Shindaiwa 89304 Operation continued, Using a blade, Brushcutter Shoulder Strap, Blade Thrust

Operation (continued)

Using a blade

WARNING!	Ŷ Whenever you strike a hard object
	with a blade, always stop the
Ŷ Before working with a blade-equipped	brushcutter and carefully inspect the
	blade for damage. NEVER OPER-
unit, always inspect and clean the
	ATE THE BRUSHCUTTER WITH A
area of objects that could interfere
	DAMAGED BLADE!
with or damage the blade.
	Ŷ A blade-equipped unit must be
Ŷ Never use a blade near sidewalks,
	equipped with a bicycle-type handle-
fence posts, buildings or other objects
	bar or barrier bar as well as a har-
that could cause injury or damage.
	ness or shoulder strap.
Ŷ Never use a blade for purposes other
	Ŷ Always make sure the cutting attach-
than those for which it was designed.	ment shield is properly installed
	before operating this unit.

Brushcutter Shoulder Strap

A shoulder strap provides additional pro- tection against blade thrust. In addition, a shoulder strap gives significant support and comfort to help ensure safe and efficient operation. When operating a unit with a blade, make sure both the handle and shoul- der strap are adjusted to the size of the opera- tor using the unit.

Engine Operating Speeds

Operate the unit at full throttle while cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained by releasing the throttle when swinging back after a cut.

Blade Thrust

“Blade thrust” is a sudden sideways or back- ward motion of the brushcutter. Such motion may occur when the blade jams or catches on an object such as a sapling tree or tree stump. BE CONSTANTLY ALERT FOR BLADE THRUST AND GUARD AGAINST ITS EFFECTS!

WARNING!

Blade thrust can occur without warning if the blade snags, stalls or binds.

WARNING!

Blade thrust is more likely to RFFXULQDUHDVZKHUHLWLVGLI¿FXOWWR see the material being cut.

Brushcutter Handlebar

A brushcutter handlebar or barrier bar helps prevent the operator from moving forward, or the unit moving rearward, thus preventing inadvertent bodily contact with the blade. ALWAYS KEEP THE HAN-

DLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!

ŶTo prevent possible engine damage, do not allow the brushcutter to run at high speeds without a load.

ŶAvoid operating the engine at low speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed operation tends to cause grass and debris to wrap around the cutting head.

Using a blade

The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For best performance and to minimize being stuck by debris, move the blade from right to left while advancing on your work. Position the blade so cuts are made between the blade’s 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions (as viewed from above). DO NOT cut between the 10 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions.

WARNING!

When cutting wood with a blade, feed the blade slowly—never strike or “slam” a spinning blade against the wood.

Ten	D
O'clock
	O
	Blade	N
		O
	Rotation	T
OK To Cut		C
		U
Eight		T
O'clock
		Five
		O'clock

Vertical Cuts

WARNING!

When making vertical cuts, never allow the blade to exceed waist height.

Cut on the left side of the blade.

KEEP YOUR BODY OUTSIDE THE PATH OF BLADE ROTATION

WARNING!	Hold the brushcutter with the blade at
DO NOT use 2-tooth or non-	a 90° angle to the ground so the blade’s
	bottom edge rotates toward the opera-
Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting
	tor. Move the blade from top to bottom
blades with Shindaiwa trimmers and
	through the cut, and cut only with the bot-
brushcutters.
	tom edge of the blade.

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