Installing Plastic Blade; Operation - Makita EM401MP Original Instruction Manual

• When assembling or adjusting the equipment, always put it down.
Assembling or adjusting the equipment in an upright position may
result in serious injury.
• Follow the warnings and precautions in the chapter "Safety
precautions" and the instruction manual of the power unit.
Installing the protector
WARNING:
Never use the tool without the protector illustrated in place. Failure
to do so can cause serious personal injury. (Fig. 7 & 8)
1. Cutter blade
2. Protector
3. Nylon cutting head
4. Protector extension
CAUTION:
Do not touch the cord cutter on the protector. Touching the cord
cutter with bare hands may result in injury.
The protector must be installed to protect the operator from contact
with the cutting tool and thrown stones and debris.
When using a nylon cutting head, the protector extension must also
be installed to maintain the nylon-cutting-cord length.
Install the protector as the following steps.
1. Attach the protector cover (A) onto the gear case (B). Slightly
push the wings (C) outward and put the bolts (D) into the holes in
the wings. (Fig. 9)
NOTICE: Do not push the wings outward too much. Otherwise it
may break.
2. Fix the protector (E) to the protector cover (A) with two bolts (F).
Tighten the right and left bolts evenly. (Fig. 10)
3. When using a nylon cutting head, mount the protector extension
(G). Place the protector extension onto the mounting track
provided on the lower edge of the protector. Slide it into position
until the protector extension clicks and locks into place. The
protector extension is designed so that it will only mount onto the
protector in one direction. (Fig. 11)
NOTE: Remove tape adhered to the cord cutter, which cuts nylon
cord, on the protector extension at the first use.
To remove the protector extension, place a hex wrench or flat-blade
screwdriver into the small notch provided on the locking nub. Press
down on the locking nub while sliding the lower protector extension
in the direction indicated in the figure. Once the protector extension
starts to slide, it is unlocked and can be removed by continuing to
slide it off of the protector. (Fig. 12)
Mounting the attachment to a power unit (Fig. 13)
To mount the attachment to a power unit, follow the steps below.
1. Make sure that the lock lever (A) is not tightened.
2. Align the pin (B) with the arrow mark (C).
3. Insert the shaft into the drive shaft of the power unit until the
release button (D) pops up.
4. Tighten the lock lever (A) firmly as shown.
To remove the attachment, loosen the lock lever, press the lock
button and withdraw the shaft.
NOTICE: Do not tighten the lock lever (A) without the shaft of the
attachment inserted. Otherwise the lock lever may tighten the
entrance of the drive shaft too much and damage it.
Removing and installing a cutter blade
WARNING:
• The outside diameter of the cutter blade must be 230 mm.
Never use any blade exceeding 230 mm in outside diameter.
CAUTION:
• The cutter blade must be well polished, free of cracks or
breakage. Polish or replace the cutter blade every three hours of

operation.

• Always wear gloves when handling the cutter blade.
• Always attach the blade cover when the tool is not in use or is
being transported.
• The cutter-blade fastening nut (with spring washer) is a
consumable part. If there appears any wear or deformation on the
spring washer, replace the nut. Ask your local authorized service
center to order it.
NOTICE:
• Be sure to use genuine Makita cutter blade.
Turn the tool upside down so that you can replace the cutter blade
easily. (Fig. 14)
1. To remove the old cutter blade, insert the hex wrench (A) through
the hole on the protector cover and gear case.
2. Turn the receive washer (B) until it is locked by the hex wrench
(A).
3. Loosen the hex nut (C) clockwise with the socket wrench and
remove the nut (C), cup (D), clamp washer (E) and old cutter
blade (F).
4. Attach the cutter blade (F) onto the shaft so that the guide of the
receive washer (B) fits in the arbor hole in the cutter blade.
5. Install the clamp washer (E) and cup (D). Tighten the hex nut (C)
counterclockwise with 13 to 23 Nm of tightening torque during
holding the receive washer (B) with hex wrench (A).
6. Remove the hex wrench (A). Make sure that the blade is the left
way up. (Fig. 15)
Removing and installing a nylon cutting head
(Fig. 16)
CAUTION:
Do not touch the cord cutter on the protector. Touching the cord
cutter with bare hands may result in injury.
1. To remove the old nylon cutting head, insert the hex wrench (A)
through the hole on the protector cover and gear case.
2. Turn the receive washer (B) until it is locked by the hex wrench
(A).
3. Turn the old nylon cutting head (C) clockwise to loosen and
remove it.
4. Put a new nylon cutting head (C) onto the shaft. Turn it
counterclockwise during locking the receive washer (B) with the
hex wrench (A). Make sure that it is installed securely.
5. Remove the hex wrench (A).

Installing plastic blade

Optional accessory
CAUTION: If the plastic blade accidentally impacts a rock
or hard object during operation, stop the tool and inspect
for any damage. If the plastic blade is damaged, replace it
immediately. Use of a damaged cutting tool could result in serious
personal injury.
CAUTION: Make sure to remove the hex wrench after
installation.
NOTICE: Be sure to use genuine Makita plastic blade. (Fig. 17)
1. Turn the tool upside down so that you can replace the cutting tool
easily.
2. Insert the hex wrench (A) through the hole on the protector cover
and gear case.
3. Turn the receive washer (B) until it is locked by the hex wrench
(A).
4. Place the plastic blade (C) onto the shaft (threaded spindle)
directly and tighten it by turning it counterclockwise.
5. Remove the hex wrench.
To remove the plastic blade, turn it clockwise while holding the
receive washer with the hex wrench.
Operation
WARNING:
• If the cutting tool moves at idle, adjust the idle speed of the
engine down. Otherwise you cannot stop the cutting tool by
throttle off and it may cause serious injury.
• Follow the warnings and precautions in the chapter "Safety
precautions" and the instruction manual of the power unit.
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