5FS 500, FS 550
English / USA
!Warning!
To reduce the risk of injury 
to your eyes never 
operate a clearing saw 
unless wearing goggles or 
properly fitted safety 
glasses with adequate top 
and side protection complying with ANSI 
Z 87.1 (or your applicable national 
standard). To reduce the risk of injury to 
your face STIHL recommends that you 
also wear a face shield or face screen 
over your goggles or safety glasses.
!Warning!
Clearing saw noise may 
damage your hearing. 
Wear sound barriers (ear 
plugs or ear mufflers) to 
protect your hearing. 
Continual and regular 
users should have their hearing checked 
regularly. 
Protect your hands with 
gloves when handling the 
clearing saw and the 
cutting tool. Heavy-duty, 
nonslip gloves improve 
your grip and protect your 
hands.
Clothing must be sturdy 
and snug-fitting, but allow 
complete freedom of 
movement. Avoid loose-
fitting jackets, scarfs, 
neckties, jewelry, flared or 
cuffed pants, unconfined longhair or 
anything that could become caught on 
branches, brush or moving parts of the 
unit. Wear long pants made of heavy 
material to protect your legs. Do not 
wear shorts, pants, sandals or go bare 
foot. Secure hair so it is above shoulder 
level.
Good footing is most 
important in clearing saw 
work. Wear sturdy boots 
with nonslip soles. Steel-
toed safety boots are 
recommended.
Wear an approved safety 
hard hat to reduce the risk 
of injury to your head 
when there is a danger of 
head injuries.
THE CLEARING SAW
For illustrations and definitions of the 
clearing saw parts see the chapter on 
"Parts and Controls".
!Warning!
Never modify a clearing saw in any way. 
Only attachments supplied by STIHL or 
expressly approved by STIHL for use 
with the specific STIHL clearing saw 
models are authorized. Although certain 
unauthorized attachments are useable 
for the STIHL clearing saw, their use 
may, in fact, be extremely dangerous.