Poulan PT7000 - Manual (Page 8)

ADVANCING THE TRIMMER LINE
Trimmer line will advance approximately 2
in. (5 cm) each time the bottom of the trim­
mer head is tapped on the ground with the
engine running at full throttle.
The most efficient line length is the maxi­
mum length allowed by line limiter.
Always keep the shield in place when
the tool is being operated.
To Advance Line:
• Operate the engine at full throttle.
• Hold the trimmer head parallel to and
above the grassy area.
• Tap bottom of trimmer head lightly on
the ground one time. Approximately 2
in. (5 cm) of line will be advanced with
each tap. A blade on the shield will cut
the line to the correct length.
Always tap the trimmer head on a
grassy area. Tapping on surfaces such
as concrete or asphalt can cause exces­
sive wear to the trimmer head.
If line is worn down to 2 in. (5 cm) or less,
more than one tap will be required to ob­
tain the most efficient line length.
WARNING: Use only .080” (2 mm) di­
ameter line. Other sizes of line will not ad­
vance properly and can cause serious
injury. Do not use other materials such as
wire, string, rope, etc. Wire can break off
during cutting and become a dangerous
missile that can cause serious injury.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USE WITH WEED BLADE
• Blade Thrust is a reaction that only oc­
curs when using a bladed unit. This re­
action can cause serious injury such as
amputation. Carefully study this section.
It is important that you understand what
causes blade thrust, how you can re­
duce the chance of its occurring, and
how you can remain in control of unit if
blade thrust occurs.
• WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST
Blade Thrust can occur when the spin­
ning blade contacts an object that it
does not cut. This contact causes the
blade to stop for an instant and then
suddenly move or “thrusf away from the
object that was hit. The “thrusting” reac­
tion can be violent enough to cause the
operator to be propelled in any direction
and lose control of the unit. The uncon­
trolled unit can cause serious injury if the
blade contacts the operator or others.
• WHEN BLADE THRUST CCCURS.
Blade thrust can occur without warn­
ing if the blade snags, stalls, or binds.
This is more likely to occur in areas
where it is difficult to see the material
being cut. By using the unit properly,
the occurrence of blade thrust will be
reduced and the operator will be less
likely to lose control.
• Cut only grass, weeds, and woody
brush up to 1/2 inch in diameter with
the weed blade. Do not let the blade
contact 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.
• Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is
more likely to snag and thrust.
• Cut only at full throttle. The blade will
have maximum cutting power and is
less likely to bind or stall.
• “Feed” the blade deliberately and not
too rapidly. The blade can thrust away
if it is fed too rapidly.
• Cut only from your right to your left.
Swinging the unit in the same direction
as the blade spins increases the cut­
ting action.
• Use the shoulder strap and keep a firm
grip on the unit with both hands. A
properly adjusted shoulder strap will
support the weight of the unit, freeing
your arms and hands to control and
guide the cutting motion.
• Keep feet comfortably spread apart and
braced for a possible sudden, rapid
thrust of unit. Do not overreach. Keep
firm footing and balance.
• Keep blade below waist level; it will be
easier to maintain control of unit.
• Do not raise the engine above your
waist as the blade can come danger­
ously close to your body.
• Do not swing unit with such force that
you are in danger of losing your bal­
ance.
10 o’clock V
Cut using the 8 o’clock J, ,
to 10 o’clock position of^y
the blade
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