Operating the Brushcutter

OPERATION

Hold the brushcutter with the right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle. Keep a firm grip with both hands while in operation. Brushcutter should be held at a comfortable position with the trigger handle about hip height. Maintain your grip and balance on both feet.

Position yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the kick-back reaction of the cutting blade.

Adjust the shoulder strap to position the brushcutter at a comfortable operating position and to ensure that the shoulder strap will reduce the risk of operator contact with the blade. See Figure 14.

Fig. 14

Exercise extreme caution when using the blade with this unit. Blade thrust is the reaction which may occur when the spinning blade contacts anything it cannot cut. This contact may cause the blade to stop for an instant, and suddenly “thrust” the unit away from the object that was hit. This reaction can be violent enough to cause the operator to lose control of the unit. Blade thrust may occur without warning if the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is more likely to occur in areas where it is difficult to see the mate- rial being cut. For cutting ease and safety, approach the weeds being cut from the right to the left. In the event that an unexpected object or woody stock is encountered, this could minimise the blade thrust reaction. See Figure 15.

APPROACH THE WEEDS BEING

CUT FROM THE RIGHT. THE

WEEDS WILL BE CUT AGAINST

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BLADE

GUARD

Fig. 15

TRI-ARC BLADE

The TRI-ARC blade is suited only for pulpy weeds and vines. When the blade becomes dull, it can be turned over to extend the life of the blade. Do not sharpen the TRI-ARC blade.

Use only TRI-ARC blade, part number 984227001, avail- able at your local retailer.

CUTTING TECHNIQUE - BLADE

WARNING

Extreme care must be taken when using blades to insure safe operation. Read the safety information for safe operation using the blade. Refer to “Specific Safety Rules for Brushcutter and Blade Use” earlier in this manual.

■Always hold brushcutter with both hands when operating. Use a firm grip on both handles.

■Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the kick-back reaction of the cutting blade.

■Inspect and clear the area of any hidden objects such as glass, stones, concrete, fencing, wire, wood, metal etc.

■Never use blades near footpaths, fencing, posts, buildings or other immovable objects.

■Never use a blade after hitting a hard object without first inspecting it for damage. Do not use if any damage

is detected.

■The unit is used as a scythe, cutting from the right to the left in a broad sweeping action from side to side.