0478 216 9907 C - EN
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Remove dirt from the cooling ribs, fan 
wheel, area around the air filter, exhaust, 
etc. to ensure that the engine is 
adequately cooled.
11.3 Blade maintenance 
Maintenance interval:
Before each use
● Remove the feed chute. (Ö 7.8)
● Check the blades for damage (notches 
or cracks) and wear; reverse or replace 
if necessary.
Wear limits of the blades:
● On the blades, measure the distance 
between the bore to the edge of the 
blade at several points.
Minimum distance 6mm
Reversing the blades:
● Remove the blade disc. (Ö 7.6)
● Unscrew screws (1) and remove 
together with nuts (2).
● Remove blade (3) upwards.
● Clean the blade disc.
● Reverse blade (3) and place onto the 
blade disc with the sharp edge exposed 
and align the bores.
● Insert screws (1) through the bores and 
screw on nuts (2). Tighten nuts (2) to 
22 - -28 Nm.
● Install the blade disc. (Ö 7.5)
Sharpening the blades:
Blades which are blunt on both sides must 
be sharpened before resuming work.
In order to ensure optimum machine 
operation, the blades should only be 
sharpened by a technician. STIHL 
recommends STIHL specialist dealers.
● Remove the blades for sharpening.
● Cool the blades when sharpening, 
e.g. with water. The blade must not be 
allowed to display blue colouring, as 
this would reduce its cutting quality.
● Sharpen the blade evenly to prevent 
vibrations due to imbalance.
● Check blades for damage before 
installing: the blades must be replaced 
if notches or cracks are visible or if the 
blades have reached the wear limits.
● Sharpen blades at a sharpening angle 
of 30°.
● Sharpen the blades against the cutting 
edge.
● After sharpening, remove any 
sharpening burr at the cutting edge 
using fine sandpaper.
● Observe the tightening torques 
contained in the "Reversing the blades" 
section when installing the blades.
11.4 V-belt maintenance 
Maintenance interval:
Every 10 operating hours
Check the V-belt for wear and damage by 
means of a visual inspection and replace if 
necessary.
Check V-belt tension and adjust as 
required.
Checking V-belt tension:
● Detach the spark plug socket.
● Loosen screws (1), but do not unscrew 
fully (remain on belt guard) and remove 
belt guard (2).
● Using your thumb, press on the V-belt 
between the two V-belt pulleys.
It must be possible to depress the V-
belt by approx. 10mm.
Adjusting V-belt tension:
● Loosen the engine mounting (not 
illustrated):
Loosen 3 bolts of the engine mounting, 
but do not remove; counterhold nuts on 
upper side.
● Tension the V-belt by turning 
adjustment nut (3).
● After adjustment, re-tighten the engine 
fastening bolts and install the belt 
guard.
Risk of injury!
Always wear thick 
gloves.
The blades must be reversed or 
replaced before the specified wear 
limits are reached. STIHL 
recommends STIHL specialist 
dealers.
The cutting blades are designed as 
reversible blades. This means that 
blunt blades can be reversed and 
the machine is ready for use again. 
Always reverse both blades.
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Insufficient tensioning increases V-
belt wear, excessive tensioning 
may lead to bearing damage.
If you do not have the necessary 
knowledge to adjust the V-belt, you 
should have a technician perform 
this work.
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