Stihl HTA 50.0 User manual

STIHL HTA 50.0 Instruction Manual
Manual de instrucciones
WARNING
Read Instruction Manual thoroughly before use and
follow all safety precautions – improper use can cause
serious or fatal injury.
ADVERTENCIA
Antes de usar la máquina lea y siga todas las precauciones
de seguridad dadas en el manual de instrucciones – el uso
incorrecto puede causar lesiones graves o mortales.

Instruction Manual
1 - 48
Manual de instrucciones
49 - 102

Original Instruction ManualPrinted on chlorine-free paper
Printing inks contain vegetable oils, paper can be recycled.
© ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG 2022 0458-813-8621-A. VA1.B22. 0000009635_002_GB
0458-813-8621-A
English
1
This instruction manual is protected by copyright. All rights reserved, especially the rights to reproduce, translate and process
with electronic systems.
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Guide to Using this Manual
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Signal Words
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Symbols in Text
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 Main Parts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1 STIHL HTA 50 Pole Pruner and Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4 Safety Symbols on the Products
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.1 Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4.2 Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
5 General Power Tool Safety Warnings
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.1 Introduction
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.2 Work Area Safety
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.3 Electrical Safety
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5.4 Personal Safety
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.5 Power Tool Use and Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5.6 Battery Tool Use and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5.7 Service
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6.1 Intended Use
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
6.2 Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
6.3 Personal Protective Equipment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
6.4 Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6.5 Using the Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
7 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7.1 Reactive Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7.2 Kickback
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
7.3 Pull-in
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
7.4 Pushback
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
8 Battery Safety
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
8.1 Warnings and Instructions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9 Charger Safety
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.1 Warnings and Instructions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
10 Maintenance, Repair and Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
10.1 Warnings and Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11 Before Starting Work
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
11.1 Preparing the Pole Pruner for Operation
. . . . . . . . . . . 23
12 Charging the Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.1 Setting up the Charger
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.2 Charging
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
12.3 Mounting the Charger on a Wall
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
13 LED Diagnostics
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.1 LEDs on the Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
13.2 LED on the Charger
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
14 Assembling the Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
14.1 Mounting and Removing the Drive Tube
. . . . . . . . . . . . 27
14.2 Cutting Attachment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
14.3 Mounting and Removing the Guide Bar and
Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
14.4 Tensioning the Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
14.5 Lubricating the Saw Chain and Guide Bar
. . . . . . . . . . 30
15 Inserting and Removing the Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
15.1 Inserting the Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
15.2 Removing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
16 Switching the Pole Pruner On and Off
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
16.1 Switching On
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
16.2 Switching Off
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
17 Checking the Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
17.1 Testing the Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
17.2 Testing Chain Lubrication
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
18 During Operation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
18.1 Limbing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
19 After Finishing Work
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
19.1 Preparing for Transportation or Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . 35
20 Transporting the Pole Pruner and Battery
. . . . . . . . . . 35
20.1 Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
20.2 Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

0458-813-8621-A
2
English Contents
20.3 Charger
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
21 Storing the Pole Pruner and Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
21.1 Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
21.2 Storing the Pole Pruner on a STIHL Wall Bracket
. . . 36
21.3 Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
21.4 Charger
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
22 Cleaning
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
22.1 Cleaning the Pole Pruner and Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
22.2 Cleaning the Guide Bar and Saw Chain
. . . . . . . . . . . . 38
23 Inspection and Maintenance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
23.1 Inspecting and Maintaining the Pole Pruner
. . . . . . . . 39
23.2 Inspecting and Maintaining the Chain Sprocket
. . . . . 39
23.3 Inspecting and Maintaining the Guide Bar
. . . . . . . . . . 39
23.4 Inspecting, Maintaining and Sharpening the Saw
Chain
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
24 Troubleshooting Guide
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
24.1 Pole Pruner and Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
25 Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
25.1 STIHL HTA 50.0
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
25.2 Chain Sprockets
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
25.3 Minimum Groove Depth of Guide Bars
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
25.4 Depth Gauge Setting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
25.5 Symbols on the Pole Pruner Battery and Charger
. . . 45
25.6 Engineering Improvements
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
25.7 FCC 15 Compliance Statement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
26 Combinations of Guide Bars and Saw Chains
. . . . . . 47
26.1 STIHL HTA 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
27 Replacement Parts and Equipment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
27.1 Genuine STIHL Replacement Parts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
28 Disposal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
28.1 Disposal of the Power Tool
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
28.2 Battery Recycling
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
29 Limited Warranty
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
29.1 STIHL Incorporated Limited Warranty Policy
. . . . . . . 48
30 Trademarks
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
30.1 Registered Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
30.2 Common Law Trademarks
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
31 Addresses
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
31.1 STIHL Incorporated
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

0458-813-8621-A 3
English 1 Introduction
Thank you for your purchase. The information contained in
this manual will help you receive maximum performance and
satisfaction from your STIHL pole pruner and, if followed,
reduce the risk of injury from its use.
SAVE THIS MANUAL!
Observe all applicable federal, state and local safety
regulations, standards and ordinances.
Do not lend or rent your pole pruner without this instruction
manual. Allow only persons who have the proper training
and fully understand the information in this manual to
operate the pole pruner.
For further information, or if you do not understand any of
the instructions in this manual, please go to
www.stihlusa.com or contact your authorized STIHL
servicing dealer.
2.1 Signal Words
This manual contains safety information that requires your
special attention. Such information is introduced with the
following symbols and signal words:
DANGER
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
Indicates a risk of property damage, including damage to the
machine or its individual components.
2.2 Symbols in Text
The following symbol is included to assist you with the use
of the manual:
1Introduction
Because a pole pruner is a high-speed wood-
cutting tool with an extended reach, special
safety precautions must be observed to reduce
the risk of personal injury.
Read this instruction manual thoroughly before
use and periodically thereafter. Follow all safety
precautions. Careless or improper use of the
pole pruner can cause serious or fatal injury.
2 Guide to Using this Manual
Refers to a designated chapter or sub-chapter in this
instruction manual.

0458-813-8621-A
4
English 3 Main Parts
3.1 STIHL HTA 50 Pole Pruner and Battery
1 Front Handle
Handle for the operator's front hand.
2 Coupling Sleeve
Connects the front handle to the drive tube.
3 Wing Screw
Secures / tightens the front handle to the drive tube.
4Drive Tube
Pole pruner shaft.
5 Chain Scabbard
Covers the guide bar and saw chain to reduce the risk of
injury from inadvertent contact during transportation and
storage.
6 Locking Levers
Secure the battery in the battery compartment.
7 Ergo-Lever
Holds the retaining latch in the unlocked position.
8 Retaining Latch
Locks/unlocks the trigger switch.
9 Carrying Ring
For connecting a harness to the pole pruner.
10 Trigger Switch
Switches the motor on and off.
11 Control Handle
Handle for the operator's rear hand.
12 Battery Compartment
Holds the battery.
13 Chain Sprocket
Drives the saw chain.
14 Oil Filler Cap
For closing the oil tank.
15 Guide Bar
Supports and guides the saw chain.
16 Saw Chain
Toothed cutting tool consisting of cutters, tie straps and
drive links.
3Main Parts
#
12
#
10
11
7
6
1
5
2
3
4
8
9
14
20
19
13
16
17
21
23
18
15
22
0000098563_001

0458-813-8621-A 5
English 4 Safety Symbols on the Products
17 Side Chain Tensioner
Permits precise adjustment of saw chain tension.
18 Branch Hook
For pulling a cut branch from the top of the tree.
19 Nut
Tightens the chain sprocket cover.
20 Chain Sprocket Cover
Covers the chain sprocket.
21 Push Button
Activates the battery's LEDs.
22 Battery LEDs
Indicate the battery's state of charge and display error
messages regarding potential malfunctions in the battery
or power tool.
23 Battery
Supplies electrical power to the motor.
# Rating Plate
Contains electrical information and the product's serial
number.
4.1 Pole Pruner
The following safety symbols are found on the pole pruner.
4.2 Battery
The following safety symbols are found on the AK series
battery:
4 Safety Symbols on the Products
To reduce the risk of injury, follow the specified
safety precautions.
Read and follow all safety precautions in the
instruction manual. Improper use can lead to
serious or fatal personal injury or property
damage.
To reduce the risk of eye and head injury, always
wear proper eye protection and an approved
protective helmet, @6.3.
Wear sturdy boots with non-slip soles. Steel-
toed safety boots are recommended, @6.3.
Always wear non-slip, heavy-duty work gloves
(e.g. made of leather or other wear resistant
material) when handling the machine or saw
chain, @6.3.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, keep
bystanders at least 50 ft. (15 m) away and
maintain a clearance of at least 50 ft. (15 m)
between the pole pruner (including any
branches it is contacting) and any electrical line
carrying live current, @6.5.4.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
expose the pole pruner to rain, water or
excessive moisture. Store it indoors. If it is
exposed to rain or very damp conditions, take it
to your authorized STIHL servicing dealer before
further operation, @6.4.
To reduce the risk of injury or property damage
from unintended activation, remove the battery
any time the pole pruner is not in use, @6.4.
To reduce the risk of injury, follow the specified
safety precautions.

0458-813-8621-A
6
English 5 General Power Tool Safety Warnings
Batteries sold separately.
5.1 Introduction
This chapter contains the prescribed general safety
warnings and instructions for handheld, motor-operated
electric power tools. Additional important warnings and
instructions are provided in subsequent chapters of this
manual.
WARNING
￭Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to
follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric
shock, fire and/or serious injury.
￭Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-
operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless)
power tool.
5.2 Work Area Safety
a)Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas
invite accidents.
b)Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or
dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust
or fumes.
c) Keep children and bystanders away while operating a
power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
5.3 Electrical Safety
a)Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the
plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with
earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and
matching outlets will reduce the risk of electric shock.
b)Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces,
such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There
is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is
earthed or grounded.
c) Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water
entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric
shock.
d)Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying,
pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from
heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or
entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
e)When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension
cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for
outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
f) If operating a power tool in a damp location is
unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) or
ground fault circuit interruptor (GFCI) protected supply.
Use of an RCD or GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.
Read and follow all safety precautions in the
battery's instruction manual and the manual for
the STIHL tool powered by this battery. Improper
use can lead to serious or fatal personal injury or
property damage.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or property
damage from fire, explosion or burns, including
chemical burns, do not disassemble, crush,
drop, damage or heat above 212 °F (100 °C).
Never expose to fire or incinerate, @8.1.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or property
damage from fire, use and store only within an
ambient temperature range of 14 °F to
122 °F (-10 °C to 50 °C), @8.1.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or property
damage from a short circuit, fire or explosion,
keep dry. Protect from rain, water, liquids and
damp conditions. Never immerse in water or
other liquids, @8.1.
5 General Power Tool Safety Warnings

0458-813-8621-A 7
English 5 General Power Tool Safety Warnings
5.4 Personal Safety
a)Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common
sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power
tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while
operating power tools may result in serious personal
injury.
b)Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye
protection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-
skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for
appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
c) Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the
off-position before connecting to power source and/or
battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying
power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing
power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
d)Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the
power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating
part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
e)Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all
times. This enables better control of the power tool in
unexpected situations.
f) Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery.
Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts.
Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in
moving parts.
g)If devices are provided for the connection of dust
extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are
connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can
reduce dust-related hazards.
h)Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools
allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety
principles. A careless action can cause severe injury
within a fraction of a second.
5.5 Power Tool Use and Care
a)Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for
your application. The correct power tool will do the job
better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
b)Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on
and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the
switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
c) Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove
the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before
making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing
power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the
risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
d)Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do
not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these
instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are
dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
e)Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for
misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of
parts and any other condition that may affect the power
tool's operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired
before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly
maintained power tools.
f) Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained
cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to
bind and are easier to control.
g)Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in
accordance with these instructions, taking into account
the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use
of the power tool for operations different from those
intended could result in a hazardous situation.
h)Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free
from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping
surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the
tool in unexpected situations.

0458-813-8621-A
8
English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
5.6 Battery Tool Use and Care
a)Recharge only with the charger specified by the
manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of
battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with
another battery pack.
b)Use power tools only with specifically designated battery
packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of
injury and fire.
c) When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other
metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws
or other small metal objects that can make a connection
from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery
terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
d)Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the
battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush
with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek
medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause
irritation or burns.
e)Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or
modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit
unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire/explosion or risk
of injury.
f) Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive
temperature. Exposure to fire or temperatures above
130 °C / 265 °F may cause explosion.
g)Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the
battery pack or tool outside the temperature range
specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at
temperatures outside the specified range may damage the
battery and increase the risk of fire.
5.7 Service
a)Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person
using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure
that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
b)Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery
packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or
authorized service provider.
6.1 Intended Use
WARNING
￭ This pole pruner is designed for limbing only. It is not
designed for prying or shoveling away limbs, roots or other
objects. Use of the pole pruner for operations different
than intended could result in serious injury or death.
– Cut wood only. For example, do not use the pole
pruner for cutting metal, plastic or masonry.
￭ Before starting any limbing operation, ensure that all
necessary cuts can be completed using the charge
remaining in the STIHL AK series battery. If you are
unsure:
– Have multiple charged batteries available for use;
– Select a more powerful pole pruner;
– Select a more powerful battery; or
– Consult a reputable tree service professional.
￭ Read and follow the operating and use instructions in this
manual for approved applications and recommended
working techniques.
￭ Improper use could result in personal injury or property
damage, including damage to the pole pruner.
– Use the pole pruner and battery only as described in
this manual.
– Never attempt to modify or override the pole pruner's
controls or safety devices in any way.
– Never use a pole pruner that has been modified or
altered from its original design.
– Be sure to read and follow the warnings and
instructions for your battery and charger before
charging or starting work.
￭ This power tool may be powered only by a STIHL AK
series battery.
6 IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS

0458-813-8621-A 9
English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Batteries, chargers and other accessories are sold
separately.
6.2 Operator
WARNING
￭ Working with the pole pruner can be strenuous. The
operator must be in good physical condition and mental
health. To reduce the risk of personal injury from fatigue
and loss of control:
– Check with your doctor before using the pole pruner
if you have any health condition that may be
aggravated by strenuous work.
– Do not operate the pole pruner while under the
influence of any substance (drug, alcohol or
medication, etc.) that might impair vision, balance,
dexterity or judgment.
– Be alert. Do not operate the pole pruner when you
are tired. Take a break if you become tired.
– Do not permit minors to use the pole pruner.
– Bystanders, especially children, and animals should
not be allowed in the area where the pole pruner is
in use.
￭ Prolonged use of a pole pruner (or other power tools)
exposing the operator to vibration may produce white
finger disease (Raynaud's phenomenon) or carpal tunnel
syndrome. These conditions reduce the hand's ability to
feel and regulate temperature. They produce numbness
and burning sensations and may also cause nerve and
circulation damage as well as tissue necrosis.
￭ All factors which contribute to white finger disease are not
known. Cold weather, smoking and diseases or physical
conditions that affect blood vessels and blood transport,
as well as high vibration levels and long periods of
exposure to vibration, are mentioned as factors in the
development of white finger disease.
￭ To reduce the risk of white finger disease and carpal
tunnel syndrome:
– Wear gloves while working and keep your hands
warm.
– Keep the pole pruner well maintained. An improperly
maintained pole pruner or one with loose
components will tend to have higher vibration levels.
– Keep the saw chain sharp. A dull chain will increase
cutting time, and pressing a dull chain through wood
will increase the vibration transmitted to your hands.
– Maintain a firm grip at all times, but do not squeeze
the handles with constant, excessive pressure. Take
frequent breaks.
￭ These precautions do not guarantee that you will not
sustain white finger disease or carpal tunnel syndrome.
– Closely monitor the condition of your hands and
fingers if you are a regular operator.
– Seek medical advice immediately if any of the above
symptoms appear.
￭ According to STIHL's current knowledge, the electric
motor of this pole pruner should not interfere with a
pacemaker.
– However, persons with a pacemaker or other
implanted medical device should consult their
physician and device manufacturer before operating
this pole pruner.
6.3 Personal Protective Equipment
WARNING
￭ To reduce the risk of personal injury:
– Always wear proper clothing and protective apparel,
including proper eye protection.
￭ Loss of control and severe cut injuries may result if hair,
clothing or apparel make contact with the moving saw
chain or otherwise become entangled in the components
of the pole pruner. To reduce the risk of severe personal
injury:

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English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
– Avoid loose-fitting jackets, scarves, neckties, flared
or cuffed pants, jewelry and any other apparel that
could be caught on branches, brush or the moving
chain.
– Secure hair above shoulder level before starting
work.
￭ To reduce the risk of eye injury:
– To reduce the risk of injury to your face, STIHL
recommends that you also wear a face shield or face
screen over your goggles or protective glasses.
￭ To reduce the risk of head injury from falling branches or
other objects encountered during work:
– Wear an approved protective helmet.
￭ Good footing is very important. To help maintain a secure
footing and reduce the risk of injury while working:
￭ To improve your grip and help protect your hands:
6.4 Pole Pruner
WARNING
￭ To reduce the risk of electric shock:
￭ The saw chain has many sharp cutters. Contacting the
cutters may result in serious laceration injuries, even if the
chain is not moving. To reduce the risk of such injuries:
– Keep hands, feet and other parts of your body away
from the chain.
– Wear heavy-duty work gloves when handling the
pole pruner or its chain.
– Never touch a moving chain with your hand or any
other part of your body.
– Cover the guide bar with a chain scabbard before
transporting or storing the pole pruner to reduce the
risk of injury from inadvertent contact.
￭ Reactive forces, including kickback, can be dangerous.
– Pay special attention to the section of this instruction
manual on "Kickback and Other Reactive Forces,"
@7.
￭ This battery-powered pole pruner is intended only for
limbing. Use for other purposes may increase the risk of
personal injury and property damage.
– Cut wood only.
– Read and follow the operating instructions in this
manual for approved applications, @18.1.
￭ To reduce the risk of personal injury to the operator and
bystanders:
– Wear sturdy and snug-fitting clothing that
also allows complete freedom of
movement.
– Wear overalls or long pants made of
heavy material to help protect your legs.
Do not wear shorts.
– Always wear goggles or close-fitting
protective glasses with adequate top and
side protection that are impact-rated and
marked as complying with ANSI Z87 "+".
– Wear sturdy boots with non-slip soles.
Steel-toed safety boots are
recommended. Do not wear sandals, flip-
flops, open-toed or similar footwear.
– Always wear heavy-duty non-slip work
gloves made of leather or another wear-
resistant material when handling the pole
pruner or its chain.
– Do not expose the pole pruner to rain,
water or excessive moisture.
– Never immerse the pole pruner in water
or other liquids.
– Store the pole pruner indoors.

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English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ Although certain unauthorized attachments may fit your
STIHL pole pruner, their use may be extremely
dangerous. Only attachments supplied by STIHL or
expressly approved by STIHL for use with this specific
model are recommended.
– Use only attachments supplied or expressly
approved by STIHL.
– Never modify this pole pruner in any way.
– Never attempt to modify or override the pole pruner's
controls or safety devices in any way.
– Never use a pole pruner that has been modified or
altered from its original design.
￭ If the pole pruner is dropped or subjected to similar heavy
impacts:
– Check that it is undamaged, in good condition and
functioning properly before continuing work.
– Check that the controls and safety devices are
working properly, @17.1.
– Check the LEDs for error messages, @13.
– Check that the battery has not been damaged.
Never use or charge a malfunctioning, damaged,
cracked, leaking or deformed battery.
– Never work with a damaged or malfunctioning pole
pruner or battery. In case of doubt, have the pole
pruner and battery checked by your authorized
STIHL servicing dealer.
￭ If the pole pruner or battery is damaged, not working
properly, has been left outdoors or dropped into water or
other liquid, its components may no longer function
properly and safety devices may be inoperative. To
reduce the risk of personal injury and property damage:
– Take the pole pruner and battery to your authorized
STIHL servicing dealer to be checked before further
operation.
￭ Genuine STIHL replacement parts are specifically
designed to match your pole pruner and meet safety and
performance requirements. Use of parts that are not
authorized or approved by STIHL may cause serious or
fatal injury or property damage.
– STIHL recommends that only identical STIHL
replacement parts be used.
6.5 Using the Pole Pruner
6.5.1 Before Operation
WARNING
￭ Misuse or unauthorized use may result in personal injury
and property damage.
– Use the pole pruner only as described in this
instruction manual.
￭ For proper assembly of the bar and chain:
– Read and follow the instructions on mounting the
guide bar and chain, @14.3.1.
￭ The chain, guide bar and sprocket must match each other
in gauge and pitch. Before mounting or replacing:
– Read the information on guide bar and chain
combinations, @26.
– Read and follow the instructions on kickback and
other reactive forces, @7.
– Select the shortest bar that will meet your cutting
needs. Longer bars add weight and may be more
difficult to control.
– Always release the trigger switch and
remove the battery before assembling,
transporting, adjusting, inspecting,
cleaning, servicing, maintaining or
storing the pole pruner, and any other
time it is not in use.

0458-813-8621-A
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English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ Proper tension of the chain is extremely important to
maximize cutting performance and reduce the risk of
personal injury from chain breakage, derailment or
reactive forces:
– Never cut with a loose chain. If the chain becomes
loose while cutting, switch off the motor and remove
the battery from the pole pruner before tightening the
chain. Never attempt to adjust the chain while the
battery is inserted.
– Read and follow the chain tensioning instructions,
@14.4.
– Always make sure the chain sprocket cover is
tightened securely after tensioning the chain in order
to secure the bar. Never start the pole pruner with a
loose or missing chain sprocket cover.
– Check chain tension once more after tightening the
chain sprocket cover.
– Check chain tension periodically thereafter at
regular intervals (only after removing the battery).
￭ Using a pole pruner that is modified, damaged, improperly
adjusted or maintained, or not completely and securely
assembled can lead to a malfunction and increase the risk
of serious personal injury or death.
– Never operate a pole pruner that is modified,
damaged, improperly maintained or not completely
and securely assembled.
– Always check your pole pruner for proper condition
and operation before starting work, particularly the
retaining latch, Ergo-Lever, trigger switch and
cutting attachment.
– Ensure that the retaining latch, Ergo-Lever and
trigger switch move freely and spring back into place
when released. The trigger switch must not engage
until the retaining latch is unlocked.
– Never attempt to modify or override the controls or
safety devices in any way.
– If your pole pruner or any part is damaged or does
not function properly, take it to your authorized
STIHL servicing dealer. Do not use the pole pruner
until the problem has been corrected.
￭ Before inserting the battery:
– Check the contacts in the battery compartment for
corrosion or other foreign matter. Keep clean.
– Never insert or use a malfunctioning, damaged,
cracked, leaking or deformed battery.
– Read and follow the instructions on switching on the
pole pruner, @16.1.
￭ To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury or death
from unintentional starting:
– Release the trigger switch and trigger switch lockout
before inserting the battery.
– Release the trigger switch before removing the
battery.
– Never leave the pole pruner unattended when the
battery is inserted.
– Never store the battery in the pole pruner.
￭ Before switching on your pole pruner, take the following
steps to reduce the risk of personal injury from loss of
control or inadvertent contact with the chain:
– Be sure that the guide bar and chain are clear of you
and all other obstructions and objects, including the
ground.
– Never attempt to switch on the pole pruner when the
guide bar is in a cut or kerf. Doing so could lead to
reactive forces and injury.
– Read and follow the instructions on switching on the
pole pruner, @16.1.
– Remove the battery before assembling,
transporting, adjusting, inspecting,
cleaning, servicing, maintaining or
storing the pole pruner, and any time it is
not in use.

0458-813-8621-A 13
English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
6.5.2 Holding and Controlling the Pole Pruner
WARNING
￭
￭
￭ To maintain a firm grip and properly control your pole
pruner:
– Keep the handles clean and dry at all times. Keep
them free of moisture, pitch, oil, grease and resin.
￭ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries to the
operator or bystanders from loss of control:
– Always hold the pole pruner firmly with both hands
on the defined gripping surfaces during work.
– Wrap your fingers tightly around the handles,
keeping the handles cradled between your thumb
and forefinger (see illustrations).
– Position the pole pruner with all parts of your body
clear of the cutting attachment whenever the battery
is inserted. Stand to the left or right of the cut while
limbing, outside of the cutting plane (see illustration).
– Avoid contacting any object with the upper quadrant
of the tip of the guide bar. It may cause kickback to
occur.
– Always hold the pole pruner firmly with both hands
when you are working.
– Read and follow all warnings and instructions in the
chapter Kickback and Other Reactive Forces, @7.
￭ One-handed operation makes it difficult to oppose and
absorb reactive forces (pushback, pull-in, kickback)
without losing control of the pole pruner. It also makes it
difficult to prevent the bar and chain from bouncing along
a limb. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury to the
operator or bystanders from loss of control:
– Never attempt to operate the pole pruner with one
hand.
￭ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal cut injuries to the
operator or bystanders from loss of control, keep proper
footing and balance at all times:
– Never work on a ladder, roof, in a tree or while
standing on any other insecure support.
– Take special care in overgrown or wet terrain and
always watch for hidden obstacles such as tree
stumps, roots, rocks, holes and ditches to avoid
stumbling or falling.
– Be extremely cautious when working on slopes or
uneven ground.
– For better footing, always clear away fallen
branches, scrub and cuttings and other material,
objects or vegetation that can increase the danger of
slipping, tripping or falling.
– Use extreme caution when cutting small-size brush,
branches and saplings because slender material
may catch the chain and spring toward you or pull
you off balance.
0000097178_001
0000-GXX-4803-A0

0458-813-8621-A
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English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
– Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance
at all times.
– Never switch on the pole pruner when the guide bar
is in a cut or kerf. Doing so could lead to reactive
forces and injury. Instead, remove the guide bar
from the cut and re-enter at full speed, taking care to
avoid contacting any object with the tip of the guide
bar.
– For a pole pruner with an adjustable shaft, expand
the shaft only as far as necessary for the intended
application, but never cut directly overhead. Ensure
that the pole pruner is positioned no more than 60°
from the horizontal plane, @6.5.4.
￭ Working above shoulder height can be tiring. To reduce
the risk of injury from fatigue:
– Never hold the machine with your rear hand on the
control handle above shoulder height.
– Take frequent breaks.
￭ Applying pressure to the pole pruner when reaching the
end of a cut may cause the bar and rotating chain to
accelerate out of the kerf, go out of control and strike
some other object. To reduce the risk of injury:
– Use caution when approaching the end of a cut.
– Never put pressure on the pole pruner when
reaching the end of a cut.
6.5.3 Working Conditions
WARNING
￭ Operate your pole pruner only under good visibility during
favorable daylight conditions.
– Postpone the work if the weather is windy, foggy,
rainy or inclement.
– Never cut near power lines.
￭ Your pole pruner is a one-person machine.
– Do not allow other persons in the general work area.
– Bystanders, especially children, and animals should
not be allowed in the area where it is in use.
– Switch off the motor immediately if you are
approached.
￭ To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders and
unauthorized users:
– Never leave the pole pruner unattended when the
battery is inserted.
– Switch off the pole pruner and remove the battery
during work breaks and any other time the pole
pruner is not in use.
￭ Sparks generated from the operation of the pole pruner
may be capable of igniting combustible gases, liquids,
vapors, dusts or other combustible materials and
substances. To reduce the risk of fire and explosion:
– Never operate the pole pruner in a location where
combustible gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or other
combustible materials and substances are present.
– Read and follow recommendations issued by
government authorities (e.g., OSHA) for identifying
and avoiding the hazards of combustible gases,
liquids, vapors, dusts or other combustible materials
and substances.
￭ If a rotating 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 your
pole pruner around flammable materials or around
dry vegetation or brush.
– Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest
Service if you have any question about whether
vegetation and weather conditions are suitable for
the use of a pole pruner.
￭ Using this pole pruner and sharpening its chain can
generate dust, oil mist and other substances containing
chemicals known to cause respiratory problems, cancer,
birth defects and other reproductive harm.
– Consult governmental agencies such as EPA,
OSHA, CARB and NIOSH and other authoritative
sources on hazardous materials if you are unfamiliar

0458-813-8621-A 15
English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
with the risks associated with the particular
substances you are cutting or with which you are
working.
￭ Inhalation of certain dusts, especially organic dusts such
as mold or pollen, can cause susceptible persons to have
an allergic or asthmatic reaction. Substantial or repeated
inhalation of dust or other airborne contaminants,
especially those with a smaller particle size, may cause
respiratory or other illnesses. This includes wood dust,
especially from hardwoods, but also from some softwoods
such as Western Red Cedar.
– Control dust (such as saw dust) and mists (such as
oil mist from chain lubrication) at the source where
possible.
– Always work with a properly sharpened chain, which
produces wood chips rather than fine dust.
– To the extent possible, operate the pole pruner so
that the wind or operating process directs any dust,
mist or other particulate matter raised by the pole
pruner away from the operator.
– When respirable dust or other particulate matter
cannot be kept at or near background levels, always
wear a respirator that is approved by NIOSH and
rated for worksite-specific conditions. Follow the
recommendations of governmental authorities (e.g.,
OSHA/NIOSH) and occupational and trade
associations.
￭ If the vegetation being cut or the surrounding ground is
coated with a chemical substance, such as pesticide or
herbicide:
– Read and follow the instructions and warnings that
accompanied the substance coating the vegetation
or surrounding ground.
￭ Breathing asbestos dust is dangerous and can cause
severe or fatal illness, respiratory illness or cancer,
including mesothelioma. The use and disposal of
asbestos-containing products is strictly regulated by
OSHA and the EPA.
– Do not use your pole pruner to cut or disturb
asbestos or asbestos-containing products.
– Stop work immediately and contact the relevant
state and local authorities and/or EPA, your
employer or local OSHA representative if you have
reason to believe that you might be disturbing
asbestos.
￭ Repeated contact with waste oil can cause skin cancer
and its use is harmful to the environment.
– Do not use waste oil to lubricate the bar and chain of
your STIHL pole pruner.
6.5.4 Operating Instructions
WARNING
￭ To reduce the risk of severe personal injuries from
unintentional starting:
– Never touch a chain with your hand or any part of
your body when the battery is inserted, even when
the chain is not rotating.
￭ To reduce the risk of cut injuries:
– Keep hands and feet away from the saw chain.
– Never touch a moving chain with your hand or any
other part of your body.
– Always pull the unit out of the cut with the chain
running to reduce the possibility of pinching the
cutting attachment.

0458-813-8621-A
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English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
– If the chain becomes clogged, always switch off the
motor, remove the battery and make sure the chain
has stopped before cleaning.
– If a pinch occurs that traps the bar/chain, switch off
the motor and remove the battery before attempting
to remove the bar.
– Don't put pressure on the pole pruner when reaching
the end of a cut. The pressure may cause the bar
and rotating chain to pop out of the cut or kerf, go out
of control and strike some other object.
￭ The chain continues to move for a short period after the
trigger switch is fully released.
– Wait for the chain to stop before walking with the
pole pruner or putting it down.
￭ In the event of an emergency:
– Switch off the motor immediately and remove the
battery.
￭ Contacting foreign objects while sawing might cause the
chain to break or be thrown, or cause the pole pruner to
propel dangerous debris or kick back in the direction of the
operator. To reduce the risk of severe or fatal personal
injury caused by contact with foreign objects:
– Inspect the branch before cutting.
– Remove any foreign objects to ensure that the wood
is free of materials such as nails, spikes, cables, or
wires.
– Before starting a cut, ensure that it can be completed
without contacting surrounding objects or structures
such as fencing or stonework.
￭ The power tool has a large range. To reduce the risk of
personal or even fatal injury to bystanders from falling
objects or inadvertent contact with the cutting attachment:
– Do not allow other persons in the general work area.
￭ Check the chain and guide bar at regular short intervals
during operation, or immediately if there is a change in
cutting behavior:
– Switch off the motor and remove the battery.
– Check the condition and tension of the chain. Look
for damage to the chain or guide bar.
– If the chain cannot be properly tensioned, or if other
components of the pole pruner are worn or
damaged, stop work immediately and take your pole
pruner to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for
inspection, repair or maintenance.
￭ If a tree is rotted, it could snap and fall toward the operator
while being cut. To reduce the risk of injury from falling
debris, take the following steps before starting work:
– Observe the general condition of the tree. Inspect for
decay or rot in the trunk and branches. Look for dead
branches that could vibrate loose and fall on the
operator.
– To prevent a larger branch from splitting, make a
shallow relief cut at the bottom of the branch before
making a finishing cut from the top. This procedure
will help reduce damage to the tree and also help
make the fall of the limb more predictable.
– Always keep bystanders at least
50 ft. (15 m) away when the
power tool is in use.

0458-813-8621-A 17
English 6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭
￭ To reduce the risk of severe or even fatal injury from
falling objects:
– Never cut directly overhead. Hold the pole pruner no
more than 60° from the horizontal plane (see
illustration).
– Never stand underneath the limb being cut.
– Watch for falling limbs. Objects may fall in
unexpected directions.
– Establish an escape route away from where the
limbs may fall.
– As soon as the limbed branch starts to fall, step
away and keep a sufficient distance away.
– Keep the work area clear and free of obstacles and
fallen limbs. Place all tools and equipment out of
your immediate work area and escape route.
￭ There is an increased danger of pinching the pole pruner
when cutting branches under tension. The tension in wood
can also release suddenly and with great force, propelling
the limb or pole pruner into the operator, causing injury or
loss of control.
￭
￭ To reduce the risk of severe or fatal personal injury from
loss of control when cutting wood under tension:
– Always start with a relieving cut (1) at the
compression side (A) of the branch, and then make
a cross-cut (2) at the tension side (B).
– If a pinch occurs that traps the bar/chain, switch off
the motor, remove the battery and remove the pole
pruner from the branch, exercising caution that the
limb does not suddenly snap or release.
DANGER
￭ Electricity can jump from one point to another by means of
arcing. Higher voltage increases the distance electricity
can arc. Electricity can also move through branches,
especially if they are wet. To reduce the risk of
electrocution:
max 60°
0000-GXX-4757-A2
– Never operate this pole pruner in the
vicinity of any wires or cables that may
be carrying electric current. Look
carefully for concealed wires before
starting work.
– Never cut near power lines.
– Hold the power tool only at the
designated gripping surfaces, but do not
rely on them for protection against
electric shock. This pruner is not
insulated.
2
1
0000-GXX-C576-A0
B
A

0458-813-8621-A
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English 7 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
7.1 Reactive Forces
WARNING
￭ Reactive forces may occur any time the chain is rotating.
Reactive forces can cause serious or fatal personal injury.
￭ The powerful forces used to cut wood can be reversed and
work against the operator. If the rotating saw chain is
suddenly and significantly slowed or 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 serious or fatal injury.
– An understanding of the causes of these reactive
forces may help you avoid the element of surprise
and loss of control. Surprise contributes to
accidents.
￭ Because of the design of the pole pruner, the reactive
forces experienced when working with it are generally not
as severe as those encountered with a chain saw.
– Nevertheless, always maintain a proper grip and
good footing to control the pole pruner when you
experience such forces.
The most common reactive forces are:
– Kickback
– Pull-in
– Pushback
7.2 Kickback
7.2.1 Kickback
WARNING
￭ Kickback may occur when the moving chain near the
upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts a solid object or
is pinched.
￭ When this occurs, the energy driving the chain can create
a force that moves the pole pruner in a direction opposite
to the chain movement at the point where the chain is
slowed or stopped. This may cause the bar to move
upward.
7.2.2 To Avoid Kickback
The best protection from personal injury that may result from
kickback is to avoid kickback situations:
1)Be aware of the location of the guide bar nose at all times.
2)Never let the nose of the guide bar contact any object. Do
not cut limbs with the nose of the guide bar. Be especially
careful near wire fences and when cutting small, tough
limbs, which may easily catch the chain.
3)Cut only one limb at a time.
– Maintain a clearance of at least
50 ft. (15 m) between the pole
pruner (including any branches
it is contacting) and any
electrical line carrying live
current.
– Before working with less
clearance, contact your electric
utility and make sure the current
is turned off.
7 Kickback and Other Reactive Forces
0000097293_001