Stihl FS 500 Instruction Manual page 16

Using the grass cutting blade
All kinds of grass and weeds can be
easily cut with the grass cutting blade.
The clearing saw is swept in an arc
similar to a scythe.
!
Warning!
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal
injury never attempt 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.
FS 500, FS 550
The 8-tooth grass cutting blade is
recommended for cutting fern or reed.
Both blades have to be resharpened
when all cutting edges are dull.
Using the brush knife
When fitted to the clearing saw, the
brush knife is suitable for applications
ranging from cutting matted grass to
clearing weeds, wild growth and scrub.
To cut wild growth and scrub, lower the
rotating brush knife down onto the
growth to achieve a chopping effect. Use
the clearing saw like a scythe to cut
grass, i.e. sweep it to and for 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.
English / USA
Thrown parts may seriously injure the
operator or bystanders. To reduce the
risk of personal injury it is essential to
take the following precautions:
Avoid contact with hard or solid foreign
objects such as stones, rocks or pieces
of metal.
Never cut wood or shrubs with a stem
diameter of more than 2 cm (3/4") – use
a circular saw blade for such work.
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).
!
Warning!
When cutting young saplings or other
woody materials up to 2 cm (3/4") in
diameter, use left side of the blade to
avoid "kickout" situations (see
appropriate section in this manual). Do
not attempt to cut woody material with a
larger diameter, since the blade may
catch or jerk the clearing saw forward.
This may cause damage to the blade or
clearing saw or loss of control of the
clearing saw, resulting in personal injury.
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