FS 55, FS 55 C, FS 55 R, FS 55 RC
English
6
Check and correct the idle speed setting 
at regular intervals. If the cutting 
attachment still rotates at idle speed, 
have your dealer make proper 
adjustments or repairs. STIHL 
recommends a STIHL servicing dealer.
Take special care in slippery conditions 
– damp, snow, ice, on slopes or uneven 
ground.
Watch out for obstacles: Roots, tree 
stumps or holes which could cause you 
to trip or stumble.
Always stand on the ground while 
working, never on a ladder, work 
platform or any other insecure support.
Be particularly alert and cautious when 
wearing hearing protection because 
your ability to hear warnings (shouts, 
alarms, etc.) is restricted.
To reduce the risk of accidents, take a 
break in good time to avoid tiredness or 
exhaustion.
Work calmly and carefully – in daylight 
conditions and only when visibility is 
good. Stay alert so as not to endanger 
others.
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal 
injury from breathing toxic fumes, 
ensure proper ventilation when working 
in trenches, hollows or other confined 
locations.
To reduce the risk of accidents, stop 
work immediately in the event of 
nausea, headache, visual disturbances 
(e.g. reduced field of vision), problems 
with hearing, dizziness, deterioration in 
ability to concentrate. Apart from other 
possibilities, these symptoms may be 
caused by an excessively high 
concentration of exhaust gases in the 
work area.
Operate your power tool so that it 
produces a minimum of noise and 
emissions – do not run the engine 
unnecessarily, accelerate the engine 
only for cutting. 
To reduce the risk of fire, do not 
smoke while operating or standing near 
your power tool. Note that combustible 
fuel vapor may escape from the fuel 
system.
The dusts, vapor and smoke produced 
during operation may be dangerous to 
health. If the work area is very dusty or 
smoky, wear a respirator.
If your power tool is subjected to 
unusually high loads for which it was not 
designed (e.g. heavy impact or a fall), 
always check that it is in good condition 
before continuing work – see also 
"Before Starting".
Check the fuel system in particular for 
leaks and make sure the safety devices 
are working properly. Do not continue 
operating your power tool if it is 
damaged. In case of doubt, have the 
machine checked by your servicing 
dealer.
Do not operate your power tool with the 
starting throttle lock engaged – engine 
speed cannot be controlled in this 
position.
Special care must be taken when 
working in difficult, over-grown terrain.
When cutting high scrub, under bushes 
and hedges: Keep cutting tool at 
minimum height of 15 cm to avoid 
harming small animals.
Always shut off the engine before 
leaving the unit unattended.
Check the cutting attachment at regular 
short intervals during operation or 
immediately if there is a noticeable 
change in cutting behavior:
Your power tool produces 
toxic exhaust fumes as 
soon as the engine is 
running. These fumes 
may be colorless and 
odorless and contain 
unburned hydrocarbons 
and benzol. Never run 
the engine indoors or in 
poorly ventilated loca-
tions, even if your model 
is equipped with a cata-
lytic converter.
To reduce the risk 
of injury from 
thrown objects, 
never operate the 
unit without the 
proper deflector for 
the type of cutting 
attachment being 
used.
Inspect the work area: 
Stones, pieces of metal 
or other solid objects can 
be thrown and cause per-
sonal injury or damage 
the cutting attachment 
and property (e.g. parked 
vehicles, windows).