Stihl HS 45 Review: My Test After 6 Months of Daily Use

The Stihl HS 45 is for home garden, not for professional use. But it surprised me. I use this 27.2 cc petrol petrol hedge trimmer for six months every day. Now I know what this 4.7 kg machine can do.

In my test, I see why many people like the stihl hs45 hedge trimmer. It has a 0.75 kW engine. It gives 3,800 strokes per minute. This is good power. At first, I was thinking about how to start a stihl hs 45 hedge trimmer easy. And if the anti-vibration system is good for long use. I check all these things and also fuel use and repair need in my six-month test.

In this review, I tell my honest experience. I used both 45 cm (18-inch) and 60 cm (24-inch) blades. I will tell how 2-MIX engine technology helped in fuel saving. And if this cheap trimmer is a good choice than other power tools like the costly HS56 C-E.

Quick Summary: Stihl HS 45 Hedge Trimmer

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
• Best For: Home owners, people with medium size garden, for regular hedge trimming.
• What’s Great: Very light weight, good fuel saving, strong anti-vibration system.
• What’s Not: Carburetor can make problems, very loud noise, not for very thick branches.
• Buy If: You need a light petrol trimmer from a good brand for home garden work.
• Avoid If: You are a professional landscaper or you need to cut very hard, thick branches daily.

Price & Availability

You can buy Stihl HS 45 from official Stihl dealers only. The price is different in different places. It is also available on Amazon UK Store. It is around $300 to $400. Always check price with your local dealer.

Stihl HS 45 Hedge Trimmer: Specs and How to Set Up

I look at Stihl HS 45 closely. It is a basic trimmer but has good things in a light body. Here are the main details I noted.

Engine: 27.2cc 2-MIX with 0.75kW Power

The main part of Stihl HS 45 is its strong 27.2cc engine with 2-MIX technology. This helps give more power and less smoke. It has 0.75kW (1.01bhp) power. This is enough for most home garden cutting jobs. The 2-MIX engine saves fuel and is good for the air.

Fuel tank is 230cc (7.8oz). I found this is enough for long cutting work. The engine runs at 8,500 RPM on full power. This gives good cutting, even on a little thick branches.

Blade Options: 18″ and 24″ Dual-Action

Stihl HS45 has two blade sizes: 18-inch and 24-inch. Both blades move back and forth and give 3,700 cuts in one minute. I used both and see some difference:

The 18-inch blade is very good for small details and cutting round bushes. It is easy to move for nice shapes. The 24-inch blade cuts a wider area. So it is faster for long, straight hedges.

Both blades are sharp on two sides. So they give a clean cut. The teeth have 30mm space. I think this is good for most home hedges.

Weight and Size: 4.7kg, 95–110cm Long

The Stihl HS 45 is only 4.7kg (10.4lbs). For a petrol trimmer, this is very light. Because of low weight, I feel less tired after long use. The total length is 95cm for 18-inch model and 110cm for 24-inch model. This changes the reach and balance.

Steps to Start a Stihl HS 45 Hedge Trimmer

To start the Stihl HS 45 is simple:

1. Put the on/off switch to “I” (on).
2. Press both handle triggers, then push the side button.
3. Turn choke on (forward).
4. Press the small primer bulb 3-5 times. It sends fuel to carburetor.
5. Pull the starter rope until engine make a “pop” sound.
6. When it pops, turn the choke off.
7. Pull rope again to start the engine fully.

Also, the ElastoStart feature is good. It makes pulling the rope easy and does not give a jerk to my arm. This is very helpful on cold mornings.

Performance After 6 Months Daily Use

After using the Stihl HS 45 every day for six months, I know its real power. Not just for weekend use. My hard test showed its good points and bad points.

Cutting Power on Thick and Thin Hedge

The HS 45 cuts very good for normal hedge trimming. For new green leaves and soft bushes, the blade gives a clean cut. It does not damage the leaves. But for hard branches more than 1/2 inch thick, the trimmer slows down. You have to be slow and patient.

For normal house hedges, the power is very good. I see it works better after 5-10 minutes when the engine is warm.

Fuel Use and Run Time

The 0.22-liter tank gives about 45 minutes of work time. Fuel use is about 0.504 liters per hour. This is what Stihl company also says. The 2-MIX engine is really good for fuel saving. It gives less smoke and more work time.

So, I make a habit. I put fuel after cutting every third hedge. This way, it does not stop in the middle of work.

Noise and Vibration in Long Use

At 97 dB(A), the HS 45 is very loud. You must use ear protection if you work for more than some minutes. The anti-vibration system is good. It makes the handle shake less. Vibration is 10 m/s² on left handle and 9 m/s² on right.

After 30 minutes of work, my hand still feels a little tired. But it is much less than other trimmers that have no vibration system.

Cold Start and Warm Start Problem

Cold start is easy. It starts on first or second pull if you use the primer bulb right. But warm start is sometimes a problem, especially if weather is hot (above 70°F). After long work on a hot day, sometimes trimmer does not go to full speed until it is cool. I see other users also say they have this same problem.

Comfort and Handling

Using the Stihl HS 45 every day showed me its design is good for comfort. What company says about comfort is true in real use.

Anti-Vibration System in Real Life

The anti-vibration system in the Stihl HS 45 hedge trimmer has special rubber and spring parts. These parts separate the handles from the engine. This makes my hands shake less. When I trim for a long time, this gives much more comfort than trimmers with no such system.

But, long time vibration is still a problem. The user manual says it can cause whitefinger disease or carpal tunnel syndrome. I wear gloves and take breaks, like Stihl company says. This helps.

Handle Grip and Balance in Long Work

The big, soft handles are very good. They help me cut with control. The trimmer is 4.7kg but the weight is balanced well. So it is easy to move. The balance is very good with the 18″ blade.

I like that I can hold the handle in many ways to cut at different angles. This is very important for making round shape hedges.

Tired Feeling After 30+ Minutes Use

After working for 30 minutes, my arm is not very tired. For a petrol trimmer, this is very good. This is helpful when I have a big property with many hedges. The light weight also stops my shoulder from hurting when I cut over my head.

The anti-vibration is really great for long use. I worked for two hours with only a little numb feeling in my hand. But, Stihl says in cold weather or if you hold too tight, you get tired more. I feel this in winter mornings.

Repair, Long Life, and Common Problems

The real test of a tool is its repair needs and how long it lasts. After six months with the Stihl HS 45, I know what to do to keep it running good, and what problems to look for.

Air Filter and Spark Plug Care

Cleaning the air filter is very important for good power. The HS 45’s air filter stops dust from going into the engine. This makes the engine live longer. I clean the filter when I see power is low, maybe after every 20-25 hours of work. Cleaning is easy. Just take it out, wash with soap, and dry it. Then put it back.

For spark plugs, I find that Champion RCJ7Y and NGK BPMR6F both work for Stihl HS 45. A bad spark plug makes starting hard or engine run bad. Changing it makes fuel use better and gives more power.

Stihl HS 45 Hedge Trimmer Parts

You can only buy real Stihl parts from their dealers. I learned this. This is good for quality but sometimes makes repair hard. Common parts like air filters, spark plugs are easy to find. But sometimes special parts take time to come.

Carburetor Problems and DIY Fix

The carburetor was the main problem for this trimmer. After about four months, the engine had problem at full speed. This is a common problem with HS 45. To adjust the carburetor:

1. First, check and clean the air filter.
2. Turn the idle speed screw (LA) until the blades stop moving.
3. Adjust the low-speed screw (L) if engine is not smooth.

Be careful when turning the screws. If you turn too hard, you can damage them.

Warranty and Dealer Help

Stihl gives a standard warranty, but I found some problems. Some users say their claim for broken handle was rejected. Dealer said they hang the trimmer by the handle, even when there is a hole for hanging. Dealer support was also different in different places. Sometimes simple parts like choke switch took a long time to arrive, even when it is a common part.

Pros and Cons

Stihl HS 45 Alternatives

If Stihl HS 45 is not right for you, check these other tools. Also, if you are not sure about petrol power, see our guide on electric vs. gas vs. cordless hedge trimmers.

1. Husqvarna 122HD60: It is similar power but has adjustable rear handle. It is a little heavier.
2. Worx Hedge Trimmer: This is another good choice with different features that you can check.
3. Ryobi RY25HT55: This is a cheaper choice. Good for small gardens, but maybe not for daily use.

Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What fuel mix for Stihl HS 45? A: Use a 50:1 mix. 50 parts petrol and 1 part Stihl 2-stroke engine oil.

Q: Is the Stihl HS 45 good for professional use? A: No, it is best for home use. For professional work, you need a stronger model.

Q: How often to clean the air filter? A: I clean it after every 20-25 hours of work, or when I see power is low.

Conclusion

After six hard months of daily use, the Stihl HS 45 is a good tool. It is for home use but it is strong. This cheap machine works very good for home owners but it is not for professional work.

The 27.2cc engine with 2-MIX technology saves fuel. It has enough power for most home trimming. The anti-vibration system helps a lot in long work. But hand still gets tired after 30 minutes.

The best thing is its weight. It is only 4.7kg. It is easy to do overhead work and my shoulder does not hurt much. The blades cut clean, but have some problem with branches thicker than half an inch.

Repair needs are normal for a petrol tool. But the carburetor problem after four months is something to think about. If you buy, be ready to adjust the carburetor sometimes.

For me, the 18-inch blade model was better. It is easy to move around curves. But if you have long, straight hedges, the 24-inch model may be faster.

The HS 45 is good value for money compared to costly models like HS56 C-E. If you are a homeowner with a medium garden, this trimmer is very good for you. But if you are a professional landscaper, you need something with more power for daily work from our list of gardening tools.

So, I recommend the Stihl HS 45 hedge trimmer for home users who want a good tool for less money. Just remember to clean the air filter and be ready for some carburetor work to keep it running good.