
Important Safe Operation Practices 2
3
Training
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions 
on the machine and in the manual(s) before 
attempting to assemble and operate. Keep this 
manual in a safe place for future and regular 
reference and for ordering replacement parts. 
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper 
operation. Know how to stop the machine and 
disengage them quickly.
3. Never allow children under 16 years of age to 
operate this machine. Children 16 and over 
should read and understand the instructions 
and safe operation practices in this manual 
and on the machine and be trained and 
supervised by an adult.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine 
without proper instruction.
5. Keep bystanders, pets, and children at least 75 
feet from the machine while it is in operation. 
Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly 
ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
7. Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts 
or in the feeding chambers and discharge 
opening. Contact with the rotating impeller 
can amputate fingers, hands, and feet.
8. Never attempt to unclog either the feed intake 
or discharge opening, remove or empty bag, 
or inspect and repair the machine while the 
engine is running. Shut the engine off and 
wait until all moving parts have come to a 
complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire 
and ground it against the engine.
Preparation
1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the 
equipment is to be used. Remove all rocks, 
bottles, cans, or other foreign objects which 
could be picked up or thrown and cause 
personal injury or damage to the machine. 
2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles 
during operation and while performing an 
adjustment or repair, to protect your eyes. 
Thrown objects which ricochet can cause 
serious injury to the eyes.
3. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and 
close-fitting slacks and shirts. Loose fitting 
clothes or jewelry can be caught in movable 
parts. Never operate this machine in bare feet 
or sandals. Wear leather work gloves when 
feeding material in the chipper chute.
4. Before starting, check all bolts and screws for 
proper tightness to be sure the machine is in 
safe working condition. Also, visually inspect 
machine for any damage at frequent intervals.
5. Maintain or replace safety and instructions 
labels, as necessary.
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage use 
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is 
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. 
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is 
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. 
Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
1. Use only an approved gasoline container.
2. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a 
truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always 
place containers on the ground away from 
your vehicle before filling.
3. When practical, remove gas-powered 
equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel 
it on the ground. If this is not possible, then 
refuel such equipment on a trailer with a 
portable container, rather than from a gasoline 
dispenser nozzle.
4. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the 
fuel tank or container opening at all times 
until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle 
lock-open device.
5. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and 
other sources of ignition.
6. Never fuel machine indoors.
7. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the 
engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool 
at least two minutes before refueling.
8. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more 
than ½ inch below bottom of filler neck to 
allow space for fuel expansion.
9. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
10. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and 
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5 
minutes before starting the engine. 
11. To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of 
grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean 
up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel 
soaked debris.
12. Never store the machine or fuel container 
inside where there is an open flame, spark or 
pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, 
furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances. 
Operation
1. Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts 
or in the feeding chambers and discharge 
opening. Contact with the rotating impeller 
can amputate fingers, hands, and feet.
2. Before starting the machine, make sure 
the chipper chute, feed intake, and cutting 
chamber are empty and free of all debris.
3. Thoroughly inspect all material to be shredded 
and remove any metal, rocks, bottles, cans, 
or other foreign objects which could cause 
personal injury or damage to the machine.
WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself 
and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result 
in personal injury. When you see this symbol - HEED ITS WARNING!
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, 
carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands, toes and feet and 
throwing debris. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause 
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
4. If the impeller strikes a foreign object or if your 
machine should start making an unusual noise 
or vibration, immediately shut the engine 
off. Allow the impeller to come to a complete 
stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire, ground it 
against the engine and perform the following 
steps:
a. Inspect for damage.
b. Repair or replace any damaged parts.
c. Check for any loose parts and tighten 
to assure continued safe operation.
5. Do not allow an accumulation of processed 
material to build up in the discharge area. 
This can prevent proper discharge and result 
in kickback of material through the feed 
opening.
6. Do not attempt to shred or chip material 
larger than specified on the machine or in this 
manual. Personal injury or machine damage 
could result.
7. Never attempt to unclog either the feed 
intake or discharge opening while the engine 
is running. Shut the engine off, wait until all 
moving parts have stopped, disconnect the 
spark plug wire and ground it against the 
engine before clearing debris. 
8. Never operate without vacuum bag and 
discharge chute properly attached to the 
machine. Never empty or change vacuum bag 
while the engine is running. Vacuum bag must 
be kept closed at all times during operation. 
9. Never operate without either the inlet nozzle 
or optional hose attachment (if applicable) 
properly attached to the machine. Never 
attempt to attach or change either attachment 
while the engine is running. 
10. Keep all guards, deflectors and safety devices 
in place and operating properly.
11. Keep your face and body back and to the side 
of the chipper chute while feeding material 
into the machine to avoid accidental kickback 
injuries.
12. Never operate this machine without good 
visibility or light. Always be sure of your 
footing and keep a firm hold on the handles. 
13. Do not operate this machine on a paved, 
gravel or non-level surface.
14. Do not operate this machine while under the 
influence of alcohol or drugs.
15. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause 
a burn. Do not touch.
16. Never pick up or carry machine while the 
engine is running.
17. If situations occur which are not covered in 
this manual, use care and good judgement. 
Contact Customer Support for assistance and 
the name of the nearest service dealer.