Stihl FS 361 C-M Owner's Instruction Manual page 17

5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ Before starting the engine, take the following steps to
reduce the risk of personal injury from thrown objects, loss
of control or inadvertent contact with the cutting
attachment:
– Be sure that the cutting attachment is clear of you
and all other obstructions and objects, including the
ground.
– Read and follow the instructions on starting the
trimmer / brushcutter, @ 11.
5.7.2 Starting
WARNING
￭ To reduce the risk of burns and other personal injury from
escaping gas vapor and fumes:
– Move at least 10 ft. (3 m) from the fueling spot before
starting the engine.
– Start your trimmer / brushcutter only outdoors.
￭ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries to the
operator or bystanders from loss of control:
– Start the trimmer / brushcutter only as described in
the "Starting" chapter in this manual, @ 11.
– Do not drop start. Drop starting means pushing the
trimmer / brushcutter away from the operator, or
allowing it to drop toward the ground, while pulling
on the starter grip. This method is very dangerous
because you may lose control of the trimmer /
brushcutter.
– When you pull the starter grip, do not wrap the
starter rope around your hand.
– Do not let the grip snap back. Guide the starter rope
to rewind it properly.
– Be sure that the cutting attachment is clear of you
and all other obstructions and objects, including the
ground.
– When the engine is started, the engine speed with
the starting throttle lock engaged will be fast enough
for the clutch to engage and move the cutting
attachment.
0458-838-8601-A
– Once the engine has started, immediately blip the
throttle trigger, which should cause the choke lever
to move to the run position and allow the engine to
slow down to idle.
5.7.3 Holding and Controlling the Trimmer / Brushcutter
WARNING
￭ To maintain a firm grip and properly control your trimmer /
brushcutter:
– Keep the handles clean and dry at all times. Keep
them free of moisture, pitch, oil, grease and resin.
￭ Operating the trimmer / brushcutter with one hand may
lead to loss of control and is extremely dangerous. To
reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury to the operator or
bystanders from loss of control:
– Never attempt to operate the trimmer /
brushcutter with one hand.
￭
￭ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries to the
operator or bystanders from loss of control:
– Place your right hand on the control handle and your
left hand on the other handle (see illustration). Left-
handers must follow these instructions too.
– Wrap your fingers tightly around the handles,
keeping the handles cradled between your thumb
and forefinger (see illustration).
English
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