Blade Thrust - Shindaiwa 81606 Owner's/Operator's Manual

Operation (continued)
Using a Blade T272X
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.

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!
Using a Blade
WARNING!
Always wear a shoulder strap
when operating this unit with a blade.
A shoulder strap is also recommened
when using trimmer line.
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.
■
Whenever you strike a hard object with
a blade, always stop the brushcut-
ter 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 han-
dlebar or barrier bar as well as a
harness or shoulder strap.
■
Always make sure the cutting at-
tachment shield is properly installed
before operating this unit.
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!
Ten
O'clock
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
Figure 25
Vertical Cuts
Hold the brushcutter with the blade at
a 90° angle to the ground so the blade's
bottom edge rotates toward the opera-
tor. Move the blade from top to bottom
through the cut, and cut only with the
bottom edge of the blade.
Brushcutter Shoulder Strap
A shoulder strap provides additional
protection against blade thrust. In addi-
tion, a shoulder strap gives significant
support and comfort to help ensure safe
and efficient operation. When operating
a unit 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.
■
To prevent possible engine damage,
do not allow the brushcutter to run at
high speeds without a load.
■
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.
never allow the blade to exceed waist
Blade
height.
Rotation
Five
O'clock
Figure 26
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts,
Cut on the left
side of the blade.
KEEP YOUR BODY
OUTSIDE THE
PATH OF BLADE
ROTATION
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