Stihl FS 311 Instruction Manual page 17

Using the Grass Cutting Blade
All kinds of grass and weeds can be
easily cut with the grass cutting blade.
The power tool is swept in an arc similar
to a scythe.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal
injury from blade breakage, never
attempt to use this blade to cut woody
materials.
The 4-tooth grass cutting blade is
intended to cut grass and weeds. It has
4 cutting knives with cutting edges on
both sides, i.e. front and rear. When the
cutting edges on one side become dull,
the blade can be turned over to utilize
the cutting edges on the other side.
The 8-tooth grass cutting blade is
recommended for cutting fern or reed.
Both types of grass cutting blade have to
be resharpened when all cutting edges
are dull.
Using the Brush Knife
When fitted to the power tool, the brush
knife is suitable for applications ranging
from cutting matted grass to clearing
weeds, wild growth and scrub.
FS 311
To cut wild growth and scrub, lower the
rotating brush knife down onto the
growth to achieve a chopping effect –
but keep the tool below waist height at
all times.
WARNING
Exercise extreme caution when using
this method of cutting. The higher the
cutting attachment is off the ground, the
greater the risk of loss of control and of
cuttings being thrown sideways.
Use the power tool like a scythe to cut
grass, i.e. sweep it to and fro in an arc.
WARNING
When cutting woody materials, use the
left side of the blade to avoid "kickout"
(blade thrust) situations.
WARNING
Improper use of a brush knife may cause
it to crack, chip or shatter. Thrown blade
fragments may seriously or fatally injure
the operator or bystanders. To reduce
the risk of injury, avoid contact with hard
or solid foreign objects such as stones,
rocks or pieces of metal.
WARNING
When cutting young saplings or other
woody materials up to 2 cm (3/4 in.) in
diameter, use the left side of the blade to
avoid "kickout" situations (see section
on "Risk of kickout (blade thrust) with all
rigid cutting blades"). Do not attempt to
cut woody material with a larger
diameter, since the blade may catch or
jerk the power tool forward. This may
cause damage to the blade or power tool
or loss of control of the power tool,
resulting in personal injury. Use a
circular saw blade for such work.
WARNING
Inspect the brush knife at regular short
intervals for signs of damage. Do not
continue working with a damaged brush
knife. Resharpen the brush knife
regularly (when it has dulled noticeably).
Using the Circular Saw Blade
Circular saw blades are suitable for
thinning brush and cutting small trees up
to a diameter of 7 cm (2 3/4 in.). Do not
attempt to cut trees with larger
diameters, since the blade may catch or
jerk the clearing saw forward. This may
cause damage to the blade or loss of
English
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