Echo Bear Cat 70580S - Manual (Page 10)

7
S
E C T I O N
2
2.2 Operation
2.2.1 Shredding (See Figure 4)
WARNING! Always stand clear clear of the
discharge opening when operating the
machine. Keep hands or any other part of the
body or clothing out of inlet and discharge openings.
1. Place materials to be shredded (grass, leaves,
garden refuse, sticks and branches less the 3/4 inch
diameter and 24 inches long, etc.) into the hopper. If
necessary, use a leaf tamper, branch or other similar
object to push material through the inlet guards.
Feed material evenly into the shredder so that the
engine does not lug down or the shredder becomes
plugged. Attempting to use the clutch to clear a
plugged rotor will cause belt damage. Refer to
Section 3, Clearing Plugged Rotor, for instructions.
Branches or items that plug or cause the machine to
stall should be fed in more evenly or put through
the chipper chute.
2.2.2 Chipping (See Figure 5)
WARNING! Keep face and body away from the
feed opening. Do not overreach. Keep proper
balance and footing at all times.
1. Select limbs that are between 3/4 and 3 inches in
diameter; trim side branches off that cannot be bent
over enough to fit into the chipper chute. Some
small branches can be broken off on the chipper
chute transport handle. Small diameter branches can
be held together in a bundle and fed in simulta-
neously.
2. Place limb, butt end first, into the chipper chute
until it contacts the chipping blades (See figure 5).
The actual feed rate of the limb into the chipper will
depend on the type of material being fed, the
sharpness of the cutting blades and the size of the
machine. Alternately insert and retract the limb or
insert continuously at a rate that will not kill the
engine. Rotating the branch as it is being fed will
improve cutting action.
The chipping blades will dull with use and require
periodic sharpening. Refer to Section 3, Sharpening
Chipper Blades, for instructions.
2.2.3 Bagging
WARNING! Do not allow processed material to
build up in the discharge area. This may
prevent proper discharge and can result in
kickback of material through the feed opening.
A large heavy-duty trash bag can be attached to the
chipper/shreder to collect discharge. To use the bag,
loop the top over the discharge door and hold the
bottom of the bag opening under the fron leg. (See
figure 6). Stop the machine periodically and remove the
bag to check that the discharge area is clear and to move
the material to the bottom of the bag.
2.2.4 Stopping
WARNING! Do not leave machine unattended or
attempt any inspection or service unless the
engine is stopped, spark plug wire removed
from spark plug, and the machine has come to
a complete stop.
To stop the machine, proceede as follows:
1. Move throttle to slow position.
2. Disengage rotor clutch.
3. Move throttle to stop position or turn off ignition
switch and remove spark plug wire from spark plug.
4. Allow machine to come to a complete stop.
Note: The rotor is heavy and has inertia that will make the
rotor continue to turn for some time after the clutch has been
disengaged. You can tell that the rotor has come to a
complete stop when there is no noise, machine vibration, or
the exposed end of the rotor shaft next to the chipper chute is
not longer rotating. The stopping time can be shortened by
inserting a branch into the chipper chute so it contacts the
blades and slows the rotor.
Note: Models 70380 and 70580 have greasable rotor
bearings. They should be greased lightly once every year,
under normal use. Be careful not to over grease and blow out
the seats.