16
English / USA
FS 300, FS 350, FS 400, FS 450, FS 480
Using the circular saw blade
Circular saw blades are suitable for 
thinning brush and cutting small trees up 
to a diameter of 4 cm (1 9/16"). Do not 
attempt to cut trees with larger 
diameters, since the blade may catch or 
jerk the clearing saw forward. This may 
cause damage to the blade or loss of 
control of the clearing saw which may 
result in serious injury.
When the clearing saw with circular saw 
blade is used to cut down small trees, 
STIHL recommends that the standard 
deflector be removed and replaced by 
the special "stop" (see chapter "circular 
saw blade" for mounting instructions). 
This stop helps to keep the clearing saw 
positioned against the tree during the 
cutting process. Inexperienced users 
should place the left side of the stop 
against the tree trunk before beginning 
to cut. This will keep the clearing saw 
against the tree during the cutting 
operation and will reduce the risk of loss 
of control and possible kickout 
(described in the following section).
!Warning!
In order to reduce the risk of injury from 
thrown objects or from operator contact 
with the cutting tool, be sure to remount 
the standard deflector for all other uses.
Before starting the cut, accelerate the 
engine up to full throttle. Perform cut 
with uniform pressure. STIHL 
recommends that the circular saw blade 
be applied to the right of the tree, using 
the non-shaded area of the blade.
!Warning!
The risk of kickout is highest when 
cutting in the darker shaded area. To 
reduce the risk of kickout and resulting 
injury, do not use this area of the circular 
saw blade for cutting trees or shrubs. 
Special techniques using the lighter 
shaded areas of the blade to cut shrubs 
and trees should only be used by 
experienced operators with specialized 
training in use and control of the clearing 
saw.
000BA016 KN
000BA012 KN