Stihl HT 101 Instruction Manual - Page 13

and rotating chain to pop out of the cut or kerf, go out of control and strike some other object. If the bar becomes pinched and caught in the branch so that the chain can no longer move, shut off the pole pruner and carefully move the branch to open the pinch and release the bar. WARNING If a rotating saw chain strikes a rock or other hard object, sparks may be created, which can ignite flammable materials under certain circumstances. Flammable materials can include dry vegetation and brush, particularly when weather conditions are hot and dry. When there is a risk of fire or wildfire, do not use a power tool around flammable materials or around dry vegetation or brush. Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forestry Service if you have any question about whether vegetation and weather conditions are suitable for the use of a pole pruner. 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 (e.g. the trunk of a felled tree) 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 (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. English 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. Reactive Forces WARNING Reactive forces may occur any time the chain is rotating.The force used to cut wood can be reversed and work against the operator. If the rotating chain is suddenly stopped by contact with any solid object such as a branch or is pinched, the reactive forces may occur instantly. These reactive forces may result in loss of control, which, in turn, may cause personal injury. An understanding of the causes of these reactive forces may help you avoid the element of surprise and loss of control. HT 100, HT 101, HT 130, HT 131 11