensure a snug fit. This will prevent grease from leaking out as you work.
- Begin squeezing tube to fill the trimmer head. Add up to 5g of lubricant. This doesn’t have to be exact, just make sure not to overfill (see below).
- Unscrew the lubricant tube and replace the filler plug, Tighten firmly.
Note that you do not want to overfill the reservoir. It should not be completely full. A small amount of airspace should remain. If you overfill, turn the trimmer head over and allow excess to drain out onto a shop towel or other disposable item. It is very thick and will not drain out quickly but if you are patient, gravity will slowly do its thing.
I like to rotate the trimmer head one or two rotations while greasing if the reservoir appears completely empty. This will ensure that the grease is distributed throughout as you fill it.
If you need a little more guidance, this YouTube video walks you through the process. The demonstration begins at 1:01. It should start automatically at that timestamp. The demonstration for this topic ends at 2:15 so you can stop it there unless you want to see other maintenance topics covered.
Is There A Good Stihl Trimmer Grease Alternative?
Stihl recommends using only Stihl brand grease and fuels with their products. Obviously, there is a financial benefit for them if you do but there is also a matter of quality assurance. When using Stihl brand service products, you are assured that it meets the standards necessary for your yard tool.
That being said, there are alternative grease solutions.
- Tecomec, an Italy-based company that specializes in parts and accessories for various tools, offers a gearbox grease that is marketed as an alternative to Stihl and other company’s lubricants.
- DalaB offers a “General Lubricant Grease Oil” in an 80g tube. The Amazon page for this product states that it is suitable for Stihl and Honda tools. Click here for product info and pricing (link to Amazon).
And there are plenty of others as well. But here’s the thing. This is very little price difference between Stihl and these other brands. Unless you were purchasing in significant quantity, it is doubtful that noticeable savings would be realized.
There was a time when in order to get Stihl grease you had to take a drive to your local dealer. But these days, you can buy Stihl grease on Amazon (click here for latest pricing) and have it delivered right to your door.
One advantage of using the Stihl brand is that it has the pre-threaded end that screws directly into the filler hole. Not all alternatives offer that.
Again, the cost savings between the Stihl brand and other comparable products is usually marginal. I honestly don’t think it’s worth it anymore. Best to go with a product that you know was made for your trimmer. That’s my take anyway.
Still, you do have options.
Conclusion
I have used Stihl trimmers for years (click here to read my review of whether Stihl Trimmers are worth the money). The general maintenance needed for these weed whackers is minimal but important. By providing just a little preventative maintenance you can ensure that your tool provides reliable service for years to come.
For the last couple of years, I’ve used the Stihl KombiSystem which provides a means to use one tool head with multiple accessories (trimmer, cultivator, hedger, blower, brush cutter, chainsaw, etc.) If you are interested in knowing if this product is worth the investment, click here to read my full review.