EN
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Pay particular care to the sections marked as follows:
DANGER : This indicates a strong likelihood of serious or even
fatal injury if the instructions are not followed.
WARNING : This indicates a risk of injury or damage to the equipment if the
instructions are not followed
NOTE : This indicates useful information
This symbol reminds you to take care with certain operations.
If you have any problems or questions about the cultivator, please contact your
approved supplier.
DANGER : The machine is designed for safe and reliable service if
used as instructed. Before using your machine, please make sure
you have understood the contents of this manual. Otherwise you
could be injured and your equipment could be damaged.
Training / Information
- Familiarise yourself with the correct use and the controls before using the
machine. Know how to stop the motor rapidly.
- The machine must always be used according to the recommendations given
in the instruction manual.
- Remember that the user is responsible for any accidents or dangerous reac-
tions occurring to other people or their belongings. It is his responsibility to
assess the potential risks of the ground to be cleared and to take all precau-
tions necessary to ensure it is safe, in particular on slopes and on loose,
slippery or uneven ground.
- Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these instructions to use the
machine. There may be local laws which set a minimum age for users.
- Never work when there are people, especially children, or animals within a
radius of 20 metres of the machine; the operator must necessarily remain at
the controls of the handles.
- Do not use the machine if you have been taking medicine or other subs-
tances that might slow your reactions or make you drowsy.
- The operator must pay particular attention on hard ground because the ma-
chine has the tendency to be much less stable than on cultivated ground.
- Always wear sturdy, non-slip footwear and tight long trousers when working.
Do not use the machine in bare feet or sandals. Ear protectors are recom-
mended.
- Use the machine for the purpose it is designed for – digging the ground. Any
other use may be dangerous or cause damage to the machine.
Preparation
- Carefully inspect the area where the machine is to be used and remove any
objects that might be projected by the machine (stones, wire, glass, metal
objects …).
- Before use, always check over the machine to ensure that the blades and
deflectors are not worn or damaged. Replace any worn or damaged parts.
- Maintain the electrical cables that stop the engine in good condition so that
you can be sure to turn the engine off.
- Check that no petrol or oil are leaking.
- Do not use the machine without mud-guard or protective casings and ensure
that all the fittings are tight.
Use
- Never transport persons on the machine.
- Take care when starting the engine, following the manufacturer’s instructions
and keeping your feet away from the tool(s).
- Stop the engine when the machine is not in use.
- When holding the machine, walk don’t run.
- Take great care when pulling the machine towards you or reversing the di-
rection of rotation (if fitted).
- Keep a safe distance from the rotating blades, set by the length of the stee-
ring column.
- Do not place your hands or feet near or beneath rotating parts.
If there is:
- abnormal vibration,
- a blockage,
- a problem engaging or disengaging the clutch,
- a collision with a foreign object,
- deterioration of the engine halt cable, (following model)
- Stop the engine immediately (if the engine halt cable is severed, use the star-
ter control as described in paragraph “Engine starting” to stop the engine),
let the machine cool down, unplug the spark-plug lead, inspect the machine
and have the necessary repairs carried out by an approved repairer before
using again.
- Work only by daylight or in good artificial light.
- Do not use the machine on slopes greater than 10° (17%).
- Work across slopes, not up or down them.
- Make sure to keep your footing on sloping ground, change direction very
carefully.
- Using accessories other than those recommended may make the machine
dangerous and cause damage to your machine which will not be covered by
your guarantee.
Maintenance / storage
- Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug before cleaning, inspecting,
adjusting or maintaining the machine or changing the blades.
- Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug and use thick gloves when chan-
ging the blades.
- Keep all nuts and bolts tight to ensure safe conditions of use.
- To reduce fire risk, keep the engine, the silencer and the fuel storage area
free of plants, waste oil, or any other inflammable material.
- If the exhaust silencer is defective, have it replaced by an approved repairer.
- Do not mend parts; replace them by the maker’s own spares.
- Replace the cutting blades in complete sets to keep them balanced.
- For your own safety, do not alter the characteristics of your machine. Do
not the engine speed settings and do not run the engine at excess speeds.
Regular maintenance is essential for safety and to maintain the level of per-
formance.
- Allow the engine to cool down before putting the machine away.
Danger ! Petrol is highly inflammable !
- Store fuel in containers specially designed for it. Always fill the tank outdoors
and do not smoke while doing it.
- Do not unscrew the fuel cap or top up with petrol while the engine is running
or still hot.
- If petrol is spilt on the ground, do not try to start the engine; Carry the machine
elsewhere and avoid all naked flames until the petrol vapour has dispersed.
- Store the machine in a dry place. Never store the machine in a building
where the petrol vapour can reach a flame, spark or source of intense heat.
- Replace the caps of the fuel tank and the petrol can correctly.
- Limit the amount of petrol in the tank to reduce spillage.
- Do not run the engine in a confined space where carbon monoxide vapour
might accumulate.
- Carbon monoxide can be fatal. Ensure good ventilation.
Moving, handling, transporting
- Any action on the machine apart from ground digging must be performed with
engine stopped and spark plug disconnected.
- Except when (ground digging) the machine must be moved according to the
instructions in § “Moving”.
- Handling : Do not lift the machine. The weight of the machine is indicated on
the manufacturer’s plate, at the end of this manual.
- When loading or unloading the machine to or from a trailer, use a suitable
ramp. Lash the machine down correctly for safe transport.
- The machine should be transported in a trailer, engine stopped and spark
plug disconnected; do not use any other method of transport.
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