HONDA HHT25S - Manual (Page 13)

13
Blade Thrust (Kickback)
Blade thrust (kickback) is the sudden, forceful, and uncontrolled
movement of a blade-equipped trimmer that may occur if the blade
binds while cutting or strikes a solid object.
Blade thrust (kickback) throws the trimmer in the direction opposite
blade rotation at the point of contact, and the jolt received by the
operator can result in further loss of control.
To reduce the risk of loosing control, use metal blades on trimmers
equipped with a U-type handlebar, or install the barrier bar (optional
part) on trimmers equipped with a loop handle.
Replace or resharpen dull blades. Dull blades are more likely to bind
in the cut and cause blade thrust.
Watch out for hidden obstacles such as rocks, stumps, roots, etc., that
could cause the blade to kick back if struck. Blade thrust is more likely
to occur in areas where it is difficult to see what is being cut.
Understand the reaction forces of the blade. When using a brush
blade to saw through heavy brush and small saplings, saw with the
side of the brush blade that is moving toward you and tends to pull the
trimmer away from you.
Blades on Honda HHT25S and HHT35S trimmers rotate
counterclockwise, as viewed from the operator’s position. Therefore,
the left side of the blade is moving toward you. With these trimmers,
sawing with the left side of a brush blade will give you better control
and less risk of kickback, though it will throw the sawdust toward you.
Cut from the side of saplings that will cause them to fall away from the
trimmer. This will help prevent the blade from binding in the cut and
kicking back.
Accelerate the engine to maximum speed before starting the cut, and
saw through with uniform pressure.
OPERATING TIPS
Scything
Swing the trimmer in a level arc by rotating your body with a smooth,
easy motion, rather then moving the trimmer with your arms. Do not
chop at tough weeds and brush; let the cutting line or blade work
through tough growths gradually.
To direct thrown debris away from you, tilt the cutting attachment to
the right side, scythe from left to right, then return without cutting.
Trimming and Edging
Use nylon line for cutting against a hard surface. Work from an angle
where debris that strikes the hard surface will ricochet away from you.
Avoid contact with wires, wire fences, metal rods, etc. Overlapping a
wire will cause the nylon line to wrap around the wire and break off.
Brush Clearing
Clearing brush with a brush blade may require both scything and
sawing.
Scything with the right side of the blade will direct thrown debris away
from you.
Be especially careful to direct debris away from you if recutting an
area to shorten stumps. Short lengths of shrub and sapling stumps
may tear off and be thrown at high speed.
Sawing heavy brush and saplings with the left side of the blade will
reduce the risk of kickback.
Accelerate the engine to maximum speed before starting the cut, and
saw through with uniform pressure.
If shrubs or saplings bind the blade, stop the engine and, while
supporting the weight of the trimmer, push the shrub or sapling away
to free the blade. Do not use the blade as a lever.
Operation on Slopes
Start on the low side of a slope, and work upward. This will reduce
your risk of slipping and falling, and it will give you a cutting angle that
will better enable you to direct debris away from you.
Do not let the cutting line or blade dig into the slope, because that can
cause stones and dirt to be thrown at you.
Do not raise the cutting attachment above waist level during
operation, because that would increase the risk of thrown objects
striking your face.
Avoid steep slopes that would require holding the cutting attachment
above waist level. Avoid slippery slopes that might cause you to lose
your balance.
BLADE
THRUST TRIMMING
DEBRIS
SAWING