Manual for Stihl SH 86 C-E

The Stihl SH 86 C-E is a powerful, professional-grade leaf blower/vacuum designed for demanding yard cleanup. It features a high-performance engine with easy-start technology (E), a metal impeller for vacuuming and shredding, variable speed control, ergonomic harness system, and a large collection bag. Below are key sections for safety, features, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Safety Information 3. Assembly & Preparation 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Operation 6. Vacuum Function & Shredding 7. Maintenance Schedule 8. Storage 9. Troubleshooting 10. Warranty & Support

Features at a Glance

Key components: Engine with Easy2Start™ (E), metal shredding impeller, variable speed throttle trigger, ergonomic harness, blower tube, vacuum tube, collection bag, and cleaning tool.

Feature	Description
Easy2Start™ (E) System	Reduces pulling force required for starting
Metal Impeller	Durable blade for vacuuming and shredding leaves
Variable Speed Control	Throttle trigger for precise airspeed adjustment
Ergonomic Harness	Reduces operator fatigue during extended use
Collection Bag	Large capacity bag for shredded material
Blower/Vacuum Selector	Lever to switch between blowing and vacuuming modes
Anti-Vibration System	Reduces vibration transmitted to the operator
Air Volume	High airflow for efficient clearing
Fuel Tank	Transparent for easy fuel level inspection
Cleaning Tool	For clearing impeller and intake blockages

Safety Information

Read and understand all instructions before operating. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

PPE: Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, sturdy gloves, long pants, and non-slip boots.
Operation Area: Keep bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 50 feet away. Be aware of your surroundings.
Fuel Safety: Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped and cool. Use only STIHL MotoMix® or equivalent alkylate fuel. Do not smoke.
Hot Surfaces: The muffler and engine become extremely hot during and after operation. Do not touch.
Debris: Do not vacuum stones, glass, metal, or other hard objects. Clear the work area of such debris first.

WARNING! Risk of serious injury or death. Failure to follow safety instructions can result in fire, explosion, burns, or projectile injury.

Assembly & Preparation

Unpack all parts. Assembly requires attaching tubes, harness, and collection bag.

Attach Harness: Connect the shoulder straps to the mounting points on the blower unit. Adjust for a comfortable fit.
Attach Blower Tube: For blowing, push the blower tube onto the engine housing outlet until it clicks securely.
Attach Vacuum Kit: For vacuuming, remove blower tube. Attach the curved vacuum tube to the housing, then attach the straight intake tube and nozzle to the other end.
Attach Collection Bag: Zip the collection bag onto the rear port of the unit. Ensure the zipper is fully closed.
Fuel & Oil: Fill with the correct fuel/oil mixture (50:1 with STIHL HP Ultra oil or use MotoMix®). Check the air filter is clean.

CAUTION! Ensure all connections are secure before starting the engine to prevent parts from detaching during operation.

Specifications

Engine: STIHL 2-stroke, single-cylinder
Displacement: 27.2 cm³
Power Output: 0.8 kW / 1.1 bhp
Fuel/Oil Mix: 50:1 (STIHL HP Ultra oil)
Fuel Tank Volume: 0.5 liters
Air Speed (Max): Approx. 77 m/s (170 mph)
Air Volume (Max): Approx. 800 m³/h
Sound Power Level (LWA): 107 dB(A)
Dry Weight (without tubes/bag): 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs)
Shredding Ratio: 10:1
Warranty: Limited warranty for professional use. See manual.

Controls and Operation

Main Controls: Throttle trigger, stop switch, blower/vacuum selector lever, choke lever, primer bulb.

Starting Procedure (Cold Engine):

Press the fuel pump (primer) bulb 5-10 times.
Move the choke lever to the closed position (up).
Press the decompression valve (if equipped).
Place the unit on a firm surface. Hold it securely with your foot in the footstep.
Pull the starter rope slowly until you feel resistance, then pull briskly. Do not pull rope to full length.
Once the engine fires, move the choke lever to the open position (down).
Pull the starter rope again to start the engine. Allow to warm up at idle for ~30 seconds.

Operation: Squeeze the throttle trigger to increase engine speed. Use the selector lever to switch between blower and vacuum modes. Always operate at full throttle for maximum performance.

Vacuum Function & Shredding

For vacuuming, attach the vacuum tube and collection bag. The metal impeller shreds leaves as they are collected.

Set the selector lever to the vacuum position (symbol showing leaves into bag).
Start the engine and allow it to reach full throttle.
Guide the intake nozzle over leaves and debris. Move the nozzle side-to-side in a sweeping motion.
The shredded material will collect in the bag. Do not overfill. Empty the bag when it is 2/3 full for best suction.
To clear a clog, stop the engine and use the cleaning tool through the access port. Always disconnect the spark plug boot first.

WARNING! Never insert hands or feet into the intake or impeller housing while the engine is running or connected. Severe injury can occur.

Maintenance Schedule

Component	Interval	Action
Air Filter	Daily / 10 hrs	Clean with compressed air or soapy water. Replace if damaged.
Spark Plug	Every 50 hrs	Clean, check gap (0.5 mm / 0.020 in), replace if worn.
Fuel Filter	Every 100 hrs	Replace in-tank fuel filter.
Impeller & Housing	After each use	Inspect for damage, clean out debris.
Spark Arrestor Screen (Muffler)	Every 100 hrs	Remove and clean carbon deposits.
Harness & Tubes	Before each use	Inspect for cracks, wear, or loose connections.
Collection Bag	After each use	Empty and check for tears. Clean fabric if needed.

Use only genuine STIHL replacement parts.

Storage

For storage longer than 30 days, prepare the unit to prevent fuel system issues.

Drain the fuel tank completely and run the engine until it stops to clear the carburetor.
OR, add STIHL Fuel Stabilizer to a full tank of fresh fuel and run the engine for 2 minutes to circulate it.
Clean the entire unit, especially the cooling fins, air filter, and impeller housing.
Store in a clean, dry, and secure place, out of reach of children.
Remove the spark plug and add a teaspoon of engine oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute oil, then reinstall the plug.

CAUTION! Storing with untreated old fuel can cause gum deposits in the carburetor, leading to starting problems.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine will not start	No fuel, flooded, spark plug, switch off	Check fuel, set choke to open, dry plug, check switch is ON.
Engine starts then dies	Clogged air filter, old fuel, vent clog	Clean/replace air filter. Use fresh fuel. Check tank vent.
Loss of power	Clogged fuel filter, dirty spark arrestor, impeller jam	Replace fuel filter. Clean spark arrestor screen. Clear impeller jam (engine OFF).
Excessive vibration	Damaged impeller, loose parts	Stop engine. Inspect impeller for damage/cracks. Tighten all tubes and fasteners.
Poor suction (Vacuum mode)	Full bag, clogged tube, worn impeller	Empty bag. Clear tube/intake. Inspect impeller blades for wear.
Unusual noise	Foreign object in impeller, bearing wear	STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. Inspect for and remove foreign objects. Contact dealer if bearing noise persists.

Warranty & Support

This STIHL product is covered by a limited warranty for professional use. Warranty details are provided by your authorized STIHL dealer at the time of purchase. Proof of purchase is required.

For Service: All repairs and maintenance should be performed by an authorized STIHL servicing dealer using genuine STIHL parts.

Support: Contact your local STIHL dealer or visit www.stihlusa.com for product information, dealer locator, and safety materials.

Safety & Instruction Manuals: Always refer to the specific, full-length instruction manual supplied with your unit for complete safety, operation, and maintenance information.