Shindaiwa 81642 - Manual (Page 12)

12
1060 �
Ten�
O’Clock
Seven�
O’Clock
OK To Cut
Blade�
Rotation
DO NOT CU
T
Five�
O’Clock
�
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
attachment shield is properly
installed before operating
this unit.
Using a Blade T231X
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 pro-
tection against blade thrust. In addition,
a shoulder strap gives significant support
and comfort to help ensure safe and ef-
ficient operation.
When operating a T231X with a blade,
make sure both the handle and shoulder
strap are adjusted to the size of the opera-
tor using 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 dam-
age, 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 between
the blade’s 7 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions
(as viewed from above). DO NOT cut be-
tween the 10 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions.
See Figure 26.
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 opera-
tor. Move the blade from top to bottom
through the cut, and cut only with the bot-
tom edge of the blade. See Figure 27.
Figure 26
Cut on the left side
of the blade. KEEP
YOUR BODY OUT-
SIDE THE PATH OF
BLADE ROTATION
Figure 27
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts,
never allow the blade to exceed waist
height.