Trimmer And Brushcutter Safety Manual - STIHL

English389BA019 KNWARNINGIt may be carried only in a horizontalposition. Grip the shaft in a manner thatthe machine is balanced horizontally.Keep the hot muffler away from yourbody and the cutting attachment behindyou.WARNINGAlways shut off the engine and makesure the cutting attachment has stoppedbefore putting a trimmer / brushcutterdown. When transporting it in a vehicle,properly secure it to prevent turnover,fuel spillage and damage to the unit.STIHL recommends that you keep metalblades covered with the transport guard(optional accessory).FuelYour STIHL power tool uses an oilgasoline mixture for fuel (see thechapter on "Fuel" of your instructionmanual).Trimmer and Brushcutter Safety ManualGasoline is an extremelyflammable fuel. If spilledand ignited by a spark orother ignition source, itcan cause fire and serious burn injury orproperty damage. Useextreme caution whenhandling gasoline or fuelmix. Do not smoke orbring any fire or flamenear the fuel or the powertool. Note that combustible fuel vapor mayescape from the fuelsystem.Fueling InstructionsWARNINGTo reduce the risk of serious injury fromburns, never attempt to refuel the unituntil it has been completely removedfrom the operator.WARNINGFuel your power tool in well-ventilatedareas, outdoors. Always shut off theengine and allow it to cool beforerefueling. Gasoline vapor pressure maybuild up inside the fuel tank dependingon the fuel used, the weather conditionsand the tank venting system.In order to reduce the risk of burns andother personal injury from escaping gasvapor and fumes, remove the fuel fillercap on your power tool carefully so as toallow any pressure build-up in the tankto release slowly. Never remove the fuelfiller cap while the engine is running.Select bare ground for fueling and moveat least 10 feet (3 m) from the fuelingspot before starting the engine. Wipe offany spilled fuel before starting yourmachine.WARNINGCheck for fuel leakagewhile refueling and duringoperation. If fuel leakageis found, do not start orrun the engine until theleak is fixed and anyspilled fuel has beenwiped away. Take carenot to get fuel on yourclothing. If this happens,change your clothingimmediately.WARNINGIn order to reduce the risk of fuel spillageand fire from an improperly tightenedfuel cap, correctly position and tightenthe fuel cap in the fuel tank opening.WARNINGUnit vibrations can causean improperly tightenedfuel filler cap to loosen orcome off and spill quantities of fuel. In order toreduce the risk of fuelspillage and fire, tightenthe fuel filler cap by handas securely as possible.See also the "Fueling" chapter in yourInstruction Manual for additionalinformation.5

EnglishBefore StartingWARNINGAlways check your power tool for propercondition and operation before starting,particularly the throttle trigger, throttletrigger lockout, slide control / stopswitch, cutting attachment, deflector andharness. The throttle trigger must movefreely and always spring back to the idleposition. Never attempt to modify thecontrols or safety devices.WARNINGCheck fuel system for leaks, especiallythe visible parts, e.g., filler cap, hoseconnections, manual fuel pump (only forpower tools equipped with a manual fuelpump). Do not start the engine if thereare leaks or damage – risk of fire! Havethe machine repaired by a servicingdealer before using it.WARNINGNever operate your power tool if it isdamaged, improperly adjusted ormaintained, or not completely orsecurely assembled.WARNINGDo not attach any cutting attachment toa unit without proper installation of allrequired parts. Failure to use the properparts may cause the blade or head to flyoff and seriously injure the operator orbystanders.6WARNINGThe cutting attachment must be properlytightened and in safe operatingcondition. Inspect for loose parts (nuts,screws, etc.) and for cracked ordamaged heads or cracked, bent,warped or damaged blades. Replacedamaged heads or blades before usingthe power tool. Always keep bladessharp.Keep the handles clean and dry at alltimes; it is particularly important to keepthem free of moisture, pitch, oil, fuel mix,grease or resin in order for you tomaintain a firm grip and properly controlyour power tool.WARNINGCheck that the spark plug boot issecurely mounted on the spark plug – aloose boot may cause arcing that couldignite combustible fumes and cause afire.WARNINGTo reduce the riskof personal injuryto the operatorfrom blade or linecontact andthrown objects,make sure yourunit is equippedwith the properdeflector, handleand harness forthe type of cuttingattachment beingused (see chart inthe chapter on"Approved Combinations of CuttingAttachment,Deflector, Handleand Harness".)As can be seen in that chart, somecutting attachments may require you tochange your deflector, handle and / orharness.Keep the deflector (and the attachedskirt where appropriate) adjustedproperly at all times (see chapters on"Mounting the Deflector" and "Mountingthe Cutting Attachment" of yourinstruction manual).Trimmer and Brushcutter Safety Manual

Englishother solid surface in an open area.Maintain good balance and securefooting.A000BA006 KNWARNING000BA007 KNBArrows on the deflector (A) and limitstop (B) (as seen from the underside)show the correct direction of rotation ofthe cutting attachment. When viewedfrom above, however, the cuttingattachment rotates counterclockwise.Adjust carrying harness and hand grip tosuit your size before starting work. Themachine should be properly balanced asspecified in your instruction manual forproper control and less fatigue inoperation. To be better prepared in caseof an emergency, practice releasing theunit from the harness as quickly aspossible.StartingStart the engine at least 10 feet (3 m)from the fueling spot, outdoors only.For specific starting instructions, see theappropriate section of your manual.Place the power tool on firm ground orTrimmer and Brushcutter Safety ManualTo reduce the risk of injury from blade orline contact, be absolutely sure that thecutting attachment is clear of you and allother obstructions and objects, includingthe ground, because when the enginestarts at starting-throttle, engine speedwill be fast enough for the clutch toengage and move the cuttingattachment.Once the engine has started,immediately blip the throttle trigger,which should release the starting throttleand allow the engine to slow down toidle.With the engine running only at idle,attach the power tool to the spring hookof your harness (see appropriatechapter of this manual).WARNINGYour power tool is a one-personmachine. Do not allow other persons inthe general work area, even whenstarting.WARNINGTo reduce the risk of injury from loss ofcontrol, do not attempt to "drop start"your power tool.WARNINGWhen you pull the starter grip, do notwrap the starter rope around your hand.Do not let the grip snap back, but guidethe starter rope to rewind it properly.Failure to follow this procedure mayresult in injury to your hand or fingersand may damage the startermechanism.Important AdjustmentsWARNINGTo reduce the risk of personal injuryfrom loss of control or contact with therunning cutting attachment, do not useyour unit with incorrect idle adjustment.At correct idle speed, the cuttingattachment should not move. Fordirections on how to adjust idle speed,see the appropriate section of yourinstruction manual.If you cannot set the correct idle speed,have your STIHL dealer check yourpower tool and make properadjustments and repairs.During OperationHolding and Controlling the Power ToolAlways hold the unit firmly with bothhands on the handles while you areworking.Wrap your fingers and thumbs aroundthe handles, keeping the handlescradled between your thumb andforefinger. Keep your hands in thisposition to have your power tool undercontrol at all times. Make sure yourtrimmer handles and grips are in goodcondition and free of moisture, pitch, oil,fuel mix or grease.Make sure you always have goodbalance and secure footing.7

EnglishModels with bike handle002BA055 KNWARNINGRight hand on control handle, left handon left handle.Models with loop handleDo not overreach. Keep proper footingand balance at all times. Special caremust be taken in slippery conditions (wetground, snow) and in difficult, overgrownterrain. Watch for hidden obstacles suchas tree stumps, roots and ditches toavoid stumbling. For better footing, clearaway scrub and cuttings. Be extremelycautious when working on slopes oruneven ground.WARNING002BA054 KNTo reduce the risk of injury from loss ofcontrol, never work on a ladder or on anyother insecure support. Never hold thecutting attachment above waist height.Left hand on loop handle, right hand oncontrol handle, even if you are lefthanded.WARNINGNever attempt to operateyour power tool with onehand. Loss of control ofthe power tool resulting inserious or fatal injury mayresult. To reduce the riskof cut injuries, keephands and feet awayfrom the cutting attachment. Never touch amoving cutting attachment with your hand orany other part of yourbody.8Working ConditionsOperate and start your power tool onlyoutdoors in a well ventilated area.Operate it under good visibility anddaylight conditions only. Work carefully.WARNINGAs soon as the engine isrunning, this product generates toxic exhaustfumes containing chemicals, such as unburnedhydrocarbons (includingbenzene) and carbonmonoxide, that areknown to cause respiratory problems, cancer,birth defects, or otherreproductive harm. Someof the gases (e.g. carbonmonoxide) may be colorless and odorless. Toreduce the risk of seriousor fatal injury / illnessfrom inhaling toxic fumes,never run the machineindoors or in poorly ventilated locations.WARNINGIf the vegetation being cut or thesurrounding ground is coated with achemical substance (such as an activepesticide or herbicide), read and followthe instructions and warnings thataccompanied the substance at issue.WARNINGInhalation of certain dusts, especiallyorganic dusts such as mold or pollen,can cause susceptible persons to havean allergic or asthmatic reaction.Substantial or repeated inhalation ofdust and other airborne contaminants, inparticular those with a smaller particlesize, may cause respiratory or otherillnesses. Control dust at the sourceTrimmer and Brushcutter Safety Manual

Englishwhere possible. Use good workpractices, such as operating the unit sothat the wind or operating processdirects any dust raised by the power toolaway from the operator. Follow therecommendations of EPA / OSHA /NIOSH and occupational and tradeassociations with respect to dust("particulate matter"). When theinhalation of dust cannot besubstantially controlled, i.e., kept at ornear the ambient (background) level, theoperator and any bystanders shouldwear a respirator approved by NIOSH /MSHA for the type of dust encountered.Operating InstructionsWARNINGDo not operate your power tool using thestarting throttle lock, as you do not havecontrol of the engine speed.In the event of an emergency, shut offthe engine immediately – move the slidecontrol / stop switch to 0 or STOP.WARNINGThe cutting attachmentcontinues to rotate for ashort period after thethrottle trigger is released(flywheel effect.)WARNINGThe rotating cutting attachment mayfling foreign objects directly or byricochet a great distance.Trimmer and Brushcutter Safety Manual15m (50ft)To reduce the risk of eye and other injuryalways wear proper eye protection (seethe chapter on "Proper Clothing") andensure that bystanders are at least50 feet (15 m) away. To reduce the riskof damage to property, also maintain thisdistance from such objects as vehiclesor windows. Even maintaining aminimum distance of 15 meters cannotexclude the potential danger. Anycoworkers who must be in the restrictedarea should also wear goggles orprotective glasses. Stop the engineimmediately if you are approached.WARNINGInspect the work area: Toreduce the risk of injury,remove stones, pieces ofmetal and other solidobjects which could bethrown 15 meters or moreby the cutting attachmentor damage the cuttingattachment and property(e.g. parked vehicles,windows).WARNINGThis trimmer / brushcutter is normally tobe used at ground level with the cuttingattachment parallel to the ground. Use ofa trimmer / brushcutter above groundlevel or with the cutting attachmentperpendicular to the ground mayincrease the risk of injury, since thecutting attachment is more fully exposedand the power tool may be more difficultto control. Never use your trimmer /brushcutter as a hedge trimmer.WARNINGDuring cutting, check the tightness andthe condition of the cutting attachment atregular short intervals with the engineand attachment stopped. If the behaviorof the attachment changes during use,stop the engine immediately, wait untilthe cutting attachment stops, and checkthe nut securing the attachment fortightness and the blade or head forcracks, wear and damage.WARNINGA loose blade or head may vibrate,crack, break or come off the trimmer /brushcutter, which may result in seriousor fatal injury. Make sure that the cuttingattachment is properly tightened. Usethe wrench supplied or one of sufficientlength to obtain the proper torque. If theblade or head loosens after beingproperly tightened, stop workimmediately. The retaining nut may beworn or damaged and should bereplaced. If the blade or head continuesto loosen, see your STIHL dealer. Neveruse a trimmer / brushcutter with a loosecutting attachment.WARNINGReplace a cracked, damaged or wornout head or a cracked, bent, warped,damaged, dull or worn out bladeimmediately, even if damage is limited to9

Englishsuperficial cracks. Such attachmentsmay shatter at high speed and causeserious or fatal injury.WARNINGWhen using rigid blades, avoid cuttingclose to fences, sides of buildings, treetrunks, stones or other such objects thatcould cause the power tool to kick out orcould cause damage to the blade.STIHL recommends use of the nylon lineheads for such jobs. In addition, be alertto an increased possibility of ricochets insuch situations.WARNINGIf a rotating metal blade strikes a rock orother hard object, sparks may becreated, which can ignite flammablematerials under certain circumstances.Flammable materials can include dryvegetation and brush, particularly whenweather conditions are hot and dry.When there is a risk of fire or wildfire, donot use metal blades around flammablematerials or around dry vegetation orbrush. Contact your local fire authoritiesor the U.S. Forestry Service if you haveany question about whether vegetationand weather conditions are suitable forthe use of a metal blade.WARNINGIf the head, blade or deflector becomesclogged or stuck, always shut off theengine and make sure the cuttingattachment has stopped beforecleaning. Grass, weeds, etc. should becleaned off the blade or from around thehead at regular intervals.10WARNINGTo reduce the risk of unintentionalrotation of the cutting attachment andinjury, always shut off the engine andremove the spark plug boot beforereplacing the cutting attachment. Toreduce the risk of injury, always shut offthe engine before adjusting the length ofthe nylon line on manually adjustablemowing heads.WARNINGThe gearbox becomes hot duringoperation. To reduce the risk of burninjury, do not touch the gear housingwhen it is hot.WARNINGNever modify your muffler. Anymodification could cause an increase inheat radiation, sparks or sound level,thereby increasing the risk of fire, burninjury or hearing loss. You may alsopermanently damage the engine. Haveyour muffler serviced and repaired byyour STIHL servicing dealer only.WARNINGThe muffler and other parts of the engine(e.g. fins of the cylinder, spark plug)become hot during operation and remainhot for a while after stopping the engine.To reduce risk of burns, do not touch themuffler and other parts while they arehot. Keep the area around the mufflerclean. Remove excess lubricant and alldebris such as pine needles, branchesor leaves. Let the engine cool downsitting on concrete, metal, bare groundor solid wood (away from anycombustible substances.WARNINGAn improperly mounted or damagedcylinder housing or adamaged/deformed muffler shell mayinterfere with the cooling process of themuffler. To reduce the risk of fire or burninjury, do not continue work with adamaged or improperly mountedcylinder housing or adamaged/deformed muffler shell.Your muffler is furnished with a sparkarresting screen designed to reduce therisk of fire from the emission of hotparticles. Never operate your unit with amissing or damaged spark arrestingscreen. If your gas/oil mix ratio is correct(i.e., not too rich), this screen willnormally stay clean as a result of theheat from the muffler and need noservice or maintenance. If youexperience loss of performance and yoususpect a clogged screen, have yourmuffler maintained by a STIHL servicingdealer. Some state or federal laws orregulations may require a properlymaintained spark arrestor for certainuses. See the "Maintenance, Repair andStoring" section of these SafetyPrecautions. Remember that the risk ofa brush or forest fire is greater in hot ordry conditions.Trimmer and Brushcutter Safety Manual

EnglishSome STIHL power toolsare equipped with a catalytic converter, which isdesigned to reduce theexhaust emissions of theengine by a chemical process in the muffler. Dueto this process, the muffler does not cool downas rapidly as conventional mufflers when theengine returns to idle oris shut off. To reduce therisk of fire and burn injuries when using acatalytic converter,always set your powertool down in the uprightposition and never locateit where the muffler isnear dry brush, grass,wood chips or other combustible materials while itis still hot.USING THE CUTTING ATTACHMENTFor an illustration of the various cuttingattachments and instructions on propermounting see the chapter on "Mountingthe Cutting Attachment" in yourinstruction manual.WARNINGTo reduce the risk of severe or fatalinjury from blade contact and / or loss ofcontrol, never attempt to use a metalblade on an FS model for which it is notauthorized.Trimmer and Brushcutter Safety ManualUsing the Mowing HeadsDo not use with mowing line longer thanthe intended length. With a properlymounted deflector, the built-in linelimiting blade will automatically adjustthe line to its proper length.Using the unit with an overly long nyloncutting line increases the load on theengine and reduces its operating speed.This causes the clutch to slipcontinuously and results in overheatingand damage to important components(e.g. clutch, polymer housingcomponents). Such damage could,among other things, cause the cuttingattachment to rotate at idle.WARNINGTo reduce the risk of serious injury,never use wire or metal-reinforced lineor other material in place of the nyloncutting lines. Pieces of wire could breakoff and be thrown at high speed towardthe operator or bystanders.STIHL SuperCut mowing headFresh line is advanced automatically.Frayed line is replaced by a simpleadjustment (see instruction sheetsupplied with mowing head).STIHL AutoCut mowing headNylon cutting line advancesautomatically when tapped against theground (TapAction).STIHL TrimCut mowing head002BA354 KNWARNINGMowing heads are to be used only ontrimmers / brushcutters equipped with

chapter “Main Parts of the Machine“ in this manual show the trimmer/brushcutter STIHL FS130. Other trimmer/brushcutter models may have different parts and controls. You should therefore always refer to the instruction manual of your particular trimmer/brushcutter. Contact your STIHL dealer or the STIHL distributor for your area if you do not