Stihl 108 User Guide

							STIHLFSBB,7DB
InstructionManual
OwnersManual
Assembling
Safety Precautions
Operating
Instructions
Maintenance 
						

							Contents
PartsandControls Starting 34This
manual contains warnings,
- Version withBike Handle 2Adjusting Carburetor 37operating andsafety precautions forthe
- Version withLoop Handle 4
Operating Instructions 40STIHL
FS88and FS108 brushcutters.
- Version withLoop Handle and CheckingSparkPlug
41Payspecial attention tothe safety
Standoff Lever 4Cleaning AirFilter
41precautions outlinedonpages 6to 17.
Safety Precautions and LubricatingGearbox 42
Allowonlypersons whounderstand this
Working Techniques
6Lubricating DriveShaft 42
manual tooperate yourbrushcutter.
Selecting theCutting Tool 18Sharpening CuttingTools
Toreceive maximum performance and
Mounting theBike Handle 20-Grass Cutting Blade230-4
43
satisfaction fromyourSTIHL brush-
Mounting
loopHandle with -Grass Cutting Blade230-8
44
cutter,itisimportant thatyou read and
Standoff Lever21-Brush Knife250 45
understand themaintenance andsafety
Mounting theLoop Handle -Circular SawBlade 200
precautionsbeforeusingyourbrush-
- Version A 22
(chiseltooth) 46
cutter.Contact yourSTIHL dealer
orthe
- Version B
23-
Circular SawBlade 200
STIHLdistributor foryour area ifyou do
Mounting theDeflector 24(scratcher tooth)
47
notunderstand anyofthe instructions
in-Fitting stop 24Replacing StarterRopeand
thismanual.
Mounting theCutting Tools 25Rewind Spring
48
- STIHL Supercut 2-2 26
SparkArresting Screen
inWarnng!-STIHL Supercut 20-2
26Muffler51Because abrushcutterisa high-speed
- STIHL Autocut 25-2
26Storing theMachine51cutting toolsome special safetypre-
- STIHL Autocut 30-2 26Maintenance Chart
52
cautions mustbeobserved toreduce
- STIHL Autocut 24-2
27Specifications
53
therisk ofpersonal injury.Careless or
- STIHL Polymatic 30-2 27Special Accessories
55
improper usemay cause serious or
- STIHL Polycut 40-3
28
evenfatalinjury. Makeshure yourunitis
- STIHL FixedLineHead
28
equippedwiththeproper deflector,
- Grass Cutting Blade230
29
handleandharness forthe type of
- Brush Knife250
29
cuttingattachment beingused.Always
- Circular SawBlade 200
30
wear
proJ
						

							PartsandControls
2
1
2
9
Version withBike Handle
1=Handle support
2
=Throttle trigger
3
=Slide control
4
=Throttle triggerinterlock
5
=Bike handle
6
=Throttle cableretainer
7
=Carrying loop
8
=Throttle cable/stop switch wire
9
=Spark plugterminal
10
=Air filtercover
11=Choke lever
12
=Machine support
13
=Fuel tank
14
=Fuel fillercap
15
=Starter grip
16
=Carburetor adjustingscrews
17
=Muffler
18
=Deflector (forallcutting
tools, without skirt)
19
=Metal cuttingItool
(cutting blade230) 
						

							Definitions8.Throttlecable/stopswitchwire.16.Carburetoradjustingscrews.
Connect operators controlgripto
Fortuning carburetor.
1.Handlesupport.thepowerhead.
Connects thedrive shaft
tothehandle bars.17.Muffler.
9.Sparkplugterminal. Attenuatesexhaustnoises
Connects thespark plug
tothe anddiverts exhaust gases away
2.Throttletrigger.
ignitionwire. fromoperator.
Controls thespeed ofthe engine.
10.Airfilter cover.18.Deflector.
3.Slidecontrol.Covers theairfilter element.
Thedeflectorisdesigned toreduce
Starting throttlelockandstop switch.
therisk ofinjury fromforeign objects
Keeps thethrottle partially open
flungbackwards towardtheoperator
during starting andswitches the
11.Chokelever.
bythe cutting tooland from contact
engines ignitionoffand stops the Easesengine starting
withthecutting tool.
engine.
byenriching mixture.
19.Cuttingtool.
4.Throttletriggerinterlock.12.Machinesupport.Thecutting attachment,i.e.blade,
Must
bedepressed beforethe
Forresting machineontheground.
madefrommetal fordifferent pur-
throttle triggercan
beactivated.
poses(special accessory).
13.Fueltank.
5.Bikehandle. Forfuel and oilmixture.
Toholdthebrushcutter
with both hands.
14.Fuel filler cap........>
Forclosing thefuel tank.
6.Throttle cableretainer.
Fixes thethrotlle cable
on the drive shaft.
15.Starter grip.
The gripofthe pull starter,
which
isthe device tostart
7.Carrying lOop. theengine.
The device toconnect the
brushcutler tothe harness.
3 
						

							8
VersionwithLoopHandleandloop
handlewithstandofflever
1=Loophandle
2
=Standoff lever
3
=Carrying loop
(not allmarkets)
4
=Slide control
5
=Throttle trigger
6
=Throttle triggerinterlock
7
=Throttle cable/stop switch wire
8
=Spark plugterminal
9
=Air filter cover
10=Choke lever
11=Machine support
4
19
17
18
12=Fueltank
13
=Fuel fillercap
14
=Starter grip
15=Carburetor adjustingscrews
16
=Muffler
17
=Deflector (formowing heads)
18
=Line limiting blade
19
=Cutting tool 
						

							Definitions8.Sparkplugterminal.16.Muffler.
Connects thespark plug
tothe Attenuatesexhaustnoises
1.Loophandle. ignitionwire. anddiverts exhaust gasesaway
For easy control of from
operator.
machine duringcutting work.
9.Airfiltercover.
Covers theairfilter element.
17.Deflector.
2.Standofflever. Thedeflectorisdesigned toreduce
Helps keepunitatasafe distance
10.Chokelever. therisk ofinjury fromforeign objects
fromoperators feetand legs. Easesengine starting flung
backwards towardtheoperator
by enriching mixture. bythe cutting tooland from contact
with thecutting tool.
3.Carryingloop.
The device toconnect the
11.Machinesupport.
brushcutter tothe harness. Forresting machine onthe ground.18.Linelimitingblade.
Metal bladeatthe deflector
inorder
tokeep theline ofthe mowing head
4.Slidecontrol.12.Fueltank.
atthe proper length.
Starting throttlelockandstop switch. Forfuel and oilmixture.
Keeps thethrottle partially open
during starting andswitches the
19.Cuttingtool.
enginesignitionoffand stops the13.Fuelfillercap.
Thecutting attachment,i.e.cutting
engine. Forclosing thefuel tank. head,fordifferent purposes
(special accessory).
5.Throttletrigger.14.Startergrip.
Controls thespeed ofthe engine. Thegripofthe pull starter,
which isthe device
tostart....,.
theengine.
6.Throttletriggerinterlock.
Mustbedepressed beforethe
throttle triggercanbeactivated.
15.Carburetoradjustingscrews.
For tuning carburetor
7.Throttlecable/stopswitchwire.
Connect operators controlgripto
the powerhead.
5 
						

							SafetyPrecautions and
Working Techniques
&
anlgl
Becauseabrushcutter is
, a high-speed, fast-cutting
• powertool,special safety
precautions mustbeobseNed toreduce
the risk ofpersonal injury.
Itisimportant thatyou
read, fullyunderstand
and obseNe thefollowing
safety precautions and
warnings. Readtheowners manualand
the safety instructions periodically. Care­
less orimproper useofany brushcutter
may cause serious orfatal injury.
Have yourSTIHL dealershowyouhow
tooperate yourbrushcutter.ObseNeall
applicable localsafety regulations,
standards andordinances.
Warning!
The useofany brushcutter maybe
hazardous.
Ifthe rotating cutting1001
comesincontactwithyour body, itwill
cut you. When itcomes
incontact with
solid foreign objects suchasrocks
or
bits ofmetal, itmay flingthem directly or
by ricochet
inthe direction ofbystanders
orthe operator.
Striking suchobjects coulddamage the
cutting attachment andmay cause
blades tocrack, chiporbreak.
STIHL doesnotrecommend theuse of
rigid blades whencutting
instony areas.
Thrown objectsordamaged bladesmay
result
inserious orfatal injury tothe
operator orbystanders.
6
Warning!
Minors shouldneverbeallowedtouse
a brushcutter. Bystanders, especially
children, andanimals shouldnotbe
allowed
inthe area where abrushcutter
isinuse.
Never letthe brushcutter rununattended.
Warning!
Donot lendorrent your brushcutter
without theowners manual. Besure
that anyone usingyourbrushcutter un­
derstands theinformation contained
in
thismanual. Most
ofthese safety precautions and
warnings applytothe use ofall STIHL
brushcutters. Differentmodelsmayhave
different partsandcontrols. Seethe
appropriate sectionofyour owners
manual foradescription ofthe controls
and function ofthe parts ofyour model
bruShcutter.
Safe useofabrushcutter involves
1. theoperator
2.the brushcutter
3.theuse ofthe brushcutter. 
						

							THEOPERATOR!
Physical Condition
Youmustbeingood physical condition
and mental healthandnotunder the
influence ofany substance (drugs,
alcohol, etc.)which mightimpair vision,
dexterity orjudgment. Donot operate a
brushcuJter whenyouarefatigued.
Bealert -ifyougettired while operating
your brushcutter, takeabreak.
Tiredness mayresult
inlossofcontrol.
Working withanybrushcutter canbe
strenuous.
Ifyou have anycondition that
might
beaggravated bystrenuous work,
check withyour doctor before operating
a brushcutter.
Prolonged useofabrushcutter (orother
machines) exposingtheoperator
to
vibrations mayproduce whitefinger di­
sease (Raynauds phenomenon) orcar­
pal tunnel syndrome. Theseconditions
reduce thehands ability
tofeeland regu­
late temperature, producenumbness
and burning sensations andmay cause
nerve andcirculation damageandtissue
necrosis.
WarnlnglAntivibration systemsdonot guarantee
that you willnot sustain whitefinger di­
sease orcarpal tunnel syndrome.
Therefore, continualandregular users
should monitor closelythecondition of
their hands andfingers.
Ifanyofthe
above symptoms appear,seekmedical
advice immediately.
U)oo.q:enoo
o
Proper Clothing
(i
Warning!Brushcutter operationcan0·0causeserious injurytoeyes,
ears andperson. Thede­
flector provided withyour brush cutter
may notprotect theoperator fromall
foreign objects (gravel, glass,wire,etc.)
thrown bythe wheeling cuttingattach­
ment. Thrown objectsmayalsoricochet
and strike theoperator. Therefore,
tore­
duce therisk ofinjury
toyour eyes never
operate abrushcutter unlesswearing
goggles orproperly fittedsafety glasses
with adequate topand side protection
complying withANSI Z
87.1(oryour app­
licable national standard).
Toreducetherisk ofinjurytoyour face
STIHL recommends thatyoualso wear
a face shield orface screen overyour
goggles orsafety glasses.
WarnIng!Brushcutter noisemaydamage your
hearing. Wearsound barriers (earplugs
or ear mufflers) toprotect yourhearing.
Continual andregular usersshould have
their hearing checked regularly.
Wear proper protective clothing.
Protect yourhands withgloves when
handling thebrushcutter andthecutting
tooi. Heavy-duty, nonslipglovesimprove
your gripand protect yourhands.
Clothing mustbesturdy andsnug·fitting,
but allow complete freedomofmove­
ment. Avoid loose-fitting jackets,scarfs,
neckties, jewelry,flaredorcuffed pants,
unconfined longhairoranything that
could become caught
onbranches,
brush
Of-moving partsofthe unit. Wear
long pants made ofheavy material
to
protect yourlegs. Donot wear shorts.
Good footing
ismostimportantin
brushcutter work.Wearsturdy boots
with nonslip soles.Steel-toed safety
boots arerecommended. Wear
an
approvedsafetyhardhattoreduce the
risk ofinjury toyour head when thereis
a danger ofhead injuries.
7 
						

							,...oocaog
A
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Warning
Never modify abrushcutter
inanyway.
Only attachments suppliedbySTIHL or
expressly approvedbySTIHL foruse
with thespecific STIHLbrushcutter
models areauthorized. Althoughcertain
unauthorized attachmentsareuseable
for the STIHL brushcutter, theiruse
may,
infact, beextremely dangerous.
THEUSE OFTHEBRUSHCUTIER
For illustrations anddefinitions ofthe
brushcutter partsseethechapter on
Parts andControls!
THEBRUSHCUTIER
Transporting thebrushcutter
Warning!
Always turn
offtheengine andmake
sure thecutting attachment hasstop­
ped before putting abrushcutter down.
When transporting yourbrushcutter ina
vehicle, properly secure
ittoprevent
turnover, fuelspillage anddamage to
the brushcutter. Keepmetal cutting
tools covered withthetransport guard
(optional accessory).
Preparation forthe
useofthe
brushcutter Adjust carrying harness andhand grip
to suit your sizebefore starting work.
The machine shouldbeproperly
balanced asspecified
inyour owners
manual forproper control andless
fatique inoperation. Always
checkyourbruhcutter for
proper condition andoperation before
starting, particularly thethrottle trigger,
throttle triggerinterlock (ifapplicable
stop switch, cuttingtool,deflector and
harness.
Arrows onthe deflector (A)and stop (8)
show thecorrect direction ofrotation of
the cutting tool.
The throttle triggermustmove freely
and always springbacktothe idle
position. Thecutting toolmust be
properly tightened and
insafeoperating
condition. Inspectforloose parts(nuts,
screws, etc.)andforcracked, bent,
warped ordamaged blades. Fueling
Your STIHL brushcutter usesanoil­
gasoline mixtureforfuel (see thechap­
ter onFuel ofyour owners manual).
Warning!
Gasoline isan extremely flammable fuel.
Irspilledorignited byaspark orother
ignition source, itcan cause fireand
serious burninjury orproperty damage.
Use extreme cautionwhenhandling
gasoline orfuel mix.
Do not smoke orbring anyfire
orflame
near thefuel.
8 
						

							FuelingInstructions
Fuel your brushcutter
inwell-ventilated
areas, outdoors.
rntngl
Gasoline vaporpressure maybuild up
inside thegas tank ofatwo cycle engine
depending onthe fuel used, theweather
condition, andtheventing systemofthe
tank.
Inorderto reducethrisk of
personal injuryfromescaping gasvapor
and fumes, remove thefuel filler capon
your brushcutter carefullysoastoallow
any pressure build-up
inthetankto
release slowly.Neverremove fuelfiller
cap while engine
isrunning. Selectbare
ground forfueling andmove atleast 10
feet
(3m) from thefueling spotbefore
starting theengine. Wipeoffany spilled
fuel before starting yourbrushcutter and
check forleakage.
.arnmg!
Check forfuel leakage whilerefueling
and during operation.
Iffueloroil­
leakage
isfound, donot start orrunthe
engine untilleakisfixed andspilled fuel
has been wiped away.
Ifthishappens,
change yourclothing immediately.
~
Warning!
J1~
'\Unitvibrations can
.(causeanImproperly
tightened fuelcap to
loosen orcome offand
spill quantities offuel.
Inordertoreduce
risk offuel spillage andfire,tighten fuel
cap byhand withasmuch forceas possible.
Thescrew driverendofthe
STIHL combination wrench
orother
similar toolcan beused asan aid
in
tightening slottedfuelcaps.
Starting
Warning!Your brushcutterisaoneperson machi­
ne. Once started
itmayflingforeignob­
jekts foragreat distance.
Toreduce therisk ofeye and other injury
insure thatbystanders areatleast 50
feet (15m)away. Stoptheengine and
cutting toolimmediately
ifyou are
approached. Startandoperate your
brushcutter withoutassistance. For
specific startinginstructions, seethe
appropriate sectionofyour manual.
Place thebrushcutter onfirm ground or
other solidsurface
inanopen area.
Maintain agood balance andsecure
footing.
Toreduce therisk ofinjury fromlossof
control, beabsolutely surethatthe
cut­
ting tool isclear ofyou and allother
obstructions andobjects, including the
ground, because whentheengine starts
at starting-throttle, enginespeedwill
be
fastenough forthe clutch toengage and
turn thecutting tool.
-
Whenyoupullthestarter grip,dont
wrap thestarter ropearound yourhand.
Do not allow thegrip
tosnap back, but
guide thestarter ropetorewind properly.
Failure tofollow thisprocedure may
result
ininjury tohandorfingers and
may damage thestarter mechanism.
9