Why Are My Stihl Hedge Trimmer Blades Not Moving?

Hedge trimmers are very effective for performing the job of a gardener. They work by reducing the work that has to be undertaken by a massive deal. The innovative piece of equipment aids every user in cutting shrubs, bushes, and all those other plants out of reach conveniently. 

Considerably, if you have purchased your hedge trimmer from Stihl, the reliability and security of the machine improve significantly. This is because the company, over the operating decades, has gained widespread recognition amongst the users of their manufactured machines for being authentic and well-founded. 

Regardless, the brand name of Stihl is no guarantee that the hedge trimmer will come problem-free. Some issues can emerge with the machine, out of which the typically experienced one is the stihl hedge trimmer blades not moving. 

In this article, we will be helping you troubleshoot your way with the stihl hedge trimmer blades not moving, so keep reading to find out more! 

Stihl Hedge Trimmer Blades Not Moving – Causes 

Your stihl hedge trimmer blades not moving can be caused due to several different reasons. Below in this section, we will be stating all the possible reasons for this problem with the blades of your Stihl hedge trimmer materializing. 

Blades Are Jammed 

For the blades of your stihl hedge trimmer get jammed is experienced by most users who own this machine.  

Let’s say that you have owned the hedge trimmer for a few years now, and to this point, the machine has consistently delivered every function effortlessly, whereby you have experienced no inconvenience while operating it. However, all of a sudden, the blades do not move- they have been jammed. 

Jamming occurs due to the prolonged use of the trimmer and happens because of the blades sliding away from the place they were once attached to. When blades start to drift apart, they leave spaces within them, and within these spaces, debris often houses itself. Thus, jamming and causing the Stihl hedge trimmer blades not to move. 

Blades Are Damaged 

Although it is very rare for the blades to become damaged, especially when the hedge trimmer is being bought from the brand Stihl. Still, it is a phenomenon that carries the likelihood of occurring. 

If you have been using your hedge trimmer for heavy-duty tasks, which entail cutting very thick shrubs, you may have damaged the trimmer’s blades by getting them stuck somewhere in the greenery. 

Another reason the machine’s blades can break might be that you accidentally dropped the machine. Due to this damage, some part of the blade has cracked or broken entirely, resulting in the stihl hedge trimmer blades not moving.

Blades Have Rusted 

Products manufactured by stihl have always been composed of high-quality material. Whether the exterior is made of plastic or metal, the material is always guaranteed to be resilient to rust and other weather conditions. 

But due to the consistent use of the hedge trimmer, rusting happens. If rusting is not prevented in its early stages, it can keep expanding and growing one layer over another layer, eventually evolving into an outcome of stihl hedge trimmer blades not moving. 

Issues With The Clutch

How did you identify that the stihl hedge trimmer blades were not moving? Was it that when you turned the machine on, you heard the engine roaring, and the blades were not moving despite that?

If the stated situation was exact that occurred for you or something similar, then there is a problem with the clutch of the hedge trimmer. The clutch could have either been broken or the tension would have grown improper. 

GearBox Has Worn-out 

Gearbox is the particular component within the stihl hedge trimmer that causes the conversion of the motion from the engine or motor through the camshaft and then into the oscillation that occurs with the blades sliding against one another. 

A worn-out gearbox can halt the operation of the hedge trimmer. This may not immediately happen after you have purchased your hedge trimmer but will appear in the ensuing years and after the machine has undergone intensified wear and tear. 

Troubleshooting Stihl Hedge Trimmer Blades Not Moving

By this point of reading our article, we hope you are well aware of the causes of why your stihl hedge trimmer blades are not moving.

Therefore, to further assist you in this section, we will bring suggestions for troubleshooting and countering the problem of the blades not moving. 

Troubleshooting The Blades

Earlier, many issues with the blade of your hedge trimmers, such as jamming, breaking, and rusting, were causing the stihl hedge trimmer blades not to move.

You can sort the issue out straightforwardly by taking the following adequate measures per the requirement of the situation in which you have found the blades.

Jammed

To clean out jammed blades, you should start by laying your hedge trimmer flatly on the surface and cautiously examining the condition of the blades. Closely look within the spaces that occur within the blades. 

Even though these spaces are minute, upon closer inspection, you can find some sort of debris or grass stuck in them. Then using your hand or a wooden dowel piece, carefully remove all the stubborn pieces of debris within them.

However, do not apply much pressure while cleaning, as immense pressure can cause the blades to break. After using a dampened cloth to clean the blades, coat them with a thin layer of oil for lubrication. 

Damaged

Before you begin troubleshooting a damaged blade, you must be aware of how the blade has been damaged. Has the blade been bent, or has it broken, and you can notice it due to visible cracks on the surface?

If the blade has been bent, but only slightly, you can easily bend the blades back into their original shape using a hammer or a pair of pliers. You would have to unfasten the blades from any screws holding it together and then mold it back into its initial shape. 

Keep in mind that the blade can only be bent back if the bent is not severe. On the other hand, if the blade has broken, then there is no plausible troubleshooting suggestion for you other than to replace it with a new one. 

Rusted 

To solve the rusting problem on the blade, start by detaching the blade from the hedge trimmer. Do not delve into instantly scratching the rust off through sandpaper, but prior to it, utilize a steel wool pad to loosen the occupying rust a bit lightly. Subsequently, use sandpaper. 

Once you have successfully scrapped the rust off, clean the blades with a dampened piece of cloth and then lubricate with a thin coat of oil onto them. Another preventive measure to prevent the blades from rusting is to ensure and store the hedge trimmer in a space where the atmosphere contains less moisture. 

Repairing Clutch 

The clutch could have either been broken or disintegrated. If it is disintegrated, you can do the task of repairing it by yourself, and this process will only require you to consult the user manual and wholly abide by the stated instructions. If the clutch is broken, it calls for a replacement! 

Fixing Gearbox 

You will only identify an issue with the gearbox to be fixed upon dismantling the hedge trimmer. Then, you will discover that the bearings inside the machine are floating after disintegrating from their original position. 

If this is the case, the only way to get the blades of your stihl hedge trimmer up and running is to replace the gearbox. It is difficult for a user to identify whether the whole gearbox needs replacement or only some parts, so we recommend you consult someone with expertise in the area. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion 

Blades that are sharp and operating are essential for hedge trimmers operations. Hence, you must immediately take action the next time you find Stihl hedge trimmer blades not moving!