Stihl FS 40 Review – Is It Real Value for Money?

There’s no doubt that or string trimmers can come in handy when it’s time to trim edges and small patches of grass.

Stihl claims the Stihl FS 40 is easy to start, simple to use. But is this powerful petrol machine really good at tricky edging tasks? Just how effective is this trimmer with edging borders and trimming grass?

And how well can it cope with a bit of longer grass and weedy patches? We have set out to find answers to all of these questions.

Stihl FS 40 Overview

The STIHL FS 40 C-E trimmer can be externally defined as lightweight, balanced in hand – featuring a curved shaft for exceptional handling.

Internally, the fuel-efficient engine and low exhaust emission has shown to be ideal for home use – taking care of unwanted grass and weeds with proper cutting power.

Stihl FS 40 First Impressions

We know that some Stihl strimmers have been difficult to start in the past, so one of the first things to notice about this model, is how this problem has been solved.

The Stihl FS 40 immediately impressed us with a promise of low emissions, fast acceleration and reduced fuel consumption.

Upon first impressions, the Stihl felt like a joy to handle – and we were eager to determine whether it indeed has the ability to live up to these observations.

Stihl FS 40 Specs

Engine Size	27-cc
Shaft	Curved
Four-Cycle Engine	No
Dual Line	Yes
Line Diameter	0.08 or .0950
Clutch	Yes
Rotating Head	No

Stihl FS 40 2-stroke or 4-stroke?

The Stihl FS40 27cc is categorized as a 2-stroke Petrol Strimmer.

Stihl FS 40 Key Features

STIHL 2-MIX-Engine

As mentioned above, the strimmer under review comes with a 2-stroke engine with stratified charge. What this means, is that the amount of fuel lost during the charging cycle is reduced. This then results in more power with a lower weight while significantly reducing exhaust emissions.

Simplified starting system

The Stihl FS 40’s ignition is always ready to start.

Manual fuel pump (Purger)

Using a button, a small fuel pump delivers fuel to the carburetor, which makes the starting process much faster.

STIHL Easy2Start™ technology

With the latest technology from Stihl, the machine can get started with just a simple pull of the starter cord.

Protected Spark Plug

Protection of the spark plug means it’s being protected, yet it’s easy to change.

How Does It Perform?

Performance-wise, the Stihl FS40 has shown to be reliable and stable. With impressive technology, the Stihl company has evidently managed to get rid of previous starting problems. Moreover, from a usability point of view, we have found the power to weight ratio to be another notable performance feature of this machine.

How Loud Is It?

This trimmer is loud enough for the neighbors to hear it, or even complain on a Sunday afternoon. With that said, it’s also true that any lawnmower would be louder.

How heavy is It?

The Stihl FS 40 weighs in at a light 4,4 kg, which adds to its easy handling.

It is easy to Handle?

A fair answer to the above question would be an affirmative “yes”. Beyond being lightweight, the Stihl FS 40 feels firm in hand and features a curved shaft for great balancing ability.

What’s The Blade Like?

The blade of the Stihl FS 40 is made of nylon material that enhances durability and resistance. The trimmer head additionally features three blades for the best cutting performance.

How Is The Power Source / Engine

With an engine power at 0.94 bhp and a fuel capacity of 11.5 oz, the FS 40 runs rather powerful. In our experience, the low exhaust emission in combination with the fuel-efficient engine is perfect for non-heavy-duty home use.

What Attachments and Accessories Are Available With It?

AutoCut C 6-2 mowing head
PolyCut 6-2 mowing head
DuroCut 5-2 mowing head
Round mowing line (rolls)
DuroCut mowing line (line pieces)
Round and quiet mowing line (rolls)
STIHL Smart Connector
A nifty pair of safety glasses

What Size Job Is It Best Suited to?

The Stihl FS 40 is best suited for trimming small areas of grass and lawn edges.

How Efficient is It?

The FS 40 is ideal for homeowners with a need to maintain a relatively small-sized lawn. While this strimmer is not meant for heavy-duty jobs, it’s reliable, sturdy and performs as promised.

How Durable Is It?

Being light, yet powerful, The STIHL FS 40 can be defined as a budget-option strimmer that gives all the niftiness of a more expensive trimmer. While this trimmer is durable for the purposes it’s intended for, its durability comes to the test when faced with longer grass and tougher edges. With that said, it should last anyone a good four to five years when used to the right reasons.

Pros

It’s light, easy to use and reliable, all-in-one.
It’s easy to start with a 1-pull start.
It has a quick adjustment handle for ease of use.
The Safety stop button is useful.

Cons

Depending on how short or tall you are, we have found that this strimmer might be too short.
The curved shaft design isn’t ideal for some trickier areas and edges.
We have found that it does emit some harmful carbon gases.

Common Problems With The Stihl FS 40

The strimmer starts, then it stalls.
The trimmer head is not spinning.
The trimmer head won’t stop spinning.
The trimmer won’t start up.

Who Should Buy It?

Homeowners and garden enthusiasts alike are guaranteed to benefit from the Stihl FS 40. It should serve anyone well who wishes to trim small lawns with relatively low-growing grass and otherwise edges that need trimming.

Overall Score: 96/100

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Other Hedge Trimmers To Consider

Toro 51490 Corded 22-Inch Hedge Trimmer

If you’re looking for a corded hedge trimmer, this might be the best bet. Toro’s corded hedge trimmer is designed for efficiency with durability in mind.

Check Out More Reviews Here:

VIVOSUN 20” Cordless Hedge Trimmer

The VIVOSUN Cordless Hedge Trimmer features a 20″ dual-action blade that effectively cuts through overgrown shrubs and bushes. The ergonomic handle allows one to work comfortably for longer, while the safety features ensure protection. As for the battery, this will last for 30 minutes when fully charged.

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Final assessment

Overall, the Stihl FS 40 is powerful and efficient. In the light of power and manageability, this strimmer from Stihl is undoubtedly one of the best that we have worked with. We would highly recommend the Stihl FS 40 to homeowners who wish to maintain the majority of light-duty grass cutting.