Safe Operating Practices; Operating Tips - Honda HHT35S Owner's Manual

Using Blades
Refer to the chart on page 5 for appropriate blade applications.
If using a blade on a Honda trimmer equipped with a loop handle, also
install the optional Honda conversion kit that includes a full shoulder
harness, a barrier bar, and a debris shield for blades. Follow the
installation instructions and safety information that come with the kit.
Metal blades supplied with U-type handlebar models are supplied with
a cover surrounding the edge of the blade. For your safety, and to
protect the blade, the cover should be installed whenever the trimmer
is not in use.
Be sure to remove the blade cover before starting the engine.
Otherwise, the blade cover may fly off at high speed.
If the trimmer starts to vibrate after the blade strikes an object, stop
the engine immediately and check the blade for damage. A damaged
blade may break, and pieces of broken blade can become dangerous
projectiles. Replace the blade if it is broken, cracked, bent, or
damaged in any way.

SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES

Be very careful when operating the trimmer over uneven or rough
ground, and when the ground is wet and slippery. Watch out for
hidden obstacles that could cause you to stumble. Operate the
trimmer only under conditions with good visibility. Do not operate the
trimmer where you cannot see what it is cutting.

WARNING
Rotating cutting lines can cause serious abrasions and cuts,
and blades can cut deeply.
• Keep away from the cutting lines or blade whenever the
engine is running.
• Always stop the engine, and be sure the cutting line head
or blade has stopped turning, before inspecting or
handling the cutting lines or blade.
Thrown Debris
The trimmer will throw debris in the direction of blade movement at
the point of contact.
The cutting line head or blade rotates counterclockwise, as viewed
from the operator's position. Tilting the cutting line head to the right
will throw debris away from you, and tilting to the left will throw debris
toward you.
DEBRIS
If the cutting line head or blade is held parallel to the ground, debris
will scatter in all directions and there will be greater friction, which will
wear out the cutting line or blade sooner.
When operating the trimmer near a hard surface such as a wall, work
from an angle where debris that strikes the hard surface will ricochet
away from you.
Gravel, loose stones, etc. can be picked up by the nylon cutting lines
or blade and thrown many feet with enough force to cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage. Before crossing graveled
areas, release the throttle trigger to stop the cutting line head or
blade.
Cut with the right
side to throw debris
away from you.
Blade Thrust (Kickback)
Blade thrust (kickback) is the sudden, forceful, and uncontrolled
movement of a blade-equipped trimmer that may occur if the blade
binds while cutting or strikes a solid object.
Blade thrust (kickback) throws the trimmer in the direction opposite
blade rotation at the point of contact, and the jolt received by the
operator can result in further loss of control.
BLADE
THRUST
To reduce the risk of loosing control, use metal blades on trimmers
equipped with a U-type handlebar, or install the barrier bar (optional
part) on trimmers equipped with a loop handle.
Replace or resharpen dull blades. Dull blades are more likely to bind
in the cut and cause blade thrust.
Watch out for hidden obstacles such as rocks, stumps, roots, etc., that
could cause the blade to kick back if struck. Blade thrust is more likely
to occur in areas where it is difficult to see what is being cut.
Understand the reaction forces of the blade. When using a brush
blade to saw through heavy brush and small saplings, saw with the
side of the brush blade that is moving toward you and tends to pull the
trimmer away from you.
Blades on Honda HHT25S and HHT35S trimmers rotate
counterclockwise, as viewed from the operator's position. Therefore,
the left side of the blade is moving toward you. With these trimmers,
sawing with the left side of a brush blade will give you better control
and less risk of kickback, though it will throw the sawdust toward you.
Cut from the side of saplings that will cause them to fall away from the
trimmer. This will help prevent the blade from binding in the cut and
kicking back.
Accelerate the engine to maximum speed before starting the cut, and
saw through with uniform pressure.

OPERATING TIPS

Scything
Swing the trimmer in a level arc by rotating your body with a smooth,
easy motion, rather then moving the trimmer with your arms. Do not
chop at tough weeds and brush; let the cutting line or blade work
through tough growths gradually.
To direct thrown debris away from you, tilt the cutting attachment to
the right side, scythe from left to right, then return without cutting.
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