Stihl HLA 56 Instruction Manual page 17

6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ The cutting blades continue to move for a short period
after the trigger switch or switch lever is fully released.
– Wait for the cutting blades to stop before walking
with the hedge trimmer or putting it down.
￭ In the event of an emergency:
– Switch off the motor immediately and remove the
battery.
￭ Contacting foreign objects while cutting could damage the
cutting blades and may cause them to crack, chip, break
or jam. To reduce the risk of severe personal injury or
death from loss of control, and to reduce the risk of
damage to the hedge trimmer:
– Inspect the material to be cut and the surrounding
area for stones, fence wire, metal or other foreign
objects before starting work. Do not use the hedge
trimmer in areas where the cutting blades could
contact such objects.
– Take particular care when cutting next to, against or
near wire fences. Do not touch the wire with the
cutting blades.
– When working close to the ground, make sure that
no sand, grit or stones get between the cutting
blades.
– Do not cut any areas of the hedge, bush, shrub or
other vegetation that you cannot see.
￭ To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders:
Keep bystanders at least 17 ft.
(5 m) away from the work area.
– Do not allow other persons in the general work area.
– If cutting the top of a taller hedge, check the other
side of the hedge frequently for bystanders, animals
and obstructions.
0458-816-8621-A
￭ Check the cutting blades at regular short intervals during
operation, or immediately if there is a change in cutting
behavior:
– Switch off the hedge trimmer and remove the
battery.
– Check the condition, tightness and sharpness of the
cutting blades.
– Inspect the hedge trimmer for loose parts (nuts,
screws, etc.) and for cracked, bent, warped or
damaged cutting blades. Replace damaged cutting
blades before using the hedge trimmer.
– Always keep the cutting blades sharp.
￭ To reduce blade friction and the buildup of dirt, which can
interfere with the proper functioning of the hedge trimmer:
– STIHL recommends that you spray the cutting
blades with a resin solvent, such as STIHL Resin
Remover and Lubricant, before starting work.
DANGER
￭ To reduce risk of electrocution:
– Never operate this hedge trimmer in the
vicinity of any wires or cables that may
be carrying electric current.
– Do not rely on the hedge trimmer's
insulation against electric shock.
– Maintain a safe distance of at
English
least 50 ft. (15 m) from any
wires or cables that may be
carrying electric current.
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