20
■CONTROLLING BLADE BOUNCE
•Blade thrust can cause serious personal injury.
Carefully study this section. It is important that
you understand what causes blade thrust, how
you can reduce the chance of blade thrust and
how you can remain in control of the unit if blade
thrust does occur.
1. What causes blade thrust:
•Blade thrust can occur when the moving blade
contacts an object that it cannot cut. This contact
causes the blade to stop for an instant and then
suddenly move or ”bounce” away from the object
that was hit. The operator can lose control of the
unit and the blade can cause serious personal
injury to the operator or any person nearby if the
blade contacts any part of the body.
2. How you can reduce the chance of blade
thrust:
a. Recognize that blade thrust can happen. By
understanding and knowing about bounce,
you can help eliminate the element of
surprise.
b. Cut fibrous weeds and grass only. Do not
let the blade contact materials it cannot cut
such as hard, woody vines and brush or
rocks, fences, metal, etc
c. Be extra prepared for bounce if you must cut
where you cannot see the blade making
contact such as in areas of dense growth.
d. Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade increase
the chance of bounce.
e. Avoid feeding the blade too rapidly. The blade
can bounce away from material being cut if
the blade is fed faster than its cutting
capability.
f. Cut only from your right to your left.
g. Keep your path of advance clear of material
that has been cut and other debris.
WARNING
Optional Blade Usage