Stihl FS-KM Instruction Manual page 14

English
Using the Circular Saw Blade
Circular saw blades are suitable for
thinning brush and cutting small trees up
to a diameter of 1 1/2 in. (4 cm). Do not
attempt to cut trees with larger
diameters, since the blade may catch or
jerk the trimmer / brushcutter forward.
This may cause damage to the blade or
loss of control of the power tool and
result in serious injury. Use a chain saw
for such work.
WARNING
To reduce the risk that the blade will
crack and / or break, avoid all contact
with stones, rocks or the ground.
Sharpen blades in a timely manner as
specified – dull teeth may cause the
blade to crack or shatter.
When a trimmer / brushcutter with a
circular saw blade is used to cut down
small trees, STIHL recommends that the
standard deflector be removed and
12
replaced by the special limit stop
deflector (see chapter on "Mounting the
Deflector"). This limit stop helps to keep
the unit 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 trimmer / brushcutter against the tree
during the cutting operation and will
reduce the risk of loss of control and
possible kickout (described above and
briefly again below).
Before starting the cut, accelerate the
engine up to full throttle. Perform cut
with uniform pressure. STIHL
recommends that the circular saw blade
be applied to the right of the tree, using
the non-shaded area of the blade, as
shown in the illustration above.
WARNING
The risk of kickout is highest when
cutting in the darker shaded area. To
reduce the risk of kickout and resulting
injury, do not use this area of the circular
saw blade for cutting trees or shrubs.
Special techniques using the lighter
shaded areas of the blade to cut shrubs
and trees should only be used by
experienced operators with specialized
training in the use and control of the
trimmer / brushcutter.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of loss of control and
serious injury to the operator or
bystanders by a kickout, never use a
circular saw blade on a trimmer /
brushcutter with a loop handle, but
rather only on one with a bicycle handle.
When felling small trees, maintain a
distance of at least two tree lengths from
the nearest coworker.
WARNING
In order to reduce the risk of injury from
thrown objects or operator contact with
the blade or head, be sure to remount
the standard deflector when no longer
using a circular saw blade.
FS-KM