Poulan S31SNGBC Operating Instructions for, USE with Weed Blade, Recommended Cutting Position

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR		S	Use the shoulder strap and keep a firm grip
USE WITH WEED BLADE			on the unit with both hands. A properly
S	Blade Thrust is a reaction that only occurs		adjusted shoulder strap will support the
	when using a bladed unit. This reaction can		weight of the unit, freeing your arms and
	cause serious injury such as amputation.		hands to control and guide the cutting motion.
	Carefully study this section. It is important that	S Keep feet comfortably spread apart and
	you understand what causes blade thrust,		braced for a possible sudden, rapid thrust of
	how you can reduce the chance of its		unit. Do not overreach. Keep firm footing and
	occurring, and how you can remain in control		balance.
	of unit if blade thrust occurs.	S Keep blade below waist level; it will be
S	WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST --Blade		easier to maintain control of unit.
	Thrust can occur when the spinning blade	S	Do not raise the engine above your waist as
	contacts an object that it does not cut. This		the blade can come dangerously close to
	contact causes the blade to stop for an instant		your body.
	and then suddenly move or “thrust” away	S	Do not swing unit with such force that you
	from the object that was hit. The “thrusting”		are in danger of losing your balance.
	reaction can be violent enough to cause the	Bring the engine to cutting speed before en-
	operator to be propelled in any direction and	tering the material to be cut.If the blade does
	lose control of the unit. The uncontrolled unit	not turn when you squeeze the throttle trigger,
	can cause serious injury if the blade contacts make sure tube is fully inserted into the en-
	the operator or others.	gine.
S WHEN BLADE THRUST OCCURS --		Always release the throttle trigger and allow
	Blade Thrust can occur without warning if	engine to return to idle speed when not cut-
	the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is	ting. The blade should not turn while the en-
	more likely to occur in areas where it is	gine is running at idle. If the blade turns at idle,
	difficult to see the material being cut. By	do not use your unit. Refer to the CARBURE-
	using the unit properly, the occurrence of	TOR ADJUSTMENT section or contact your
	blade thrust will be reduced and the	authorized service dealer.
	operator will be less likely to lose control.	S Maintain good firm footing while using the
			unit. Do this by planting feet firmly in a
			comfortable apart position.
		S Cut while swinging the upper part of your
			body from left to right.
		S As you move forward to the next area to cut,
			be sure to maintain your balance and
			footing.
			RECOMMENDED CUTTING POSITION
S	Cut only grass, weeds, and woody brush up
	to 1/2 inch in diameter with the weed blade.			2 o’clock
	Do not let the blade contact material it		Cut using the 2
	cannot cut such as stumps, rocks, fences,
			o’clock to 4 o’clock
	metal, etc., or clusters of hard, woody brush			4 o’clock
			position of the
	having a diameter greater than 1/2 inch.

S Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more blade likely to snag and thrust.

SCut only at full throttle. The blade will have maximum cutting power and is less likely to

bind or stall.	WARNING: The operator or others
S “Feed” the blade deliberately and not too
rapidly. The blade can thrust away if it is fed	must not try to clear away cut material with the
too rapidly.	engine running or the blade turning to avoid
S Cut only from your left to your right. Cutting on	serious injury. Stop engine and blade before
right side of the shield will throw debris away	removing materials wrapped around blade or
from the operator.	tube.

WARNING: For each optional at- tachment used, read entire instruction manu- al before use and follow all warnings and in- structions in manual and on attachment.

WARNING: Ensure handlebar re-	Handlebar
mains installed on upper tube (engine end of
unit) at all times.

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