17
Inspect and clear the area of any hidden objects such as
glass, rocks, concrete, fencing, wire, wood, metal, etc.
Never use blades near sidewalks, fencing, posts, build-
ings or other immovable objects.
Never use a blade after hitting a hard object without first
inspecting it for damage. Do not use if any damage is
detected.
The unit is used as a scythe, cutting from the right to the
left in a broad sweeping action from side to side.
Use only the Tri-Arc
®
blade. To install any other brand
blade or cutting head to this brushcutter can result in
serious personal injury.
WARNING:
To avoid burns from hot surfaces, never operate unit with
the bottom of the engine above waist level.
OPERATING THE BRUSHCUTTER
See Figures 19 - 20.
Hold the brushcutter with your right hand on the rear handle
and your left hand on the “J” Handle. Keep a firm grip with
both hands while in operation. Brushcutter should be held at
a comfortable position with the rear handle about hip height.
Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position yourself
so that you will not be drawn off balance by the kickback
reaction of the cutting blade.
Adjust the shoulder harness to position the brushcutter
at a comfortable operating position and to assure that the
shoulder harness will reduce the risk of operator contact
with the blade.
BLADE THRUST
Exercise extreme caution when using the blade with this
unit. Blade thrust is the reaction that may occur when the
spinning blade contacts anything it cannot cut. This contact
may cause the blade to stop for an instant, and suddenly
“thrust” the unit away from the object that was hit. This re-
action can be violent enough to cause the operator to lose
control of the unit. Blade thrust can occur without warning
if the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is more likely to oc-
cur in areas where it is difficult to see the material being cut.
For cutting ease and safety, approach the weeds being cut
with the brushcutter from the right to the left. In the event
an unexpected object or woody stock is encountered, this
practice could minimize the blade thrust reaction.
TRI-ARC
®
BLADE
The Tri-Arc
®
blade is suited only for thicker weeds and pulpy
stalks. When the blade becomes dull, it can be turned over
to extend the life of the blade. Do not sharpen the Tri-Arc
®
blade.
Use only Tri-Arc
®
blade, part number AP04105, available at
your local retailer.
CUTTING TECHNIQUE − BLADE
WARNING:
Extreme care must be taken when using blades to en-
sure safe operation. Read the safety information for safe
operation using the blade, refer to Specific Safety Rules
for Brushcutter and Blade Use earlier in this manual.
Always hold brushcutter on your right side with both hands
when operating. Use a firm grip on both handles.
Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position
yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the
kickback reaction of the cutting blade.
OPERATION
Fig. 19
DIRECTION OF ROTATION
CUTTING AREA
Fig. 20
PROPER
OPERATING
POSITION