AL-KO 127644, Instructions For Use Manual, Page: 27 / 304

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Blade thrust causes and related warnings
(i) While operating the machine, always wear
non-slip and protective footwear. Do not oper-
ate the machine when barefoot or wearing
open sandals.
This reduces the chance of injury
to the feet from contact with the moving cutters or
lines.
(k) While operating the machine, always wear
long trousers. Exposed skin increases the likeli-
hood of injury from thrown objects.
(l) Keep bystanders away while operating the
machine. Thrown debris can result in serious
personal injury.
(m) Always use two hands when operating the
machine. Holding the machine with both hands
will avoid loss of control.
(n) Hold the machine by insulated gripping
surfaces only, because the cutting line or
blade may contact hidden wiring or its own
cord.
Cutting line or blades contacting a "live"
wire may make exposed metal parts of the ma-
chine "live" and could give the operator an elec-
tric shock.
(o) Always keep proper footing and operate
the machine only when standing on the
ground.
Slippery or unstable surfaces may
cause a loss of balance or control of the ma-
chine.
(p) Do not operate the machine on excessive-
ly steep slopes. This reduces the risk of loss of
control, slipping and falling which may result in
personal injury.
(q) When working on slopes, always be sure
of your footing, always work across the face
of slopes, never up or down and exercise ex-
treme caution when changing direction.
This
reduces the risk of loss of control, slipping and
falling which may result in personal injury.
(r) Keep the supply cord away from the cutter,
line or blade. A damaged supply cord may result
in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
(s) Keep all parts of the body away from the
cutter, line or blade when the machine is op-
erating. Before you start the machine, make
sure the cutter, line or blade is not contacting
anything.
A moment of inattention while operat-
ing the machine may result in injury to yourself or
others.
(t) Do not operate the machine above waist
height. This helps prevent unintended cutter or
blade contact and enables better control of the
machine in unexpected situations.
(u) When cutting brush or saplings that are
under tension, be alert for spring back. When
the tension in the wood fibres is released, the
brush or sapling may strike the operator and/or
throw the machine out of control.
(v) Use extreme caution when cutting brush
and saplings. The slender material may catch
the blade and be whipped toward you or pull you
off balance.
(w) Maintain control of the machine and do
not touch cutters, lines or blades and other
hazardous moving parts while they are still in
motion.
This reduces the risk of injury from mov-
ing parts.
(x) When clearing jammed material or servic-
ing the machine, make sure all power switch-
es are off and the power cord is disconnect-
ed.
Unexpected starting of the machine while
clearing jammed material or servicing may result
in serious personal injury.
(y) Carry the machine with the machine
switched off and away from your body. Proper
handling of the machine will reduce the likelihood
of accidental contact with a moving cutter, line or
blade.
(z) When transporting or storing the machine,
always fit the cover on metal blades. Proper
handling of the machine will reduce the likelihood
of accidental contact with the blade.
(aa) Only use replacement cutters, lines, cut-
ting heads and blades specified by the manu-
facturer.
Incorrect replacement parts may in-
crease the risk of breakage and injury.
5 BLADE THRUST CAUSES AND
RELATED WARNINGS
Blade thrust is a sudden sideways, forward or
backward motion of the machine, which may oc-
cur when the blade jams or catches on an object
such as a sapling or a tree stump. It can be vio-
lent enough to cause the machine and/or opera-
tor to be propelled in any direction, and possibly
lose control of the machine.
Blade thrust and its related hazards can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given
below.
(a) Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the
machine and position your arms to resist
blade thrust. Position your body to the left
side of the machine.
Blade thrust can increase
the risk of injury due to the machine moving un-
expectedly. Blade thrust can be controlled by the
operator if proper precautions are taken.