Stihl km 56 RC-E Combi unit

I buy all my stihl equipment at crowder bros. It's time to reconsider the stihl brand. My weed wacker head attachment, the part with the motor, is constantly in the shop for the same issue - the muffler keeps falling off. (This is the KM 56 kombi motor. I use for weed wacking and blowing.) They have given a new cylinder and re-tapped the screw hole before and after the new cylinder - with the same result. Nothing they do resolves the problem. It's obvious that something beyond "repairing" the unit needs to happen but Stihl corporate will not stand behind their equipment. They need to throw in the towel and admit "repair" is not the answer. As for Crowder bros - they are friendly but I wait for days and days to get repairs done. Additionally, I have their power ... MoreI buy all my stihl equipment at crowder bros. It's time to reconsider the stihl brand. My weed wacker head attachment, the part with the motor, is constantly in the shop for the same issue - the muffler keeps falling off. (This is the KM 56 kombi motor. I use for weed wacking and blowing.) They have given a new cylinder and re-tapped the screw hole before and after the new cylinder - with the same result. Nothing they do resolves the problem. It's obvious that something beyond "repairing" the unit needs to happen but Stihl corporate will not stand behind their equipment. They need to throw in the towel and admit "repair" is not the answer. As for Crowder bros - they are friendly but I wait for days and days to get repairs done. Additionally, I have their power washer. I've used it on the driveway twice. Before completing the driveway the second time the on/off switch broke. I had to wait for it to run out of gas to shut off. My next purchases will not be Stihl.

8 years and going strong!

This ain't a "I bought it and it runs great on first use" review. I bought this 8 years ago to do my small yard and the church. I have the blower, string trimmer and edger. The church's edging/wacking is 2600 feet....that is half a mile! I use it about 2 hours a week during cutting season. I use good fuel, good oil and run it dry in the fall. Over 8 years I have replace a few of the plastic sleeves. It now has a bit of a problem lining up the blower shaft, but that is from wear. It isn't ready for a rebuild. My only regret is that this model motor can't run the bed definer. No big deal, if I really want to upgrade I'll happily buy the bigger motor and keep this one running. That way if anyone wants to help me on cut day I'll have plenty of tools to go around. Kombi ... MoreThis ain't a "I bought it and it runs great on first use" review. I bought this 8 years ago to do my small yard and the church. I have the blower, string trimmer and edger. The church's edging/wacking is 2600 feet....that is half a mile! I use it about 2 hours a week during cutting season. I use good fuel, good oil and run it dry in the fall. Over 8 years I have replace a few of the plastic sleeves. It now has a bit of a problem lining up the blower shaft, but that is from wear. It isn't ready for a rebuild. My only regret is that this model motor can't run the bed definer. No big deal, if I really want to upgrade I'll happily buy the bigger motor and keep this one running. That way if anyone wants to help me on cut day I'll have plenty of tools to go around. Kombi is one the best purchases I've ever made.

AVOID and you will not be disappointed.

Have never liked this tool. I really think Stihl did a lousy job on the carburetor for this model as well as their other Kombi tools. I use the best gas and oil available and still have issues with it running correctly. New hoses, and other parts and it is just a real disappointment. I am tossing it (literally) I have 5 attachments, three that work very well, hedge trimmer, pole saw and weed eater. Edger is good and the tiller marginal. May try the battery kombi but sure disappointed with Stihl and this piece of junk.

All Around Good Kombi Unit

I bought this at the beginning of the mowing season for my lawn care business. It is a very good Kombi tool. It has enough power for most jobs. So far it has lived up to my expectations. I bought this with the string trimmer attachment, and I bought the edger attachment soon after. It is overall a very good investment for any small business or homeowner.

Assesories get stuck all the time with no soltion?

I bought this unit 6 years ago to replace low cost trimmer and blower units I had for 12 years. I bought a larger property and needed better gear, or so I thought. There were issues immediately, the blower would click in but could not be removed. I returned it for repair and it was fixed, for the time. This happens at least once per season. I have to take my unit to get repaired and I am without my expensive tools? After the 6th time in 4 years, STIHL replaced the blower... that's not the problem as it still gets stuck. I am now on my 2nd issue in less than a month this season. My local repairman has been great but he can only do so much. I am extremely disappointed in this product. I wound not recommend it. I went with STIHL because of their quality reputation but ... MoreI bought this unit 6 years ago to replace low cost trimmer and blower units I had for 12 years. I bought a larger property and needed better gear, or so I thought. There were issues immediately, the blower would click in but could not be removed. I returned it for repair and it was fixed, for the time. This happens at least once per season. I have to take my unit to get repaired and I am without my expensive tools? After the 6th time in 4 years, STIHL replaced the blower... that's not the problem as it still gets stuck. I am now on my 2nd issue in less than a month this season. My local repairman has been great but he can only do so much. I am extremely disappointed in this product. I wound not recommend it. I went with STIHL because of their quality reputation but this is ridiculous. The issue remains and no one can tell me what the real problem is or how to fix it.

Cheap Chinese rubbish

Cheap Chinese rubbish. I have owned and used this unit for over 5 years and is on its 3rd engine issue. I own 3 Stihl machines and look after them. The 2 older saws do not miss a beat but this unit is total rubbish. Since Stihl moved its manufacturing to China the quality has gone downhill. Very lightly made with the cheapest components they can get away with. Bearing and seals are cheap and designed to fail. Engine head needs strengthening. Exhaust bolt broke off head casting and needed replaced. Stihl products are not cheap to purchase so someone is making money along the way. Greed does not pay in the long run. Dyson tried this outsourcing of production as is now hated for it. If you are to purchase this unit then source an older one that was made in Germany. The ... MoreCheap Chinese rubbish. I have owned and used this unit for over 5 years and is on its 3rd engine issue. I own 3 Stihl machines and look after them. The 2 older saws do not miss a beat but this unit is total rubbish. Since Stihl moved its manufacturing to China the quality has gone downhill. Very lightly made with the cheapest components they can get away with. Bearing and seals are cheap and designed to fail. Engine head needs strengthening. Exhaust bolt broke off head casting and needed replaced. Stihl products are not cheap to purchase so someone is making money along the way. Greed does not pay in the long run. Dyson tried this outsourcing of production as is now hated for it. If you are to purchase this unit then source an older one that was made in Germany. The quality is far superior.

KM 56 failure point

I have had the KM56 Combi and assorted tools since Sept, 2017. I'm frustrated with the poor design of the plastic component on the tool attachment that keeps failing. I know I am attaching the tool correctly, making sure it is properly seated so the arrows match, and yet I've gone through 5 of these cheap plastic parts. When they break, I inevitably have to take the handle apart on the engine side just to get the thing apart. So frustrating. After 20 minutes fixing yet another yesterday I'm finally writing. I see that in the last 4 years nothing has changed with this component, yet I see in the reviews that other people have had this problem. Why isn't this fixed yet? A redesign, more robust plastic, something. I went to my supply and realized I'm out of stock, so ... MoreI have had the KM56 Combi and assorted tools since Sept, 2017. I'm frustrated with the poor design of the plastic component on the tool attachment that keeps failing. I know I am attaching the tool correctly, making sure it is properly seated so the arrows match, and yet I've gone through 5 of these cheap plastic parts. When they break, I inevitably have to take the handle apart on the engine side just to get the thing apart. So frustrating. After 20 minutes fixing yet another yesterday I'm finally writing. I see that in the last 4 years nothing has changed with this component, yet I see in the reviews that other people have had this problem. Why isn't this fixed yet? A redesign, more robust plastic, something. I went to my supply and realized I'm out of stock, so here I am going online ordering more and it shouldn't be this way.

Most Versatile Lawn Care Tool

I have six acres lawn and tree field. With my Kombi system attachments I can take care of brush, trim grass, cut overhanging limbs, trim hedges, and keep things neat and trim by switching attachments in a matter of seconds. Couldn't do it without the ability to utilize all the great attachments. Best tool system ever!

Not Happy

I bought an entire system including Weed Wacker, Leaf Blower, Pole saw and Extension. The system works great with the Weed Eater and Leaf blower. The pole saw and extension won't work. We tried returning it, only to be told it can NOT be returned. They tried to fix the problem with the pole saw and extension, but when we tried using it again, it would not work. So now we have 2 very expensive paper weights in our garage.

Recurring equipment failure

I purchased my Kombi unit by Stihl in July, 2018. I initially was very pleased with the reliability and performance of Stihl products. Regarding attachments, the blower, trimmer, and edger function beautifully from this homeowner's perspective when working. However, there has been a recurring problem with sleeve failure. This occurred 8/8/19, again 10/18/19, and again 9/8/20. 4140 791 7201 clip piece of sleeve breaks upon removal of attachment, wedges attachment drive shaft into power unit driver coupling. Fortunately, I have a four year warrant. This is obviously a parts malfunction of which Stihl is well aware, but apparently have not fixed to date or not willing to replace with reengineered product for the customer. If this continues to happen, I will continue ... MoreI purchased my Kombi unit by Stihl in July, 2018. I initially was very pleased with the reliability and performance of Stihl products. Regarding attachments, the blower, trimmer, and edger function beautifully from this homeowner's perspective when working. However, there has been a recurring problem with sleeve failure. This occurred 8/8/19, again 10/18/19, and again 9/8/20. 4140 791 7201 clip piece of sleeve breaks upon removal of attachment, wedges attachment drive shaft into power unit driver coupling. Fortunately, I have a four year warrant. This is obviously a parts malfunction of which Stihl is well aware, but apparently have not fixed to date or not willing to replace with reengineered product for the customer. If this continues to happen, I will continue taking it in for repair until the warranty expires, but after that, I will be hesitant to purchase or recommend this Stihl product to anyone. I can accept that products may have an unrecognized flaw. I cannot accept that a company will refuse to admit the flaw and do what is right for the customer. The local distributor has been most helpful, but has no control over the manufacturer.