Safety Rules
OPERATING SAFETY
1.Always obey the size limitations for tree limbs and branches stated in the Waste Materials Guide portion of this manual.
2.Never leave the machine running unattended. Always turn off the engine, wait for the rotor to come to a complete stop, and disconnect the spark plug before leaving the area. Always move the unit to a safe storage area when not in use.
3.Always maintain secure footing and solid balance while starting or operating the chipper/shredder. Never lean directly over the machine.
4.Always stand to the side of the chipper cone when feeding tree limbs and branches into the unit, as tree limbs, branches, and harder woods may whip around while being chipped.
5.Always keep hands out of the chipper cone and shredder hopper when feeding materials. Never wrap fingers tightly around branches as you are feed- ing them into the unit, as a sudden inward surge could pull your hands and arms into the unit.
6.Always stand clear of the discharge area to avoid being struck by ricochets or material being ejected from the machine.
7.Never allow material to build up in the discharge area or shredding chamber, as this may cause new mater- ial being fed into the machine to kickback with suffi- cient force to injure you or other bystanders.
8.Never allow material to build up around the engine during chipper/shredder operation. This could result in a fire, or overheating of the engine.
9.Never attempt to reposition or move the chipper/shredder unit while it is running. Doing so could cause the machine to tip over, and reaching to steady the unit could result in accidental insertion of your hands into the chipper cone or shredder hopper areas.
10.Never continue to operate the machine if it starts making unusual noise or vibration. Shut the engine off immediately, allow the rotor to stop, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and do the following:
•Inspect the unit for any signs of damage or foreign material in the chipping or shredding areas. Remove any solid material that may be preventing the unit from operating properly.
•Check for loose parts, and loose or missing hard- ware, and repair or replace as required.
•Check the oil level in the engine crankcase. See ENGINE OIL LEVEL under Servicing The Chipper/Shredder.
11.Never attempt to clear clogs from the chipper cone, shredder hopper or discharge chute while the unit is running. Always shut the engine off, allow the rotor to come to a complete stop, and remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug before removing excess materials.
12.Never fill the fuel tank while the machine is running or while the engine is hot. An unexpected spillover of fuel could contact a hot surface and ignite, causing fire or explosion. Turn off the engine, and allow the engine to cool before attempting refilling.
13.Never attempt to perform any maintenance, repairs, or attachment of accessories while the unit is run- ning. Always shut the unit off, allow the rotor to come to a complete stop, and remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug before beginning these activities.
14.Never remove guards, deflectors, or warning labels from the unit. If any of these are found to be missing, take the unit out of service until the appropriate repairs can be made. Tag the machine so others do not mistakenly attempt to use it while awaiting parts or repairs.
15.Always make sure that the shredding chamber, shredder hopper, and chipper cone are empty before restarting the unit after it has been idle. Attempting to start the unit with material in these areas could cause the engine starting cord to stop suddenly, injuring your hand and fingers, or toppling the unit over.
16.Never tamper with any engine controls to alter or increase maximum unit running speed. An over speeding condition could cause the engine to over- heat, resulting in risk of fire, permanent engine dam- age, and voiding of your product warranty.
17.Always comply with the engine manual instructions for operating and periodic maintenance requirements. Make sure the oil level is always in the safe zone, and keep the air filter element clean.
18.Never allow children to operate the machine. Do not allow adults to operate it without proper instruction.
TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE
1.Always use the hopper handle and
2.If the unit must be tilted for transporting, consult the engine manual for required preparation. Normally, fuel and oil must be drained to prevent dangerous
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