For advice on the safety and suitability of this equipment
contact your local HSS Hire Shop.
There is a serious risk of personal injury if you do
not follow all instructions laid down in this guide.
The hirer has a responsibility to ensure that all
necessary risk assessments have been completed
prior to the use of this equipment.
This equipment should only be used by an operator
who has been deemed competent to do so by
his/her employer.
This equipment should be used by an able bodied,
competent adult who has read and understood these
instructions. Anyone with either a temporary or permanent
disability, should seek expert advice before using it.
Keep children, animals and bystanders away from
the work area. Cordon off a NO GO area using
cones and either barriers or tape, available for hire
from your local HSS Hire Shop.
Never use this equipment if you are ill,
feeling tired, or under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
This equipment generates potentially harmful
noise levels. To comply with health and safety at
work regulations, ear defenders must be worn by
everyone in the vicinity.
Wear practical, protective clothing,
gloves and footwear. Avoid loose garments
and jewellery that could catch in moving parts, tie back
long hair.
Ensure the work area is well lit and ventilated, if in
doubt, ask about lighting and ventilation equipment at
your local HSS Hire Shop.
Make sure you know how to switch this machine
OFF before you switch it ON in case you get into
difficulty.
Always switch the engine off and wait for moving
parts to come to rest before making adjustments to it.
Engines, especially the exhausts, get very hot so
switch OFF and allow to cool before touching
them.
Keep flammable materials well away from engine
and exhaust.
Survey the area to be dug and ensure that there
are NO hidden services (electric cables, soil pipes etc)
below the work area. If in doubt, use a cable-avoiding
tool available from your local HSS Hire Shop.
Exhaust Danger
NEVER operate petrol engines indoors or in a
confined space.
The exhaust contains gases that can kill.
GENERAL SAFETY
Be careful if your view is obstructed, avoid using
the machine under low branches where you are
forced to crouch to pass under.
The digging tines can cause serious injury. Always
keep feet and hands well away from the tines
taking special care when starting.
Make sure that anyone in the immediate work area
is warned of what you are doing.
Check the condition of the equipment before use.
If it shows signs of damage or excessive wear, return it to
your local HSS Hire Shop.
Ensure the guard is correctly fitted and secure
before starting work.
Clear the area to be cultivated of everything that
could get in the machines way –sticks, stones,
washing lines etc.
Any long grass should be cut and cleared, as this
will clog the tines and reduce the depth of the dig.
Ensure the soil is in a suitable condition to be dug,
soil should be neither too wet nor too dry.
Adjust the rear depth bar to suite the depth you
require, this is held in position with an ‘R’clip & pin. The
higher the bar the deeper the dig.
It is essential to familiarise yourself with all the
controls before starting.
With the machine on firm level ground, check fuel
and oil levels (see EQUIPMENT CARE).
Set the ON/OFF switch, located on the right hand
control handle, to the ‘I’(ON) position. If at any
time you get into difficulty, move the switch to the
‘0’(OFF) position to stop the engine.
Open the breather valve (fitted to the fuel cap) three
full turns anticlockwise. If the breather valve is not
opened, the engine will be starved of fuel.
However, the valve must always be closed when
the machine is not in use. Open the fuel tap by
turning quarter turn anticlockwise and set the
choke –fully closed if starting from cold, half closed if
the engine is warm.
GETTING STARTED
The engine is fitted with an automatic clutch,
which engages the tines as the engine speed
increases. It is possible that the tines may turn
when starting the engine, so make sure you grip
the control handle firmly when starting the engine.
Two or three brisk pulls on the starter cord should
now start the engine.
Once the engine has warmed up, fully open the
choke and switch the engine OFF.
To engage the tines, squeeze the throttle lever on the
right hand control handle. To stop the tines rotating
and set the engine to idle, simply release the throttle.
When digging a strip of earth, tilt the machine
forward while holding it back (it will try to run over the
surface) until it begins to cut into the soil, then allow it
to progress at its own rate until the strip is complete.
If the unit becomes stuck in one position, tilt it
back to allow it to progress.
At the end of the strip release the throttle and turn
the machine round ready for the next run.
Repeat the process until the entire area has been dug.
To stop in an emergency simply release the throttle
lever.
Stone Alert
Keep a lookout for bricks, large stones, bits of
wood, wire etc.
Running into debris could cause serious damage
to the digger.
BASIC TECHNIQUES
Fuel Safety
NEVER refuel while the engine is hot or running.
Never smoke or allow naked lights into the area
while refuelling.
Never inhale fuel vapour.
ALWAYS mop up any spillage as quickly as
possible, and change your clothes if you get fuel
on yourself.
ALWAYS store fuel in a purpose-made sealed
container, in a cool, safe place well away from
the work area.
