Craftsman 358.798260-32cc - Manual (Page 15)

A. BLADE SAFETY
1.
c.
OPERATOR SAFETY
a. Always wear a safely face sMeM or gog­
gles, See “Accessories.
b. Always wear heavy, long pants, long
sleeves, boots, gloves and safety leg
guards. See “Accessories.” Do not wear loose
clothing, jewelxT, short pants, short sleeves,
sandals, or go barefoot. Secure hair so it is
above shoulder length.
Do
not operate this tool when you are
tired, ill or under the influence of alco­
hol, drugs or medication-
1. Always use the handlebar and a properly
adjusted shoulder strap. See ‘Assemoly.”
e. Do not swing the tool with such force
that you are in danger of losing your bal­
ance.
Never
start or run the engine inside a
closed room or building. Breathing exhaust
fumes can kiE.
Keep handles free of oil and fuel.
f.
2. TOOL SAFETY
Inspect the entire tool before each use.
Replace damaged parts. Check for fuel leaks
and make sure all fasteners are in place and se­
curely fastened.
Be sure the metal shield is properly at­
tached. The metal shield must be installed for
all blade usage.
a.
b.
d. Be sure the blade stops turning when the
engine idles. See “Trouble Shooting Chart.”
e. Make carburetor adjustments with the
lower end supported to prevent the blade
from contacting any object. Hold tool by
hand; do not use shoulder strap for support.
f. Keep others away when making carbure­
tor adjustments.
3. CUTTING SAFETY
a. Inspect the area to be cut before each
use. Remove objects (rocks, broken glass,
nails, wire, string, etc.) which can be thrown or
become entangled in the blade.
b. Always keep the engine on the right side
of your body. Hold the tool firmly with both
■ hands.
c. Keep firm footing and balance. Do not
over-reach.
d. Keep blade below waist level.
e. Do not raise the engine above your waist.
The blade can come dmgerously close to your
body.
f. Cut at full throttle .
g. Cut from your right to your left.
h. Use only for jobs explained in this man­
ual. Do not use the blade as an edger. The
. shield does not provide adequate protection.
B. GUARD AGAINST BLADE THRUST
* Blade Thrust is a reaction that only occurs when
using a bladed tool. This reaction can cause seri­
ous uyury 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 the tool it
blade thrust occurs.
• The forward tip on the shield helps to reduce the
occurrence of blade thrust but cannot prevent the
occurrence. The operator must follow the warn­
ings and safety instructions in this section to
lessen the chance of
blade thrust occui^g and to
maintain control of the tool if the reaction does oc­
cur.
1. WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST. Blade
Thrust can occur when the spinning blade con­
tacts 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 vio­
lent enough to cause the operator to be propeUed
in any direction and lose control of the tool. The
uncontrolled tool can cause serious iiyury if the
blade contacts the operator or others.
2. WHEN BLADE THRUST OCCURS, Blade
thrust can occur without warning if the blade
Rfiftgs, stalls, or binds. This is more likely to occur
in «resi wher9 it is c^sult to see the material be­
ing cut. By using the tool properly, the occurrence
of blodc thrust wUl be reduced and the operator
will be less likely to lose control.
3, REDUCE THE CHANCE OF BLADE THRUST
a. Cut only grass, weeds and woody brush up
to 1/2 incn diameter. Do not let the blade con­
tact material it cannot cut such as stumps, rocks,
fences, metal, etc., or clusters of hard, woody
brush having a diameter greater than 1/2 inch.
b. Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more
likely to snag.
c. Cut only a fall throttle. The blade has maxi­
mum cutting power at full throttle and is less
likely to bina or stall,
“Peed" the blade deliberately and not too
rapidly. The blade can thrust away if it is fed too
rapidly.
creases the cutting action.
15