STIHL FS 561 C-EM Petrol Clearing Saw

STIHL FS 561 C-EM: maximum petrol clearing performance

The STIHL FS 561 C-EM Petrol Clearing Saw is designed for professional operators who need to clear dense vegetation, bushes, thorny growth and woody scrub across demanding forestry, agricultural and land-management sites.

With a 57.1 cm³ engine and 2.8 kW power output, it is the most powerful petrol clearing saw in the current STIHL range. A reinforced 38 mm shaft, robust clutch housing and professional cutting system make it suitable for sustained heavy workloads where a conventional strimmer or general-purpose brushcutter would be underpowered.

This is not a domestic grass trimmer. It is best suited to trained and experienced users carrying out intensive clearance, forestry and estate-maintenance work.

STIHL FS 561 C-EM at a glance

Feature	Details
Best for	Professional forestry, scrub clearance, estate work and demanding land management
Engine	57.1 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine
Power output	2.8 kW / 3.8 hp
Engine management	STIHL M-Tronic 3.0
Starting system	STIHL ErgoStart
Supplied cutting tool	STIHL WoodCut 225-24 circular saw blade
Harness	XXL double shoulder harness included
Not ideal for	Small domestic gardens, lawn edging or occasional light trimming

What can the STIHL FS 561 C-EM cut?

The FS 561 C-EM is intended for the most demanding work within STIHL’s petrol clearing-saw range. With the supplied WoodCut blade, correct protective equipment and an appropriate operating technique, it is suited to cutting and clearing:

• Dense scrub and established undergrowth
• Bushes and thorny vegetation
• Woody stems and young growth
• Forestry regeneration and unwanted saplings
• Overgrown estate, agricultural and woodland areas
• Tough vegetation that is beyond the practical capability of a standard brushcutter

The cutting attachment must always be suitable for the material being cut. The correct guard, mounting components and personal protective equipment must also be used.

For grass, weeds and less intensive clearance, browse the wider STIHL strimmer and brushcutter range.

57.1 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX engine

The professional 57.1 cm³ STIHL 2-MIX engine produces 2.8 kW, equivalent to approximately 3.8 hp. This provides the high torque and sustained output needed when a circular saw blade is working through dense or woody material.

STIHL 2-MIX technology is designed to use fuel efficiently while maintaining the performance required for professional work. The engine complies with the relevant EU Stage V emissions requirements.

Automatic performance control with STIHL M-Tronic 3.0

STIHL M-Tronic 3.0 electronically manages ignition timing and fuel metering. It automatically responds to factors such as engine temperature, altitude and fuel quality, helping the machine maintain consistent performance without routine manual carburettor adjustment.

For a professional operator, this means less time adjusting the machine and more predictable performance as working conditions change.

Easier starting with STIHL ErgoStart

The STIHL ErgoStart system reduces the speed and force needed on the starter cord. A controlled, even pull tensions the internal spring, which then turns the engine over.

A manual fuel pump also helps reduce the number of starting strokes required after the machine has been unused for a period.

Designed for control during prolonged clearing work

The ergonomic bike handle supports the wide, sweeping movement needed when clearing large areas. It can be adjusted without tools and rotated for transport or storage.

STIHL ADVANCE Grip handle elements provide several comfortable hand positions, while the four-point anti-vibration system reduces the level of engine and cutting vibration transmitted to the handles.

The included XXL double shoulder harness helps distribute the machine’s weight across the operator’s upper body. Correct harness adjustment is particularly important on a machine of this power and weight.

WoodCut 225-24 circular saw blade included

The FS 561 C-EM is supplied with a STIHL WoodCut 225-24 circular saw blade. Its chisel-tooth design is intended for demanding forestry and landscape-maintenance work involving bushes, thin tree trunks and other woody growth.

The blade must be kept correctly sharpened and must only be used with the specified protection and mounting equipment. Ask Masseys for advice before changing to an alternative cutting attachment.

Which STIHL professional clearing saw should you choose?

Model	Displacement	Power	Machine weight	Best suited to
STIHL FS 361 C-EM	37.7 cm³	1.7 kW	8.6 kg	Professional grass, brush and general land-maintenance work
STIHL FS 461 C-EM	45.6 cm³	2.2 kW	8.6 kg	Regular heavy clearing with a balance of output and lower weight
STIHL FS 561 C-EM	57.1 cm³	2.8 kW	10.2 kg	The most demanding forestry and woody-vegetation clearance

Choose the FS 361 for professional grass and scrub work where lower weight is important. Move to the FS 461 for heavier and more frequent clearance. Choose the FS 561 when maximum petrol clearing-saw output and circular-blade performance are the priority.

Operators who want lower noise, straightforward starting and no exhaust emissions at the point of use should also compare the STIHL FSA 250 cordless clearing saw.

Why Masseys recommends the STIHL FS 561 C-EM

At Masseys, we recommend the FS 561 C-EM for experienced professional users whose work regularly involves woody scrub, thorny growth and demanding forestry clearance.

Its main advantage is not simply that it has more engine power than the FS 361 or FS 461. The reinforced shaft, robust drive system, WoodCut blade configuration and high-output engine are designed to work together during sustained blade-based clearance.

We would not automatically recommend the FS 561 to every contractor. The lighter FS 461 is often the more practical all-round choice for mixed grass and scrub work. The FS 561 makes most sense when the operator genuinely needs maximum cutting performance and will use that additional capacity regularly.

Masseys is a STIHL authorised dealer, so our team can help you choose the appropriate machine, cutting attachment, harness and protective equipment for the work you intend to carry out.

STIHL FS 561 C-EM technical specifications

Model	STIHL FS 561 C-EM
Machine type	Professional petrol clearing saw
Engine	STIHL 2-MIX two-stroke petrol engine
Displacement	57.1 cm³
Power output	2.8 kW / 3.8 hp
Machine weight	10.2 kg without fuel, cutting attachment or guard
Maximum cutting diameter	Up to 560 mm with a suitable approved mowing attachment
Shaft diameter	38 mm reinforced shaft
Engine management	STIHL M-Tronic 3.0
Starting system	STIHL ErgoStart
Handle	Adjustable bike handle with STIHL ADVANCE Grip
Anti-vibration	STIHL four-point anti-vibration system
Supplied cutting attachment	STIHL WoodCut 225-24 circular saw blade
Supplied harness	XXL double shoulder harness
CO₂ value	828 g/kWh
Manufacturer part number	41482000222

Fuel, maintenance and aftercare

The FS 561 C-EM requires the correct petrol and two-stroke oil mixture prepared in accordance with the current STIHL operating instructions. Do not use stale fuel or an incorrect oil ratio.

For convenient premixed alkylate fuel, see the Aspen fuel range at Masseys. You can also browse our wider selection of garden-machinery oils and fuels.

Although M-Tronic manages the engine settings automatically, the air filter, spark plug, gearbox, cutting attachment, guard, harness and fasteners still require routine inspection and maintenance.

Masseys also provides garden-machinery servicing and repair support from our workshop in Woodville, Swadlincote.

Who should buy the FS 561 C-EM?

The FS 561 C-EM is a suitable choice for:

• Forestry and woodland professionals
• Land-clearance contractors
• Estate and agricultural maintenance teams
• Local-authority and municipal operators
• Experienced users maintaining substantial areas of scrub or woody vegetation
• Operators who regularly use a circular saw blade rather than mowing line

For lawn edges, ordinary long grass or occasional domestic work, a lighter machine from our petrol strimmer and brushcutter range will normally be easier to handle and more economical.

Frequently asked questions

What is the STIHL FS 561 C-EM used for?

The STIHL FS 561 C-EM is used for professional forestry and land-clearance work involving dense scrub, bushes, thorny vegetation and woody growth. It is intended for jobs where an ordinary grass trimmer or mid-range brushcutter does not provide enough power or blade capability.

Is the FS 561 C-EM STIHL’s most powerful clearing saw?

Yes. The FS 561 C-EM is the most powerful petrol clearing saw in STIHL’s current UK range. Its 57.1 cm³ engine produces 2.8 kW, placing it above the FS 361 C-EM and FS 461 C-EM.

What is supplied with the STIHL FS 561 C-EM?

The UK specification is supplied with a STIHL WoodCut 225-24 circular saw blade and an XXL double shoulder harness. The appropriate supplied equipment should be confirmed at the time of ordering, particularly if STIHL introduces a revised package or variant.

What is the difference between the FS 461 and FS 561?

The FS 461 has a 45.6 cm³ engine, 2.2 kW output and a machine weight of 8.6 kg. The FS 561 increases this to 57.1 cm³ and 2.8 kW but weighs 10.2 kg. The FS 461 is generally the more manageable all-round professional machine, while the FS 561 is intended for users who need maximum output for the most demanding clearance work.

Can the STIHL FS 561 cut small trees?

The supplied WoodCut circular saw blade is designed for bushes, thin tree trunks and other woody growth. The permissible stem size and cutting method depend on the blade, working conditions and instructions in the operating manual. It should not be treated as a substitute for a chainsaw where a chainsaw is the appropriate tool.

Does M-Tronic mean the machine never needs servicing?

No. M-Tronic automatically manages ignition timing and fuel delivery, but it does not remove the need for routine maintenance. Filters, the spark plug, gearbox, blade, guard, harness and other components must still be inspected and serviced in accordance with STIHL instructions.

Is the FS 561 suitable for a domestic garden?

For most domestic gardens, no. Its power, weight and circular-blade configuration are intended for experienced professional or intensive land-management users. A smaller STIHL strimmer or brushcutter will normally be safer, lighter and more economical for ordinary garden maintenance.

Does the FS 561 C-EM require two-stroke fuel?

Yes. It uses a two-stroke petrol engine and requires the correct petrol-and-engine-oil mixture or a suitable premixed alkylate fuel. Follow the current STIHL instruction manual and use fuel that meets the manufacturer’s requirements.

Safe professional operation

Read the instruction manual before operating the FS 561 C-EM. Use the correct guard and mounting equipment for the fitted cutting attachment, and wear suitable forestry or brushcutting protective equipment, including face and eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, robust footwear and appropriate work clothing.

Inspect the work area for stones, wire, glass, fencing, people and animals. Check dense vegetation and long grass carefully for nesting birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife before starting work.