I went to go use my Stihl FS85R with the hedge trimmer attachment today and the blades were so gummed up and corroded where they slide against each other that it wouldn't cut. I took it apart tonight and cleaned the blades on the wire wheel and am wondering what is the "correct" lubricant to use? I've always just dripped some bar and chain oil on the blades or used whatever type of spray lube I had around. It's always been "fiddly" where I have to adjust the tensioning nuts a lot and oil it more often than I feel like I should need to.
What kind of lube to use on hedge trimmer blades?
- Thread starter ripcord
- Start date
MolaKule
Staff member
I have used a 15W40 motor oil.
I also lube it before storage and fire it up for a few seconds.
I also lube it before storage and fire it up for a few seconds.
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I've used WD-40 to clean sap. I used spray MC chain lube that i had on hand after cleaning with WD-40. I think bar oil would work fine too.
When I take the blades off to sharpen mine (a couple cheapie corded models), I put grease in where they ride on the studs, but as far as the blades themselves, I just use vegetable oil because I use plenty of oil and want something bio-compatible left all over the bushes. I don't notice trimmings sticking too badly, but I suppose that depends on what you're cutting. The majority are ejected out by the blade motion. I do take them back apart to clean and touch up the blades every 2-3 years.
Fluid Film
Actually, harming the plants is kind of the point. I use the hedge trimmer mostly to cut young himalayan black berries. Thanks for the tip, BTW. I was looking on an arborist site and saw mention of canola oil. I happen to have some expired canola oil, so I think I'll give that a shot.
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I have an old oil dispensing can that I just put in whatever motor oil I want to get rid of because it's getting too old and use that to oil up the blades before beginning cutting of the hedges, and if it takes more than 15 minutes of work oil it again every 15 minutes, and then oil it again and run it a few seconds for the oil to get circulated and then try to get it to stop so that the blades are aligned on top of each other so that they would be stronger if they got bumped before you put it away.
Maybe I didn’t communicate well when saying “won’t harm the plants”. The fresh cut raw edge on each limb/branch/stem can be degraded by oils and the plant and-or shrub can’t recover with new growth properly. If you don’t mind, I certainly don’t.
I bought this and use it for my trimmer, good lube and it's tacky
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I give my trimmer a shot of PB Blaster. It works for me, and nothing I've cut had died yet.,,,
Thanks, folks. I spent an hour yesterday cutting black berry vines with the trimmer attachment using old canola oil as lube. It worked as well or better than anything else I've used on it.
I think the thing that helped the most was taking it apart again and block sanding the blades where they rub together with 200 and 400 grit wet and dry sand paper. The sliding surfaces were pretty rough and tarnished.
I think the thing that helped the most was taking it apart again and block sanding the blades where they rub together with 200 and 400 grit wet and dry sand paper. The sliding surfaces were pretty rough and tarnished.
I also use Ballistol and like it. But be sure to stand upwind, the smell isn't the best.
