Homelite UT70131 - Manual (Page 13)

13
WARNING:
Extreme care must be taken when using blades to
insure safe operation. Read the safety information for
safe operation using the blade, refer to “Specific
Safety Rules for Brushcutter and Blade Use” earlier
in this manual.
■ Always hold brushcutter with both hands when operating.
Use a firm grip on both handles.
■ Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position
yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the
kick-back reaction of the cutting blade.
■ Inspect and clear the area of any hidden objects such
as glass, stones, concrete, fencing, wire, wood,
metal etc.
■ Never use blades near footpaths, fencing, posts, build-
ings or other immovable objects.
■ Never use a blade after hitting a hard object without first
inspecting it for damage. Do not use if any damage is
detected.
■ Scythe, the broad sweeping of the unit back and forth
from side to side, with TRI-ARC blade only.
TRI-ARC BLADE
The TRI-ARC blade is suited only for pulpy weeds and
vines. When the blade becomes dull, it can be turned over
to extend the life of the blade. Do not sharpen the TRI-ARC
blade.
Use only TRI-ARC blade, part number 984227001, avail-
able at your local retailer.
CUTTING TECHNIQUE - BLADE
Exercise extreme caution when using the blade with this
unit. Blade thrust is the reaction which may occur when the
spinning blade contacts anything it cannot cut. This contact
may cause the blade to stop for an instant, and suddenly
“thrust” the unit away from the object that was hit. This
reaction can be violent enough to cause the operator to
lose control of the unit. 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 mate-
rial being cut. For cutting ease and safety, approach the
weeds being cut from the right to the left. In the event that an
unexpected object or woody stock is encountered, this
could minimise the blade thrust reaction.
See Figure 13.
OPERATING THE BRUSHCUTTER
Hold the brushcutter with the right hand on the trigger
handle and the left hand on the left handle. Keep a firm grip
with both hands while in operation. Brushcutter should be
held at a comfortable position with the trigger handle about
hip height. Maintain your grip and balance on both feet.
Position yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance
by the kick-back reaction of the cutting blade.
Adjust the shoulder strap to position the brushcutter at a
comfortable operating position and to assure that the
shoulder strap will reduce the risk of operator contact with
the blade.
See Figure 12.
Fig. 12
OPERATION
Fig. 13
APPROACH THE WEEDS BEING
CUT FROM THE RIGHT. THE
WEEDS WILL BE CUT AGAINST
THE LEFT SIDE OF THE
BLADE GUARD.