OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Cutting Blade Operating Tips

To establish a rhythmic cutting procedure:

•Plant feet firmly, comfortably apart.

•Bring the engine to full throttle before entering the material to be cut. At full throttle the blade has maximum cutting power and is less likely to bind, stall or cause blade thrust (which can result in serious personal injury to the operator or others).

WARNING: Blade thrust may occur when the spinning blade contacts an object that it does not immediately cut. Blade thrust can be violent enough to cause the unit and/or operator to be propelled in any direction, and possibly lose control of the unit. Blade thrust can 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 material being cut.

•Cut while swinging the upper part of your body from left to right.

•Always release the throttle trigger and allow the engine to return to idle speed when not cutting.

WARNING: The blade continues to spin after the engine is turned off. The coasting blade can seriously cut you if accidentally touched.

•When you are finished, always unsnap the unit from the harness before taking off the harness.

•Swing the unit in the opposite direction as the blade spins, which increases the cutting action.

•After the return swing, move forward to the next area to be cut plant your feet again.

•The cutting blade is designed with a second cutting edge. You can use it by removing the blade, turning it upside down, and reinstalling it.

WARNING: Do not sharpen the cutting blade. Sharpening the blade can cause the blade tip to break off while in use. This can result in severe personal injury to yourself or others. Replace the blade.

To reduce the chance of material wrapping around the blade, follow these steps:

•Cut at full throttle

•Swing the unit into material to be cut from your left to your right (Fig. 26)

Fig. 26

• Avoid the material just cut as you make the return swing

WARNING: Do not clear away any cut material with the engine running or blade turning. To avoid serious personal injury, turn off the engine. Allow the blade to stop before removing materials wrapped around the blade shaft.

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