HONDA HHT25S - Manual (Page 9)

9
BEFORE OPERATION
ARE YOU READY TO OPERATE THE TRIMMER?
Your safety is your responsibility. A little time spent in preparation will
significantly reduce your risk of injury.
Read and understand this manual. Know what the controls do and
how to operate them.
Familiarize yourself with the trimmer and its operation before you
begin to use it. Know what to do in case of emergencies.
You must be alert and in good physical condition to operate the
trimmer. Do not operate the trimmer if you are tired, ill, or under the
influence of alcohol, medication, or any substance that might impair
your vision, dexterity, or judgment.
If you have any physical problem that may be aggravated by
strenuous work, consult your physician before operating the trimmer.
Wearing protective clothing will reduce your risk of injury. Do not wear
loose clothing, jewelry, short pants, sandals, or go barefoot. Secure
hair so it is above shoulder level.
Always wear safety glasses or goggles that comply with ANSI
standard Z87.1 to protect your eyes from thrown objects. Prescription
glasses may be worn under the safety glasses or goggles.
A helmet with a face shield is recommended for further protection.
However, safety glasses or goggles should always be worn under the
face shield. Do not rely on a face shield alone to protect your eyes.
Wearing a dust mask will help to reduce the amount of pollen and dust
inhaled.
Hearing protectors will help to protect your ears from noise.
Earmuff-style hearing protectors can also protect your ears from
thrown objects.
Wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants made of heavy
material. Clothing should fit closely but allow freedom of movement,
and should have no strings, straps, etc. that could catch on brush or
the trimmer. Keep clothing fastened.
Wear sturdy work boots with good toe protection and nonslip soles.
IS YOUR WORKING AREA READY?
Objects thrown by the trimmer can cause serious injury. Before
operating the trimmer, carefully inspect the area and remove all
objects that could be thrown by, or entangled in, the cutting
attachment, such as rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, or string.
Clear the area of children, bystanders, and pets. Keep all children,
bystanders, and pets at least 50 feet (15 meters) away from where the
trimmer is being operated.
Even outside a 50-foot (15-meter) radius of the trimmer, there may be
a risk of injury from thrown objects, so bystanders should be
encouraged to wear eye protection.
If anyone approaches you while you are operating the trimmer,
release the throttle trigger and stop the engine.
IS YOUR TRIMMER READY TO GO?
For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your equipment, it
is very important to take a few moments before you operate the
trimmer to check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem
you find, or have your servicing dealer correct it, before you operate
the trimmer.
Safety Inspection
• Look around the engine for signs of oil or gasoline leaks. Wipe up
any spills before starting the engine.
• Replace any damaged parts.
• Check that all fasteners are in place and secure. Tighten as
necessary.
Cutting Attachment Inspection
• Look for signs of damage to the cutting attachment (see page 21
and page 19). Replace any cutting attachment and parts that are
worn out, bent, cracked, chipped, or damaged in any way.
• If using a metal blade, be sure it is sharp. A dull blade is more likely
to snag and thrust.
• If using a metal blade on a trimmer equipped with a loop handle, be
sure the barrier bar (optional part) is installed beneath the loop
handle.
• Make sure the cutting attachment is properly installed and securely
fastened (see page 24 and page 21).
• Check that the debris shield is the correct shield for the cutting
attachment (see page 21), and that it is securely installed and in
good condition.
Maintenance Inspection
• Check the oil level (see page 15). Running the engine with a low oil
level can cause engine damage.
• Check the air filter (see page 15). A dirty air filter will restrict air flow
to the carburetor, reducing engine and trimmer performance.
• Check throttle cable free play (see page 16). The cable must be
correctly adjusted and operate smoothly for good throttle control.
• Check the fuel level (see page 17). Starting with a full tank will help
to eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling.
B
WARNING
Improperly maintaining this trimmer, or failing to
correct a problem before operation, could cause a
malfunction in which you could be seriously injured.
Always perform a pre-operation inspection before
each operation, and correct any problem.