WARNING: Failure to follow all Safety Rules and Precautions can result in serious injury.
DANGER: THIS POWER TOOL CAN
BE DANGEROUS! This unit can cause serious injury including amputation or blindness to the operator and others. The warnings and safety instructions in this manual must be followed to provide reasonable safety and efficiency in us- ing this unit. The operator is responsible for fol- lowing the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the unit. Never allow children to use this tool.
KNOW YOUR UNIT
SRead your Operator’s Manual carefully until you completely understand and can follow all warnings and safety rules before operat-
ing the unit.
DRestrict unit to users who understand and will follow all warnings and safety rules in this manual and on the unit.
PLAN AHEAD
DAlways wear eye protection when operating, servicing, or performing maintenance on unit. Wearing eye protection will help to prevent brush or debris from being thrown or ricochet- ing into eyes and face which can result in
blindness and/or serious injury.
D Wear hearing protection when using this unit.
DSecure hair above shoulder length. Secure or remove jewelry, loose clothing, or cloth- ing with loosely hanging straps, ties, tas- sels, etc. They can be caught in moving
parts.
DDo not operate unit when you are tired, ill, up- set, or if you are under the influence of alco-
hol, drugs, or medication.
D Keep children, bystanders, and animals away from work area a minimum of 30 feet (10 m) when starting or operating unit.
DInspect area before starting unit. Remove all debris and hard objects such as rocks, glass, wire, etc. that can ricochet, be thrown, or oth- erwise cause injury or damage during opera- tion.
HANDLE FUEL WITH CAUTION
DEliminate all sources of sparks or flame (in- cluding smoking, open flames, or work that can cause sparks) in the areas where fuel is
mixed, poured, or stored.
D Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area; store fuel in a cool, dry, well ventilated place; use an approved, marked container for all fuel pur- poses.
D Do not smoke while handling fuel or while operating the unit.
DDo not fill fuel tank while engine is running. D Wipe up fuel spills before starting the en-
gine.
D Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from fuel and fueling site before starting engine.
OPERATE YOUR UNIT SAFELY
D Inspect unit before each use for worn, loose, missing, or damaged parts. Do not use until unit is in proper working order.
D Keep outside surfaces free from oil and fuel.
DANGER: RISK OF CUT; KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM
D Never start or run engine inside a closed room or building. Breathing exhaust fumes can kill.
DAvoid dangerous environments. Do not use in unventilated areas or where explosive vapors or carbon monoxide build up could be present.
DDo not overreach or use from unstable sur- faces such as ladders, trees, steep slopes, rooftops, etc. Keep firm footing and balance at all times.
DDo not raise unit above your shoulders; the cutting blade can come dangerously close to your body.
DAlways keep unit in front of your body. Keep all parts of your body away from the cutting blade.
D Keep the cutting blade and air vents free from debris.
DUse only for jobs explained in this manual.
MAINTAIN YOUR UNIT PROPERLY
D Have all maintenance other than the rec- ommended procedures described in the Operator’s Manual performed by an Autho- rized Service Dealer.
D Disconnect spark plug before performing maintenance except for carburetor adjust- ments.
D Do not use a cutting blade that is bent, warped, cracked, broken, or damaged in any other way. Have worn or damaged parts replaced by an Authorized Service Dealer.
DUse only recommended cutting blades and replacement parts; use of any other parts may void your warranty and cause damage
to your unit.
DEmpty fuel tank before storing the unit. Use up fuel left in carburetor by starting engine and letting it run until it stops.
DHand carry the unit with the engine stopped and the muffler and cutting blade away from your body.
D Allow engine to cool, empty the fuel tank, and secure the unit before storing or trans- porting it in a vehicle.
DDo not store the unit or fuel in a closed area where fuel vapors can reach sparks or an open flame from hot water heaters, electric motors or switches, furnaces, etc.
