12
Eight
O'clock
D
O
N
O
T
C
U
T
Ten
O'clock
OK To Cut
Five
O'clock
Blade
Rotation
Using a Blade T242X
1060
WARNING!
n Before working with a blade-
equipped unit, always inspect
and clean the area of objects that
could interfere with or damage the
blade.
n Never use a blade near
sidewalks, fence posts, buildings
or other objects that could cause
injury or damage.
n Never use a blade for purposes
other than those for which it was
designed.
n Whenever you strike a hard object
with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect
the blade for damage. NEVER
OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER
WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
n A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type
handlebar or barrier bar as well
as a harness or shoulder strap.
n Always make sure the cutting
attachment shield is properly
installed before operating
this unit.
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 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 HANDLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR
SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
Brushcutter Shoulder Strap
A shoulder strap provides additional
protection against blade thrust. In addition,
a shoulder strap gives significant support
and comfort to help ensure safe and
efficient operation.
When operating a T242X with a blade,
make sure both the handle and shoulder
strap are adjusted to the size of the
operator using the unit.
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the unit at full throttle while
cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained by
releasing the throttle when swinging back
after a cut.
n To prevent possible engine damage, do
not allow the brushcutter to run at high
speeds without a load.
n Avoid operating the engine at low
speeds. 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, 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.
See figure 24.
WARNING!
When cutting wood with a blade,
feed the blade slowly—never strike or
“slam” a spinning blade against the
wood.
Vertical Cuts
Hold the brushcutter with the blade at
a 90° angle to the ground so the blade’s
bottom 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 T242X
Figure 24
Cut on the left
side of the blade.
KEEP YOUR BODY
OUTSIDE THE
PATH OF BLADE
ROTATION
Figure 25
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts,
never allow the blade to exceed
waist height.
WARNING!
DO NOT use 2-tooth or NON-
Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting
blades on Shindaiwa trimmers or
brushcutters.