14
Using a Brushcutter Equipped
with a Blade
A blade-equipped brushcutter is a
professional tool that demands the utmost
attention. Observing the following
important guidelines will help ensure safe
and effective performance from your
brushcutter.
Operation
WARNING!
Your brushcutter is
equipped with a barrier-
type handlebar, shoulder harness,
and a cutting attachment debris
shield. These items must be
installed and adjusted according
to the instructions in this manual
before using the unit with a
blade or a trimmer head cutting
attachment.
A unit equipped with a blade can
throw or get entangled in loose
objects. Before operating, inspect
area thoroughly. Remove all
objects, such as rocks, broken
glass, nails, wire, or string. Note
location of large rocks, stumps,
and other fixed objects to avoid
hitting them.
Make sure children, bystanders,
and pets are at least outside
a 15 meter radius. If a child,
person, or pet comes into the 15
meter radius, stop the engine
immediately
Beware of the dangers of blade
thrust! Blade thrust can occur
when the top right cutting zone of
the blade strikes a fixed object.
Blade thrust can be violent
enough to cause the unit and/or
operator to be propelled in any
direction, and possibly loose
control of the unit. A violent blade
thrust posses an extreme risk to
anyone and anything nearby.
Do not overreach! Do not raise
the cutting attachment above
waist level. Assume a safe and
comfortable position before
starting, and maintain your
balance at all times.
STOP the machine immediately
if it suddenly begins to vibrate or
shake. Inspect it for loose, broken,
missing, or improperly installed
parts or attachments.
Barrier Type Front Handle
The barrier type front handle helps
prevent the operator from moving forward
or the cutting attachment from moving
rearward to prevent inadvertent bodily
contact with the blade. The front handle
must be installed in accordance with the
instruction provided in this manual. Always
keep the front handle securely in place on
the unit.
Shoulder Harness
The shoulder harness provided with the
unit affords additional protection against
blade thrust. Additionally, a shoulder
harness provides support and comfort to
help ensure safe and efficient operation.
Before operating the brushcutter, make
sure the harness is adjusted correctly
to the operator. The shoulder harness is
equipped with a quick release mechanism
to assure that the unit can be released
quickly from the operator in the event of
emergency.
WARNING!
When transporting, make sure
the engine is not running and
blade is covered with blade cover.
Avoid blade thrust by keeping the blade
in view during operation. Watch your cut
at all times. Cut ONLY small trees and/or
branches with the left side of the blade
between the 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock
positions as shown below. Avoid cutting
with any other part of the blade. When
cutting brush, sweep the blade from right
to left, always keeping the blade well in
front. It is recommended that the blade
be tilted down slightly to help keep debris
from accumulating on the edge of the
blade.
DO
NOT CUT
Ten
O'clock
Eight
O'clock
OK To Cut
Operate the machine at full throttle while
cutting. Best results are obtained by
releasing the throttle when swinging back
after completing a cut.
To prevent possible engine damage, do
not allow the brushcutter to run at high
speeds without a load.
Avoid operating the engine below the
recommended operational speed range.
Doing so can lead to rapid clutch wear.
In addition, slow-speed operation may
cause grass and debris to wrap around
the cutting attachment.
WARNING!
“BLADE THRUST” is a sudden
sideway or backward motion
of the machine. Such motion may
occur when the blade jams or catches
on an object such as a sapling tree or
tree stump. BE CONSTANTLY ALERT
FOR BLADE THRUST AND GUARD
AGAINST ITS EFFECTS.
WARNING!
Position the blade so cuts
are made between blade’s
8 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions
(as viewed from above). DO NOT cut
between the 11 o’clock and 5 o’clock
positions.
Engine Operating Speeds
WARNING!
When cutting small tress with a
blade, feed the blade slowly, never
strike or “slam” the spinning blade
against the tree trunk.
DO NOT use 2-tooth (lawn mower
type) cutting blades. Use only
Shindaiwa approved blades with
your Shindaiwa brushcutter.
Using a blade not authorized by
Shindaiwa may result in serious
injury.
Never repair a damaged blade
by welding, straightening, or by
modifying its shape. An altered
blade may break during operation,
resulting in serious personal injury.
Keep blades sharp and check
blade condition frequently. If
cutting performance changes
suddenly, stop the engine and
check the blade for cracks or other
damage. Replace the damaged
blade immediately!
