12
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
It is recommended that the engine not be
operated for longer than 1 minute at full
throttle.
OPERATING POSITION
Eye
Protection
ALWAYS WEAR:
Long Pants
Heavy Shoes
Head
Protection
DANGER:
Do not extend arms above
shoulders while pruning. Do not stand be-
neath branch being cut.
WARNING:
Always wear head, eye,
hearing, foot and body protection to reduce
the risk of injury when operating this unit.
When operating unit, clip shoulder strap onto
clamp, stand as shown and check for the fol-
lowing:
S
Extend your left arm and hold assist handle
with your left hand.
S
Hold throttle grip with your right hand with
finger on throttle trigger.
S
Keep engine end below waist level.
S
Keep shoulder strap pad centered on your
left shoulder and danger sign centered on
your back.
S
Maintain full weight of tool on your left
shoulder.
Always release the throttle trigger and allow the
engine to return to idle speed when not pruning.
To stop engine:
S
Release the throttle trigger.
S
Move the ON/OFF switch to the OFF posi-
tion.
PRUNING
WARNING:
Be alert for and guard
against kickback. Do not allow the moving
chain to contact any other branches or ob-
jects at the nose of the guide bar when prun-
ing. Allowing such contact can result in seri-
ous injury.
IMPORTANT POINTS
S
Work slowly, keeping both hands firmly
gripped on the pruner. Maintain secure
footing and balance.
S
Plan cut carefully. Check direction branch
will fall.
S
Watch out for springpoles. Springpoles are
small size limbs which can catch the chain
and whip toward you or pull you off balance.
Use extreme caution when cutting small size
limbs or slender material.
S
Watch out for branches immediately behind
the branch being pruned. If the chain hits the
rear branch, damage to the unit may occur.
S
Be alert for springback.
Watch out for
branches that are bent or under pressure.
Avoid being struck by the branch or the
pruner when the tension in the wood fibers
is released.
S
Keep a clear work area. Frequently clear
branches out of the way to avoid tripping
over them.
S
Long branches should be removed in
several pieces.
PRUNING TECHNIQUE
When ready to cut, accelerate to full throttle
and apply a light cutting pressure. DO NOT
use back and forth sawing action.
Pruning technique
Second cut
Third cut
Collar
First cut
1.
Make the first cut 6 inches (15 cm) from
the tree trunk on the bottom of the limb.
Use top of guide bar to make this cut. Cut
1/3 through the diameter of the limb.
NOTE:
When making the second and third
cuts, rest the foot of the pruner against the
tree limb that is being cut to prevent whipping
of the branch.
Foot
2.
Next, move 2 -- 4 inches (5 -- 10 cm) far-
ther out on the limb and make a second
cut all the way through the limb.
3.
Then, make a final cut leaving a 1 -- 2 inch
(2.5 -- 5 cm) collar from the trunk of the
tree to avoid damage to the tree.
