Safety Instructions - Craftsman 172.797740 Operator's Manual

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS cont.
POWER TOOL USE AND CARE SAFETY cont.
DANGER:
ALWAYS USE EXTREME CARE WHEN OPERATING YOUR HEDGE
!
TRIMMER.
If the hedge trimmer blades jam or get caught on an electrical cord or wires, DO NOT
TOUCH THE BLADE OR ELECTRICAL CORD OR WIRES FOR ANY REASON! THE
BLADE COULD BE ELECTRICALLY "LIVE" AND CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATAL
PERSONAL INJURY.
Release, drop, set-down the hedge trimmer in the safest way possible, disconnect
the damaged electrical cord or wires from the power source if possible. If that is not
possible, call an electrician, electrical contractor, or the power company for assistance.
Failure to heed this DANGER warning will cause serious personal injury and
possible death.
WARNING:
BE SURE to read and understand all instructions before
!
operating this tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in
electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.
1. DO NOT use the tool if switch does not turn it "On" or "Off". Any tool that cannot be
controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
2. DISCONNECT the plug from the power source before making any adjustments,
changing accessories or storing the tool. Such preventive safety measures reduce the
risk of starting the tool accidentally.
3. STORE idle tools out of the reach of children and other untrained persons. Children
MUST NOT operate the tool. Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
4. MAINTAIN hedge trimmer with care. Keep cutting blades sharp and clean for best
performance and to reduce the risk of injury. Inspect extension cord periodically and
replace if damaged. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease.
5. CHECK for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any
other condition that may affect the tool's operation. If damaged, have the tool serviced
before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
6. ALWAYS INSPECT the hedges, bushes, plantings that you are going to trim for hidden
wires, pipe, landscape boards or other obstructions that could get caught in, or damage
the cutting bar or blades.
7. DO NOT store the hedge trimmer on or adjacent to fertilizers or garden chemicals.
Fertilizers and garden chemicals contain agents which greatly accelerate the corrosion
of metals, such as the hedge trimmer's blades and cutting bar.
NOTE: IMPORTANT Lubricate the blades before and after each use. Ignoring
lubrication will shorten blade life and affect cutting operation.
DANGER:
Keep hands away from blade. Contact with blade will result in
!
serious personal injury.
Keep all parts of the body away from the cutter blade. Do not remove cut material or
hold material to be cut when blades are moving. Make sure the switch is off when
clearing jammed material. Blades coast after turn off. A moment of inattention while
operating the hedge trimmer may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
! Only use with handle and guard properly assembled to hedge
trimmer. The use of the hedge trimmer without the proper guard or handle provided may
result in serious personal injury.
6
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS cont.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
WARNING:
! Do not permit fingers to touch the terminals of plug when
installing or removing the extension cord from the plug.
1. Double insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug
(one blade is wider than the other and will require the use of a
polarized extension cord). The Hedge Trimmer's plug will fit into a
polarized extension cord only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into
the extension cord, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, obtain
a correct polarized extension cord. A polarized extension cord will require the use of a polarized
wall outlet. This plug will fit into the polarized wall outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit
fully into the wall outlet, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, contact a qualified
electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change or alter the equipment plug,
extension cord receptacle, or extension cord plug in any way.
2. Double insulation eliminates the need for the three-wire grounded power cord and
grounded power supply system. Applicable only to Class II (double-insulated) tools.
This Hedge Trimmer is a double insulated tool.
WARNING:
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection should be
!
provided on all circuits or outlets to be used for electric hedge trimmers and lawn and
garden power tools. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI protection and
should be used for this measure of protection.
• Double insulation DOES NOT take the place of normal safety precautions when
operating this tool.
• Guard against electric shock: Prevent body contact with grounded surfaces.
For example: metal pipes, wire fences.
3. BEFORE plugging in the tool, BE SURE that the outlet voltage supplied is within the voltage
marked on the tool's data plate. DO NOT use "AC only" rated tools with a DC power supply.
4. DO NOT expose tools to rain or wet conditions or use electric tools in wet or damp
locations. Water entering an electric tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
5. If operating an electric tool in damp locations is unavoidable, ALWAYS USE a
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter to supply power to your tool. ALWAYS WEAR
electrician's rubber gloves and footwear in damp conditions.
6. To reduce the risk of electric shock, use only with an extension cord intended for outdoor use,
such as an extension cord of cord type: SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A,
SJOW-A, SJTW-A. or SJTOW-A.
7. INSPECT tool cords for damage. Take damaged tools to a qualified service dealer for inspection
and repair using identical replacement parts. BE SURE to stay constantly aware of the cord location
and keep it well away from the cutting blade.
8. DO NOT abuse the extension cord. NEVER use the cord to carry the tool by or to
pull the plug from the outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electric shock.
EXTENSION CORDS
Use a proper extension cord. ONLY use cords listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Other extension cords can cause a drop in line voltage, resulting in a loss of power
and overheating of tool.
For this tool an AWG (American Wire Gauge) size of a least 14-gauge is recommended
for an extension cord of 25-ft. or less in length. Use 12-gauge for an extension cord
of 50-ft. Extension cords 100-ft. or longer are not recommended.
7