0478 111 9953 B - EN
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● Hold the console with your left hand as 
shown and hold the discharge flap 
open. At the same time, press detent 
lever (3) with your thumb and hold.
● Hold the machine with your right hand 
by the front carrying handle and tilt it 
slowly backward until the handlebar 
touches the ground as shown.
● Release discharge flap (2) and detent 
lever (3) and check that the machine is 
standing securely.
Notes on cleaning:
● Clean off dirt using little water, with a 
brush or with a cloth. Never spray water 
onto engine components, seals or 
bearing points. If necessary, use a 
special cleaner (e.g. STIHL special 
cleaner).
● First, remove accumulated clipping 
deposits using a stick.
● Always clean the mowing blade – under 
no circumstances should you hit the 
mowing blade (e.g. with a hammer) to 
loosen dirt.
● Clean the engine cooling ribs.
● Clean the grass catcher box and mulch 
insert using running water and a brush 
well away from the machine.
14.3 Checking blade wear
Maintenance interval:
Before each use
● Tilt the mower upwards into the 
cleaning position. ( 14.2)
● Clean mowing blade (1).
● Use a slide calliper to measure blade 
thickness A at 5 points at least. In 
particular, minimum thickness must 
also be ensured in the area of the blade 
wings.
● Check the minimum width B at the 
narrowest point behind the blade wings 
using a slide calliper.
Blade thickness A: > 2,0 mm
Minimum width B: > 55 mm
The blade must be replaced,
– if it is damaged (notches, cracks),
– if the measured values are achieved at 
one or more points or are outside the 
permissible limits.
If an accessory blade is installed on the 
lawn mower, different wear limits apply 
(see accessory instruction manual).
14.4  Removing and installing the 
blade
Removing the blade:
● Tilt the mower upwards into the 
cleaning position. ( 14.2)
● Hold blade (1) and unscrew blade 
fastening screw (2).
● Remove blade (1), blade fastening 
screw (2) and retaining washer (3).
Installing the blade:
● Clean the blade contact surface and 
blade bushing or blade holder.
● Position blade (1) on the blade bushing 
or blade holder (5) with the curved 
wings pointing upwards (towards the 
machine).
● Fit a new retaining washer (3) as 
shown, screw in and tighten blade 
fastening screw (2).
Tightening torque:
60 - 65 Nm
Risk of injury!
Blades are subjected to differing 
degrees of wear depending on the 
location and duration of use. If you 
use the machine on sandy ground 
or use it frequently under dry 
conditions, the blade will be 
subjected to greater loads and will 
wear more quickly than the 
average. A worn blade may break 
off and cause serious injuries. The 
instructions for blade maintenance 
must therefore always be observed.
Risk of injury!
The blade (1) must only be installed 
as shown. The tabs (4) must face 
downwards and the curved wings 
must point upwards.
Observe the specified tightening 
torque for the blade fastening 
screw, as the secure attachment of 
the cutting tool depends on this. 
Additionally secure blade fastening 
screw (2) with Loctite 243.
Replace spring washer (3) each 
time the blade is installed and blade 
fastening screw (2) each time the 
blade is replaced.