FS 38
English
11
WARNING
To reduce the risk of unintentional 
rotation of the cutting attachment and 
injury, always shut off the engine and 
remove the spark plug boot before 
replacing the cutting attachment. To 
reduce the risk of injury, always shut off 
the engine before adjusting the length of 
the nylon line on manually adjustable 
mowing heads.
WARNING
The gearbox becomes hot during 
operation. To reduce the risk of burn 
injury, do not touch the gear housing 
when it is hot.
WARNING
Never modify your muffler. Any 
modification could cause an increase in 
heat radiation, sparks or sound level, 
thereby increasing the risk of fire, burn 
injury or hearing loss. You may also 
permanently damage the engine. Have 
your muffler serviced and repaired by 
your STIHL servicing dealer only.
WARNING
The muffler and other parts of the engine 
(e.g. fins of the cylinder, spark plug) 
become hot during operation and remain 
hot for a while after stopping the engine. 
To reduce risk of burns, do not touch the 
muffler and other parts while they are 
hot. Keep the area around the muffler 
clean. Remove excess lubricant and all 
debris such as pine needles, branches 
or leaves. Let the engine cool down 
sitting on concrete, metal, bare ground 
or solid wood (away from any 
combustible substances.
WARNING
An improperly mounted or damaged 
cylinder housing or a 
damaged/deformed muffler shell may 
interfere with the cooling process of the 
muffler. To reduce the risk of fire or burn 
injury, do not continue work with a 
damaged or improperly mounted 
cylinder housing or a 
damaged/deformed muffler shell.
Your muffler is furnished with a spark 
arresting screen designed to reduce the 
risk of fire from the emission of hot 
particles. Never operate your unit with a 
missing or damaged spark arresting 
screen. If your gas/oil mix ratio is correct 
(i.e., not too rich), this screen will 
normally stay clean as a result of the 
heat from the muffler and need no 
service or maintenance. If you 
experience loss of performance and you 
suspect a clogged screen, have your 
muffler maintained by a STIHL servicing 
dealer. Some state or federal laws or 
regulations may require a properly 
maintained spark arrestor for certain 
uses. See the "Maintenance, Repair and 
Storing" section of these Safety 
Precautions. Remember that the risk of 
a brush or forest fire is greater in hot or 
dry conditions.
WARNING
Using the Cutting Attachments
For an illustration of the various cutting 
attachments and instructions on proper 
mounting see the chapter on "Mounting 
the Cutting Attachment" in your 
instruction manual.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of severe or fatal 
injury from blade contact and / or loss of 
control, never attempt to use a metal 
blade on this trimmer.
Some STIHL power tools 
are equipped with a cata
-
lytic 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 con
-
ventional mufflers when 
the engine returns to idle 
or is shut off. To reduce 
the risk of fire and burn 
injuries when using a cat
-
alytic converter, always 
set your power tool down 
in the upright position and 
never locate it where the 
muffler is near dry brush, 
grass, wood chips or 
other combustible materi
-
als while it is still hot.