17FS 130, FS 130 R
English / USA
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 1/2”). Do not 
attempt to cut trees with larger 
diameters, since the blade may catch or 
jerk the trimmer/brushcutter forward. 
This may cause damage to the blade or 
loss of control of the power tool and 
result in serious injury.  Use a chain saw 
for such work.
!Warning!
To reduce the risk that the blade will 
crack and/or break, avoid all contact with 
stones, rocks or the ground. Sharpen 
blades in a timely manner as specified – 
dull teeth may cause the blade to crack 
or shatter.
When a trimmer/brushcutter with a 
circular saw blade is used to cut down 
small trees, STIHL recommends that the 
standard deflector be removed and 
replaced by the special limit stop 
deflector (see chapter on “Mounting the 
Deflector”). This limit stop helps to keep 
the unit 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 trimmer/brushcutter against the tree 
during the cutting operation and will 
reduce the risk of loss of control and 
possible kickout (described above and 
briefly again below).
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, as 
shown in the illustration above.