OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR | S | Use the shoulder strap and keep a firm grip | ||||||
USE WITH WEED BLADE |
| on the unit with both hands. A properly | ||||||
S | Blade Thrust is a reaction that only occurs |
| adjusted shoulder strap will support the | |||||
| when using a bladed unit. This reaction can |
| weight of the unit, freeing your arms and | |||||
| cause serious injury such as amputation. |
| hands to control and guide the cutting motion. | |||||
| Carefully study this section. It is important that | S Keep feet comfortably spread apart and | ||||||
| you understand what causes blade thrust, |
| braced for a possible sudden, rapid thrust of | |||||
| how you can reduce the chance of its |
| unit. Do not overreach. Keep firm footing and | |||||
| occurring, and how you can remain in control |
| balance. |
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| of unit if blade thrust occurs. | S Keep blade below waist level; it will be | ||||||
S | WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST |
| easier to maintain control of unit. | |||||
| Thrust can occur when the spinning blade | S | Do not raise the engine above your waist as | |||||
| contacts an object that it does not cut. This |
| the blade can come dangerously close to | |||||
| contact causes the blade to stop for an instant |
| your body. |
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| and then suddenly move or “thrust” away | S | Do not swing unit with such force that you | |||||
| from the object that was hit. The “thrusting” |
| are in danger of losing your balance. | |||||
| reaction can be violent enough to cause the | Bring the engine to cutting speed before en- | ||||||
| operator to be propelled in any direction and | tering the material to be cut.If the blade does | ||||||
| lose control of the unit. The uncontrolled unit | not turn when you squeeze the throttle trigger, | ||||||
| can cause serious injury if the blade contacts make sure tube is fully inserted into the en- | |||||||
| the operator or others. | gine. |
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S WHEN BLADE THRUST OCCURS | Always release the throttle trigger and allow | |||||||
| Blade Thrust can occur without warning if | engine to return to idle speed when not cut- | ||||||
| the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is | ting. The blade should not turn while the en- | ||||||
| more likely to occur in areas where it is | gine is running at idle. If the blade turns at idle, | ||||||
| difficult to see the material being cut. By | do not use your unit. Refer to the CARBURE- | ||||||
| using the unit properly, the occurrence of | TOR ADJUSTMENT section or contact your | ||||||
| blade thrust will be reduced and the | authorized service dealer. |
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| operator will be less likely to lose control. | S Maintain good firm footing while using the | ||||||
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| comfortable apart position. |
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| S Cut while swinging the upper part of your | ||
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| body from left to right. |
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| be sure to maintain your balance and | |
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| footing. |
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| RECOMMENDED CUTTING POSITION | |
S | Cut only grass, weeds, and woody brush up |
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| to 1/2 inch in diameter with the weed blade. |
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| 2 o’clock | ||||
| Do not let the blade contact material it |
| Cut using the 2 |
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| cannot cut such as stumps, rocks, fences, |
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| o’clock to 4 o’clock |
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| metal, etc., or clusters of hard, woody brush |
| 4 o’clock | |||||
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| position of the | ||||||
| having a diameter greater than 1/2 inch. |
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S Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more blade likely to snag and thrust.
SCut only at full throttle. The blade will have maximum cutting power and is less likely to
bind or stall. | WARNING: The operator or others | |
S “Feed” the blade deliberately and not too | ||
rapidly. The blade can thrust away if it is fed | must not try to clear away cut material with the | |
too rapidly. | engine running or the blade turning to avoid | |
S Cut only from your left to your right. Cutting on | serious injury. Stop engine and blade before | |
right side of the shield will throw debris away | removing materials wrapped around blade or | |
from the operator. | tube. | |
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WARNING: For each optional at- tachment used, read entire instruction manu- al before use and follow all warnings and in- structions in manual and on attachment.
WARNING: Ensure handlebar re- | Handlebar |
mains installed on upper tube (engine end of |
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unit) at all times. |
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