Guide to Using this Manual2
Safety Precautions and Working
Techniques2
Using the Unit6
Connecting Charger to Power
Supply7
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on
Battery8
Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on
Original Instruction ManualPrinted on chlorine-free paper
Charger9
Switching On10
Switching Off11
Storing the Machine11
Sharpening Instructions12
Maintenance and Care13
Main Parts14
Specifications15
Troubleshooting17
Maintenance and Repairs19
Battery Recycling19
Disposal19
General Power Tool Safety
Printing inks contain vegetable oils, paper can be recycled.
Warnings20
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing a quality
engineered STIHL product.
It has been built using modern
production techniques and
comprehensive quality assurance.
Every effort has been made to ensure
your satisfaction and trouble-free use of
the product.
Please contact your dealer or our sales
company if you have any queries
concerning this product.
This instruction manual is protected by copyright. All rights reserved, especially the rights to reproduce, translate and process
with electronic systems.
1
English
Guide to Using this ManualSafety Precautions and
Working Techniques
Pictograms
All the pictograms attached to the
machine are shown and explained in this
manual.
Symbols in text
WARNING
Warning where there is a risk of an
accident or personal injury or serious
damage to property.
NOTICE
Caution where there is a risk of
damaging the machine or its individual
components.
Engineering improvements
STIHL's philosophy is to continually
improve all of its products. For this
reason we may modify the design,
engineering and appearance of our
products periodically.
Therefore, some changes, modifications
and improvements may not be covered
in this manual.
Notes on Usage
Use your cordless hedge trimmer only
for cutting hedges, shrubs, scrub and
similar materials.
Do not use the power tool for any other
purpose because of the increased risk of
accidents and damage to the power tool
itself. Never attempt to modify your
power tool in any way since this may
result in accidents or damage to the
machine.
General Notes
Observe all applicable local safety
regulations, standards and ordinances.
The use of noise emitting power tools
may be restricted to certain times by
national or local regulations.
Special safety precau
tions must be observed
when working with this
power tool because the
cutting blades are very
sharp.
It is important that you
read the instruction man
ual before first use and
keep it in a safe place for
future reference. Nonobservance of the
instruction manual may
result in serious or even
fatal injury.
If you have not used this model before:
Have your dealer or other experienced
user show you how to operate your
-
machine or attend a special course in its
operation.
Minors should never be allowed to use
this product.
Keep bystanders, especially children,
and animals away from the work area.
The user is responsible for avoiding
-
injury to third parties or damage to their
property.
Do not lend or rent your power tool
without the instruction manual. Be sure
that anyone using it understands the
information contained in this manual.
To operate this power tool you must be
rested, in good physical condition and
mental health.
If you have any condition that might be
aggravated by strenuous work, check
with your doctor before operating a
power tool.
Do not operate the power tool if you are
under the influence of any substance
(drugs, alcohol) which might impair
vision, dexterity or judgment.
Clothing and Equipment
Wear proper protective clothing and
equipment.
Clothing must be sturdy
but allow complete free
dom of movement. Wear
snug-fitting clothing, an
overall and jacket combi
nation, do not wear a
work coat.
-
-
2
HSA 66
English
9938BA008 KN
Avoid clothing that could get caught on
branches or brush or moving parts of the
machine. Do not wear a scarf, necktie or
jewelry. Tie up and confine long hair
(e.g. with a hair net, cap, hard hat, etc.).
Wear sturdy shoes with
non-slip soles.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of eye
injuries, wear close-fit
-
ting safety glasses in
accordance with Euro
-
pean Standard EN 166.
Make sure the safety
glasses are a snug fit.
Hearing protection is recommended,
e.g. earplugs or ear muffs.
Wear heavy-duty work
gloves made of durable
material (e.g. leather).
STIHL offers a comprehensive range of
personal protective clothing and
equipment.
The Power Tool
Never attempt to modify your machine in
any way since this may increase the risk
of personal injury. STIHL excludes all
liability for personal injury and damage
to property caused while using
unauthorized attachments.
Transporting the Power Tool
Always switch off the power tool, move
the retaining latch to ƒ, remove the
battery and fit the blade scabbard – even
when you carry the unit for short
distances. This avoids the risk of the
motor starting unintentionally.
Carry the power tool by the handle –
cutting blades behind you.
Transporting by vehicle: Properly secure
the power tool to prevent turnover and
damage.
Cleaning the Power Tool
Do not use a pressure washer to clean
your power tool. The solid jet of water
may damage parts of the power tool.
Do not spray the power tool with water.
Storing the Power Tool
When the power tool is not in use, store
it so that it does not endanger others.
Secure it against unauthorized use.
Accessories and Spare Parts
Only use cutting blades and accessories
that are explicitly approved for this
power tool by STIHL or are technically
identical. If you have any questions in
this respect, consult a servicing dealer.
Use only high quality tools and
accessories in order to avoid the risk of
accidents and damage to the unit.
STIHL recommends the use of genuine
STIHL tools and accessories. They are
specifically designed to match the
product and meet your performance
requirements.
Drive
Battery
Observe the information in the leaflet or
instruction manual supplied with the
STIHL battery and keep it in a safe
place.
For further notes on safety see
www.stihl.com/safety-data-sheets
Charger
Observe the information in the leaflet
supplied with the STIHL charger and
keep it in a safe place.
Notes on Operation
Remove the battery from
the power tool:
–before carrying out inspections,
adjustments or cleaning work
–before working on the cutting
attachment
–before leaving the machine
unattended
–before transporting the machine
HSA 66
3
English
–before storing the machine
–before performing repairs and
maintenance work
–in the event of danger or in an
emergency
This avoids the risk of the motor starting
unintentionally.
Before Starting Work
Check that your power tool is properly
assembled and in good condition – refer
to appropriate chapters in the instruction
manual.
–The trigger switch, trigger lockout
and switch lever must move freely
(retaining latch to ‚) – switches
must return to the idle position when
they are released.
–Cutting blades securely mounted
and in good condition (clean, move
freely, not warped), properly
sharpened and thoroughly sprayed
with STIHL resin solvent.
–Check cutter guard (if fitted) for
damage.
–Never attempt to modify the controls
or safety devices in any way.
–Keep the handles dry and clean –
free from oil and dirt – for safe
control of the power tool.
–Check contacts in battery
compartment for foreign matter.
–Fit the battery correctly – it must
engage audibly.
–Never use defective or deformed
batteries.
To reduce the risk of accidents, do not
operate the unit if it is not properly
assembled and in good condition.
During Operation
In case of imminent danger or in an
emergency, switch off the motor
immediately, move retaining latch to ƒ
and remove the battery.
Your power tool is equipped with a
system designed to quickly stop the
cutting blades – they come to an
immediate standstill as soon as you
release the trigger switch and/or the
switch lever on the loop handle.
Check this function at regular short
intervals. To reduce the risk of injury, do
not operate your power tool if the cutting
blades continue to run after switch-off.
Contact your servicing dealer.
Do not touch the cutting
blades while the motor is
running. If the cutting
blades become jammed
by thick branches or
other obstructions, switch
off the motor immedi
ately, move the retaining
latch to ƒ and remove
the battery before
attempting to free the
blades – risk of injury.
Check that there are no bystanders in
the general work area.
Watch the cutting blades at all times – do
not cut areas of the hedge that you
cannot see.
Be extremely careful when cutting tall
hedges, check the other side of the
hedge before starting work.
-
Inspect the hedge and work area to
avoid damaging the cutting blades:
–Remove stones, rocks, pieces of
metal and other solid objects.
–When working close to the ground,
make sure that no sand, grit or
stones get between the blades.
–Take particular care when cutting
hedges next to or against wire
fences.
To avoid the risk of electrocution, do not
touch electric power lines – never cut
through electric power lines.
To reduce the risk of fire, always clean
plant residue, chips, leaves and excess
lubricant off the motor.
When working at heights:
–Always use a lift bucket
–Never work on a ladder or in a tree
–Never work on an insecure support
If the hedge is very dusty or dirty, spray
the blades with STIHL resin solvent from
time to time during cutting. This helps
reduce blade friction as well as the
aggressive effects of sap and the buildup of dirt particles.
The dust that occurs during operation
may be harmful to health. If dust levels
are very high, wear a suitable respirator.
The drive motor is not
waterproof. Never work
with the machine in the
rain or in wet or very
damp locations.
Do not leave the power tool outdoors in
the rain.
4
HSA 66
English
9938BA007 KN
9938BA006 KN
Take special care in slippery conditions
(ice, wet ground, snow), on slopes or
uneven ground.
Work calmly and carefully – in daylight
conditions and only when visibility is
good. Stay alert so as not to endanger
others.
Clear away fallen branches, scrub and
cuttings.
Watch out for obstacles: Roots and tree
stumps which could cause you to trip or
stumble.
Be particularly alert and cautious when
wearing hearing protection because
your ability to hear warnings (shouts,
alarms, etc.) is restricted.
To reduce the risk of accidents, take a
break in good time to avoid tiredness or
exhaustion.
If your power tool is subjected to
unusually high loads for which it was not
designed (e.g. heavy impact or a fall),
always check that it is in good condition
before continuing work – see also
"Before Starting Work". Make sure the
safety devices are working properly. Do
not continue operating your power tool if
it is damaged. In case of doubt, consult
your servicing dealer.
Before leaving the power tool
unattended: Always switch off the power
tool, set the retaining latch to ƒ and
remove the battery.
Check the cutting blades at regular short
intervals during operation or
immediately if there is a noticeable
change in cutting behavior:
–Switch off the motor, move the
retaining latch to ƒ and wait for the
cutting blades to come to a
standstill, remove the battery.
–Check condition and tightness, look
for cracks.
–Check sharpness.
To replace the cutting blades, switch off
the power tool, move the retaining latch
to ƒ and remove the battery. This
avoids the risk of injury from the motor
starting unintentionally.
After Finishing Work
Always clean dust and dirt off the power
tool – do not use any grease solvents for
this purpose.
Spray the blades with STIHL resin
solvent. Run the motor briefly to ensure
that the solvent is evenly distributed.
Holding and Controlling the Power Tool
Always hold the power tool firmly with
both hands on the handles. Wrap fingers
and thumbs firmly around the handles.
Right-handers
Right hand on the control handle and left
hand on the loop handle.
Left-handers
Left hand on the control handle and right
hand on the loop handle.
Make sure you have firm and secure
footing and hold the power tool so that
the cutting blades are always away from
your body.
Vibrations
Prolonged use of the power tool may
result in vibration-induced circulation
problems in the hands (whitefinger
disease).
No general recommendation can be
given for the length of usage because it
depends on several factors.
HSA 66
5
English
The period of usage is prolonged by:
–Hand protection (wearing warm
gloves)
–Work breaks
The period of usage is shortened by:
–Any personal tendency to suffer
from poor circulation (symptoms:
frequently cold fingers, tingling
sensations).
–Low outside temperatures.
–The force with which the handles
are held (a tight grip restricts
circulation).
Continual and regular users should
monitor closely the condition of their
hands and fingers. If any of the above
symptoms appear (e.g. tingling
sensation in fingers), seek medical
advice.
Maintenance and Repairs
Always move the retaining latch to ƒ
and remove the battery before carrying
out any repairs or maintenance work on
the power tool. This avoids the risk of
the motor starting unintentionally.
Service the machine regularly. Do not
attempt any maintenance or repair work
not described in the instruction manual.
Have all other work performed by a
servicing dealer.
STIHL recommends that you have
servicing and repair work carried out
exclusively by an authorized STIHL
servicing dealer. STIHL dealers are
regularly given the opportunity to attend
training courses and are supplied with
the necessary technical information.
Only use high-quality replacement parts
in order to avoid the risk of accidents
and damage to the unit. If you have any
questions in this respect, consult a
servicing dealer.
STIHL recommends the use of genuine
STIHL replacement parts. They are
specifically designed to match your
model and meet your performance
requirements.
Never attempt to modify your power tool
in any way since this will increase the
risk of personal injury.
Regularly check the electrical contacts
and ensure that the insulation of the
connecting cord and plug of the charger
is in good condition and shows no sign
of ageing (brittleness).
Electrical components, e.g. connecting
cord of charger, may only be repaired or
replaced by a qualified electrician.
Clean plastic components with a cloth.
Do not use aggressive detergents. They
may damage the plastic.
Check tightness of mounting screws on
safety devices and the cutting
attachment and retighten if necessary.
Clean cooling air inlets in motor housing
as necessary.
Keep the battery guides free from
foreign matter – clean as necessary.
Store the power tool in a dry, locked
location with the retaining latch on ƒ
and the battery removed.
Using the Unit
Cutting Season
Observe country-specific or municipal
rules and regulations for cutting hedges.
NDo not use your power tool during
other people's rest periods.
Cutting Sequence
NUse lopping shears or a chain saw
to cut out thick branches first.
NCut both sides of the hedge first,
then the top.
Recommendation: Only cut hedges that
are no more than chest height.
Disposal
NDo not throw cuttings into the
garbage can – they can be
composted!
6
HSA 66
English
3901BA004 KN
3901BA025 KN
3901BA006 KN
3901BA015 KN
2
1
1
3901BA019 KN
Working Techniques
Vertical cut
Swing the cutting blade from the bottom
upwards in an arc – lower the nose of the
blade, move along the hedge and then
swing the blade up again in an arc.
Any working position above head height
is tiring. To minimize the risk of
accidents, work in such positions for
short periods only.
Horizontal cut
Hold the cutting blade at an angle of 0°
to 10° as you swing the hedge trimmer
horizontally, using both sides of the
blade.
Swing the cutting blade in an arc
towards the outside of the hedge so that
the cuttings are swept to the ground.
Connecting Charger to
Power Supply
Power supply (mains) voltage and
operating voltage must be the same.
NInsert the plug (1) in the wall
outlet (2).
A self test is performed after the charger
is connected to the power supply. During
this process, the light emitting diode (1)
on the charger lights up green for about
1 second, then red and goes off again.
HSA 66
Repeat the procedure several times on
wide hedges.
7
English
1
3901BA010 KN
3901BA018 KN
80 - 100 %
60 - 80 %
40 - 60 %
20 - 40 %
0 - 20 %
1
3901BA010 KN
3901BA016 KN
80 - 100 %
60 - 80 %
40 - 60 %
20 - 40 %
0 - 20 %
Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
on Battery
Four LEDs show the battery's state of
charge and any problems that occur in
the battery or machine.
NPress button (1) to activate the
The LEDs can glow or flash green or
red.
display – the display goes off
automatically after 5 seconds.
LED glows continuously green.
LED flashes green.
LED glows continuously red.
LED flashes red.
During charging
The LEDs glow continuously or flash to
indicate the progress of charge.
A green flashing LED indicates the
capacity that is currently being charged.
The LEDs on the battery go off
automatically when the charge process
is completed.
If the LEDs on the battery flash or glow
red – see "If the red LEDs glow
continuously / flash".
During Operation
NPress button (1) to activate the
display – the display goes off
automatically after 5 seconds.
The green LEDs glow continuously or
flash to indicate the state of charge.
8
If the LEDs on the battery flash or glow
red – see "If the red LEDs glow
continuously / flash".
HSA 66
English
3901BA041 KN
A
B
C
D
1
3901BA019 KN
If the red LEDs glow continuously / flash
A1 LED glows
continuously
Battery is too hot
1) 2)
/cold
red:
B4 LEDs flash
C3 LEDs glow
D3 LEDs flash
1)
red
continuously
red:
red
When charging: Charge process
Malfunction in
battery
Machine is too hot
– allow it to cool
down.
Malfunction in
machine
starts automatically after the battery
has cooled down / warmed up.
2)
During operation: Machine cuts out
– allow battery to cool down; it may
be necessary to take the battery out
of the machine for this purpose.
3)
Electromagnetic problem or fault.
Take the battery out of the machine
and refit it. Switch on the machine –
Light Emitting Diodes (LED)
on Charger
if the LEDs continue to flash, the
battery is faulty and must be
replaced.
4)
Electromagnetic problem or fault.
Take the battery out of the tool. Use
a blunt tool to remove dirt from the
contacts in the battery
compartment. Clean dirty cutting
blades. Refit the battery. Switch on
the machine – if the light emitting
diodes still flash, the machine is
faulty and must be checked by a
servicing dealer – STIHL
recommends an authorized STIHL
The LED (1) on the charger may glow
continuously green or flash red.
Green continuous light ...
servicing dealer.
... indicates the following:
The battery
1)
–is being charged
–is too hot and must cool down
before charging
See also "LEDs on battery".
3)
The green LED on the charger goes off
as soon as the battery is fully charged.
Red flashing light ...
4)
... may indicate the following:
–No electrical contact between
battery and charger – remove and
refit the battery
–Malfunction in battery – see also
"LEDs on Battery".
–Malfunction in charger – have
checked by a servicing dealer.
STIHL recommends an authorized
STIHL servicing dealer.
HSA 66
9
English
3901BA028 KN
1
3901BA029 KN
2
4
3
5
9938BA005 KN
Switching On
A factory-new battery is not fully
charged.
Recommendation: Fully charge the
battery before using it for the first time.
NIf necessary, remove the cover from
the battery compartment before
fitting the battery, i.e. depress both
locking tabs to unlock and remove
the cover.
Fitting the Battery
NInsert the battery (1) in the power
tool – the battery slides into the
compartment – press it down
carefully until it snaps into position –
the battery must be flush with the
top of the housing.
Switching on the Machine
NMake sure you have a secure and
firm footing.
NStand upright – hold the power tool
in a relaxed position.
NMake sure the cutting attachment is
not touching the ground or any other
objects.
NHold the power tool with both hands
– one hand on the control handle –
one hand on the loop handle.
NUnlock the power tool by moving the
retaining latch (2) to ‚.
NPush the switch lever (3) against
the loop handle and hold it there.
NPush down the trigger switch
lockout (4) and depress the trigger
switch (5) and hold them in that
position.
The motor runs only if the retaining
latch (2) is on ‚ and the switch
lever (3) and trigger switch (5) are
operated simultaneously.
Trigger
Motor speed can be controlled with the
trigger switch. Depress the trigger switch
to accelerate the motor.
10
HSA 66
English
9938BA004 KN
1
4
3
3901BA034 KN
3901BA035 KN
1
2
1
1
3901BA039 KN
Switching Off
NRelease the switch lever (1) and the
trigger switch (2).
NMove the retaining latch (3) to ƒ –
the trigger switch (4) cannot be
operated – the power tool is locked
to prevent start-up.
Always remove the battery from the
power tool during work breaks and after
finishing work.
Remove the battery.
NPress in both locking tabs (1) at the
same time to unlock the battery.
NTake the battery (2) out of the
housing.
When the machine is not in use, store it
in such a way that it does not endanger
others.
Secure it against unauthorized use.
Storing the Machine
NMove the retaining latch to ƒ.
NRemove the battery.
NClean the cutting blades, check
condition and spray them with
STIHL resin solvent.
NFit the blade scabbard.
NThoroughly clean the machine,
especially the cooling air inlets.
NStore the machine in a dry, locked
location – the blade scabbard can
be mounted to the wall for this
purpose. Keep out of the reach of
children and other unauthorized
persons.
Cover for battery compartment (special
accessory)
The cover prevents dirt falling into the
empty battery compartment.
HSA 66
NAfter finishing work, slide the
cover (1) home until it engages
audibly in position.
11
English
Storing the Battery
NTake the battery out of the power
tool or the charger.
NStore indoors in a dry and safe
location. Keep out of the reach of
children and other unauthorized
persons and protected from
contamination.
NDo not store spare batteries unused
– use in rotation.
To optimize the life of the battery, store
it at a state of charge of about 30%.
Storing the Charger
NRemove the battery.
NDisconnect the plug from the wall
outlet.
NStore the charger indoors in a dry
and secure location. Keep out of the
reach of children and other
unauthorized persons and
protected from contamination.
Sharpening Instructions
When cutting performance and behavior
begin to deteriorate, i.e. blades
frequently snag on branches:
Resharpen the cutting blades.
It is best to have the cutting blades
resharpened by a dealer on a workshop
sharpener. STIHL recommends a STIHL
servicing dealer.
It is also possible to use a flat crosscut
sharpening file. Hold the sharpening file
at the prescribed angle (see
"Specifications").
NOnly sharpen the cutting edge – do
not file blunt projecting parts of the
cutting blade or the cutting blade
guard (see "Main Parts and
Controls")
NAlways file towards the cutting
edge.
NThe file only sharpens on the
forward stroke – lift it off the blade
on the backstroke.
NUse a whetstone to remove burr
from cutting edge.
NRemove as little material as
possible.
NAfter sharpening, clean away filing
or grinding dust and then spray the
cutting blades with STIHL resin
solvent.
12
NOTICE
Do not operate your machine with dull or
damaged cutting blades. This may
cause overload and will give
unsatisfactory cutting results.
HSA 66
English
Maintenance and Care
The following intervals apply for normal operating conditions. If your daily working
time is longer or operating conditions are difficult (very dusty work area, etc.),
shorten the specified intervals accordingly.