Shindaiwa 81644 - Manual (Page 13)

13
WARNING!
n Before working with a blade-
equipped unit, always inspect and
clean the area of objects that could
interfere with or damage the blade.
n Never use a blade near sidewalks,
fence posts, buildings or other
objects that could cause injury or
damage.
n Never use a blade for purposes
other than those for which it was
designed.
n Whenever you strike a hard object
with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect
the blade for damage. NEVER
OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER
WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
n A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type
handlebar or barrier bar as well
as a harness or shoulder strap.
n Always make sure the cutting at-
tachment shield is properly installed
before operating this unit.
Using a Blade C242
Blade Thrust
‘Blade thrust’ is a sudden sideways or
backward motion of the brushcutter. Such
motion may occur when the blade jams or
catches on an object such as a sapling tree
or tree stump. BE CONSTANTLY ALERT
FOR BLADE THRUST AND GUARD
AGAINST ITS EFFECTS!
Brushcutter Handlebar
A brushcutter handlebar or barrier bar
helps prevent the operator from moving
forward, or the unit moving rearward,
thus preventing inadvertent bodily contact
with the blade. ALWAYS KEEP THE
HANDLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR
SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
Brushcutter Shoulder Strap
A shoulder strap provides additional
protection against blade thrust. In addition,
a shoulder strap gives significant support
and comfort to help ensure safe and
efficient operation.
When operating a C242 with a blade, make
sure both the handle and shoulder strap
are adjusted to the size of the operator us-
ing the unit.
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the unit at full throttle while cut-
ting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained by
releasing the throttle when swinging back
after a cut.
n
To prevent possible engine damage, do
not allow the brushcutter to run at high
speeds without a load.
n Avoid operating the engine at low
speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid
clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed
operation tends to cause grass and
debris to wrap around the cutting head.
The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For
best performance and to minimize being
stuck by debris, move the blade from right
to left while advancing on your work.
Position the blade so cuts are made be-
tween the blade’s 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock
positions (as viewed from above). DO NOT
cut between the 10 o’clock and 5 o’clock
positions.
WARNING!
When cutting wood with a saw, feed
the blade slowly—never strike or “slam”
a spinning blade against the wood.
WARNING!
DO NOT use 2-tooth or non-Shindaiwa
approved 4-tooth cutting blades with
Shindaiwa trimmers and brushcutters.
Vertical Cuts
Hold the brushcutter with the blade at
a 90° angle to the ground so the blade’s
bottom edge rotates toward the operator.
Move the blade from top to bottom through
the cut, and cut only with the bottom edge
of the blade.
Operating Units with a Blade
Figure 24
Cut on the left side of
the blade. KEEP YOUR
BODY
OUTSIDE THE PATH
OF BLADE ROTATION
Figure 25
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts, never allow
the blade to exceed waist height.
Eight
O'clock
DO N
OT
C
U
T
Ten
O'clock
OK To Cut
Five
O'clock
Blade
Rotation