6
BEFORE OPERATING THE HEDGE TRIMMER
• Before beginning work, carefully check the work area and remove any obstacles.
• Within a perimeter of 15 metres of the work area should be considered a hazardous area into
which no-one should enter while the hedge trimmer is being used, and when necessary this area
should be marked with a warning rope, warning signs, or other forms of warning.
• When work is to be performed simultaneously by two or more operators, care should also be
taken to constantly look around to check the presence and locations of other operators within the
work area to maintain a safe distance between each operator.
• Before beginning work, each component of the hedge trimmer should be checked to make sure
that it is in proper working order, make sure that there are no loose screws or bolts, fuel leaks,
ruptures, dents, or any other problems which might interfere with safe operation. Be especially
careful to check that there is no damage to the blades.
• Keep all parts of your body away from the hedge trimmer blades when the engine is running.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
• Carefully check the work area to make sure that no obstacles exist within a perimeter of 15
metres around the hedge trimmer before starting the engine.
• To start the engine, place the hedge trimmer onto the ground in a flat clear area and hold it firmly
in place to ensure that neither the blades or the throttle come into contact with any obstacles
when the engine starts.
• After starting the engine, make sure that the blades stop moving when the throttle trigger is
released (idle). If the blades continue to move when the engine is at idle, adjust the idle screw
on the carburettor to a point where the blades stops moving, if this cannot be achieved, take the
hedge trimmer to your authorised servicing dealer for adjustment.
AVOID NOISE PROBLEMS
• Check and follow the local regulations for sound levels and hours of operation for garden
machinery.
• In general, operate hedge trimmers between 8 am, and 5 pm on week days and 9 am to 5 pm at
weekends.
•. Avoid using the hedge trimmer late at night and/or early in the morning.
SAFETY WHEN USING THE HEDGE TRIMMER
• When using the hedge trimmer, grip the handles firmly with both hands, place your feet slightly
apart so your weight is distributed evenly across both legs, and always maintain a steady even
posture while working.
• Maintain full engine speed when cutting.
• Never allow other persons to come within the work area as doing so might expose them to
danger.
• Keep work area clear of all persons, particularly small children and pets. Injury may result from
flying debris.
• If a branch or other object get caught in the hedge trimmer during operation, always
stop the engine before removing the object.
• To protect yourself against injury from falling branches, wear the required safety
equipment.
• Never touch the spark plug or plug HT cable while the engine is in operation, doing
so may result in an electrical shock.
• Never touch the exhaust, spark plug, or any metallic parts while the engine is in
operation or immediately after shutting down the engine. These parts reach high
temperatures during operation and doing so could result in serious burns.
• When you finish cutting in one location and wish to continue work in another area,
stop the engine, place the protective cover over the blades, and turn the hedge
trimmer so that the blade faces behind your body before carrying it to the new
location.
• Always remove fuel from the fuel tank before transportation to prevent fuel spillage.
• Never leave the hedge trimmer exposed to direct sunlight as this can heat the fuel
tank and may cause a discharge of fuel, and flood the engine.