Steve Bullman

STIHL has enhanced its extensive clearing saw range with the launch of the new FS 561 C-EM, the most powerful model the manufacturer has produced. Offering landscaping professionals and groundskeepers greater performance and durability, as well as the power to clear any obstacle, this new product boasts a number of new features. STIHL’s new FS 561 C-EM clearing saw offers a powerful and precise performance, with a best in class cutting diameter of 560mm, increased storage and improved visibility. Designed to tackle the toughest clearing jobs, this model features a new gearbox design offering a revised gear ratio with improved sealing and bearing performance. With 2.8kW of power at the users fingertips and a 38mm reinforced shaft, this new model makes it ideal for clearing large areas quickly and efficiently. Designed with the user's comfort in mind, the FS 561 C-EM has a more robust clutch housing, making it the perfect tool for heavy usage and long run times. With a new and improved anti-vibration system, STIHL ErgoStart and a revised ergonomic bike handlebar allowing the machine to be easily guided, this model is excellent for mowing through grass or shrub or clearing forest stands. The FS 561 can be used with a wide range of STIHL cutting attachments, which can be fitted easily and quickly. Combined with the high power output and increased cutting diameter, work with the new clearing saw can be done efficiently and precisely. The FS 561 C-EM not only has a redesigned gearbox and a more ergonomic design, but it also has an easy starting process and stop button, a WoodCut 225-24 circular saw blade, and an ADVANCE PLUS forestry harness for optimal comfort. A STIHL M-Tronic 3.0 electronic engine management system is standard on this new model, which optimises ignition timing and fuel metering in all operating modes. External factors such as temperature, altitude and fuel quality are also taken into account, resulting in consistent engine performance, a consistent maximum speed, and excellent acceleration. For more information on STIHL’s range of clearing saws, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

From September 2021, regular grade unleaded petrol (95 octane) in the UK is changing. To help in the Government’s target of reducing carbon emissions, ethanol content will increase to 10% (E10) from the 5% (E5) currently available on pump. While this is not an issue for modern petrol car engines designed to be operated with E10, users of garden and grounds machinery now face and increased risk of experiencing reliability issues attributable to the increased ethanol content. Ethanol is a renewable bio-fuel that can be mixed with unleaded petrol in various grades and, when burnt, produces fewer emissions. It is anticipated that the switch to E10 will remove 750,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, for those with modern machines designed to handle E10 fuel, few problems are expected during day-to-day operation. However, ethanol is a solvent that is damaging to plastic and rubber and is the ingredient often responsible for ‘gummy deposits’ left behind once the fuel has evaporated. The additional ethanol content therefore threatens to shorten the service life of certain system components and contribute towards the poor running of small power equipment. In addition to issues with reliability, ethanol also reduces the storage life of petrol, through the binding of moisture which then acidifies – in turn, leading to problems for owners who use their machinery infrequently or store them for long periods of time. Many manufacturers, including Stihl, Husqvarna and Honda recommend that fuels containing ethanol should be consumed within a 30-day period in order to minimise the risks. Being free from ethanol as well as benzene, sulphur and many other harmful substances, aspen Alkylate petrol offers a clean alternative for both 2 and 4-stroke engines – improving the health and performance of your equipment, the working conditions for the operator and significantly reducing the harmful impact your machinery makes on the environment. The increase in purity compared to traditional pump petrol means aspen can also be left in fuel tanks for many years without degrading. While the introduction of more ethanol into regular petrol will reduce environmental emissions, and E5 petrol will remain available in the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane) at some larger filling stations, the remaining emissions and overall impact on operator and machinery health is still substantially more hazardous than those operating with aspen fuel.