4.
Always keep your hands, face, and clothes
away from the cutting tool when it is rotating.
Failure to do so may cause personal injury.
5.
Always use the cutting attachment guard prop-
erly suited for the cutting attachment used.
6.
When using cutting blades, avoid kickback
and always prepare for an accidental kickback.
See the section for Kickback.
7.
When not in use, attach the blade cover onto
the blade. Remove the cover before operation.
Kickback (Blade thrust)
1.
Kickback (blade thrust) is a sudden reaction
to a caught or bound cutting blade. Once it
occurs, the tool is thrown sideway or toward
the operator at great force and it may cause
serious injury.
2.
Kickback occurs particularly when applying
the blade segment between 12 and 2 o'clock
to solids, bushes and trees with 3 cm or larger
diameter.
► Fig.2
To avoid kickback:
3.
1.
Apply the segment between 8 and 11
o'clock.
2.
Never apply the segment between 12 and
2 o'clock.
Never apply the segment between 11 and
3.
12 o'clock and between 2 and 5 o'clock,
unless the operator is well trained and
experienced and does it at his/her own
risk.
4.
Never use cutting blades close to solids,
such as fences, walls, tree trunks and
stones.
5.
Never use cutting blades vertically, for
such operations as edging and trimming
hedges.
► Fig.3
Vibration
1.
People with poor circulation who are exposed
to excessive vibration may experience injury
to blood vessels or the nervous system.
Vibration may cause the following symptoms
to occur in the fingers, hands or wrists: "Falling
asleep" (numbness), tingling, pain, stabbing sen-
sation, alteration of skin color or of the skin. If any
of these symptoms occur, see a physician!
2.
To reduce the risk of "white finger disease",
keep your hands warm during operation and
well maintain the tool and accessories.
Transport
1.
Before transporting the tool, turn it off and
remove the battery cartridge. Attach the cover
to the cutting blade.
2.
When transporting the tool, carry it in a hori-
zontal position by holding the shaft.
3.
When transporting the tool in a vehicle, prop-
erly secure it to avoid turnover. Otherwise
damage to the tool and other baggage may result.
Maintenance
Have your tool serviced by our authorized
1.
service center, always using only genuine
replacement parts. Incorrect repair and poor
maintenance can shorten the life of the tool and
increase the risk of accidents.
2.
Before doing any maintenance or repair work
or cleaning the tool, always turn it off and
remove the battery cartridge.
3.
Always wear protective gloves when handling
the cutting blade.
Always clean dust and dirt off the tool. Never
4.
use gasoline, benzine, thinner, alcohol or the
like for the purpose. Discoloration, deformation
or cracks of the plastic components may result.
5.
After each use, tighten all screws and nuts.
6.
Do not attempt any maintenance or repair not
described in the instruction manual. Ask our
authorized service center for such work.
7.
Always use our genuine spare parts and acces-
sories only. Using parts or accessories supplied
by a third party may result in the tool breakdown,
property damage and/or serious injury.
Request our authorized service center to
8.
inspect and maintain the tool at regular interval.
9.
Always keep the tool in good working condi-
tion. Poor maintenance can result in inferior per-
formance and shorten the life of the tool.
10. Do not wash the tool with high pressure water.
11.
When washing the tool, do not let water enter
the electrical mechanism such as battery,
motor, and terminals.
12. When storing the tool, avoid direct sunlight
and rain, and store it in a place where it does
not get hot or humid.
13. Perform inspection or maintenance in a place
where rain can be avoided.
14. After using the tool, remove the adhered dirt
and dry the tool completely before storing.
Depending on the season or the area, there is a
risk of malfunction due to freezing.
Storage
1.
Before storing the tool, perform full cleaning
and maintenance. Remove the battery car-
tridge. Attach the cover to the cutting blade.
2.
Store the tool in a dry and high or locked loca-
tion out of reach of children.
3.
Do not prop the tool against something, such as a
wall. Otherwise it may fall suddenly and cause an injury.
First aid
1.
Always have a first-aid kit close by. Immediately
replace any item taken from the first aid kit.
When asking for help, give the following information:
2.
—
Place of the accident
—
What happened
—
Number of injured persons
—
Nature of the injury
—
Your name
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
18 ENGLISH