Stihl FS 300, 350, 400, 450, 480 Instruction Manual PDF

STIH) STIHL FS 300, 350, 400, 450, 480 Instruction Manual Manual de instrucciones Warning! Read and follow all safety precautions in Instruction Manual – im...

STIH) STIHL FS 300, 350, 400, 450, 480 Instruction Manual Manual de instrucciones Warning! Read and follow all safety precautions in Instruction Manual – improper use can cause serious or fatal injury. Advertencia! Lea y siga todas las precauciones de seguridad dadas en el manual de instrucciones – el uso incorrecto puede causar lesiones graves o mortales.  English / USA Contents Guide to Using this Manual.............. 2 Adjusting the Carburetor................ 32 Allow only persons who understand this BA_SE_081_009_01_07.fm Safety Precautions and Winter Operation............................ 33 manual to operate your clearing saw. Working Techniques......................... 3 Electric Handle Heating................. 34 To receive maximum performance and Approved Combinations of Checking the Spark Plug................ 34 satisfaction from your STIHL brush- Cutting Tool, Deflector, Engine Running Behavior.............. 35 cutter, it is important that you read and Stop and Harness........................... 18 Lubricating the Gearbox................. 36 understand the maintenance and safety Mounting the Bike Handle.............. 20 Replacing the Starter precautions, starting on page 3, before Adjusting the Throttle Cable........... 21 Rope and Rewind Spring............... 36 using your clearing saw. Mounting the Deflectors Storing the Machine....................... 38 and Limit Stop................................. 22 Sharpening Contact your STIHL dealer or the STIHL Mounting the Cutting Tools............. 23 Metal Cutting Tools......................... 39 distributor for your area if you do not Fuel................................................ 26 Maintenance Chart......................... 40 understand any of the instructions in this manual. Printing inks contain vegetable oils; paper can be recycled. Fueling............................................ 27 Parts and Controls......................... 42 Fitting the Harness......................... 27 Specifications................................. 44 Balancing the Machine................... 28 Special Accessories....................... 45 !Warning! Starting / Stopping the Engine........ 28 Maintenance and Repairs.............. 45 Because a clearing saw is a high-speed Operating Instructions.................... 30 STIHL Incorporated cutting tool some special safety pre- Cleaning the Air Filter..................... 31 Federal Emission Control cautions must be observed to reduce Cleaning the Air Filter..................... 31 Warranty Statement........................ 46 the risk of personal injury. Trademarks.................................... 48 Printed on chlorine-free paper. Motor Management........................ 32 Careless or improper use may cause serious or even fatal injury. Make sure your unit is equipped with the proper deflector, handle and harness for the type of cutting attachment being used. Always wear proper eye protection. STIHL's philosophy is to continually improve all of its products. As a result, 0458 255 8621 A. M0.5. B8. Rei. Printed in Germany engineering changes and improve- ments are made from time to time. If the operating characteristics or the appear- ance of your clearing saw differs from © ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG, 2008 those described in this manual, please contact your STIHL dealer for informa- tion and assistance. STIHl FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 1 English / USA Guide to Using this Manual Pictograms In addition to the operating instructions, Equipment and features this manual may contain paragraphs All the pictograms attached to the This instruction manual may refer to that require your special attention. Such machine are shown and explained in several models with different paragraphs are marked with the this manual. features. Components that are not symbols described below: installed on all models and related The operating and handling instructions Warning where there is a risk of an applications are marked with an are supported by illustrations. accident or personal injury or asterisk (*). Such components may Symbols in text serious damage to property. be available as special accessories from your STIHL dealer. The individual steps or procedures Caution where there is a risk of described in the manual may be marked damaging the machine or its in different ways: individual components. Engineering improvements : A bullet marks a step or procedure Note or hint which is not essential STIHL’s philosophy is to continually without direct reference to an for using the machine, but may improve all of its products. As a result, illustration. improve the operator’s under- engineering changes and improvements standing of the situation and result are made from time to time. If the A description of a step or procedure that in better use of the machine. operating characteristics or the refers directly to an illustration may appearance of your machine differ from Note or hint on correct procedure in those described in this manual, please contain item numbers that appear in the order to avoid damage to the contact your STIHL dealer for illustration. environment. assistance. Example: Loosen the screw (1) Therefore some changes, modifications and improvements may not be covered Lever (2)... in this manual. 2 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Safety Precautions and Working Techniques Warning! Most of these safety precautions and !Warning! warnings apply to the use of all STIHL Because a clearing saw is The use of any clearing saw may be clearing saws. Different models may a high-speed, fast-cutting hazardous. If the rotating cutting tool have different parts and controls. See power tool, special safety comes in contact with your body, it will the appropriate section of your owner's precautions must be cut you. When it comes in contact with manual for a description of the controls observed to reduce the risk of personal solid foreign objects such as rocks or and function of the parts of your model injury. bits of metal, it may fling them directly or clearing saw. It is important that you by ricochet in the direction of bystanders Safe use of a clearing saw involves read, fully understand and or the operator. observe the following 1. the operator Striking such objects could damage the safety precautions and 2. the clearing saw cutting attachment and may cause warnings. Read the blades to crack, chip or break. 3. the use of the clearing saw. owner's manual and the STIHL does not recommend the use of safety instructions periodically. Careless or improper use of any clearing saw may rigid blades when cutting in stony areas. THE OPERATOR Thrown objects or damaged blades may cause serious or fatal injury. Physical Condition result in serious or fatal injury to the Have your STIHL dealer show you how operator or bystanders. You must be in good physical condition to operate your clearing saw. Observe and mental health and not under the all applicable local safety regulations, !Warning! influence of any substance (drugs, standards and ordinances. Minors should never be allowed to use a alcohol, etc.) which might impair vision, clearing saw. Bystanders, especially dexterity or judgement. Do not operate a !Warning! children, and animals should not be clearing saw when you are fatigued. Do not lend or rent your clearing saw allowed in the area where a clearing saw Be alert – if you get tired while operating without the owner's manual. Be sure that is in use. your clearing saw, take a break. anyone using your clearing saw Never let the clearing saw run Tiredness may result in loss of control. understands the information contained unattended. Working with any clearing saw can be in this manual. strenuous. If you have any condition that might be aggravated by strenuous work, check with your doctor before operating a clearing saw. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 3 English / USA – Most STIHL power tools are !Warning! available with an anti-vibration !Warning! Prolonged use of a clearing saw (or ("AV") system designed to reduce The ignition system of your unit other machines) exposing the operator the transmission of vibrations produces an electromagnetic field of a to vibrations may produce whitefinger created by the engine to the very low intensity. This field may disease (Raynaud's phenomenon) or operator's hands. An AV system is interfere with some pacemakers. To carpal tunnel syndrome. recommended for those persons reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury, using power tools on a regular or persons with pacemaker should consult These conditions reduce the hand's sustained basis. their physician and the pacemaker ability to feel and regulate temperature, – Wear gloves and keep your hands manufacturer before operating this tool. produce numbness and burning sensations and may cause nerve and warm. circulation damage and tissue necrosis. – Keep the AV system well Proper Clothing maintained. A clearing saw with All factors which contribute to white- loose components or with damaged !Warning! finger disease are not known, but cold or worn AV buffers will tend to have To reduce the risk of injury, the operator weather, smoking and diseases or higher vibration levels. should wear proper protective apparel. physical conditions that affect blood – Maintain a firm grip at all times, but The deflector provided with your clearing vessels and blood transport, as well as do not squeeze the handles with saw may not protect the operator from high vibration levels and long periods of constant, excessive pressures and all foreign objects (gravel, glass, wire, exposure to vibration are mentioned as take frequent breaks. etc.) thrown by the rotating cutting factors in the development of whitefinger attachment. Thrown objects may also disease. In order to reduce the risk of All the above mentioned precautions do ricochet and strike the operator. whitefinger disease and carpal tunnel not guarantee that you will not sustain syndrome, please note the following: whitefinger disease or carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore continual and regular users should monitor closely the condition of their hands and fingers. If any of the above symptoms appear, seek medical advice immediately. 4 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Clothing must be sturdy THE CLEARING SAW !Warning! and snug-fitting, but allow For illustrations and definitions of the To reduce the risk of injury complete freedom of clearing saw parts see the chapter on to your eyes never movement. Avoid loose- "Parts and Controls". operate a clearing saw fitting jackets, scarfs, unless wearing goggles or neckties, jewelry, flared or !Warning! properly fitted safety cuffed pants, unconfined longhair or Never modify a clearing saw in any way. glasses with adequate top anything that could become caught on Only attachments supplied by STIHL or and side protection complying with ANSI branches, brush or moving parts of the expressly approved by STIHL for use Z 87.1 (or your applicable national unit. Wear long pants made of heavy with the specific STIHL clearing saw standard). To reduce the risk of injury to material to protect your legs. Do not models are authorized. Although certain your face STIHL recommends that you wear shorts, pants, sandals or go bare unauthorized attachments are useable also wear a face shield or face screen foot. Secure hair so it is above shoulder for the STIHL clearing saw, their use over your goggles or safety glasses. level. may, in fact, be extremely dangerous. !Warning! Good footing is most important in clearing saw Clearing saw noise may work. Wear sturdy boots damage your hearing. with nonslip soles. Steel- Wear sound barriers (ear toed safety boots are plugs or ear mufflers) to recommended. protect your hearing. Continual and regular Wear an approved safety users should have their hearing checked hard hat to reduce the risk regularly. of injury to your head when there is a danger of Protect your hands with head injuries. gloves when handling the clearing saw and the cutting tool. Heavy-duty, nonslip gloves improve your grip and protect your hands. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 5 English / USA THE USE OF THE Fueling CLEARING SAW A Your STIHL clearing saw uses an oil- Transporting the clearing saw gasoline mixture for fuel (see the chap- ter on "Fuel" of your owner's manual). !Warning! !Warning! 000BA006 KN Always turn off the engine and make sure the cutting attachment has stop- Gasoline is an extremely ped before putting a clearing saw down. flammable fuel. If spilled When transporting your clearing saw in and ignited by a spark or a vehicle, properly secure it to prevent other ignition source, it turnover, fuel spillage and damage to the can cause fire and serious clearing saw. Keep metal cutting tools B burn injury or property covered with the transport guard damage. Use extreme caution when (optional accessory). handling gasoline or fuel mix. Do not smoke or bring any fire or flame 000BA007 KN Preparation for the use of the clearing near the fuel or clearing saw. saw Adjust carrying harness and hand grip to Fueling Instructions suit your size before starting work. The machine should be properly balanced as Arrows on the deflector (A) and stop (B) !Warning! show the correct direction of rotation of specified in your owner's manual for Fuel your clearing saw in well-ventilated the cutting tool. proper control and less fatigue in areas, outdoors. Always shut off the operation. The throttle trigger must move freely and engine and allow it to cool before always spring back to the idle position. refueling. Gasoline vapor pressure may Always check your clearing saw for The cutting tool must be properly build up inside the fuel tank depending proper condition and operation before tightened and in safe operating on the fuel used, the weather conditions starting, particularly the throttle trigger, condition. Inspect for loose parts (nuts, and the tank venting system. throttle trigger interlock (if applicable), screws, etc.) and for cracked, bent, stopswitch, cutting tool, deflector and warped or damaged blades. harness. 6 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA In order to reduce the risk of burns and Cap with Grip Screw Cap other personal injury from escaping gas vapor and fumes, remove the fuel filler !Warning! !Warning! cap on your clearing saw carefully so as In order to reduce the risk of fuel spillage Unit vibrations can cause to allow any pressure build-up in the and fire from an improperly tightened an improperly tightened tank to release slowly. Never remove fuel cap, correctly position and tighten fuel filler cap to loosen or fuel filler cap while engine is running. the fuel cap in the fuel tank opening. come off and spill quantities of fuel. In order Select bare ground for fueling and move To do this with this STIHL to reduce the risk of fuel at least 10 feet (3 m) from the fueling cap, raise the grip on the spillage and fire, tighten the fuel filler cap spot before starting the engine. Wipe off top of the cap until it is by hand with as much force as possible. any spilled fuel before starting your upright at a 90° angle. clearing saw and check for leakage. Insert the cap in the fuel tank opening with the Operating instructions !Warning! triangular marks on the grip of the cap Check for fuel leakage while refueling and on the fuel tank opening lining up. ! Warning! and during operation. If fuel or oil Using the grip, turn the cap firmly Improper use of leakage is found, do not start or run the clockwise as far as it will go (approx. a any clearing saw engine until leak is fixed and spilled fuel quarter turn). can cause serious has been wiped away. Take care not to or fatal personal Fold the grip flush with the get fuel on your clothing. If this happens, injury. To reduce top of the cap. If the grip change your clothing immediately. the risk of personal injury to the operator does not lie completely from blade contact and thrown objects, Different models may be equipped with flush with the cap and the make sure your unit is equipped with the different fuel caps. detent on the grip does proper deflector, handle and harness for not fit in the the type of cutting attachment being corresponding recess in the filler neck, used (see chart in chapters on Approved the cap is not properly seated and Combinations of Cutting Tool, Deflector, tightened and you must repeat the Handle and Harness). above steps. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 7 English / USA Keep the deflector (and the skirt where Catalytic converter appropriate) adjusted properly at all !Warning! times (see chapter on mounting the To reduce the risk of injury from loss of !Warning! various cutting tools of your owner's control, be absolutely sure that the Some STIHL clearing saw manual). cutting tool is clear of you and all other models are equipped with obstructions and objects, including the a catalytic converter, ground, because when the engine starts which is designed to Starting at starting-throttle, engine speed will be reduce the exhaust !Warning! fast enough for the clutch to engage and emissions of the engine turn the cutting tool. by a chemical process in the muffler. Your clearing saw is a one-person Due to this process, the muffler does not machine. Once started, it may fling !Warning! cool down as rapidly as conventional foreign objects for a great distance. When you pull the starter grip, don't mufflers when the engine returns to idle wrap the starter rope around your hand. or is shut off. To reduce the risk of fire 15m (50ft) Do not allow the grip to snap back, but and burn injuries, the following specific guide the starter rope to rewind it safety precautions must be observed. properly. Failure to follow this procedure may result in injury to hand or fingers !Warning! and may damage the starter Since a muffler with a catalytic converter mechanism. cools down less rapidly than conven- To reduce the risk of eye and other injury tional mufflers, always set your clearing With the engine running but at idle, insure that bystanders are at least saw down in the upright position and attach the clearing saw to the spring 50 feet (15 m) away. Bystanders should never locate it where the muffler is near hook of your harness (see appropriate be encouraged to wear eye protection. dry brush, grass, wood chips or other chapter of this manual). Stop the engine and cutting tool combustible materials while it is still hot. immediately if you are approached. Start and operate your clearing saw without assistance. For specific starting instructions, see the appropriate section of your manual. Place the clearing saw on firm ground or other solid surface in an open area. Maintain a good balance and secure footing. 8 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Let the engine cool down sitting on Working Conditions concrete, metal, bare ground or solid !Warning! Operate and start your clearing saw only wood (e.g. the trunk of a felled tree) An improperly mounted or damaged outdoors in a ventilated area. away from any combustible substances. cylinder housing or a damaged/ deformed muffler shell may interfere Operate the clearing saw under good !Warning! with the cooling effect of the catalytic visibility and daylight conditions only. To reduce the risk of fire or burn injury, converter. To reduce the risk of fire or Work carefully. let the unit cool down before refueling burn injury, do not continue work with a your clearing saw after use. damaged or improperly mounted !Warning! cylinder housing or a damaged/ Your clearing saw !Warning! deformed muffler shell. Your catalytic produces toxic exhaust Never disassemble or modify your converter is furnished with screens fumes as soon as the muffler. The muffler could be damaged designed to reduce the risk of fire from engine is running. These and cause an increase in heat radiation the emission of hot particles. Due to the gases (e.g. carbon or sparks, thereby increasing the risk heat from the catalytic reaction, these monoxide) may be of fire or burn injury. You may also screens will normally stay clean and colorless and odorless. To reduce the permanently damage the engine. Have need no service or maintenance. If you risk of serious or fatal injury from your muffler serviced and repaired by experience loss of performance and you inhaling toxic fumes, never run the your STIHL Servicing Dealer only. suspect a clogged screen, have your clearing saw indoors or in poorly muffler maintained by a STIHL Servicing ventilated locations. !Warning! Dealer. To reduce the risk of fire or burn injury, !Warning! keep the area around the muffler clean. Use of this product can generate dust Remove all debris such as pine needles, and fumes containing chemicals known branches or leaves. to cause respiratory disease, cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. If you are unfamiliar with the risks associated with the particular dust or fume at issue, consult your employer, governmental agencies such as OSHA and NIOSH and other sources on hazardous materials. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 9 English / USA California and some other authorities, for instance, have published lists of !Warning! substances known to cause cancer, Never attempt to operate any clearing- reproductive toxicity, etc. saw with one hand. Loss of control of the clearing saw resulting in serious or fatal Control dust and fumes at the source injury may result. where possible. In this regard use good work practices and follow the !Warning! recommendations of OSHA/NIOSH and occupational and trade associations. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing When the inhalation of toxic dust and and balance at all times. Special care fumes cannot be eliminated, the must be taken in slippery conditions (wet operator and any bystanders should ground, snow) and in difficult, overgrown always wear a respirator approved by terrain. Watch for hidden obstacles such NIOSH/MSHA for the type of dust and / as tree stumps, roots and ditches to or fumes encountered. avoid stumbling. Be extremely cautious when working on slopes or uneven 000BA014 !Warning! ground. The muffler and other parts of the engine (e.g. fins of the cylinder, spark plug) become hot during operation and remain Always hold the clearing saw firmly with hot for a while after stopping the engine. both hands. Wrap your fingers tightly To reduce risk of burns do not touch the around the handles, keeping the muffler and other parts while they are handles cradled between your thumb hot. and forefinger. Keep your hands in this Do not cut any material other than grass, position to have your clearing saw under brush and wood. The cutting tools may control at all times. Make sure your be used only for the operations clearing saw handles and grip are in described in your manual. good condition and free of moisture, pitch, oil or grease. 10 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Do not operate using the starting throttle !Warning! lock as you do not have control of the !Warning! Before cutting, inspect the engine speed. See section of your A loose blade may cause the blade to area for stones, glass, owner's manual on the proper use of the vibrate, crack, break or come off the pieces of metal, trash or slide control. clearing saw, which may result in serious other solid objects. The or fatal injury. Make sure that the blade If the cutting tool or deflector becomes cutting attachment could is properly tightened. Use the wrench clogged or stuck, always turn off the throw objects of this kind. supplied or one of sufficient length to engine and make sure the cutting tool obtain the proper torque. If the blade !Warning! has stopped before cleaning. Grass, loosens after being properly tightened, weeds, etc. should be cleaned off the When using rigid blades, avoid cutting stop work immediately. The retaining nut cutting tool at regular intervals. close to fences, sides of buildings, tree may be worn or damaged and should be trunks, stones or other such objects that !Warning! replaced. Never use unauthorized parts could cause the clearing saw to kick out to secure the blade. If the blade During cutting, check the tightness and or could cause damage to the blade. continues to loosen, see your STIHL the condition of the cutting tool at regular STIHL recommends use of the nylon line dealer. Never use a clearing saw with a intervals. If the behavior of the tool heads or PolyCut head for such jobs. In loose blade. changes, stop the engine immediately, addition, be alert to an increased and check the nut securing the tool for Do not attach any blade to a unit without possibility of ricochets in such situations. tightness and the cutting tool for cracks proper installation of all required parts. !Warning! and damage. Replace cracked, bent, Never use unauthorized parts to secure warped, damaged or dull cutting tools the blade. Failure to use the proper parts This clearing saw is normally to be used immediately. Such tools may shatter at may cause the blade to fly off and at ground level with the cutting attach- high speed and cause serious or fatal seriously injure the operator or ment parallel to the ground. Use of a injury. bystanders. clearing saw above ground level or with the cutting attachment perpendicular to the ground may increase the risk of injury, since the cutting attachment is more fully exposed and the clearing saw may be more difficult to control. Never use your clearing saw as a hedge trimmer. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 11 English / USA MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND !Warning! STORING !Warning! Keep hands and feet Never repair damaged cutting attach- Maintenance, replacement, or repair away from cutting tool. ments by welding, straightening or of the emission control devices and Never touch a rotating modifying the shape. This may cause systems may be performed by any cutting tool with your hand parts of the cutting tool to come off and nonroad engine repair establishment or any part of your body. It result in serious or fatal injuries. or individual. However if you claim continues to rotate for a short period after the throttle trigger is warranty coverage for a component !Warning! which has not been serviced or released (flywheel effect). To reduce the risk of fire and burn maintained properly or if injuries, check fuel filler cap for leaks at nonapproved replacement parts were regular intervals. Use the specified Important adjustments used, STIHL may deny warranty. spark plug and make sure it and the !Warning! !Warning! ignition lead are always clean and in good condition. Always press spark plug To reduce the risk of personal injury from Use only identical STIHL replacement boot snugly onto spark plug boot of the loss of control or contact with the parts for maintenance and repair. Use of proper size. (Note: If boot has running cutting tool, do not use a cutting non-STIHL parts may cause serious or detachable SAE adapter nut, it must be tool with incorrect idle adjustment. At fatal injury. attached.) A loose connection between correct idle speed, the cutting tool Follow the maintenance and repair spark plug boot and ignition wire should not move. For directions on how instructions in the appropriate section of connector in the boot may create arcing to adjust idle speed, see the appropriate your owner's manual. Please refer to the that could ignite combustible fumes and section of your owner's manual. maintenance chart on the last pages of cause a fire. If you cannot set the correct idle speed, this manual. have your STIHL dealer check your clearing saw and make proper !Warning! adjustments and repairs. Always stop the engine and make sure that the cutting tool is stopped before doing any maintenance or repair work or cleaning the clearing saw. Do not attempt any maintenance or repair work not described in your owner's manual. Have such work performed at your STIHL service shop only. Wear gloves when handling or doing maintenance on blade. 12 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA For any maintenance please refer to the !Warning! maintenance chart and to the warranty Never test the ignition system with statement near the end of this manual. ignition wire boot removed from spark Store clearing saw in a dry, high or plug or with unseated spark plug, since locked location out of reach of children. uncontained sparking may cause a fire. Before storing for longer than a few !Warning! days, always empty the fuel tank. See Do not operate your clearing saw if the chapter "Storing the machine". muffler is damaged, missing or modified. An improperly maintained muffler will increase the risk of fire and hearing loss. Never touch a hot muffler or burn will result. If your muffler was equipped with a spark-arresting screen to reduce the risk of fire (e.g. in the USA, Canada and 002BA018 LÄ Australia), never operate your clearing saw if the screen is missing or damaged. Do not modify or remove any part of the muffler or spark arresting screen. Remember that the risk of forest fires is USING THE CUTTING TOOLS greater in hot or dry weather. For an illustration of the various cutting Keep cutting tool sharp. Tighten all nuts, tools and instructions on proper bolts and screws, except the carburetor mounting see the chapter on "mounting adjustment screws, after each use. the cutting tools" in your owner's manual. Additionally, the daily maintenance schedule for your clearing saw set forth Using the mowing heads in your STIHL Owner's Manual should Do not use with mowing line longer than be strictly followed. the intended diameter. With a properly mounted guard, the built-in cutter will automatically adjust the line to its proper length. Overly long lines can overload the engine, resulting in damage to the clutch mechanism and nearby parts. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 13 English / USA If the lawn edges are planted with trees STIHL "AutoCut" mowing head or bordered by a fence etc., it is best to Nylon cutting cord advances use a nylon line head. It achieves a automatically when tapped against the "softer" cut with less risk of damaging ground. tree bark etc. than with the polymer blades. STIHL "PolyCut" mowing head However, the polymer bladed STIHL Uses either nylon lines or nonrigid "PolyCut" produces a better cut if there plastic blades. are no plants along the edge of the lawn. Sharpening is not necessary and worn grass cutting blades are easily replaced. !Warning! To reduce the risk of serious injury, 002BA177 KN never use wire or metal-reinforced line or other material in place of the nylon 000BA015 KN cutting lines. Pieces of wire could break off and be thrown at high speed toward the operator or bystanders. Important! A damaged clutch may cause a cutting Three rectangular wear limit marks are attachment to rotate at idle speed and STIHL "SuperCut" mowing head applied to the base (periphery) of the increase the risk of personal injury from PolyCut. To reduce the risk of serious loss of control and from contact with the Fresh line is advanced automatically. injury from breakage of the head or cutting tool. Frayed line is replaced by a simple blades, the PolyCut must not be used adjustment (see instruction sheet The STIHL SuperCut, TrimCut, AutoCut when it has worn as far as one of these supplied with mowing head). and PolyCut mowing heads produce a marks. It is important to follow the clean and tidy finish. STIHL "TrimCut" mowing head maintenance instructions supplied with the head! They are to be used only on brush- Frayed line is replaced by a simple cutters equipped with a limiter blade in adjustment (see instruction sheet the deflector in order to keep the line at supplied with mowing head). the proper length (see "Parts and Controls" chapter of this manual). 14 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Thrown parts may seriously injure the operator or bystanders. To reduce the risk of personal injury it is essential to take the following precautions: Avoid contact with hard or solid foreign 002BA066 KN objects such as stones, rocks or pieces of metal. Never cut wood or shrubs with a stem diameter of more than 2 cm (3/4") - use The 8-tooth grass cutting blade is a circular saw blade for such work. recommended for cutting fern or reed. Inspect the brush knife at regular short intervals for signs of damage. Do not Both blades have to be resharpened continue working with a damaged brush when all cutting edges are dull. knife. Resharpen the brush knife Using the brush knife regularly (when it has dulled noticeably). 000BA020 KN When fitted to the clearing saw, the !Warning! brush knife is suitable for applications When cutting young saplings or other ranging from cutting matted grass to woody materials up to 2 cm (3/4") in clearing weeds, wild growth and scrub. Using the grass cutting blade diameter, use left side of the blade to To cut wild growth and scrub, lower the avoid "kickout" situations (see All kinds of grass and weeds can be rotating brush knife down onto the appropriate section in this manual). Do easily cut with the grass cutting blade. growth to achieve a chopping effect. Use not attempt to cut woody material with a The clearing saw is swept in an arc the clearing saw like a scythe to cut larger diameter, since the blade may similar to a scythe. grass, i.e. sweep it to and for in an arc. catch or jerk the clearing saw forward. !Warning! !Warning! This may cause damage to the blade or clearing saw or loss of control of the To reduce the risk of serious or fatal When cutting woody materials, use the clearing saw, resulting in personal injury. injury never attempt to cut woody left side of the blade to avoid "kickout" materials. (blade thrust) situations. The 4-tooth grass cutting blade is intended to cut grass and weeds. It has !Warning! 4 cutting knives with cutting edges on Improper use of a brush knife may cause both sides, i.e. front and rear. it to crack, chip or shatter. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 15 English / USA When the clearing saw with circular saw blade is used to cut down small trees, STIHL recommends that the standard deflector be removed and replaced by the special "stop" (see chapter "circular saw blade" for mounting instructions). This stop helps to keep the clearing saw positioned against the tree during the cutting process. Inexperienced users should place the left side of the stop against the tree trunk before beginning to cut. This will keep the clearing saw against the tree during the cutting operation and will reduce the risk of loss of control and possible kickout 000BA016 KN 000BA012 KN (described in the following section). !Warning! In order to reduce the risk of injury from thrown objects or from operator contact Using the circular saw blade with the cutting tool, be sure to remount the standard deflector for all other uses. !Warning! Circular saw blades are suitable for Before starting the cut, accelerate the The risk of kickout is highest when thinning brush and cutting small trees up engine up to full throttle. Perform cut cutting in the darker shaded area. To to a diameter of 4 cm (1 9/16"). Do not with uniform pressure. STIHL reduce the risk of kickout and resulting attempt to cut trees with larger recommends that the circular saw blade injury, do not use this area of the circular diameters, since the blade may catch or be applied to the right of the tree, using saw blade for cutting trees or shrubs. jerk the clearing saw forward. This may the non-shaded area of the blade. Special techniques using the lighter cause damage to the blade or loss of shaded areas of the blade to cut shrubs control of the clearing saw which may and trees should only be used by result in serious injury. experienced operators with specialized training in use and control of the clearing saw. 16 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Risk of "kickout" (blade thrust) with all rigid cutting blades 002BA135 KN !Warning! Kickout (blade thrust) is the sudden and uncontrolled motion towards the operator's right or rear that can occur when the shaded area of the rotating blade comes in contact with a solid object like a tree, rock, bush or wall. The rapid counterclockwise rotation of the blade may be stopped or slowed, and the cutting attachment may be thrown in an area to the right or to the rear. This kickout (blade thrust) may cause loss of control of the clearing saw and may result in serious or fatal injury to the operator or bystanders. To reduce the risk of injury, extreme caution should be used when cutting with the shaded area of any rigid blade. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 17 English / USA Approved Combinations of Cutting Tool, Deflector, Stop and Harness Cutting tools Deflectors Approved Combinations Mowing heads 13 Deflector for mowing heads 1 to 5 Select correct combination from the 14 Deflector with skirt and blade table on the next page on basis of the 1 STIHL SuperCut 40-2 for mowing heads 1 to 5 cutting tool. 2 STIHL AutoCut 40-2 3 STIHL AutoCut 40-4 1) 15 Defector without skirt and blade for !For safety reasons only the tools, mowing tools 6 to 8 deflectors, handles and harnesses 4 STIHL TrimCut 40-2 shown in each row of the table may 5 STIHL PolyCut 40-3 Limit Stops be used together. Metal mowing tools No other combinations are permitted 16 Limit stop for circular saw because of the risk of accidents. 6 Grass cutting blade 230-4 blades 200 7 Grass cutting blade 255-8 17 Limit stop for circular saw !To reduce the risk of personal blades 225 injury, take special care to avoid 8 Brush knife 300-3 contact with the rotating cutting tool. Circular saw blades Harnesses 9 Chisel tooth circular saw blade 200 18 Full harness 10 Scratcher tooth 19 Deluxe full harness circular saw blade 200 11 Chisel tooth Equipment circular saw blade 225 2) 12 Scratcher tooth Among other parts, the complete unit circular saw blade 225 2) includes: – Cutting tool – Deflector or limit stop – Bike handle – Harness 1) for FS 450, 450 K, 450 L, 480, 480 K, 480 L only 2) for FS 400, 400 K, 400 L, 450, 450 K, 450 L, 480, 480 K, 480 L only 18 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  3 1 6 11 9 Cutting tools 8 681FK001 681FK008 5 681FK018 681FK018 12 7 10 4 681FK015 2 681FK011 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 681FK007 681FK016 681FK014 681FK016 681FK037 KN 16 Deflectors, Limit Stops 17 13 14 681BA007 KN 681BA006 KN 681BA004 KN 681BA003 KN 15 681BA005 KN Harnesses 19 18 002BA026 KN 002BA006 K English / USA 19 English / USA Mounting the Bike Handle 2 8 A 7 3 4 1 7 1 5 9 6 4 256BA001 KN 256BA002 KN 002BA256 KN 9 : Hold the lower clamp (1) steady. : Place the handlebar (4) in the lower : Loosen the screw (5), the nut (6) : Unscrew and remove the clamp clamp (1) so that distance A is no remains in the control handle (7). screw (2). more than 15 cm (6 in). : Push the control handle – throttle : Remove the upper clamp (3) from : Place upper clamp in position and trigger (8) facing the gearhead – the lower clamp. press it down. onto the handlebar (4) so that the : Fit the clamp screw. holes (9) line up. Upper and lower clamps are loose once the clamp screw has been : Line up handlebar at right angles to : Insert screw and tighten it down removed. the drive tube. firmly. : Tighten down the clamp screw. : Go to "Adjusting the Throttle Cable To save space when transporting or storing the machine, loosen the clamp screw and swing the handlebar in line with the shaft, fold the handles down. 20 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Adjusting the Throttle Cable Some machine versions are equipped with a throttle cable adjuster in the control handle. STO P A properly adjusted throttle cable is the precondition for correct 2 operation in the full throttle, starting 249BA017 KN throttle and idle positions. 1 Adjust the throttle cable only after the unit is fully assembled – the control handle must be in the normal : Press down the trigger interlock (1) operating position. and squeeze the throttle trigger (2) (full throttle) – this sets the throttle cable correctly. 002BA163 KN : Use a suitable tool to push the slide to the bottom of the slot (see illustration). FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 21 English / USA Mounting the Deflectors and Limit Stop 1 2 4 5 8 6 256BA086 KN 256BA085 KN 3 3 1 Deflectors Limit Stop 1 = Deflector for mowing tools 4 = Limit stop for circular saw blades. 7 2 = Deflector for mowing heads Mounting the Limit Stop Mounting the Deflector : Place the stop in position. 256BA087 KN : Place the deflector in position. : Insert the screws and tighten them : Fit the plate (3). down firmly. : Insert the screws and tighten them down firmly. If you use one of the mowing heads, note that the skirt (5) must be fitted onto the deflector (1): All nylon line mowing heads: : Use the lower guide slot (6) and, in addition, push the blade (7) into the upper guide slot on the skirt – line it up with the first hole. : Insert the screw and tighten it down firmly. PolyCut 40-3 mowing head: : Slide the skirt (8) into the upper guide slot. 22 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA Mounting the Cutting Tools 3 8 4 9 5 6 10 7 11 2 256BA000 KN 256BA006 KN 256BA007 KN 1 Blocking the Drive Shaft The guard ring (7) for mowing STIHL SuperCut Mowing Head applications and guard washer (8) STIHL AutoCut Mowing Head : Insert the stop pin (1) in the bore (2) should be fitted to ensure optimum STIHL TrimCut Mowing Head in the gearhead as far as stop, apply protection from grass cuttings when slight pressure. : Block the output shaft with the stop using mowing tools. : Rotate the output shaft until the stop pin. pin slips into position. Before mounting a circular saw blade: : Screw cutting head counter- : Use combination wrench (3) to : Remove the guard washer (8) and clockwise onto the output shaft (11) loosen and unscrew the nut (4) pull off the thrust plate (9). and tighten it down firmly clockwise. Remove the stop pin. : Remove the guard ring (7) for : Remove the rider plate (5) and mowing applications. Removing the mowing head thrust washer (6). : Fit the guard ring (10) for saw : Block the output shaft. blades and the thrust plate. : Unscrew the mowing head clockwise. FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480 23 English / USA Adjusting Nylon Line TrimCut mowing head Shut off the engine and move the slide 4 Note: control to 0. Hold mowing head housing A detailed description is contained in the 6 firmly and instruction sheet supplied with the mowing head. : Pull spool up – rotate it about 1/6 turn counterclockwise and allow it to SuperCut mowing head spring back. Fresh line is advanced automatically during mowing work and trimmed to the : Pull ends of lines outward. correct length by the blade on the Repeat the above procedure as deflector. necessary until both lines are 5.5 in Line feed operates only if both lines are (14 cm) long. still at least 2.4 in (6 cm) long. Rotating the spool from one stop to the AutoCut mowing head next advances about 1.6 in (4 cm) of Hold unit with engine running (mowing fresh line. 256BA010 KN head must rotate) above the lawn. : Tap the mowing head on the ground – fresh line is advanced and the blade on the deflector trims surplus STIHL PolyCut 40-3 Mowing Head line to the correct length. : Block the output shaft with the stop Line feed operates only if both lines are pin. still at least 1 in (2.5 cm) long. : Position the mowing head on the shaft. : Fit the thrust washer (6) – convex side must face down. : Screw on the nut (4) counter- clockwise and tighten it down firmly. Remove the stop pin. Removing the mowing head : Block the output shaft. : Unscrew the nut clockwise. If the mounting nut is too loose, fit a new one. 24 FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480  English / USA : Fit rider plate (5) for sawing. : Block the output shaft. 4 4 : Screw on nut (4) counterclockwise and tighten it down firmly. 3 5 Removing the cutting tool 2 1 2 1 : Block the output shaft. : Unscrew the nut clockwise. If the mounting nut is too loose, fit a new one. 256BA068 KN Grass Cutting Blades, Removing the cutting tool Brush Knife : Block the output shaft. : Place the cutting tool (1) in position. : Unscrew the nut clockwise. Collar (see arrow) must engage the If the mounting nut is too loose, cutting tool’s mounting hole. fit a new one. Grass cutting blade 255-8: Cutting edges must point Circular Saw Blades 200 and 225 clockwise. : Place the cutting tool (1) in position. : Fit thrust washer (2) – convex side Collar (see arrow) must engage the must face up. cutting tool’s mounting hole. : Fit rider plate (3) for mowing. Cutting edges must point clockwise. : Block the output shaft. : Screw on nut (4) counterclockwise : Fit thrust washer (2) – convex side and tighten it down firml