Echo CH45540 Owners Manual v.5 - Manual (Page 12)

4.5 INCH CHIPPER 8
Section
OPERATION
4
CAUTION
Move the machine to a clear, level area outdoors before
starting. Do not operate in the vicinity of bystanders. Make
sure the cutting chamber is empty before starting.
WARNING
Before operating your machine, be sure you read
and understand all safety, controls and operating
instructions in this owner’s manual and on your
machine. Failure to follow these instructions can
result in serious injury or property damage.
4.1 STARTING PTO CHIPPER
1. Connect PTO driveline to tractor as described in Sec.
2.4.
2. Adjust three-point top link so the chipper sits level.
3. Start tractor engine and engage PTO (refer to tractor
owner’s manual). Increase engine speed to rated PTO
RPM.
4.2 STOPPING PTO CHIPPER
1. If the tractor is able to stop the chipper with the chipper
engagement lever in the CHIPPING position, it is not
required to place the chipper engagement lever in the
START position when stopping the tractor PTO. If the
tractor PTO cannot stop the chipper with the chipper
engagement lever in the CHIPPING position, move the
chipper engagement lever to the START position.
2. Move the tractor throttle to the SLOW position.
3. Disengage the PTO lever and shut off the tractor
engine.
4. Allow machine to come to a complete stop.
4.3 OPERATING THE CHIPPER
CAUTION
Obtain and wear safety glasses at all times when
operating the machine.
Do not wear loose fitting clothing.
The operator should always wear heavy boots, gloves,
pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
Use common sense and practice safety to protect
yourself from branches, sharp objects, and other
harmful objects.
WARNING
Never lean over the chipper chute to push objects into the
cutting device. Use a push stick or brush paddle.
Never use shovels or forks to feed brush. They can
cause extensive damage if they contact the blades.
In addition, metal pieces can be ejected from the
chipper chute and cause serious injury or death.
Never feed brush into the chute with your feet.
Never use hands or feet to clear materials that build up in
the chute.
The machine chips a variety of materials into a more
readily decomposed or handled condition. The following
guidelines will help you get started.
1. Run unit at full operating speed before starting to
chip material.
2. Limbs fed in to the chipper chute must be 4.5 inches
11 cm) in diameter or less. Trim side branches that
cannot be bent enough to feed into the chipper chute.
Hold small diameter branches together in a bundle and
feed in simultaneously.
3. Exclude pieces of metal, rocks, bottles, cans, and
other foreign objects when feeding material into the
machine.
4. Feed brush from the side of the chipper chute, rather
than from the front. Step aside to avoid being hit by the
brush moving into the chipper.
5. Place limb, butt end first, into the chipper chute
until it contacts the chipper blades. The actual feed
rate of the limb into the chipper will depend on the type
of material fed and sharpness of the cutting blades.
6. If the engine slows to where it may stall, stop feeding
material and allow the engine to recover. Feed material
more evenly.
7. If the chipper jams, remove the branch and rotate it
before reinserting it into the chute. Alternately insert
and retract the limb or insert continuously at a rate that
will not kill the engine.
8. Do not use the clutch to clear a plugged rotor. This
may cause belt damage. Refer to the instructions for
clearing a plugged rotor in the Service and Maintenance
section.
9. Alternate greener material with dry material to
lubricate the chipping blades for longer life and better
performance. Chipping dead, dry material will create
heat and dull the chipping blades quickly.
10. Sharpen the chipping blades periodically. Check
the sharpness of the blades every 5-15 hours. Refer
to the Service and Maintenance section for sharpening
instructions.