Poulan 195 - Manual (Page 16)

A. BLADE SAFETY
L OPEBATOBSAPEIT
a. Always wear eye protection when operating,
servicing, or peiforming maintenance on yoiir
unit. See‘'Safely Accessories.”
b. Always wear heavy, long pants, long sleeves,
boots, and gloves. Do not go barefoot or wear
sandals, jewelry, short pants, riiort sleeves,
loose clothing, or clothing with loosely hang­
ing straps, ties, tassels, etc.; they can be cau^t
in moving parts. Secure hair so it is above
shoulder length. Being fully covered will help
protect you from pieces of toxic plants such as
poison ivy thrown by the blade, which could be
more of a hazard than touching the plant itself
c. Do not operate this unit when you are tired, ill,
or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or
medication.
d. Always use the handlebar and a properly ad­
justed shoulder strap. See “Assembly.”
e. Do not swing the unit with such force that you
are in danger of losing your balance.
f. Never start or run the engine inside a closed
room or building. Breafrnng exhaust fumes
can kill.
g. Keep handies free of oil and fuel.
2, UPOT SAFETY
a. Inspect the entire unit before each use. Re­
place damaged parts. Check for fuel leaks and
make sure all handles, guards, and fasteners
are in place and securely fastened.
b. Be sure the metal shield is properly attached.
The metal shield must be installed for all blade
usage.
c. Make sure the blade is properly installed and
securely fastened. Refer to “Assembly.”
d. Be sure the blade stops turning when the en­
gine idles. See “Trouble Shooting Chart.”
e. Make carburetor adjustments vrith the drive
shaft housing suppoited to prevent the blade
from contacting any object- Hold unit by hand;
do not use the shomder strap for support.
f Keep others away when making carburetor ad-
justmente.
g. Have all maintenance and service not ex­
plained in this manual performed by an Autho­
rized Service Dealer,
3. COTTING SAFETY
a. Inspect the area to be cut before eadi use. Re­
move objects (rockSj broken glass, nails, wire,
string, etc.) which can be thrown or become en­
tangled in the blade.
b. Always keep the engine on the right side of
your body. Hold the unit firmly with both
hands.
c. Keep firm footing and balance. Do not over­
reach.
d. Keep blade below waist level.
Do not raise the engine above vour waist.__!rhe_ e.
f
g*
h-
IBlade can come dangerously close to your body.
Cut at full throttle.
Cut from your right to your left.
Use only forjobs ea^lained in this manual. Do
not use the blade as an edger.'The shield does
not provide adequate protection.
B. GUARD AGAINST BLADE THRUST
• B/oifc Thrust is a reaction that only occurs when
using a bladed unit. This reaction can cause seri­
ous injupr such as amputation. Carefully study
this section. It is important that you understand
what causes hhde thrust^ how you can reduce the
chance of its occurring, and how you can remain
in control of the unit if blade thrust occurs.
♦ The fcarward tip on the shield helps to reduce the
occurrence of blade thrust but cannot prevent the
occurrence. The operator must follow all warn­
ings and safety instructions in this section to
lessen fhe chance of blade thrust occurring and to
inaintain control of unit if the reaction does occur.
1. CAUSES BLADE THRUST Blade
Thn^t 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 propelled
in any direction and lose control of the unit. The
uhcontroUed unit can cause serious injury if the
blade contacts the operator or others. Figure 21.
2. TVBDEIN BLADE THRUST OCCURS. Blade
thrust can occur without warning if the blade
snags, stalls, or binds. This is more likely to occur
in areas where it is difficult to see the material be-
ingcut.
Byusingtheunitproperly, the occurrence
pf blade thrust will be reduced and the operator
will be less likely to lose control,
- 1 6 -
Figure21
3. REDUCE THE CHANCE OF BLADE THRUST
a. Cut only grass, weeds, and woody brush up to 2
inches in diameter wiÆ the brush blade. Do not
let the blade contact material it cannot cut such as
stumps, rodes, fences, metal, etc., or dusters of
hard, woody bri^h having a diameter greater than
2in(i^es.
b. Keepitiie blade sharp, A duH blade is more likely to
snag and tl^^
c. Cutp^^ The blade has maximum
cutting power at full throttle and is less likely to
bmd or stall.
d. the blade deliberately and not too rapidly
The blade can thrust away if it is fed too rapidly.
e. Gut only from your right to your left, Swing^
the unit in the same direction as the blade spins
increases the cutting action.