Weed Eater MX550 Unit / Maintenance Safety, Fuel Safety, Cutting Safety, Transporting and Storage

SSecure hair above shoulder length. Secure or remove loose clothing or clothing with

loosely hanging ties, straps, tassels, etc. They can be caught in moving parts.

SBeing fully covered also helps protect you from debris and pieces of toxic plants thrown by spinning line.

SStay Alert. Do not operate this unit when you are tired, ill, upset or under the influence of al- cohol, drugs, or medication. Watch what you are doing; use common sense.

SWear hearing protection.

SNever start or run inside a closed room or

building. Breathing exhaust fumes can kill.

SKeep handles free of oil and fuel.

UNIT / MAINTENANCE SAFETY

WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug before performing maintenance except carburetor adjustments.

S Look for and replace damaged or loose parts before each use. Look for and repair fuel leaks before use. Keep in good working condition.

S Replace trimmer head parts that are chipped, cracked, broken, or damaged in any other way before using the unit.

SMaintain unit according to recommended pro- cedures. Keep cutting line at proper length.

SUse only 0.080″ (2 mm) diameter WEED EATER brand replacement line. Never use wire, rope, string, etc.

SInstall required shield properly before using the unit. Use only specified trimmer head; make sure it is properly installed and securely

fastened.

SMake sure unit is assembled correctly as

shown in this manual.

S Make carburetor adjustments with lower end supported to prevent line from contact- ing any object.

SKeep others away when making carburetor

adjustments.

SUse only recommended WEED EATER ac- cessories and replacement parts.

SHave all maintenance and service not ex- plained in this manual performed by an au- thorized service dealer.

FUEL SAFETY

SMix and pour fuel outdoors.

SKeep away from sparks or flames. S Use a container approved for fuel.

S Do not smoke or allow smoking near fuel or the unit.

S Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up all fuel spills. S Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from

fueling site before starting engine.

S Stop engine and allow to cool before re- moving fuel cap.

S Always store gasoline in a container ap- proved for flammable liquids.

CUTTING SAFETY

WARNING: Inspect the area before each use. Remove objects (rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, etc.) which can be thrown by or become entangled in line. Hard objects can damage the trimmer head and be thrown causing serious injury.

S Keep others including children, animals, bystanders, and helpers at least 50 feet (15 meters) away. Bystanders should be encour- aged to wear safety glasses. Stop engine immediately if you are approached.

SUse only for trimming, scalping, mowing and sweeping. Do not use for edging, pruning or

hedge trimming.

SKeep firm footing and balance. Do not over- reach.

SKeep all parts of your body away from muffler and spinning line. Keep engine below waist

level. A hot muffler can cause serious burns. S Cut from your left to your right. Cutting on right side of the shield will throw debris away

from the operator.

SUse only in daylight or good artificial light. S Use only for jobs explained in this manual.

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

SAllow engine to cool before storing or trans- porting in vehicle.

SEmpty the fuel tank before storing or trans- porting the unit. Use up fuel left in the carbu- retor by starting the engine and letting it run

until it stops.

SStore unit and fuel in area where fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames from

water heaters, electric motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

SStore unit so line limiter blade cannot acci-

dentally cause injury. The unit can be hung by the shaft.

SStore unit out of reach of children.

WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibrations through prolonged use of gasoline powered hand tools could cause blood vessel or nerve damage in the fingers, hands, and joints of people prone to circulation disorders or ab- normal swellings. Prolonged use in cold weather has been linked to blood vessel dam- age in otherwise healthy people. If symptoms occur such as numbness, pain, loss of strength, change in skin color or texture, or loss of feeling in the fingers, hands, or joints, discontinue the use of this tool and seek med- ical attention. An anti--vibration system does

not guarantee the avoidance of these prob- lems. Users who operate power tools on a continual and regular basis must monitor closely their physical condition and the condi- tion of this tool.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This unit is equipped with a temperature limiting muffler and spark arresting screen which meets the require- ments of California Codes 4442 and 4443. All U.S. forest land and the states of California, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ore- gon, and Washington require by law that many internal combustion engines be equipped with a spark arresting screen. If you operate in a locale where such regulations ex- ist, you are legally responsible for maintaining the operating condition of these parts. Failure to do so is a violation of the law.

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