Craftsman 316.79248, Operator'S Manual, Page: 3 / 20

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RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
• Avoid dangerous environments. Never operate your unit in damp
or wet conditions. Moisture is a shock hazard.
• Do not use the unit in the rain. Do not use in or around water. Do
not use on wet hedges or shrubbery.
• Do not handle the plug or unit with wet hands or standing on any
wet surfaces.
• Do not leave the unit plugged in when not in use, changing
attachments or attachments, or while being serviced.
BLADED PRUNER OPERATING PROCEDURES
• Keep bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 50 ft (15 m) away.
• Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked as meeting ANSI
Z87.1–1989 standards. Wear ear/hearing protection and protective
head gear when operating this unit. Non-skid footwear is
recommended when working outdoors. Wear protective hair covering
to contain long hair. Wear a face or dust mask if the operation is dusty.
• Be sure the cutting attachment is not in contact with anything
before starting the unit.
• Wear heavy, long pants, boots, gloves and a long sleeve shirt. Do
not wear loose clothing, jewelry, short pants, sandals or go
barefoot. Secure hair above shoulder level.
• Use the unit only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Use the right tool. Only use this tool for the purpose intended.
• Always stop the engine/motor when operation is delayed or when
walking from one location to another.
• Use only genuine factory replacement parts and accessories for
this unit. These are available from your authorized service dealer.
Use of any unauthorized parts or accessories could lead to serious
injury to the user or damage to the unit, and void your warranty.
• Do not attempt to touch or stop the blade when it is rotating.
• A coasting blade can cause injury while it continues to spin after the
engine is stopped or the throttle trigger is released. Maintain proper
control until the blade has completely stopped rotating.
• Do not run the unit at high speed when not cutting.
• If you strike or become entangled with a foreign object, stop the
engine immediately and check for damage. Have any damage
repaired before attempting further operations. Do not operate unit
with a bent, cracked or dull blade. Discard blades that are bent,
warped, cracked or broken.
• Do not sharpen the cutting blade. Replace the blade.
• Use the bladed pruner only for the purpose described in this manual.
• Stop the engine IMMEDIATELY if you feel excessive vibration. Vibration
is a sign of trouble. Inspect thoroughly for loose nuts, bolts or damage
before continuing. Repair or replace affected parts as necessary.
BLADE THRUST PRECAUTIONS
• With a basic understanding of blade thrust, you can reduce or eliminate
the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
• Always cut with the engine running at full speed. Fully squeeze
the throttle trigger and maintain a steady cutting speed.
• Do not overreach. Always keep proper footing and balance.
• Always hold the unit with both hands when operating. Keep a
firm grip on both handles or grips.
• Keep hands, face, and feet at a distance from all moving parts. Do not
touch or try to stop the cutting attachment when it rotates.
• Keep unit clean of vegetation and other materials. They may
become lodged between the blade and blade cover.
OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• DO NOT operate a bladed pruner with one hand! Serious injury to
the operator, helpers, or bystanders may result from one-handed
operation. A bladed pruner is intended for two-handed use.
• Keep the work area clean. Cluttered areas invite injuries. Do not
start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and
a planned retreat path from the falling branches.
• Stay Alert. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. Do
not operate the bladed pruner when you are tired. Keep all parts
of your body away from the pruner blade when the motor is
operating. Before you start the pruner, make sure the pruner
blade is not contacting anything.
• Disconnect the bladed pruner when not in use, before servicing,
and when changing blades.
• Check damaged parts. Before further use of the bladed pruner, a
guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked
to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended
function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions that
may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged
should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service
center, unless otherwise indicated in this instruction manual.
• Do not operate a bladed pruner in a tree unless you are
specifically trained to do so. When cutting a limb that is under
tension, be alert for spring back so that you will not be struck
when the tension in the wood fibers is released.
• Do not expose the bladed pruner to rain. Do not use the bladed
pruner in damp or wet locations.
• Do not use the bladed pruner in the presence of flammable
liquids or gases.
• All bladed pruner service, other than the items listed in the user
manual safety and maintenance instructions, should be performed
by qualified personnel. Do not attempt to repair it yourself; there
are no user serviceable parts inside.
• The bladed pruner will do a better and safer job when used at the
rate for which it was intended.
• Use the right tool. Cut wood only. Do not use the bladed pruner for
purposes for which it was not intended. For example, do not use the
bladed pruner for cutting plastic, masonry, or non-building materials.
• Do not operate a bladed pruner that is damaged, improperly
adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Be sure that
the blade stops moving when the trigger is released.
• Do not attempt operations beyond your capacity or experience.
• Never remove, modify or make inoperative any safety device
furnished with your unit.
• This pruner is intended for infrequent use by homeowner’s,
cottagers and campers, and for such general applications such as
clearing, pruning, cutting firewood, etc. It is not intended for
prolonged use. If the intended use involves prolonged periods of
operation, this may cause circulatory problems in the user’s hands
due to vibration. It may be appropriate to use a pruner having an
anti-vibration feature.
• Safety clothing required by your safety organizations, government
regulations, or your employer should be used; otherwise, snug fitting
clothing, safety footwear, and hand and ear protection should be worn.
• Never touch the blade or attempt to service the unit while the
engine is running. Make sure all moving parts have stopped.
Allow the blade to cool as the blade can be hot.
• Make sure the blade is properly tightened. Visually inspect for
damage. Repair any damage before restarting or operating the unit.
• Do not cut near electrical cables or power lines.
• Do not use the bladed pruner to fell a tree. Use a standard chain
saw for this application.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
• Allow the unit to cool before storing or transporting. Be sure to
secure the unit while transporting.
• Store the unit in a locked up and dry or high and dry place to
prevent unauthorized use or damage, out of the reach of children.
• Never douse or squirt the unit with water or any other liquid. Keep
handles dry, clean and free from debris. Clean after each use. See
Cleaning and Storage .
• Keep these instructions. Refer to them often and use them to
instruct other users. If you loan someone this unit, also loan them
these instructions.
• Only qualified personnel should perform any repairs or
maintenance procedures that are not described in this manual.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Blade thrust may occur when the spinning
blade contacts an object that it does not immediately cut.
Blade thrust can be violent enough to cause the unit and/or
operator to be propelled in any direction, and possibly lose
control of the unit. 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.
DANGER:
RISK OF CUT OR SHOCK — Keep hands
away from blades. Keep one hand on assist handle on the
powerhead and on the loop handle of attachment when power
is on. Do not attempt to remove cut material or hold material to
be cut when blades are moving. Make sure the switch on the
power unit is off when clearing jammed material from blades.
Wear gloves when handling the blade.
Do not operate unit
with one hand.