FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
12
Catalytic Converter
Your catalytic converter is furnished with 
screens designed to reduce the risk of 
fire from the emission of hot particles. 
Due to the heat from the catalytic 
reaction, these screens will normally 
stay clean 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.
USING THE CUTTING ATTACHMENT
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.
Using the Mowing Heads
Do not use with mowing line longer than 
the intended length. With a properly 
mounted deflector, the built-in line-
limiting blade will automatically adjust 
the line to its proper length.
Using the unit with an overly long nylon 
cutting line increases the load on the 
engine and reduces its operating speed. 
This causes the clutch to slip 
continuously and results in overheating 
and damage to important components 
(e.g. clutch, polymer housing 
components). Such damage could, 
among other things, cause the cutting 
attachment to rotate at idle.
Mowing heads are to be used only on 
trimmer / brushcutters equipped with a 
line-limiting blade in the deflector in 
order to keep the line at the proper 
length (see "Main Parts" chapter in your 
instruction manual).
If the lawn edges are planted with trees 
or bordered by a fence etc., it is best to 
use a nylon line head. It achieves a 
"softer" cut with less risk of damaging 
tree bark etc. than polymer blades.
However, the polymer-bladed STIHL 
PolyCut produces a better cut if there 
are no plants along the edge of the lawn. 
Sharpening is not necessary, and worn 
polymer blades are easily replaced.
Warning!
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 proc-
ess, the muffler does not cool down as 
rapidly as conventional mufflers when 
the engine returns to idle or is shut off. 
To reduce the risk of fire and burn inju-
ries, the following specific safety 
precautions must be observed.
Warning!
Since a muffler with a catalytic converter 
cools down less rapidly than conven-
tional mufflers, 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 materials while it is still hot.
Warning!
An improperly mounted or damaged cyl-
inder housing or a damaged / deformed 
muffler shell may interfere with the cool-
ing process of the catalytic converter. 
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.
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 an FS model for which it is not 
authorized.