18 – English
WORKING TECHNIQUES

General working instructions

Basic safety rules

1 Look around you:
• To ensure that people, animals or other things cannot
affect your control of the machine.
• To ensure that people, animals, etc., do not come into
contact with the cutting attachment or loose objects that
are thrown out by the cutting attachment.
• CAUTION! Do not use the machine unless you are able to
call for help in the event of an accident.
2 Inspect the working area. Remove all loose objects, such
as stones, broken glass, nails, steel wire, string, etc. that
could be thrown out or become wrapped around the
cutting attachment.
3 Do not use the machine in bad weather, such as dense
fog, heavy rain, strong wind, intense cold, etc. Working in
bad weather is tiring and often brings added risks, such as
icy ground, unpredictable felling direction, etc.
4 Make sure you can move and stand safely. Check the area
around you for possible obstacles (roots, rocks, branches,
ditches, etc.) in case you have to move suddenly. Take
great care when working on sloping ground.
5 Keep a good balance and a firm foothold.
6 Always hold the machine with both hands. Hold the
machine on the right side of your body.
7 Keep the cutting attachment below waist level.
8 Switch off the engine before moving to another area. Fit
the transport guard before carrying or transporting the
equipment any distance.
9 Never put the machine down with the engine running
unless you have it in clear sight.

Basic working techniques

Always slow the engine to idle speed after each working
operation. Long periods at full throttle without any load on the
engine can lead to serious engine damage.
IMPORTANT!
This section describes the basic safety precautions for
working with clearing saws and trimmers.
If you encounter a situation where you are uncertain how to
proceed you should ask an expert. Contact your dealer or
your service workshop.
Avoid all usage which you consider to be beyond your
capability.
You must understand the difference between forestry
clearing, grass clearing and grass trimming before use.
!
WARNING! Neither the operator of the
machine nor anyone else may attempt to
remove the cut material while the engine is
running or the cutting equipment is rotating,
as this can result in serious injury.
Stop the engine and cutting equipment
before you remove material that has wound
around the blade shaft as otherwise there is
a risk of injury. The bevel gear can get hot
during use and may remain so for a while
afterwards. You could get burnt if you touch
it.
!
WARNING! Watch out for thrown objects.
Always wear approved eye protection. Never
lean over the cutting attachment guard.
Stones, rubbish, etc. can be thrown up into
the eyes causing blindness or serious injury.
Keep unauthorised persons at a distance.
Children, animals, onlookers and helpers
should be kept outside the safety zone of 15
m. Stop the machine immediately if anyone
approaches. Never swing the machine
around without first checking behind you to
make sure no-one is within the safety zone.
!
WARNING! Sometimes branches or grass
get caught between the guard and cutting
attachment. Always stop the engine before
cleaning.
!
WARNING! Machines fitted with saw blades
or grass blades can be thrown violently to
the side when the blade comes into contact
with a fixed object. This is called blade
thrust. A blade thrust can be violent enough
to cause the machine and/or operator to be
propelled in any direction, and possibly lose
control of the machine. Blade thrust can
occur without warning if the machine snags,
stalls or binds. Blade thrust is more likely to
occur in areas where it is difficult to see the
material being cut.
Avoid cutting with the area of the blade
between the 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock
positions. Because of the speed of rotation
of the blade, blade thrust can occur if you
attempt to cut thick stems with this area of
the blade.