Stihl SH 56 C-E - 412 CFM Gas Handheld Blower Vac

Overview of the Stihl SH 56 C-E

The Stihl SH 56 C-E

• Power: The Stihl SH 56 C-E is a gas-powered blower with a maximum air volume rating of 412 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and an air speed of 159 miles per hour (MPH).
• Handling: It’s handheld, so naturally it’s easier to handle and carry than larger leaf blowers, such as backpack models or walk-behinds. However, for a gas-powered handheld blower, the Stihl SH 56 C-E is heavier than most, weighing 11.5 lbs.
• 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: For those who are keen on having complete control while operating their leaf blower, the SH 56 C-E offers variable speed settings.
• Vacuum: Not just a blower, the SH 56 C-E offers the convenience of a built-in vacuum feature, allowing users to tidy up their outdoor spaces by effortlessly collecting leaves and debris into an attached bag (9.3 gallon bag included).
• Mulching: With a mulching ratio of 14:1, this mulcher can shrink 14 bags of leaves down to one bag of mulch, helping you get rid of unwanted leaves and debris.
• Noise: The SH 56 C-E's noise level is rated at 70 dB, which is standard for gas-powered handheld blowers.
• Fuel Tank: It has an average fuel capacity for a handheld blower, with a tank that holds around 18.3 fl. oz. of fuel.
• 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.

• Maxing out at 159 MPH at full power, this blower is on the lower end in terms of air speed 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.
• At 412 CFM (cubic feet per minute), its airflow output is modest compared to other gas-powered handheld blowers. For the highest air volume, you may want to have a look at the Ryobi JET FAN RY25AXB, which boasts with 520 CFM.

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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.

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