Stihl 200 - Starting the Brushcutter; Warning: One-Person Operation; Warning: Clearing Cutting Tool Area; Warning: Starter Rope Handling

8
English
FS 120, FS 200, FS 250
Keep the deflector (and the skirt where
appropriate) adjusted properly at all
times (see chapter on mounting the
various cutting tools of your owner's
manual).
Starting
!Warning!
Your brushcutter is a one-person
machine. Once started, it may fling
foreign objects for a great distance.
To reduce the risk of eye and other injury
insure that bystanders are at least 50
feet (15 m) away. Bystanders should be
encouraged to wear eye protection. Stop
the engine and cutting tool immediately
if you are approached. Start and operate
your brushcutter without assistance. For
specific starting instructions, see the
appropriate section of your manual.
Place the brushcutter on firm ground or
other solid surface in an open area.
Maintain a good balance and secure
footing.
!Warning!
To reduce the risk of injury from loss of
control, be absolutely sure that the
cutting tool is clear of you and all other
obstructions and objects, including the
ground, because when the engine starts
at starting-throttle, engine speed will be
fast enough for the clutch to engage and
turn the cutting tool.
!Warning!
When you pull the starter grip, don't
wrap the starter rope around your hand.
Do not allow the grip to snap back, but
guide the starter rope to rewind it
properly. Failure to follow this procedure
may result in injury to hand or fingers
and may damage the starter
mechanism.
With the engine running but at idle,
attach the brushcutter to the spring hook
of your harness (see appropriate
chapter of this manual).
Catalytic converter
!Warning!
Some STIHL brushcutter
models are equipped with
a catalytic converter,
which is designed to
reduce the exhaust
emissions of the engine
by a chemical process in the muffler.
Due to this process, 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 injuries, 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
brushcutter 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.
15m (50ft)