How to start a STIHL grass trimmer

Place your grass trimmer on the ground so that it rests on the the cutting guard and the supports on the engine. Make sure that the cutting tool is not touching the ground or any other objects, as it may spin when you start the tool. Refuel your grass trimmer in accordance with the operating instructions and remove the transport guard from the cutting tool if applicable. Make sure there are no other people within a 15 m radius. Ensure your footing is secure.

Press the manual fuel pump bulb or purger at least five times. This step considerably reduces the number of starter cord pulls required, making start-up quicker and easier. 

If the grass trimmer engine is cold, the choke must be closed: put the choke lever into the cold start position (top).
If the engine is warm, put the choke lever into the warm start position (middle). You should also use this setting if you have already run the engine but it is still cold. 

Ensure that you have a secure footing and check again that your grass trimmer is lying safely. Use your left hand to firmly push your grass trimmer onto the ground so that it cannot tip over during start-up. Check the cutting attachment is not touching the ground or anything else. 

With your right hand, pull the starter grip slowly until you feel the first noticeable stop. Then pull on the starter rope quickly and with force. Pull up vertically as much as you can. Do not let the starter grip spring back; guide it back carefully so that the starter rope can wind properly. 

The engine will start and initially run for around 5 to 7 seconds. During this time, press briefly on the throttle trigger lockout on the multi-function handle and open the throttle. This will cause the choke lever to jump automatically to the rest position (bottom) and the engine will start idling; you don’t need to pull the starter cord again. Once the engine is idling, the tool will stop rotating.

If you do not manage to open the throttle during the first 5 to 7 seconds, the engine will stop running. In this case you will need to manually set the choke to the warm start position (middle) and pull the starter cord again until the engine starts up. 

Slowly pick the grass trimmer up off the ground – take care not to accidentally open the throttle. Clip the grass trimmer onto your universal harness and use both hands to move it safely as you work.

Move the stop switch on the multi-function handle into the stop position (0). The engine will stop and the stop switch will go back to the I position when you release it.

Place your grass trimmer on the ground so that it sits on the supports on the engine and the cutting guard. Make sure that the cutting tool is not touching the ground or any other objects, as it may spin when you start the tool. Refuel your grass trimmer in accordance with the operating instructions and remove the transport guard from the cutting tool if applicable. Make sure there are no other people within a 15 m radius. Ensure your footing is secure.

Press the manual fuel pump bulb or purger at least five times. This step considerably reduces the number of starter cord pulls required, making start-up quicker and easier. 

If the grass trimmer engine is cold, the choke must be closed: put the choke lever into the cold start position (top).
If the engine is warm, put the choke lever into the warm start position (middle). You should also use this setting if you have already run the engine but it is still cold.

Ensure that you have a secure footing and check again that your grass trimmer is lying safely. Use your left hand to firmly push your grass trimmer onto the ground so that it cannot tip over during start-up. Check the cutting attachment is not touching the ground or anything else.

With your right hand, pull the starter grip slowly until you feel the first noticeable stop. If your grass trimmer doesn’t have ErgoStart, you now need to pull the starter cord quickly and with force; if it does have ErgoStart, you can pull the starter cord gently, keeping the force consistent. Do not let the starter grip spring back; guide it back carefully so that the starter rope can wind properly.

The engine will start and initially run for around 5 to 7 seconds. During this time, press briefly on the throttle trigger lockout on the multi-function handle and open the throttle. This will cause the choke lever to jump automatically to the rest position (bottom) and the engine will start idling; you don’t need to pull the starter cord again. Once the engine is idling, the tool will stop rotating.

If you do not manage to open the throttle during the first 5 to 7 seconds, the engine will stop running. In this case you will need to manually set the choke to the warm start position (middle) and pull the starter cord again until the engine starts up. 

Slowly pick the grass trimmer up off the ground – take care not to accidentally open the throttle. 

Move the stop switch on the multi-function handle into the stop position (0). The engine will stop and the stop switch will go back to the I position when you release it.

Place your grass trimmer on the ground so that it sits on the supports on the engine and the cutting guard. Make sure that the cutting tool is not touching the ground or any other objects, as it may spin when you start the tool. Refuel your grass trimmer in accordance with the operating instructions and remove the transport guard from the cutting tool if applicable. Make sure there are no other people within a 15 m radius. Ensure your footing is secure. 

Move the stop switch on the multi-function handle into the operating position (I).

Press down and hold the throttle trigger lockout; at the same time, squeeze the throttle trigger until the catch on the tongue clicks into place on the housing.

When the throttle trigger is engaged, you can release the throttle trigger and then the throttle trigger lockout. The machine is now in the starting throttle position.

If the grass trimmer engine is cold, the choke must be closed: put the choke lever into the cold start position (top).
If the engine is warm, put the choke lever into the warm start position (middle). You should also use this setting if you have already run the engine but it is still cold. 

Press the manual fuel pump bulb or purger at least five times. This step considerably reduces the number of starter cord pulls required, making start-up quicker and easier. 

Ensure that you have a secure footing and check again that your grass trimmer is lying safely. Use your left hand to firmly push your grass trimmer onto the ground so that it cannot tip over during start-up. Ensure the cutting attachment is not touching the ground or anything else. 

With your right hand, pull the starter grip slowly until you feel the first noticeable stop. If your grass trimmer doesn’t have ErgoStart, you need to pull the starter cord quickly and with force; if it does have ErgoStart, you can pull the starter cord gently, keeping the force consistent. Do not let the starter grip spring back; guide it back carefully so that the starter rope can wind properly.

As the engine starts to fire, or after the 5th pull at the latest, open the choke by adjusting the choke lever.

Keep pulling the starter cord until the engine starts.

If your engine doesn’t start running, take a look at the operating instructions to check that you have followed the procedure correctly. If your grass trimmer still won’t start, a STIHL dealer will be able to advise you and help you further. 

As soon as the engine starts running, press the throttle trigger and release the tongue. The engine will start to idle and the tool will stop turning.

Slowly pick the grass trimmer up off the ground – take care not to accidentally open the throttle.

Move the stop switch on the multi-function handle into the stop position (0).