Stihl SH 56 C-E Spec Review

Overview of the Stihl SH 56 C-E

The Stihl SH 56 C-E

• Power: The SH 56 C-E gas-powered blower, manufactured by Stihl, is rated for a max air volume of 412 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and a max air speed of 159 MPH.
• Handling: Being handheld, this blower has a good maneuverability and is meant to be easier to carry around over a small period of time. Be aware that, at 11.5 lbs, the Stihl SH 56 C-E is on the heavier side of gas-powered handheld blowers.
• Engine: This blower's 2-Mix engine has a displacement specification of 27.2cc. Since this is a 2-stroke engine, it’s important to remember that the SH 56 C-E cannot run on gasoline alone. The fuel must be mixed with an appropriate ratio of gasoline and oil in order for it to function properly (for this Stihl model, this ratio is 50:1). You can find more information about Stihl's 2-Mix engine technology below.
• Speed Settings: Sometimes you just need a little more power, while other times you may want a little more precision when moving leaves and debris. That’s why the SH 56 C-E features variable speed settings for added control.
• Vacuum: The SH 56 C-E is also what is known as a 'blower vac'. Those who don’t wish to blow leaves and debris away can switch to its vacuum setting and suck them into a collection bag (9.3 gallon bag included).
• Mulching: Its mulching ratio is 14:1, meaning that it will turn 14 bags of soft debris into one bag of mulch.
• Noise: Its noise rating of 70 dB can be considered the standard for similar gas-powered handheld blowers.
• Fuel Tank: With a capacity of 18.3 fl. oz., this Stihl blower is average compared to other gas handheld blowers.
• Easy2Start™: The SH 56 C-E has the letter “E” in its name, which is Stihl’s indication that it benefits from Stihl’s proprietary Easy2Start™ (also called “ErgoStart”) technology. As the name suggests, this technology makes the starter mechanism more reliable thanks to an additional spring between the crankshaft and the starter rope. Upon pulling the starter rope, the engine will attempt to start regardless of how hard the rope was pulled – even a simple two-finger pull is sufficient to start it. Easy2Start™ allows the SH 56 C-E to be started with remarkably less effort than most other blowers.

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The Stihl SH 56 C-E's performance versus other blowers

The following charts are provided to give you an idea how the key specs of the Stihl SH 56 C-E compare with similar leaf blowers.

• Upon exiting the nozzle, the air can reach speeds of up to 159 MPH, which is on the lower end for gas-powered handheld blowers. For the fastest air speed in this category, you may want to consider the Craftsman BV2500, which can expell air at a velocity that can reach 250 MPH.
• Regarding its air volume, the airflow of the Stihl SH 56 C-E can reach 412 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), which is on the low end for gas-powered handheld blowers. For the highest air volume, you may want to have a look at the Craftsman B225, which boasts with 650 CFM.

Price comparison

2-Mix Engine Technology

Stihl's 2-Mix engine is a more eco-friendly and powerful approach to the traditional 2-stroke engine. It features what Stihl calls "stratified scavenging", which simply means that a layer of air is created between the combustion chamber and the crankcase. This action allows the engine to separate fresh fuel from the exhaust, which in turn minimizes the scavenging losses and eliminates the components of the mix that pose a health and environmental hazard (compliant with European Emissions Directive, Stage II). The 2-Mix engine offers a high torque over a wide speed range, a fuel consumption up to 20% lower than conventional 2-cycle engines, and fewer harmful emissions.

The bottom line