Stihl BR 550 Product Instruction Manual - Page 11

Warning! Even though bystanders should be kept away from the running power tool, never work alone. Keep within calling distance of others in case help is needed. Stop the engine immediately if you are approached. Warning! To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not direct air blast towards bystanders, since the high pressure of the air flow can injure eyes and can blow small objects at great speed. Warning! The blower fan between the air intake and output openings rotates whenever the engine is running. Never insert any foreign object into the air intake of the machine or into the nozzle of the blower. It will damage the fan wheel and may cause serious injury to the operator or bystanders as a result of the object or broken parts being thrown out at high speed. Do not place the blower on the ground when operating at high speed, because small objects such as sand, grass, dust, etc. may be pulled into the air intake and damage the fan wheel. It is best to turn the machine off when putting it on the ground. Warning! Never modify your muffler. Any modification could cause an increase in heat radiation, sparks or sound level, thereby increasing the risk of fire, burn injury or hearing loss. You may also permanently damage the engine. Have your muffler serviced and repaired by your STIHL servicing dealer only. Warning! The muffler and other parts of the engine (e.g. fins of the cylinder, spark plug) become hot during operation and remain hot for a while after stopping the engine. To reduce risk of burns, do not touch the muffler and other parts while they are hot. Keep the area around the muffler clean. Remove excess lubricant and all debris such as pine needles, branches or leaves. Let the engine cool down sitting on concrete, metal, bare ground or solid wood away from any combustible substances. Warning! An improperly mounted or damaged cylinder housing or a damaged/deformed muffler shell may interfere with the cooling process of the muffler. To reduce the risk of fire or burn injury, do not continue work with a damaged or improperly mounted cylinder housing or a damaged/deformed muffler shell. Your muffler is furnished with a spark arresting screen designed to reduce the risk of fire from the emission of hot particles. Never operate your unit with a missing or damaged spark arresting screen. If your gas/oil mix ratio is correct English (i.e., not too rich), this screen will normally stay clean as a result of the heat from the muffler and need no service or maintenance. If you experience loss of performance and you suspect a clogged screen, have your muffler maintained by a STIHL servicing dealer. Some state or federal laws or regulations may require a properly maintained spark arrestor for certain uses. See the "Maintenance, Repair and Storing" section of these Safety Precautions. Remember that the risk of a brush or forest fire is greater in hot or dry conditions. Warning! Some STIHL power tools are equipped with a catalytic converter, which is designed to reduce the exhaust emissions of the engine by a chemical process in the muffler. Due to this process, the muffler does not cool down as rapidly as conventional mufflers when the engine returns to idle or is shut off. To reduce the risk of fire and burn injuries when using a catalytic converter, always set your power tool down in the upright position and never locate it where the muffler is near dry brush, grass, wood chips or other combustible materials while it is still hot. MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND STORING Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be performed by any nonroad engine repair establishment BR 500, BR 550, BR 600 9