0478 111 9953 B - EN
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9.7 Attaching and detaching the 
grass catcher box
● Remove the mulch insert before 
attaching the grass catcher box. ( 8.5)
Attaching:
● Open the discharge flap (1) and hold it 
open. 
● Attach grass catcher box (2) to the 
locating lugs (3). 
● Close discharge flap (1) again. 
Detaching:
● Open the discharge flap (1) and hold it 
open. 
● Lift grass catcher box (2), detach from 
the locating lugs (3) and remove.
● Close discharge flap (1) again 
manually. 
The machine is equipped with several 
safety devices for safe operation and for 
the prevention of improper use.
10.1 Safety devices
The lawn mower is equipped with safety 
devices, which prevent inadvertent contact 
with the mowing blade and with ejected 
clippings.
These include the housing, discharge flap, 
grass catcher box and correctly installed 
handlebar.
10.2 Motorstop lever
Models RM 650 T, RM 650 V, 
RM 650 VE, RM 655 V are 
equipped with a motorstop device.
The engine stops when motorstop 
lever (1) is released during running 
operation.
The engine and blade come to a standstill 
within 3 seconds.
Measuring the run-on time
Following engine start-up, the blade 
rotates and a wind noise is audible. The 
run-on time corresponds to the duration of 
the wind noise after the engine stops. This 
can be measured using a stopwatch.
Models RM 650 VS, RM 655 RS, 
RM 655 VS, RM 655 YS are 
equipped with a blade brake clutch  
(BBC).
Two-hand operation:
The mowing blade can only be engaged as 
follows with the engine running:
● Press blade stop lever (1) with one 
hand and, while keeping it pressed, pull 
blade clutch lever (5) upwards with the 
other hand and allow it to engage. 
( 13.6)
Integrated blade run-down brake:
When the blade stop lever is released (or 
after releasing the handlebar), the mowing 
blade is disengaged and braked to a 
standstill within a maximum of 3 seconds, 
while the engine continues to run. ( 13.7)
A perfect, thick lawn is achieved by
– Mowing at low driving speeds.
– Mowing regularly and keeping the grass 
short.
– Not cutting the lawn too short in hot, dry 
conditions as it will be burnt by the sun 
and become unsightly.
– Using a sharp mowing blade – mowing 
blade should therefore be sharpened 
regularly (specialist dealer).
– Changing the cutting direction regularly.
12.1 Working area for operator 
● For safety reasons, the operator 
must stay within the working area 
behind the handlebar when starting the 
engine and when the engine is running. 
Always observe the safety distance 
provided by the handlebar.
10. Safety devices
Risk of injury!
If a safety device is found to be 
defective, the machine must not be 
operated. Consult a specialist 
dealer; STIHL recommends STIHL 
specialist dealers.
Risk of injury!
If the run-on time of the blade 
exceeds this delay, stop using the 
machine and take it to your 
specialist dealer.
11. Blade brake clutch (BBC)
Risk of injury!
Operation of the blade brake clutch 
must be checked before each use. 
( 13.1)
For safety reasons, the lever must 
never be disabled, e.g. by tying it to 
the handlebar.
12. Notes on working with 
the machine