Shindaiwa 89304 Owner's/Operator's Manual page 14

Operation (continued)
Using a 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.
Blade Thrust
"Blade thrust" is a sudden sideways or back-
ward 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!
WARNING!
Blade thrust can occur without
warning if the blade snags, stalls or
binds.
Using a blade
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.
14
Whenever you strike a hard object
with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect the
blade for damage. NEVER OPER-
ATE THE BRUSHCUTTER WITH A
DAMAGED BLADE!
A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type handle-
bar or barrier bar as well as a har-
ness or shoulder strap.
Always make sure the cutting attach-
ment shield is properly installed
before operating this unit.
WARNING!
Blade thrust is more likely to
see the material being cut.
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 HAN-
DLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR SECURELY
IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
Ten
O'clock
Rotation
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
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 bot-
tom edge of the blade.
Brushcutter Shoulder Strap
A shoulder strap provides additional pro-
tection against blade thrust. In addition, 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 shoul-
der strap are adjusted to the size of the opera-
tor 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.
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts,
never allow the blade to exceed waist
height.
Blade
Five
O'clock
Cut on the left
side of the blade.
KEEP YOUR BODY
OUTSIDE THE
PATH OF BLADE
ROTATION