Shindaiwa TRIMMER T242X - Manual (Page 15)

15
Using a blade
Brushcutter Shoulder Strap
A shoulder strap provides additional
protection against blade thrust. In
addition, a shoulder strap gives significant
support and comfort to help ensure safe
and efficient operation. When operating
a unit with a blade, make sure both the
handle and shoulder strap are adjusted to
the size of the operator using the unit.
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the unit at full throttle while
cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained
by releasing the throttle when swinging
back after a cut.
■
To prevent possible engine damage,
do not allow the brushcutter to run
at high speeds without a load.
■
Avoid operating the engine at low
speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid
clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed
operation tends to cause grass and
debris to wrap around the cutting
head.
WARNING!
■
Before working with a blade-
equipped unit, always inspect and
clean the area of objects that could
interfere with or damage the blade.
■
Never use a blade near sidewalks,
fence posts, buildings or other
objects that could cause injury or
damage.
■
Never use a blade for purposes
other than those for which it was
designed.
■
Whenever you strike a hard object
with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect
the blade for damage. NEVER
OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER
WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
■
A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type han-
dlebar or barrier bar as well as a
harness or shoulder strap.
■
Always make sure the cutting
attachment shield is properly
installed before operating this unit.
Blade Thrust
“Blade thrust” is a sudden sideways or
backward motion of the brushcutter. 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!
Blade thrust can occur with-
out warning if the blade snags,
stalls or binds.
WARNING!
Blade thrust is more likely to
occur in areas where it is difficult to
see the material being cut.
Brushcutter Handlebar
A brushcutter handlebar or barrier bar
helps prevent the operator from moving
forward, or the unit moving rearward,
thus preventing inadvertent bodily
contact with the blade. ALWAYS KEEP
THE HANDLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR
SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
The blade rotates counter-clockwise.
For best performance and to minimize
being stuck by debris, move the blade
from right to left while advancing on
your work. Position the blade so cuts
are made between the blade’s 8 o’clock
and 10 o’clock positions (as viewed
from above). DO NOT cut between the
10 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions.
WARNING!
When cutting wood with
a blade, feed the blade slowly—
never strike or “slam” a spinning
blade against the wood.
WARNING!
DO NOT use 2-tooth or non-Shin-
daiwa approved 4-tooth cutting
blades with Shindaiwa trimmers
and brushcutters.
Using a blade
DO N
OT
C
U
T
Ten
O'clock
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
Five
O'clock
Blade
Rotation