3
S
Being fully covered also helps protect you
from debris and pieces of toxic plants
thrown by spinning blade.
S
Stay alert. Donot operate unit when youare
tired, ill, upset orunder influence of alcohol,
drugs, or medication. Watch w hat you are
doing; use common sense.
S
Wear hearing protection.
S
Never start orrun the engine inside aclosed
room or building. Breathing exhaust fumes
can kill.
S
Keep handles free of oil and fuel.
S
Always use t he handlebar and a properly
adjusted shoulder strap when using brush-
cutter attachment (see ASSEMBLY).
UNIT/MAINTENANCE SAFETY
WARNING:
Disconnect powerhead
spark plug (or disconnect powerhead from
power source) before performing mainte-
nance.
S
Look for and replace damaged or loose
parts before each use. Look for and repair
fuel leaks before use. Keep unit in good
working condition.
S
Throw away blades that are bent, warped,
cracked, broken, or damaged in any other
way . Replace trimmer head parts that are
cracked, chipped, broken, or damaged in
any other way before using the unit.
S
Maintain the unit according to recom-
mended procedures. Keep the blade sharp.
Never use flailing devices, wire, rope,
string, etc.
S
Use only specified blade; make sure it is
properly installed and securely fastened.
S
Never start engine with clutch shroud re-
moved. The clutch can fly off and cause se-
rious injury.
S
Be sure blade stops turning when engine
idles.
S
Make carburetor adjustments withthelower
end supported to prevent the blade from
contacting anyobject. Hold theunit byhand;
do not use the shoulder strap for support.
S
Keep others away when making carburetor
adjustments.
S
Use only recommended Weed Eater
!
ac-
cessories and replacement parts.
S
Have all maintenance and service not ex-
plained in this manual performed by an au-
thorized service dealer.
FUEL SAFETY
S
Mix and pour fuel outdoors.
S
Keep away from sparks or flames.
S
Use a container approved for fuel.
S
Do not smoke or allow smoking near fuel or
the unit or while using the unit.
S
Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up all fuel
spills before starting engine.
S
Moveat least10 feet ( 3meters)away fromfu-
eling site before starting engine.
S
Stop engine and allow it to cool before re-
moving fuel cap.
S
Remove fuel cap slowly.
CUTTING SAFETY
WARNING:
Inspect the area to be cut
before each use.Removeobjects (rocks,bro-
ken glass, nails, wire, string, etc.) which can
be thrown or become entangled in the blade.
S
Keep others including children, animals, by-
standers, and helpers at least 50 feet (15
meters) away. Stop the engine immediately
if you are approached.
S
Always keep engine on the right--hand side
of your body.
S
Hold the unit firmly with both hands.
S
Keep firm footing and balance. Do not over-
reach.
S
Keep blade below waist level.
S
Do not raise powerhead engine above your
waist.
S
Keep all parts of your body away fromblade
and muffler.
S
Cut from your left to your right. Cutting on
the right side of the shield will throw debris
away from the operator.
S
Use only in daylight or good artificial light.
S
Use only for jobs explained in this manual.
TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE
S
Stop the powerhead engine before carrying
unit.
S
Keep muffler away from your body.
S
Allow engine to cool and secure unit before
storing or transporting it in a vehicle.
S
Empty the fuel tank before storing or trans-
porting theunit. Use upfuel left in thecarbu-
retor by starting the engine and letting it run
until it stops.
S
Store unit and fuel in an area where fuel va-
pors cannot reach sparks or open flames
from water heaters, electric motors or
switches, furnaces, etc.
S
Store unit so the blade cannot accidentally
cause injury.
S
Store unit indoors, out of reach o f children.
SPECIALNOTICE:
Exposure tovibrations
through prolonged use of gasoline powered
hand tools could cause blood vessel or nerve
damage in the fingers, hands, and joints of
people prone tocirculation disorders orabnor-
mal swellings. Prolonged use in cold weather
has been linked to blood vessel damage in
otherwise healthy people. If symptoms occur
such as numbness, pai n, loss of strength,
change in skin color ortexture, orloss of feel-
ing in the fingers, hands, or joints, discontinue
the useof this tool and seekmedical attention.
An anti-vibration system does not guarantee
the avoidance of these problems. Users who
operate power toolson acontinual andregular
basis must monitor closely their physical
condition and the condition of this tool.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS