TS 440
English
40
WARNING
Do not let the starter grip snap back – it 
may break or you may injure your hand 
or fingers. Guide it back into the housing 
in the opposite direction so that it can 
rewind properly.
WARNING
Do not drop start the cut-off machine. 
Drop starting means pushing the 
machine away from the operator, or 
allowing it to drop toward the ground, 
while pulling on the starter grip. This 
method is very dangerous because you 
could lose control of the cut-off machine.
When the engine has turned over for the 
first time
N Set the choke lever (4) to f
N Continue cranking
Once the engine is running
N Blip the throttle trigger, the slide 
control (3) releases to the normal 
position F – the engine begins to idle
N Move the choke lever to e
N Pull the brake lever toward the front 
handle and release it – the wheel 
brake is released
The abrasive cutting wheel should not 
rotate when the engine is idling, even 
after the wheel brake is released. If the 
wheel does turn, adjust the carburetor. 
See the chapter "Adjusting the 
Carburetor" in this instruction manual. If 
the carburetor cannot be adjusted 
correctly by the operator, shut the 
machine off and take it to an authorized 
STIHL servicing dealer for repair before 
using the TS 440.
NOTICE
Always release the wheel brake before 
accelerating the engine. High revs with 
the wheel brake engaged will damage 
the engine, the clutch and the wheel 
brake.
If the wheel brake cannot be released 
when the engine is running
The following causes are possible:
– Maintenance on the wheel brake 
system is needed
– Repairs to the wheel brake system 
are needed
To make that determination:
N Press and hold the water shut off 
button (3) for 3 seconds while the 
machine is at idle
N Pull the brake lever (1) toward the 
front handle and release it
If the wheel brake can be released this 
way, the wheel brake system requires 
maintenance. You may:
N Complete the immediate task you 
are working on before bringing the 
machine to an authorized STIHL 
servicing dealer for maintenance