Blade Safety - Craftsman 358.79828 Operator's Manual

OPERATION-SAFETY
m ii
BLADE SAFETY
DANGER
THIS POWER UNIT CAN BE DANGEROUS! THIS UNIT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR BLINDNES;
TO THE OPERATOR AND OTHERS. THE WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
MUST BE FOLLOWED TO PROVIDE REASONABLE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY IN USING THIS UNTO.
THE OPERATOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING THE WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS
MANUAL AND ON THE UNI_. READ THE ENTIRE OPERATOR'S MANUAL BEFORE ASSEMBLING AND
USING THIS UNIT! RESTRICT THE USE OF THIS POWER UNIT TO PERSONS WHO READ, UNDER-
STAND AND FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL AND ON THE UNIT.
BLADE THRUST - WHEN THE SPINNING BLADE CONTACTS
ANYTHING IT CANNOT CUT, A DANGEROUS REACTION MAY
OCCUR CAUSING THE ENTIRE UNIT AND OPERATOR TO BE
THRUST VJOLENTL_IN AN_DIRE_TION; T_IIS_,RF_.A, CTiON IS _i
CALLED BLADE 7T.4BUST;FASi:A RESULT,_T/-JE/O_R CAN
LOSE CONTROL ,OF:THE_UNIT.:_USE HANDLEBAR;_SHOULDER -i
HARNESS; :AND KEEPoMETAIJ'BI_ADE SHIEED INF: PE_CE. •MAKE
SURE OTHERS ABE_A_÷JLEAST SO,_FEEF[_(15iMETERS) AWAY.
KEEP BLADE SHARR CUT AT FULL THROTTZE AND FROM _ ;
YOUR RIGHT TO LEFT.. KEEP HANDS, FEET AND UNIT IN PROP-
ER POSITION; REFER TO "GUARD AGAINST BLADE THRUST."
BLADE THRUST
PROPER BLADE-
USE ONLY THE 8 3/4 INCH SAW BLADE
OR 10 INCH BRUSH TRI-BLADE AND PROPER HARDWARE
AS SHOWN. THE USE OF ANY OTHER PARTS CAN RESULT
IN SERIOUS INJURY. DO NOT USE ANY ACCESSORY OR
ATTACHMENT OTHER THAN THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE
MANUFACTURER FOR USE WITH THIS UNIT. BLADES THAT
ARE BENT, WARPED, CRACKED, BROKEN, OR DAMAGED
CAN FLY APART AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. DO NOT 8 3/4" Saw Blade -tO"Brush Td-BISdE
USE; THROW AWAY.
ARBOR
OPENING .\
.787" _ "-
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•BLADE THRUST IS a reactionthat only occurs
when using a bladed unit. This reaction can cause
serious injury such as amputation. Carefully study
this sectlon. It is importantthat you understand what
causes blade thrus_ how you can reduce the chance
of It occurring; and how you can remain in:controlof
the unit if blade thrustcocurs.
WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST?
Blade Thrustcan ocourwhen the spinning blade_€on_
tacts an object that it does not cut. This contact
causes the blade to stop for an instantand then sud-
denly move or =thrust" away from the object that was
hit. The "thrusting" reaction can be violent enough to
cause the operator to be propelled in any direction
and lose control of the unit. The uncontrolled unit can
cause serious injury if the blade contacts the opera-
tor or others.
WHEN DOES BLADE THRUST OCCUR?
Blade thrust can occur without warning if the blade
snags, stalls, or binds. This is more liketyto occur in
areas where it is difficult to see the material being cut.
By using the unit properly, the occurrence of blade
thrust will be reduced and the operator will be less
likely to lose control.
The forward tip on the metal blade shield helps to re-
duce .the occurrence of blade thrust but cannot pre-
vent the occurrence. The operator must follow all
warnings and safety instructions in this manual to
lessen the chance of blade thrust ocourdng and to
maintain control of unit ifthe reaction does occur.
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REDUCE THE CHANCE OFBLADETHRUS'r
Cut vegetation up to 2 1/2" diameter saplings with
saw blade.
• Cutonlygrass, weeds, andwoedybrushuptol!2" in
diameter with the brush t fi-bisde:Do:nottet theblade
contact matedal it cannot cut such as stumps, rocks,
. fences, metal, etc., or clusters of hard, woody brush
having a diameter graater than 2 1/2 inches.
Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more likely to
snag and thrust.
• Cut only at full throttle. The blade has maximum cut-
ting power at full throttle and is less likely to bind or
stall.
=Feed" the blade deliberately and nottoo rapidly. The
blade can thrust away if it is fed too rapidly.
Cut only from your fight to your teft.