Patriot Products 5F, 6F, 8F, 10F manual ❶SAFETY, Message to Parents, Long-TermStorage

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Message to Parents

Poor judgement when using this equipment may result in damage and serious personal injuries. Help prevent accidents by making thoughtful decisions about if, when, and how older children will operate this equipment.

Age is not the only factor.

1.Size, strength, and coordina- tion. Each is required to start, push, pull, and turn the equipment safely.

2.Maturity and responsibility. Does the young person think through problems and use good judgement?

3.Supervision. Make time to talk through the manual and walk through the operation of the machine. Supervise the operation

of the machine the first few times. Do all re-fueling and maintenance yourself.

Put safety first. Take time to instruct the young person. Even as they gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment with the machine, continue to monitor their work.

Long-Term Storage

Store the chipper-shredder-vac out of reach of children and where gasoline vapors will not find an open flame or spark. For extended storage periods (such as over the winter months), add a fuel stabilizer and let the engine run briefly to allow the stabilizer to mix with the fuel and get into the carbora- tor and fuel lines. Let the engine to cool before storing.

Change the oil and add fresh fuel to return the unit to “active duty.”

▲! WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THIS

EQUIPMENT UNTIL (1) IT IS COM- PLETELY ASSEMBLED AND SER- VICED, AND (2) YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS MANUAL.

❶SAFETY

The Shut Down Procedure

Before assembling, using, servicing, or otherwise operating your chipper- shredder-vac, protect everyone’s safety by knowing how and when to use the Shut Down Procedure.

HOW TO SHUT DOWN

1.Turn off the engine. Do not touch hot engine parts or exhaust.

2.Wait until the rotor has stopped turning.

3.Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.

WHEN TO SHUT DOWN

➪Before attaching, unzipping, or detaching the collection bag.

➪Before clearing debris from any inlet or outlet in the event of a clog.

➪Before removing debris from inside the chipper cone or shredder hopper.

➪Before refueling the gas tank or adding oil.

➪Before putting hands, face, fingers, probes, etc., near moving parts.

➪Before children, pets or bystanders come near.

Your Responsibilities

Know how to stop the engine quickly.

▲Show others who will use this product how to use it safely. Allowing anyone—especially children—to use this equipment without instruction may cause serious injury. Please remember that this is a tool, not a toy.

▲Wear long pants, protective footwear, and safety goggles. Hearing protection is advised. You may suffer injury if you work barefooted or wear only sandals.

▲Keep alert while operating this equipment.

Operator and Property Hazards

Check all fasteners for tightness before each use. Keep the engine’s air intake on top clear of debris and leaves. Do not move the machine while the engine is running or the rotor is turning.

▲Keep all guards, deflectors and warning labels in place. Replace them should they become cracked, broken or unreadable.

▲Keep your face, hands, body, and clothing out of the hoppers, bag, and discharge areas. Stay clear of moving parts and hot mufflers.

▲Do not wear loose-fitting clothing or hanging jewelry.

Thrown Object Hazards

Clear the chipper and shredder hoppers before trying to start the engine.

▲The collection bag must be installed by the operator before each use.

Do not start the engine until the bag is attached over the discharge chute.

▲Do not use near pets, parked cars or bystanders.

▲Inspect yard waste before processing. Make sure it is free of rocks, glass, metal, and other non-organic objects.

▲Work in daylight, so you can see objects, hazards, and bystanders.