2
SAFETY RULES
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always
be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and serious injury. The warnings
and safety instructions in this manual must be followed to reduce the risk of fire, elec-
tric shock, or injury, and to provide reasonable safety and efficiency in using this unit.
The operator is responsible for following the warnings and instructions in this manual
and on the unit. Read the entire instruction manual before assembling and using the
unit! Restrict the use of this unit to persons who read, understand, and follow the
warnings and instructions in this manual and on the unit. Never allow children to use
this unit. Close attention is necessary when used near children.
OPERATOR SAFETY
S
Always wear safety glasses or similar
eye protection when operating, servic-
ing, or performing maintenance on your
unit. Wearing eye protection can help to
prevent rocks or debris from being
blown or ricocheting into eyes and face
which can result in blindness or serious
injury.
S
Always wear a respirator or face mask
when working with the unit in dusty envi-
ronments.
S
Dress safely in long pants. Do not go
barefoot or wear short pants or sandals.
S
Do not operate the unit when you are
tired, ill, upset, or if you are under the in-
fluence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
S
Secure hair so it is above shoulder
length. Keep loose hair, loose clothing,
fingers, and all other parts of the body
away from openings and moving parts.
Hair, jewelry, loose clothing, or clothing
with loosely hanging straps, ties, tas-
sels, etc., can be caught in moving
parts.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
WARNING:
Avoid a dangerous
environment. To reduce the risk of elec-
trical shock, do not use in rain, in damp
or wet locations, or around swimming
pools, hot tubs, etc. Do not expose to
snow, rain, or water to avoid the possibil-
ity of electrical shock. Do not handle ex-
tension cord plug or unit with wet hands.
S
Use only a voltage supply as shown on
the nameplate of the unit.
S
Avoid dangerous situations. Do not use
in presence of flammable liquids or
gases to avoid creating a fire or explo-
sion and/or causing damage to unit.
S
Avoid dangerous environments. Do not
use in unventilated areas or where dust
or explosive vapors can build up.
S
To reduce the risk of electrical shock,
use extension cords specifically marked
as suitable for outdoor appliances. The
electrical rating of the cord must not be
less than the rating of the unit. The cord
must be marked with the suffix “W-A” (in
Canada, “W”). Make sure your exten-
sion cord is in good condition. Inspect
extension cord before use and replace if
damaged. An undersized extension
cord will cause a drop in line voltage re-
sulting in loss of power and overheating.
If in doubt, use the next heavier gauge.
The smaller the gauge number, the
heavier the cord.
(NOTE: The correct size to be used de-
pending on the cord length is shown in
this manual. See
SELECT AN EXTEN-
SION CORD
in the
ASSEMBLY
section).
S
Inspect the insulation and connectors
on the unit and extension cord before
each use. If there is any damage, do not
use until damage is repaired by your au-
thorized service dealer. Do not pull or
carry by cord; do not use cord as a han-
dle, close a door on cord, or pull cord
around sharp edges or corners. Keep
cord away from heated surfaces. Do not
unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug,
grasp the plug, not the cord.
S
Tie cord to cord retainer and connect to
recessed plug as shown in this manual
to prevent damage to unit and/or exten-
sion cord and to reduce the possibility of
the extension cord disconnecting from
the unit during operation.
S
Do not use the unit if the switch does not
turn the unit on and off properly. Have
the unit repaired by your authorized ser-
vice dealer.
