Craftsman C944.511591 - Manual (Page 9)

WHEN 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
materia! being cut. By using the unit
properly, the occurrence of blade
thrust will be reduced and the opera­
tor will be less likely to lose control.
Cut only grass, weeds, and woody
brush up to 1/2 inch (1 cm) in diameter
with weed blade. Do not let blade con­
tact material it cannot cut such as
stumps, rocks, fences, metal, etc., or
clusters of hard, woody brush with a
diameter greater than 1/2 inch (1 cm).
Use a sharp blade. A dull blade is
more likely to snag and thrust.
Cut only at full throttle. The blade will
have maximum cutting power and is
less likely to bind or stall.
“Feed” the blade deliberately and not
too rapidly. The blade can thrust
away if it is fed too rapidly.
Cut only from your left to your right.
Swinging unit in the same direction as
blade spin increases cutting action.
Use the shoulder strap and keep a
firm grip on the unit with both hands.
A properly adjusted shoulder strap
will support the weight of the unit,
freeing your arms and hands to con­
trol and guide the cutting motion.
Keep feet comfortably spread apart
and braced for a possible sudden,
rapid thrust of unit. Do not overreach.
Keep firm footing and balance.
• Keep blade below waist level, it will
be easier to maintain control of unit.
• Do not raise the engine above your
waist as the blade can come danger­
ously close to your body.
• Do not swing the unit with such force
that you are in danger of losing your
balance.
Bring the powerhead engine to cutting
speed before entering the material to
be cut.
If the blade does not turn when you
squeeze the throttle trigger of the pow­
erhead, make sure the attachment is
fully inserted into the coupler.
Always release the throttle trigger and
allow powerhead engine to return to
idle speed when not cutting. The blade
should not turn while the engine is run­
ning at idle. If the blade turns at idle,
do not use your unit. Refer to the
CAR­
BURETOR ADJUSTMENT section of the
powerhead manual or contact your
Sears Service Centre.
• Maintain good firm footing while us­
ing the unit. Do this by planting feet
firmly in a comfortable apart position.
• Cut while swinging the upper part of
your body from left to right.
• As you move forward to the next
area to cut, be sure to maintain your
balance, and footing.
RECOMMENDED CUTTING POSITION
Cut using the 2
o’clock to 4 o'clock
position of the
blade
2 o'clock
4 o’clock
mk WARNING: The operator or others
must not try to clear away cut material
with the engine running or the blade
turning to avoid serious injury. Stop en­
gine and blade before removing materi­
als wrapped around blade or shaft.