Stihl Brushcutter User Manual

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Parts and Controls
- Version with Bike Handle 2
- Version with "J" Handle 2
- Version with Loop Handle 4
- Version with Loop Handle and
Standoff Lever 4
- All Versions 4
Safety Precautions and
Working Techniques 6
Selecting the Cutting Tool 16
Mounting the Bike Handle 18
Mounting the "J"-Handle 19
Mounting Loop Handle with
Standoff Lever 19
Mounting the Loop Handle
- Version A 20
- Version B 21
Mounting the Deflector 22
Mounting the Cutting Tools 23
- STIHL Supercut 20-2 24
- STIHL Polycut 20-3 24
- STIHL Autocut 20-2 25
- STIHL Autocut 25-2 25
- STIHL Polymatic 30-2 26
- STIHL Autocut 24-2 26
- STIHL Fixed Line Head 27
- Grass Cutting Blade 230 28
Fuel 28
Fueling 30
Fitting the Harness 30
Starting
- Version with Bike Handle 32
- Stop Switch on Throttle Trigger
Housing 36
- Stop Switch on Engine Housing 39
Motormanagement 42
Adjusting Carburetor 43
Checking Spark Plug 44
Cleaning Air Filter 45
Spark Arresting Screen
in Muffler 46
Gearbox Lubrication 46
Lubricating Flexible Shaft 47
Sharpening Cutting Tools
- Grass Cutting Blade 230-4 48
- Grass Cutting Blade 230-8 48
Operating Instructions 49
Storing the Machine 50
Maintenance Chart 51
Specifications 52
Special Accessories 53
Andreas Stihl Limited Warranty
Federal and California Emission
Control Systems Utility Engines 54
This manual contains warnings,
operating and safety precautions for the
STIHL FS 44 brushcutter.
Pay special attention to the safety pre-
cautions outlined on pages 6 to 15.
&RQWHQWV
67,+
 1997 Andreas Stihl, Waiblingen
0458 343 3021
Allow only persons who understand this
Manual to operate your brushcutter.
To receive maximum performance and
satisfaction from your STIHL brush-
cutter, it is important that you read and
understand the maintenance and safety
precautions before using your brush-
cutter. Contact your STIHL dealer or the
STIHL distributor for your area if you do
not understand any of the instructions
in this Manual.

:DUQLQJ
Because a brushcutter is a high-speed
cutting tool some special safety pre-
cautions must be observed to reduce
the risk of personal injury. Careless or
improper use may cause serious or
even fatal injury. Make sure your unit
is equipped with the proper deflector,
handle and harness for the type of
cutting attachment being used.
Always wear proper eye protection.
STIHL’s philosophy is to continually
improve all of its products. As a result,
engineering changes and improve-
ments are made from time to time. If
the operating characteristics or the
appearance of your brushcutter differs
from those described in this Manual,
please contact your STIHL dealer for
information and assistance.
Printed on chlorine-free paper


Stihl Brushcutter Specifications

General

Brand	Stihl
Model	Brushcutter
Category	Brush Cutter
Language	English

Summary

Parts and Controls

Bike Handle Version

Details on the bike handle version of the brushcutter.

"J"-Handle Version

Details on the "J" handle version of the brushcutter.

Definitions

Versions with loop handle and loop handle with standoff lever

All versions

Common parts and features across all brushcutter versions.

Safety Precautions and Working Techniques

THE OPERATOR!

Requirements for the operator's physical and mental condition.

Proper Clothing

Recommended protective clothing and footwear for safe operation.

THE BRUSHCUTTER

Transporting the brushcutter

Guidelines for safely transporting the brushcutter.

THE USE OF THE BRUSHCUTTER

Preparation for the use of the brushcutter

Steps to prepare the brushcutter before operation.

Fueling

Instructions and warnings for fueling the brushcutter.

Fueling Instructions

Operating instructions

Starting

Procedures for starting the brushcutter.

Working Conditions

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND STORING

Maintenance, replacement, or repair

Guidelines for maintenance, replacement, and repair of the engine.

Storing the Machine

Instructions for storing the brushcutter for short and long periods.

USING THE CUTTING TOOLS

Using the mowing heads

Information on using various mowing heads for a clean finish.

Using the grass cutting blade

Guidance on using grass cutting blades for grass and weeds.

Risk of "kickout" (blade thrust) with all rigid cutting blades

Explains the risk of kickout with rigid blades and how to mitigate it.

Selecting the Cutting Tool

Mounting the Bike Handle

Mounting the control handle

Steps for mounting the control handle onto the bike handle.

Securing the throttle cable

Instructions for securing the throttle cable.

Mounting the "J" Handle

Mounting Loop Handle with Standoff Lever

Steps for mounting the loop handle with standoff lever.

Mounting the Loop Handle Version A

Mounting the Loop Handle Version B

Mounting the Deflector

Fitting skirt and blade

Instructions for fitting the skirt and blade to the deflector.

Mounting the Cutting Tools

Blocking the output shaft

Method to block the output shaft for tool mounting.

Removing cutting tool mounting hardware

Steps to remove hardware before fitting cutting tools.

STIHL Supercut 20-2

Removing mowing head

Procedure for removing the mowing head.

Adjusting nylon line

How to adjust the nylon line on the mowing head.

STIHL Polycut 20-3

STIHL Autocut 20-2

Assembling STIHL Autocut 20-2

Steps for assembling the STIHL Autocut 20-2 mowing head.

STIHL Autocut 25-2

Mounting the mowing head

How to mount the mowing head onto the output shaft.

Removing mowing head

Procedure for removing the mowing head.

Replacing cutting blades

Instructions for replacing cutting blades.

STIHL Polymatic 30-2

Adjusting nylon line

How to adjust the nylon line on the mowing head.

STIHL Autocut 24-2

Adjusting nylon line

How to adjust the nylon line on the mowing head.

STIHL Fixed Line Head

Releasing mounting nut

Steps to release the mounting nut for the fixed line head.

Fitting nylon line

Instructions for fitting nylon line into the head.

Grass cutting blade 230

Releasing mounting nut

Steps to release the mounting nut for the grass cutting blade.

Fuel

Fueling

Fitting the Harness

Shoulder strap

Instructions for fitting and adjusting the shoulder strap.

Full harness

Balancing the brushcutter

Steps to balance the brushcutter for proper operation.

Starting - Version with Bike Handle

Starting - Stop Switch on Throttle Trigger Housing

Starting - Stop Switch on Engine Housing

Motormanagement

Adjusting Carburetor

Check spark arresting screen

Inspecting and cleaning the spark arresting screen.

Nylon line mowing head

Specific instructions for nylon line mowing heads.

Start the engine and adjust idling speed

Procedure for starting and adjusting idle speed.

Checking Spark Plug

Adjusting idle speed

How to adjust the idle speed screw.

Engine stops while idling

Troubleshooting when the engine stops while idling.

Cutting tool rotates when engine is idling

Troubleshooting when the cutting tool rotates at idle.

Erratic idling behavior, poor acceleration

Troubleshooting erratic idling and poor acceleration.

Cleaning Air Filter

Spark Arresting Screen in Muffler

Gearbox Lubrication

Lubricating Flexible Shaft

Sharpening Cutting Tools

Grass cutting blade 230-4

How to sharpen the grass cutting blade 230-4.

Grass cutting blade 230-8

How to sharpen the grass cutting blade 230-8.

Operating Instructions

During break-in period

Guidelines for the initial break-in period of the machine.

During operation

Advice for operation after a long period of use.

Storing the Machine

Maintenance Chart

Specifications

Special Accessories

STIHL Incorporated Federal and California Emission Control Warranty Statement