-
the throttle trigger must remain locked until the safe-
ty lever is pressed;
-
the engine stop switch must easily move from one
position to the other;
-
the electric cables and in particular the spark plug
cable must be in perfect condition to avoid the gen-
eration of any sparks, and the cap must be correctly
fitted on the spark plug;
-
the machine handgrips and protection devices must
be clean and dry and well fastened to the machine;
-
the cutting devices and guards must be undam-
aged.
5) Check the correct position of the handgrips and the
connection point of the webbing, and the proper bal-
ance of the machine.
6) Before starting work make sure that the guards are
suitable for the cutting tool being used and are fitted
correctly.
7) Thoroughly inspect the whole work area and remove
anything that could be thrown up by the machine or
damage the cutting group or engine (stones, branch-
es, iron wire, bones, etc.).
C) Operation
1)
Do not start the engine in a confined space where
-
dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.
2)
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
3)
Take on a firm and well-balanced position:
-
where possible, avoid working on wet, slippery
ground or in any case on uneven or steep ground
that does not guarantee stability for the operator;
-
never run, but walk carefully paying attention to the
lay of the land and any eventual obstacles;
-
assess the potential risks of the ground to be mown
and take all necessary precautions to ensure your
own safety, especially on slopes or on bumpy, slip-
pery or unstable ground;
-
work along the contour on slopes, never when
walking up or down and always keep downhill of
the cutter.
4) Make sure the machine is securely locked when you
start the engine:
-
start the motor in an area at least 3 metres from
where you refuelled;
-
check that there is nobody within at least 15 metres
of themachine’s range of action or at least 30 me-
tres for heavier mowing;
-
do not direct the silencer and therefore the exhaust
fumes towards inflammable materials.
5) Do not change the engine governor settings or over-
speed the engine.
6) Do not strain the machine too much and do not use
a small machine for heavy-duty works. If you use the
right machine, you will reduce the risk of hazards and
improve the quality of your work.
7) Check that when the machine is running idle, there is
no movement of the cutting device and, after press-
ing the throttle trigger, the engine quickly returns to
minimum speed.
8) Ensure that the blade does not come into violent con-
tact with foreign bodies and beware of the possibility
of material being thrown up by the blades.
9) Always keep the machine connected to the webbing
when working.
10) Stop the engine:
-
whenever you leave the machine unattended.
-
before refuelling.
-
during movements between work areas.
11) Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug
cable:
-
before cleaning, checking or working on the ma-
chine;
-
after striking a foreign object. Inspect themachine
for any damage and make repairs before restart-
ing it again;
-
if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally: find
the cause of the vibration immediately and have it
inspected at a Specialised Centre.
-
when the machine is not in use.
D) Maintenance and storage
1) Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition. Routine main-
tenance is essential for safety and for maintaining a
high performance level.
2) Do not store the machine with fuel in the tank in an
area where the fuel vapours could reach an open
flame, a spark or a strong heat source.
3) Allow the engine to cool before storing in any en-
closure.
4)
To reduce fire hazards, keep the engine, exhaust
silencer and fuel storage area free from sawdust,
branches, leaves, or excessive grease; never leave
containers with the cut debris inside the storage area.
5) If the fuel tank has to be emptied, this should be done
outdoors once the engine has cooled down.
6) Always wear protective gloves when handling the
cutting device.
7) For safety reasons, never use the machine with worn
or damaged parts. Damaged parts are to be replaced
and never repaired. Only use original spare parts.
Parts that are not of the same quality can seriously
damage the equipment and compromise safety. The
cutting tools must always bear the manufacturer’s
trademark as well as a reference to the maximum
working speed.
8) Before putting the machine away, check you have
removed wrenches or tools used for maintenance.
9) Store the machine out of the reach of children!
E) Transportation and handling
1) Whenever the machine is to be handled or trans-
ported you must:
-
turn off the engine, wait for the cutting device to
stop and disconnect the spark plug cap;
-
fit the cutting device guard;
-
only hold the machine using the handgrips and
position the cutting device in the opposite direction
to that used during operation.
2) When using a vehicle to transport the machine, posi-
tion it so that it can cause no danger to persons and
fasten it firmly in place to avoid it from tipping over,
which may cause damage or fuel spillage.
GB-16
