Stihl FS 500 Instruction Manual page 8

English
Check and correct the idle speed setting
at regular intervals. If the cutting
attachment still rotates at idle speed,
have your dealer make proper
adjustments or repairs. STIHL
recommends a STIHL servicing dealer.
Take special care in slippery conditions
– damp, snow, ice, on slopes or uneven
ground.
Watch out for obstacles: Roots, tree
stumps or holes which could cause you
to trip or stumble.
Always stand on the ground while
working, never on a ladder, work
platform or any other insecure support.
Be particularly alert and cautious when
wearing hearing protection because
your ability to hear warnings (shouts,
alarms, etc.) is restricted.
To reduce the risk of accidents, take a
break in good time to avoid tiredness or
exhaustion.
Work calmly and carefully – in daylight
conditions and only when visibility is
good. Stay alert so as not to endanger
others.
Your power tool produces
toxic exhaust fumes as
soon as the engine is
running. These fumes
may be colorless and
odorless and contain
unburned hydrocarbons
and benzol. Never run
the engine indoors or in
poorly ventilated loca-
tions, even if your model
is equipped with a cata-
lytic converter.
6
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal
injury from breathing toxic fumes,
ensure proper ventilation when working
in trenches, hollows or other confined
locations.
To reduce the risk of accidents, stop
work immediately in the event of
nausea, headache, visual disturbances
(e.g. reduced field of vision), problems
with hearing, dizziness, deterioration in
ability to concentrate. Apart from other
possibilities, these symptoms may be
caused by an excessively high
concentration of exhaust gases in the
work area.
Operate your power tool so that it
produces a minimum of noise and
emissions – do not run the engine
unnecessarily, accelerate the engine
only for cutting.
To reduce the risk of fire, do not
smoke while operating or standing near
your power tool. Note that combustible
fuel vapor may escape from the fuel
system.
The dusts, vapor and smoke produced
during operation may be dangerous to
health. If the work area is very dusty or
smoky, wear a respirator.
If your power tool is subjected to
unusually high loads for which it was not
designed (e.g. heavy impact or a fall),
always check that it is in good condition
before continuing work – see also
"Before Starting".
Check the fuel system in particular for
leaks and make sure the safety devices
are working properly. Do not continue
operating your power tool if it is
damaged. In case of doubt, have the
machine checked by your servicing
dealer.
Do not operate your power tool with the
starting throttle lock engaged – engine
speed cannot be controlled in this
position.
To reduce the risk
of injury from
thrown objects,
never operate the
unit without the
proper deflector for
the type of cutting
attachment being
used.
Inspect the work area:
Stones, pieces of metal
or other solid objects can
be thrown and cause per-
sonal injury or damage
the cutting attachment
and property (e.g. parked
vehicles, windows).
Special care must be taken when
working in difficult, over-grown terrain.
When cutting high scrub, under bushes
and hedges: Keep cutting tool at
minimum height of 15 cm to avoid
harming small animals.
Always shut off the engine before
leaving the unit unattended.
Check the cutting attachment at regular
short intervals during operation or
immediately if there is a noticeable
change in cutting behavior:
FS 500, FS 550