6
17. The OPC/Brake lever is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety
device inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact with the rotating trimmer line. The
control lever must operate easily in both directions and automatically return to the disengaged position
when released.
18. Never operate the trimmer in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious
personal injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the OPC/Brake lever immediately and the
spindle will stop rotating within three seconds.
19. Operate only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never run.
20. Stop the spindle when crossing gravel drives, paths or roads.
21. If the machine starts to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.
22. Shut the engine off and wait until the spindle comes to a complete stop before cleaning the discharge
area. The spindle continues to rotate for a few seconds after the OPC/Brake lever is released. Never place
any part of the body in the trimmer line area until you are sure the spindle has stopped rotating and the
spark plug cap removed from the spark plug and contact cannot be made between the two.
23. Never operate the trimmer without proper trail shield, discharge cover, OPC/Brake lever or other safety
protective devices in place and working. Never operate with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so can
result in personal injury.
24. Muffler and engine can become hot and cause burns. Do not touch!
25. Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in
personal injury.
26. When starting the engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of
starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm towards engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones,
fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
27. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgement. Contact your
nearest Approved Service Dealer for assistance
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. Operation on
slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not trim on it. If the slope is greater than 15
degrees, do not trim on it.
Do:
1. Trim across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on
slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can
hide obstacles.
3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing
your balance, release the OPC/Brake lever immediately and the spindle will stop rotating within three (3)
seconds.
Do Not:
1. Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you could lose your footing or balance.
2. Do not trim slopes greater than 15 degrees.
3. Do not trim on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.
CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted
to the trimmer and the trimming activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
1. Keep children out of the trimming area and under care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
2. Be alert and turn the trimmer off if a child enters the area.
3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children.
4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may
obscure your vision of a child who may run into the trimmer.
5. Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
6. 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.
