11
to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal
injury.
Operation
1. In the event of an emergency, switch off the tool
immediately.
2. If you feel any unusual condition (e.g. noise, vibration)
during operation, switch off the tool. Do not use the
tool until the cause is recognized and solved.
3. The cutting attachment continues to rotate for a short
period after turning the tool off. Don’t rush to contact
the cutting attachment.
4. During operation, use the shoulder harness. Keep the
tool on your right side firmly.
5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at
all times. Watch for hidden obstacles such as tree
stumps, roots and ditches to avoid stumbling.
6. Never work on a ladder or tree to avoid loss of control.
7. If the tool gets heavy impact or fall, check the
condition before continuing work. Check the controls
and safety devices for malfunction. If there is any
damage or doubt, ask our authorized service center
for the inspection and repair.
8. Do not touch the gear case. The gear case becomes
hot during operation.
9. Take a rest to prevent loss of control caused by
fatigue. We recommend taking a 10 to 20-minute rest
every hour.
10. When you leave the tool, even if it is a short time,
always remove the battery cartridge. The unattended
tool with the battery cartridge installed may be used by
unauthorized person and cause serious accident.
11. If grass or branches get caught between the cutting
attachment and guard, always turn the tool off and
remove the battery cartridge before cleaning.
Otherwise the cutting attachment may rotate
unintentionally and cause serious injury.
12. If the cutting attachment hits stones or other hard
objects, immediately turn the tool off. Then remove the
battery cartridge and inspect the cutting attachment.
13. Check the cutting attachment frequently during
operation for cracks or damages. Before the
inspection, remove the battery cartridge and wait until
the cutting attachment stops completely. Replace
damaged cutting attachment immediately, even if it
has only superficial cracks.
14. Never cut above waist height.
15. Before starting the cutting operation, wait until the
cutting attachment reaches a constant speed after
turning the tool on.
16. When using metal blades, swing the tool evenly in
half-circle from right to left, like using a scythe.
17. Hold the tool by insulated gripping surfaces only,
because the cutter blade may contact hidden wiring.
Cutter blades contacting a “live” wire may make
exposed metal parts of the tool “live” and could give
the operator an electric shock.
Cutting attachments
1. Use an applicable cutting attachment for the job in
hand.
– Nylon cutting heads (string trimmer heads) are
suitable for trimming lawn grass.
– Metal blades are suitable for cutting weeds, high
grasses, bushes, shrubs, underwood, thicket, and
the like.
– Never use other blades including metal multi-piece
pivoting chains and flail blades. It may result in
serious injury.
2. Always use the cutting attachment guard properly
suited for the cutting attachment used.
3. When using metal blades, avoid “kickback” and
always prepare for an accidental kickback. See the
section “Kickback.”
4. When not in use, attach the blade cover onto the
blade. Remove the cover before operation.
Kickback (Blade thrust)
1. Kickback (blade thrust) is a sudden reaction to a
caught or bound cutting blade. Once it occurs, the tool
is thrown sideway or toward the operator at great force
and it may cause serious injury.
2. Kickback occurs particularly when applying the blade
segment between 12 and 2 o’clock to solids, bushes
and trees with 3 cm or larger diameter.
(Fig. 2)
3. To avoid kickback:
(Fig. 3)
– Apply the segment between 8 and 11 o’clock.
– Never apply the segment between 12 and 2
o’clock.
– Never apply the segment between 11 and 12
o’clock and between 2 and 5 o’clock, unless the
operator is well trained and experienced and does it
at his/her own risk.
– Never use cutting blades close to solids, such as
fences, walls, tree trunks and stones.
– Never use cutting blades vertically, for such
operations as edging and trimming hedges.
Vibration
1. People with poor circulation who are exposed to
excessive vibration may experience injury to blood
vessels or the nervous system. Vibration may cause
the following symptoms to occur in the fingers, hands
or wrists: “Falling asleep” (numbness), tingling, pain,
stabbing sensation, alteration of skin color or of the
skin. If any of these symptoms occur, see a physician!
2. To reduce the risk of “white finger disease”, keep your
hands warm during operation and well maintain the
tool and accessories.
Transport
1. Before transporting the tool, turn it off and remove the
battery cartridge. Attach the cover to the cutting blade.
2. When transporting the tool, carry it in a horizontal
position by holding the shaft.
3. When transporting the tool in a vehicle, properly
secure it to avoid turnover. Otherwise damage to the
tool and other baggage may result.
Maintenance
1. Have your tool serviced by our authorized service
center, always using only genuine replacement parts.
Incorrect repair and poor maintenance can shorten the
life of the tool and increase the risk of accidents.
