12
Section 3
OPERATION
HOLDING THE UNIT
Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protec-
tion to reduce the risk of injury when operating
this unit.
Before operating the unit, stand in the operating posi-
tion (Fig. 3-1). Check for the following:
•
The operator is wearing eye protection and proper
clothing.
•
The right arm is slightly bent, and the hand is hold-
ing the shaft grip.
•
The left arm is straight, and the hand is holding the
J-handle.
•
The unit is at waist level.
•
The cutting attachment is parallel to the ground and
easily contacts the vegetation to be cut without the
operator having to bend over.
USING THE CUTTING BLADE
Always wear eye, hearing, foot, body protection
and the harness to reduce the risk of injury when
operating this unit.
Do not use the cutting blade for edging or as an
edger, severe personal injury to yourself or oth-
ers can occur.
Before operating the unit with the cutting blade stand
in the operating position (Figs. 5-4). Refer to Holding
the Unit.
Cutting Blade Operating Tips:
To establish a rhythmic cutting procedure:
• Plant feet firmly, comfortably apart.
• Bring the engine to full throttle before entering the
material to be cut. The blade has maximum cutting
power at full throttle and is less likely to bind, stall, or
cause blade thrust, which can result in serious per-
sonal injury to the operator or others.
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.
• Cut while swinging the upper part of your body from
right to left.
• Always release the throttle trigger and allow the
engine to return to idle speed when not cutting.
• When done always unsnap unit from harness before
taking harness off.
Fig. 3-1
Fig. 3-2
