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Stihl SHA 56 - 36V 300 CFM Cordless Brushless Blower Vac

The Stihl SHA 56 is a 3-in-1 cordless blower/vacuum/mulcher delivering up to 300 CFM and 125 MPH. It is powered by a 36V AK battery. (Read full specs)

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Stihl SHA 56 300 CFM Cordless Blower Vac

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Description

With its lightweight padded shoulder strap and rotatable handle, you can work comfortably in both operating modes until the job is done right. For maximum performance, the tool comes with two tubes—one for each specific operating function.

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The Stihl SHA 56 in use

The Stihl SHA 56

With its cordless handheld design, the Stihl SHA 56 is mostly aimed at homeowners with yards that fall in the mid-size range, suitable for seasonal cleanup and routine care.

It is capable of expelling a maximum air volume of 300 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Its air speed is rated at 125 MPH. In practice, it should move both scattered leaves and larger piles across yard areas, while also clearing heavier debris such as acorns, pine cones, or pine needles on patios or driveways.

Equipped with a 36V brushless motor, the unit operates on battery power for untethered use. The SHA 56 works with Stihl's 36V AK series batteries. The unit's runtime will therefore depend on the chosen battery size. By default, the blower doesn't come with any battery or charger.

The Stihl SHA 56 does not have multiple speed settings. Once the blower is turned on, it always operates at the same speed.

Weighing 7.1 lbs, this cordless unit can be guided with one hand to direct airflow where needed. When using an AK 20 battery, the total weight of the blower reaches around 9.8 lbs.

Equipped with a vacuum function, the SHA 56 doubles as a leaf collector, depositing leaves into an attached bag (10.6 gallon bag included). In addition to sucking up leaves, the unit’s mulching ratio of 10:1 can compress 10 bags of foliage into just one bag of mulch while vacuuming.

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The Stihl SHA 56's performance versus other blowers

The following charts are provided to give you an idea how the key specs of the Stihl SHA 56 compare with handheld leaf blowers of similar voltage (between 36 and 48V).

Important: All figures are based on published specifications. Because manufacturers may test at different power levels or under different conditions, use the autonomy/runtime efficiency figures as a guideline only. Runtime and efficiency values are based on the use with the AK 20 battery.
  • Weighing 7.1 lbs, the Stihl SHA 56 is comparable in weight to most cordless handheld blowers in the 36 to 48V range. Should weight be a deciding factor, the Black+Decker LSW40C is worth a look at just 2.4 lbs the bare tool.
  • Air expelled from the blower's nozzle can reach speeds of 125 MPH, indicating a lower air speed, when compared to other battery-operated handheld blowers between 36 and 48V. For the fastest air speed in this category, you may want to consider the Husqvarna 350iB, which can expell air at a velocity that can reach 200 MPH.
  • At 300 CFM (cubic feet per minute), its airflow output is modest compared to other cordless handheld blowers with a comparable voltage. For the highest air volume, you may want to have a look at the Ryobi RY40HPLB01K, which boasts with 800 CFM.
  • Users can anticipate a maximum autonomy of 25 minutes from its battery, suggesting that the SHA 56's runtime is below average among cordless handheld units. To enjoy the best possible autonomy in this category, you could have a look at the Stihl BGA 200 which offers up to 535 minutes of runtime.
  • While runtime is an important metric, it is closely tied to battery capacity. To understand performance more clearly, it’s also useful to look at runtime efficiency, how long the unit runs relative to its battery size. In terms of runtime efficiency, the Stihl SHA 56 ranks on the lower side, delivering less runtime per unit of battery capacity than many comparable battery-powered handheld blowers. If you are focused on getting more use per charge, the Stihl BGA 50 offers the highest runtime efficiency, at 0.8 minutes per Wh.
According to our stats, the following comparison is pretty popular: Stihl SHA 56 vs Stihl BGA 60.

Price comparison

As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 36-48V cordless blowers, the Stihl SHA 56 is on the average side of the price range.

Therefore, this blower nicely fits in the expected budget for this kind of product.

The bottom line

STRENGTHS:
  • In the expected price range
  • Brushless motor
  • Leaf collection bag included
AVERAGE SPECS:
  • Decent bare tool weight (7.1 lbs)
WEAKNESSES:
  • No speed variation
  • Low CFM (300 CFM)
  • Low MPH (125 MPH)
  • Low autonomy (25 mins)
  • Low power efficiency

Do you own the Stihl SHA 56 and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?

Let us know and write your own review.

Features and Specifications

Type
TypeCordless
HandlingHandheld
Air volumeUp to 300 CFM
Air speedUp to 125 MPH
Blowing forceUp to 8 N
Motor
Motor type
Brushless
Battery system36V AK
Battery capacity4.0Ah (144Wh)
Autonomy25 mins
Speed settings1
Features
Battery included0
Noise rating62 dB
VacuumYes
MulcherYes
Mulching ratio10:1
Misc
Weight (tool only)7.1 lbs
Warranty3 years
Other model numbersSA020117101US
UPC886661671861

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 SHA 56, the user manual is available here (opens in a new tab).

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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 SHA 56 is covered under a warranty for up to 3 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.

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