12
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USE WITH WEED BLADE
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Blade Thrust
is a reaction that only occurs
when using a bladed unit. This reaction can
cause serious injury such as amputation.
Carefully study this section. It is important that
you understand what causes blade thrust,
how you can reduce the chance of its
occurring, and how you can remain in control
of unit if blade thrust occurs.
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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”
reaction can be violent enough to cause the
operator 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.
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WHEN 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.
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Cut only grass, weeds, and woody brush up
to 1 cm in diameter with the weed blade. Do
not let the blade contact material it cannot cut
such as stumps, rocks, fences, metal, etc., or
clusters of hard, woody brush having a
diameter greater than 1 cm.
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Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more
likely to snag and thrust.
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Cut only at full throttle. The blade will have
maximum cutting power and is less likely to
bind or stall.
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“Feed” the blade deliberately and not too
rapidly. The blade can thrust away if it is fed
too rapidly.
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Cut only from your left to your right. Cutting on
right side of the shield will throw debris away
from the operator.
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Use the shoulder strap and keep a firm grip
on the unit with both hands. A properly
adjusted shoulder strap will support the
weight of the unit, freeing your arms and
hands to control and guide the cutting motion.
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Keep feet comfortably spread apart and
braced for a possible sudden, rapid thrust of
unit. Do not overreach. Keep firm footing and
balance.
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Keep blade below waist level; it will be
easier to maintain control of unit.
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Do not raise the engine above your waist as
the blade can come dangerously close to
your body.
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Do not swing unit with such force that you
are in danger of losing your balance.
Bring the engine to cutting speed before enter-
ing the material to be cut. If the blade does not
turn when you squeeze the throttle trigger, make
sure shaft is fully inserted into the engine.
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 CARBURE-
TOR ADJUSTMENT section or contact your
authorized service dealer.
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Maintain good firm footing while using the
unit. Do this by planting feet firmly in a
comfortable apart position.
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Cut while swinging the upper part of your
body from left to right.
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As you move forward to the next area to cut,
be sure to maintain your balance and footing.
Cut using the 2
o’clock to 4 o’clock
position of the
blade
2 o’clock
4 o’clock
RECOMMENDED CUTTING POSITION
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
shaft.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES
FOR OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS
WARNING:
For each optional attach-
ment used, read entire instruction manual be-
fore use and follow all warnings and instruc-
tions in manual and on attachment.
WARNING:
Ensure handlebar is
installed on upper shaft (engine end of unit) at
all times.
Handlebar
