Echo GRASS/WEED TRIMMER BRUSHCUTTER and CLEARING SAW manual

WARNING DANGER

Use only ECHO cutting attachments on your unit. Do not mount a metal blade on any unit of the GT series. Do not mount an ordinary circular saw blade, lawnmower blade, edge/ trimmer blade, or grinding type cut off wheel on your ECHO Weed/Grass Trimmer or Weed/Brush Cutter.

•Always use both hands on the handles. Do not operate one- handed.

•Always hold the unit with the fingers and thumbs encircling the handles.

•Keep bystanders out of the Danger Zone (a 15-meter radius surrounding the operator).

•For transport in a vehicle, tie the unit down, and either remove or shield metal blades from contact with any surface.

RAYNAUD’S SYNDROME——Some operators may develop a condition known as Raynaud’s Syndrome affecting the hands or arms. It is believed that the condition, brought by exposure to cold and/or vibration, may result in tingling and burning and then by loss of color or numbness in fingers. Even if you ECHO model has anti- vibration mounts, we recommend your taking the following precau- tions because the minimum exposure which might trigger the ailment is unknown.

•Keep your body warm, especially the head and neck, hands and wrists, and feet and ankles.

•Avoid awkward, unnatural, stressful grips on the unit without losing control. Avoid hard, stiff “death grips” while the unit is vibrating.

•Maintain good blood circulation. Avoid smoking. Exercise vigorously during frequent work breaks. Also limit the amount of time you spend using this or any other hand-held vibrating tool.

•If you experience discomfort, redness and swelling of the fingers followed by whitening and loss of feeling, consult your physician before exposing yourself further to vibration and cold.

REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES (RSI)—Is is believed that overus- ing the muscles and tendons of the fingers, hands, arms and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness and extreme pain to the areas just mentioned. Certain repetitive hand activities may put you at a high risk for developing Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). An extreme RSI condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), which can occur when your wrist swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs through the area. Some believe prolonged exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS. CTS can cause severe pain for months or even years. To reduce the risk of RSI or CTS, do the following:

•Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended or twisted position. Instead, try to maintain a straight wrist position. Also, when grasping, use your whole hand, not just the thumb and index finger.

DO NOT

OPERATE

ONE-HANDED

FINGERS AND THUMBS MUST

ENCIRCLEHANDLE

REMOVE OR

SHIELD BLADE

FORTRANSPORT

TIEDOWNUNIT

•Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your hands.

•Reduce the speed and force in which you do the repetitive movement.

•Do exercises to strengthen the hand and arm muscles.

•Wear a shoulder harness to reduce stress on our hands and arms.

•See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in the fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI or CTS is diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve and muscle damage can be prevented.

15