Stihl FS 55 Instruction Manual page 14

English
Catalytic Converter
Warning!
Some STIHL power tools
are equipped with a cata-
lytic converter, which is
designed to reduce the
exhaust emissions of the
engine by a chemical
process in the muffler. Due to this proc-
ess, the muffler does not cool down as
rapidly as conventional mufflers when
the engine returns to idle or is shut off.
To reduce the risk of fire and burn inju-
ries, the following specific safety
precautions must be observed.
Warning!
Since a muffler with a catalytic converter
cools down less rapidly than conven-
tional mufflers, always set your power
tool down in the upright position and
never locate it where the muffler is near
dry brush, grass, wood chips or other
combustible materials while it is still hot.
Warning!
An improperly mounted or damaged cyl-
inder housing or a damaged / deformed
muffler shell may interfere with the cool-
ing process of the catalytic converter.
To reduce the risk of fire or burn injury,
do not continue work with a damaged or
improperly mounted cylinder housing or
a damaged / deformed muffler shell.
Your catalytic converter is furnished with
screens designed to reduce the risk of
fire from the emission of hot particles.
Due to the heat from the catalytic
reaction, these screens will normally
12
stay clean and need no service or
maintenance. If you experience loss of
performance and you suspect a clogged
screen, have your muffler maintained by
a STIHL servicing dealer.
USING THE CUTTING ATTACHMENT
For an illustration of the various cutting
attachments and instructions on proper
mounting see the chapter on "Mounting
the Cutting Attachment" in your
instruction manual.
Warning!
To reduce the risk of severe or fatal
injury from blade contact and / or loss of
control, never attempt to use a metal
blade on an FS model for which it is not
authorized.
Using the Mowing Heads
Do not use with mowing line longer than
the intended length. With a properly
mounted deflector, the built-in line-
limiting blade will automatically adjust
the line to its proper length.
Using the unit with an overly long nylon
cutting line increases the load on the
engine and reduces its operating speed.
This causes the clutch to slip
continuously and results in overheating
and damage to important components
(e.g. clutch, polymer housing
components). Such damage could,
among other things, cause the cutting
attachment to rotate at idle.
Mowing heads are to be used only on
trimmer / brushcutters equipped with a
line-limiting blade in the deflector in
order to keep the line at the proper
length (see "Main Parts" chapter in your
instruction manual).
If the lawn edges are planted with trees
or bordered by a fence etc., it is best to
use a nylon line head. It achieves a
"softer" cut with less risk of damaging
tree bark etc. than polymer blades.
However, the polymer-bladed STIHL
PolyCut produces a better cut if there
are no plants along the edge of the lawn.
Sharpening is not necessary, and worn
polymer blades are easily replaced.
FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC