Using A Blade; Blade Thrust - Shindaiwa T242X Owner's/Operator's Manual

20
Operation

Using a blade

WARNING!
■
Always wear a shoulder strap when operating this unit with a blade.
■
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 sidewalks, 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 or barrier bar as well as a harness or
shoulder strap.
■
Always make sure the debris shield is properly installed before operating this unit.
■
When cutting wood with a blade, feed the blade slowly—never strike or "slam" a spinning blade against the wood.
■
DO NOT use 2-tooth or non-Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting blades with Shindaiwa trimmers and
brushcutters.
The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For best performance and to
minimize being stuck 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 7 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions (as viewed from above).
DO NOT cut between the 11 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions.

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!
WARNING!
■
Blade thrust can occur without warning if the blade
snags, stalls or binds.
■
Blade thrust is more likely to occur in areas where it is
difficult to see the material being cut.
Barrier Bar
A brushcutter's barrier bar helps prevent the operator from moving forward, or the unit moving rearward,
thus preventing inadvertent bodily contact with the blade. ALWAYS KEEP THE BARRIER BAR SECURELY
IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
Shoulder Strap or Harness
A shoulder strap or harness provides additional protection against blade thrust. In addition, a shoulder strap or
harness gives significant support and comfort to help ensure safe and efficient operation.
When operating a unit equipped with a blade, make sure both the handle/barrier bar and shoulder strap or
harness are adjusted to the size of the operator using the unit.
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the unit at full throttle while cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained by releasing the throttle when
swinging back after a cut.
■
To prevent possible engine damage, do not allow the brushcutter to run at high speeds without a load.
■
Avoid operating the engine at low speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed
operation tends to cause grass and debris to wrap around the cutting head.
T242X Trimmer
Eleven
O'Clock
OK to
cut
Seven
O'Clock
Five
O'Clock