Using A Brushcutter Blade - Shindaiwa T350 Owner's/Operator's Manual

Using A Brushcutter Blade (C350)
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 side-
walks, 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.
 Whenever you strike a hard object
with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect
the blade for damage. NEVER
OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER
WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
 A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type
handlebar as well as a harness or
strap.
 Always make sure the cutting
attachment shield is properly
installed before operating the unit.
The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For
best performance and to minimize being
struck 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 (shaded area). See
Figure 31.
Ten
O'clock
Rotation
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
Figure 31
16
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 brushcutters.
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
bottom edge of the blade. See Figure 32.
WARNING!
When making vertical cuts, never al-
low the blade to exceed waist height.
Blade
Figure 32
Five
O'clock
Blade Thrust
'Blade thrust' is a sudden sideways or
backward 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!
Brushcutter Handlebar
A brushcutter's handlebar helps prevent
the operator from moving forward, or
the unit moving rearward, thus prevent-
ing inadvertent bodily contact with the
blade. ALWAYS KEEP THE HANDLE-
BAR SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE
UNIT!
Brushcutter Harness
A harness provides additional protec-
tion against blade thrust. In addition, a
harness gives significant support and
comfort to help ensure safe and efficient
operation.
When operating a brushcutter, make
sure both the handle and harness are
adjusted to the size of the operator using
the unit.
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the engine at full throttle while
Cut on the left side of the
blade. KEEP YOUR BODY cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained
OUTSIDE THE PATH OF
by releasing the throttle when swinging
BLADE ROTATION
back after a cut.
 To prevent possible engine damage,
 Avoid operating the attachment at low
C35015
do not allow the brushcutter to run at
high speeds without a load.
speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid
clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed
operation tends to cause grass and de-
bris to wrap around the cutting head.