14
D
O
N
O
T
C
U
T
Before working with a blade-equipped Ŷ
unit, always inspect and clean the
area of objects that could interfere
with or damage the blade.
Never use a blade near sidewalks,
Ŷ
fence posts, buildings or other objects
that could cause injury or damage.
Never use a blade for purposes other Ŷ
than those for which it was designed.
Whenever you strike a hard object with a
Ŷ
blade, always stop the brushcutter and
carefully inspect the blade for damage.
NEVER OPERATE THE BRUSHCUT-
TER WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
A blade-equipped unit must be Ŷ
equipped with a bicycle-type handle-
bar or barrier bar as well as a har-
ness or shoulder strap.
Always make sure the cutting attach-
Ŷ
ment shield is properly installed
before operating this unit.
Using a Blade
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 harness
A harness provides additional protection
against blade thrust. In addition, a har-
ness gives significant support and comfort
to help ensure safe and efficient opera-
tion. When operating a unit with a blade,
make sure both the handle and harness are
adjusted to the size of the operator 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.
To prevent possible engine damage, do
Ŷ
not allow the brushcutter to run at high
speeds without a load.
Avoid operating the engine at low speeds.
Ŷ
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 8 o’clock and 10
o’clock positions (as viewed from above).
DO NOT cut between the 10 o’clock and 5
o’clock positions.
WARNING!
When cutting wood with a
blade, 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 bot-
tom edge rotates toward the operator.
Move the blade from top to bottom through
the cut, and cut only with the bottom edge
of the blade.
Using a Blade
Cut on the left
side of the blade.
KEEP YOUR BODY
OUTSIDE THE
PATH OF BLADE
ROTATION
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts,
never allow the blade to exceed waist
height.
Ten
O'clock
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
Five
O'clock
Blade
Rotation
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 HANDLE-
BAR OR BARRIER BAR SECURELY IN
PLACE ON THE UNIT!
WARNING!
Operation (cont.)