Stihl FSA 130 R Instruction Manual page 20

English
WARNING
Kickout (blade thrust) is the sudden and
uncontrolled movement of the cutting head
toward the operator's right or rear that can occur
when the shaded areas (especially the darkly
shaded area) of a rotating blade contact a solid
rigid object like a tree, rock, bush or wall. The
cutting attachment may be thrown to the right or
to the rear (black arrow) any time the rapid
rotation of the blade is stopped, slowed,
snagged or bound in an object that it doesn't
immediately cut.
￭ This kickout (blade thrust) may cause loss of control 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.
￭ The greater the force of the kickout reaction, the more
difficult it becomes for the operator to control the unit.
Blade thrust is more likely to occur in areas where it is
difficult to see the material being cut.
￭ Many factors influence the occurrence and force of the
kickout reaction. These include cutting attachment speed,
the speed at which the cutting attachment contacts the
object, the location and angle of contact, the condition of
the cutting attachment, and how quickly the cutting
attachment is slowed, snagged or stopped, among other
factors.
– Use caution when working with the shaded areas of
any metal cutting attachment.
￭ To reduce the risk of personal injury from kickout and
blade thrust when using a rigid cutting attachment:
– Avoid cutting close to fences, sides of buildings, tree
trunks or other such objects when a metal cutting
blade is mounted. STIHL recommends using a nylon
line head for such jobs.
– Keep metal cutting attachments sharp.
– Keep bystanders at least 50 ft. (15 m) away from the
work area.
18
5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5.8.2 Using a Mowing Head
► When working, sweep the trimmer in a controlled manner,
parallel to the ground in front of you.
Mowing heads are to be used only on units equipped with a
line-limiting blade in the deflector in order to keep the line at
the proper length. When trimming along a fence, wall or
around trees, it is preferable to use a mowing head with
nylon line to reduce the risk of blade thrust or kickout,
damage to the cutting attachment, and to reduce damage to
the fence, wall or trees.
WARNING
￭ To reduce the risk of serious injury:
– Never use wire or metal-reinforced line or other
material in place of the recommended nylon cutting
line. Pieces of wire could break off and be thrown at
high speed toward the operator or bystanders.
￭ A cracked, damaged or worn out mowing head may
shatter at high speeds and cause serious or fatal injury.
– Have a cracked, damaged or worn out mowing head
replaced immediately, even if damage appears to be
limited to superficial cracks.
￭ When working close to fences, sides of buildings, tree
trunks of other such objects, be alert to an increased
possibility of ricochets.
0458-725-8221-A