Using A Brushcutter - Shindaiwa B450 Owner's And Operator's Manual

Using A Brushcutter Blade
WARNING!
 Before working with a blade-
equipped unit, always inspect and
clean the area of objects that could
interfere with or damage the blade.
 Never use a blade near sidewalks,
fence posts, buildings or other
objects that could cause injury or
damage.
 Never use a blade for purposes
other than those for which it was
designed.
 Whenever you strike a hard ob-
ject with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect
the blade for damage. NEVER
OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER
WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
 A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type handle-
bar as well as a harness or strap.
 Always make sure the cutting at-
tachment shield is properly installed
before operating the unit.
The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For
best performance and to minimize being
struck by debris, move the blade from right
to left while advancing on your work.
Position the blade so cuts are made be-
tween 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 (shaded area). See Figure 28.
Ten
O'clock
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
Figure 28
16
When cutting wood with a blade, feed
the blade slowly. Never strike or "slam"
a spinning blade against the wood.
DO NOT use 2-tooth or NON-
Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting
blades with Shindaiwa brushcutters.
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. See Figure 29.
When making vertical cuts, never allow
the blade to exceed waist height.
Blade
Rotation
Figure 29
Five
O'clock
WARNING!
WARNING!
WARNING!
Cut on the left side of
the blade. KEEP YOUR
BODY OUTSIDE THE
PATH OF BLADE
ROTATION
B45033
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's handlebar helps prevent
the operator from moving forward, or
the unit moving rearward, thus prevent-
ing inadvertent bodily contact with the
blade. ALWAYS KEEP THE HANDLEBAR
SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
Brushcutter Harness
A harness provides additional protection
against blade thrust. In addition, a harness
gives significant support and comfort to
help ensure safe and efficient operation.
When operating a brushcutter, make sure
both the handle and harness are adjusted
to the size of the operator using the unit.
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the engine at full throttle while
cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained by
releasing the throttle when swinging back
after a cut.
 To prevent possible engine damage, do
not allow the brushcutter to run at high
speeds without a load.
 Avoid operating the attachment at low
speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid
clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed op-
eration tends to cause grass and debris
to wrap around the cutting head.