3
SECTION 3: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
WARNING:
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT
FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF
AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO OPERATE YOUR CHIPPER-SHREDDER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS
MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL: HEED ITS WARNING.
WARNING:
The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER:
Your chipper-shredder was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in
this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury. This chipper-shredder is capable of amputating fingers and hands and throwing
objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
1. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read this operator's manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on the machine
and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely
familiar with the controls and the proper use of the
machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a
safe place for future and regular reference and for
ordering replacement parts.
• Your chipper-shredder is a powerful tool, not a
plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. Your unit has been designed to perform two
jobs; to chip and shred vegetation found in a normal
yard. Do not use it for any other purpose.
• Never allow children under age 16 to operate the unit.
Children 16 years and older should only operate the
unit under close parental supervision. Only
responsible individuals who are familiar with these
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your
unit.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop the engine
when they are in the vicinity of the unit. Keep work
area clean and clear of branches or obstacles which
could cause you to stumble or fall.
• When feeding material into this equipment, be
extremely careful that pieces of metal, rocks, bottles,
cans or other foreign objects are not included.
Personal injury or damage to the machine could
result.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close fitting
slacks and shirt. Shirt and slacks that cover the arms
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do
not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry and secure
hair so it is above shoulder length. They can be
caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare
feet, sandals or sneakers. Wear gloves when feeding
material in the chipper chute or shredder hopper.
• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles, during
operation and while performing an adjustment or
repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may
be thrown from the machine.
• Never place your hands, feet, or any part of your
body into the shredder hopper, chipper chute,
discharge opening, or near any moving part while the
engine is running. Keep clear of the discharge
opening at all times. If it becomes necessary to push
material into the chipper chute or shredder hopper,
use a small diameter stick, NOT YOUR HANDS.
• If it is necessary for any reason to unclog the feed
intake or discharge openings or to inspect or repair
any part of the machine where a moving part can
come in contact with your body or clothing, stop the
machine, allow it to cool, disconnect the spark plug
wire from the spark plug and move it away from the
spark plug before attempting to unclog, inspect or
repair.
• Do not operate unit while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
• The machine should only be operated on a level
surface. Never operate your unit on a slippery, wet,
muddy or icy surface. Keep your work area clean and
clear of branches or obstacles which could cause you
to stumble and fall. Do not overreach. Maintaining
proper footing and balance is essential to preventing
accidents.
• Do not allow an accumulation of processed material
to build up in the discharge area as this will prevent
proper discharge and can result in kickback from the
chipper chute.
• Keep your face and body back from chipper chute to
avoid accidental bounce back of any material.
• Do not transport machine while engine is running.
• If the cutting mechanism strikes a foreign object or if
your machine should start making an unusual noise
or vibration, immediately stop the engine and allow
the machine to come to a complete stop. Disconnect
the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark
plug. Take the following steps.
