10
CUTTING METHODS
WARNING:
Use minimum speed
and do not crowd the line when cutting around
hard objects (rock, gravel, fence posts, etc.),
which can damage the trimmer head, become
entangled in the line, or be thrown causing a
serious hazard.
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The tip of the line does the cutting. You will
achieve the best performance and mini-
mum line wear by not crowding the line into
the cutting area. The right and wrong ways
are shown below.
Tip of the line
does the cutting.
Right
Wrong
Line crowded into
work area.
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The line will easily remove grass and
weeds from around walls, fences, trees and
flower beds, but it also can cut the tender
bark of trees or shrubs and scar fences.
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For trimming or scalping, use less than full
throttle to increase line life and decrease
head wear, especially:
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During light duty cutting.
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Near objects around which the line can
wrap such as small posts, trees or fence
wire.
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For mowing or sweeping, use full throttle for
a good clean job.
TRIMMING
-- Hold the bottom of the trimmer
head about 3 inches (8 cm) above the ground
and at an angle. Allow only the tip of the line to
make contact. Do not force trimmer line into
work area.
Trimming
3 inches (8 cm)
above ground
SCALPING
-- The scalping technique removes
unwanted vegetation down to the ground. Hold
the bottom of the trimmer head about 3 in. (8
cm) above the ground and at an angle. Allow the
tip of the line to strike the ground around trees,
posts, monuments, etc. This technique in-
creases line wear.
Scalping
MOWING
-- Your trimmer is ideal for mowing
in places conventional lawn mowers cannot
reach. In the mowing position, keep the line
parallel to the ground. Avoid pressing the
head into the ground as this can scalp the
ground and damage the tool.
Mowing
SWEEPING
-- The fanning action of the rotat-
ing line can be used to blow away loose debris
from an area. Keep the line parallel to and
above the area surface and swing the tool
from side to side.
Sweeping
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USE WITH WEED BLADE
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Blade Thrust
is a reaction that only occurs
when using a bladed unit. This reaction can
cause serious injury such as amputation.
Carefully study this section. It is important that
you understand what causes blade thrust,
how you can reduce the chance of its
occurring, and how you can remain in control
of unit if blade thrust occurs.
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WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST
--
Blade
Thrust
can occur when the spinning blade
contacts an object that it does not cut. This
contact causes the blade to stop for an instant
and then suddenly move or “thrust” away
from the object that was hit. The “thrusting”
reaction can be violent enough to cause the
operator to be propelled in any direction and
lose control of the unit. The uncontrolled unit
can cause serious injury if the blade contacts
the operator or others.