S WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST Blade Thrust can occur when the spinning blade contacts an object that it does not cut. This contact causes the blade to stop for an instant and then suddenly move or “thrust” away from the object that was hit. The “thrusting” re- action can be violent enough to cause the op- erator to be propelled in any direction and lose control of the unit. The uncontrolled unit can cause serious injury if the blade contacts the operator or others.
SWHEN BLADE THRUST OCCURS. Blade thrust can occur without warning if the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is more likely to occur in areas where it is difficult to see the material being cut. By using the unit properly, the occurrence of blade thrust will be reduced and the operator will be less likely to lose control.
Always release the throttle trigger and allow engine to return to idle speed when not cut- ting. The blade should not turn while the en- gine is running at idle. If the blade turns at idle, do not use your unit. Refer to the Carburetor adjustment section or contact your Autho- rized Service Dealer.
10 o’clock
Cut using the 8 o’clock to 10 o’clock position of the blade
8 o’clock
WARNING: The operator or others must not try to clear away cut material with the engine running or the blade turning to avoid serious injury. Stop engine and blade before removing materials wrapped around blade or tube.
REPLACING THE LINE
SPress the lock tabs and remove the cover. S Remove the lock ring, tap button, and
spool.
Spool
Hub
SCut only grass, weeds, and woody brush up to 2 inches in diameter with the brush blade. Do not let the blade contact material it can-
not cut such as stumps, rocks, fences, metal, etc., or clusters of hard, woody brush having a diameter greater than 2 inches.
SKeep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more
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.
S “Feed” the blade deliberately and not too rapidly. The blade can thrust away if it is fed too rapidly.
SCut only from your right to your left. Swing- ing the unit in the same direction as the blade spins increases the cutting action.
SUse the shoulder strap and keep a firm grip on the unit with both hands. A properly ad- justed shoulder strap will support the weight of the unit, freeing your arms and
hands to control and guide the cutting mo- tion.
S Keep feet comfortably spread apart and braced for a possible sudden, rapid thrust of unit. Do not overreach. Keep firm footing and balance.
SKeep blade below waist level; it will be eas- ier to maintain control of unit.
SDo not raise the engine above your waist as the blade can come dangerously close to
your body.
SDo not swing unit with such force that you are in danger of losing your balance.
Bring the engine to cutting speed before en- tering the material to be cut.
If the blade does not turn when you squeeze the throttle trigger, make sure tube is fully in- serted into the engine.
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SCheck the indexing teeth on the spool and hub for wear.
S Use a clean cloth to wipe the inner/outer surfaces of the spool and hub.
SUse only .080 inch (2 mm) diameter line.
S Cut two lengths of line approximately 20 feet (6 m).
SInsert line into the small hole in the spool.
End of | Arrow on |
Line | |
| Spool |
S Wind the line evenly and tightly onto the spool; wind in direction of arrow found on spool.
SLeave
SInsert line into the line exit hole in the hub. S Push spool into hub. Press spool down, then turn it to catch spool tabs under gear
tabs.
S
S Pull the end of the line to set spool in the op- erating position.
