A working apparatus has an internal combustion engine which drives at least one tool via a clutch. The clutch starts the coupling process at an initial engagement speed when the internal combustion engine is accelerated. The internal combustion engine has a piston, an ignition device and an ignition timing control device. The control device provides a first ignition timing for idling and a second ignition timing for full load operation, which is earlier than the first ignition timing. A method for operating the working apparatus provides that the ignition timing is adjusted toward “late,” with respect to the first ignition timing, when the engine speed drops in a first speed range above the idling speed and below the initial engagement speed.