Stihl FS 120 Instruction Manual page 7

2 Safety Precautions and Working Techniques
Examine the cutting attachment periodically at
short intervals and as soon as you note any
noticeable changes:
– Stop the engine, hold the machine securely,
allow the cutting attachment to come to a stop
– Check condition and secure fitting; watch out
for cracks
– Ensure that the cutting blades are sharp
– Replace damaged or blunt cutting attachments
immediately, even in the event of minor hair‐
line cracks
Clean grass and plant residue off the cutting
attachment mounting at regular intervals –
remove any accumulated material from the cut‐
ting attachment and deflector.
To reduce the risk of injury, shut off the engine
before replacing the cutting attachment.
The gearbox gets hot during opera‐
tion. Never touch the gearbox – risk
of burns!
If a rotating cutting attachment touches a rock or
another hard object, sparks can be generated
which may possibly ignite combustible materials.
Also dried-out plants and brushwood are com‐
bustible, above all in hot and dry weather. If
there is a risk of fire, do not use cutting attach‐
ments in the vicinity of combustible materials,
dried-out plants or brushwood. It is mandatory
that you ask the responsible forestry office about
current fire hazards.
2.8 Using mowing heads
Extend the cutting attachment deflector with the
attached parts specified in the User Manual.
Only use a deflector with a properly fitted blade
that limits the mowing line to the permissible
length.
For manually adjustable mowing heads, always
switch off the engine before adjusting the mow‐
ing line – risk of injury!
Misuse with mowing lines that are too long
reduces the working speed of the engine. The
constant slipping of the clutch causes overheat‐
ing and damage to important components (e. g.
clutch, plastic housing parts) – e. g. due to the
cutting attachment rotating during idling – risk of
injury!
0458-250-0121-F
2.9 When using metal cutting
attachments
STIHL recommends the use of original STIHL
metal cutting attachments. These have been
optimized for the machine and the user's require‐
ments.
Metal cutting attachments rotate very fast, gener‐
ating forces acting on the attachments and on
the cuttings.
Metal cutting attachments must be sharpened in
regular intervals in accordance with the instruc‐
tions.
Unevenly sharpened metal cutting attachments
generate an imbalance which may cause
extreme loads on the machine – risk of break‐
age!
Dull or improperly sharpened cutting edges can
put a higher load on the cutting attachment and
increase the risk of injuryfrom cracked or broken
parts.
After each contact of the metal cutting attach‐
ment with hard objects (e.g. stones, rocks, metal
parts), check it for damage (e.g. tears and defor‐
mation). To reduce the risk of injury, remove
burrs and other visible accumulated material
because they may become detached and ejec‐
ted at high speed during operation.
Do not continue using or attempt to repair dam‐
aged or cracked cutting attachments by means
of welding, straightening or modifying the shape
(unbalanced).
Particles or pieces may come off and hit the
operator or a bystander at a high speed – risk of
most severe injuries!
To reduce the above-named risks involved in
operating a metal cutting attachment, ensure that
the diameter of your metal cutting attachment is
not too big. Also, the attachment must not be too
heavy. It must be made of high-quality materials
and have a suitable geometry (shape, thickness).
A metal cutting attachment not made by STIHL
must not have a different weight, thickness,
shape or a larger diameter than the largest
STIHL metal cutting attachment approved for this
metal cutting attachment – risk of injury!
2.10 Vibrations
Prolonged use of the power tool may result in
vibration-induced circulation problems in the
hands (whitefinger disease).
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