Stihl SH 56 C-E - 430 CFM Gas Handheld Blower Vac
The Stihl SH 56 C-E is a 3-in-1 blower/vacuum/mulcher delivering up to 430 CFM and 143 MPH. It features a 2-stroke 27.2-cc engine. (Read full specs)
Some of the retailers below may only allow online purchase and in-store pickup of Stihl products.
eBay 
Northern Tool 
Ace Hardware 
Acme Tools 
Farm & Fleet Page Content
Description
The SH 56 C-E shredder vac turns yard work into less work. The fuel-efficient STIHL gasoline-powered engine really brings the power to the specially designed blade on the fan wheel – cutting yard waste down to size. Better yet, this versatile STIHL tool offers one power tool that does the work of two. It comes standard with the necessary parts to easily convert the shredder vac into a handheld blower. And as it shreds, the clippings accumulate in a secure, easy-open zippered bag for convenient emptying. And with the STIHL Easy2Start™ system, starting is easy – almost effortless.
Zoom on the Stihl SH 56 C-E
The Stihl SH 56 C-E
The Stihl SH 56 C-E is a gas handheld blower that is appropriate for homeowners with a yard that is generally under a quarter acre, where upkeep is light and occasional.
It is capable of expelling a maximum air volume of 430 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Its air speed is rated at 143 miles per hour (MPH). Practically, this means the blower should handle large amounts of leaves across yards, patios, or driveways while also having enough speed to move damp leaves, acorns, or small twigs.
A 27.2-cc 2-stroke 2-Mix engine powers the SH 56 C-E, which needs a 50:1 fuel-to-oil mixture. The SH 56 C-E benefits from Stihl’s proprietary Easy2Start™ (also called “ErgoStart”) technology. It makes the starter mechanism more reliably 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. With its 18.3 fl. oz. tank, this unit ranks among the larger-capacity gas handheld blowers.
Thanks to its variable speed settings, the Stihl SH 56 C-E allows precise control of the air output.
This blower weighs 11.5 lbs (dry) and its handheld form makes one-handed operation straightforward.
For more complete cleanup, the SH 56 C-E can switch to vacuum mode, collecting leaves into a detachable bag (9.3 gallon bag included). When in vacuum mode, the unit delivers up to 418 CFM of suction power. In addition to vacuuming, the manufacturer specifies a mulching ratio of 14:1, reducing 14 input bags to just one output bag during collection.
Product Videos
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.
- The Stihl SH 56 C-E carries a heavier build than many gas-powered handheld blowers, weighing 11.5 lbs. To enjoy the lowest possible weight in this category, you could have a look at the Stihl BG 50 which is only 7.9 lbs.
- Air expelled from the nozzle of this blower can reach 143 MPH. When compared to others of this type, the SH 56 C-E has a lower air speed than most gas-powered handheld blowers. For the fastest air speed in this category, you may want to consider the Poulan Pro PPBV25, which can expell air at a velocity that can reach 230 MPH.
- The SH 56 C-E is average in terms of air volume. It's rated at 430 CFM, which is common for gas-powered handheld blowers. If air volume is important to you, the Ryobi JET FAN RY25AXB, with 520 CFM, could be in your good books.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other blower vacs, the Stihl SH 56 C-E is on the average side of the price range.
Therefore, this blower nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.
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-stroke engines, and fewer harmful emissions.
The bottom line
- In the expected price range
- Easy2Start™ technology
- Large tank (18.3 fl. oz.)
- Leaf collection bag included
- 2-Mix Engine
- Decent CFM (430 CFM)
- No cruise control
- Quite heavy (11.5 lbs)
- Low MPH (143 MPH)
Do you own the Stihl SH 56 C-E and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Type | Gas-Powered |
|---|---|
| Handling | Handheld |
| Air volume | Up to 430 CFM |
| Air speed | Up to 143 MPH |
| Blowing force | Up to 12.4 N |
| Engine type | 2-stroke 2-Mix |
|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 27.2cc |
| Fuel/oil ratio | 50:1 |
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.3 fl. oz. |
| Speed settings | Variable |
| Cruise control | No |
|---|---|
| Noise rating | 70 dB |
| Vacuum | Yes |
| Mulcher | Yes |
| Mulching ratio | 14:1 |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Other model numbers | 42410110934US |
| UPC | 886661910014 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it. For full technical details on the Stihl SH 56 C-E, the user manual is available here (opens in a new tab).
About Stihl
Stihl AG & Company KG was founded by Andreas Stihl in 1926. The German company specializes in handheld outdoor power equipment. Over the past fifty years, Stihl has opened manufacturing plants in Brazil, the United States, and China. The German company’s sure and steady expansion has made it a leading provider of in the lawn, forestry, and landscape maintenance industries.
Warranty Information
The Stihl SH 56 C-E is covered under a warranty for up to 2 years. This warranty may not cover all parts of the blower.
For more information about the warranty of Stihl blowers, please consult Stihl's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-800-467-8445.
Questions & Answers
What does the C mean or denote in SH56C (Asked January 1, 2021)
It stands for "Comfort", which means that the unit benefits from a feature designed to make your life easier. Here, it refers to the Easy2Start mechanism.
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
