Makita EM409MP Instructions D'emploi page 10

Operation
Only use the machine in good light and visi-
1.
bility. Use in the dark or poor visibility area may
cause unexpected accident.
Avoid using the machine when it is hard to
2.
keep your balance, for example, working on a
steep surface or windy day.
During operation, never stand on an unstable
3.
or slippery surface or a steep slope. During
the cold season, beware of ice and snow and
always ensure secure footing.
If you are approached, stop the motor.
4.
Otherwise the rotating cutting tool may hit the
bystander and result in serious injury.
Clear the working area before operation.
5.
Remove all objects such as rocks, broken
glass, nails, wire, or string, which can be
thrown or become entangled in the cutting
attachment. Foreign particles may damage the
cutting tool and can cause dangerous kickback.
6. To control the machine steadily, do the follow-
ing during operation:
— Hold the machine with both hands firmly
on your right side.
Hang the machine on your shoulder(s)
—
with the shoulder harness.
Ensure a safe footing. Never work on a
—
ladder or in a tree.
— Avoid over-reach.
— Keep cutting tool below waist level.
Keep all parts of your body away from the
—
rotating cutting tool and hot surface.
Those action reduces the risk of injury.
If weeds or branches get caught between the
7.
cutting tool and guard, always stop the motor
before clearing. Otherwise unintentional blade
rotation may cause serious injury.
Never drop or throw the machine, unless an
8.
emergency. If the machine drops or hits some-
thing, immediately check for fuel leakage, safety
devices and other damages. Operating an mal-
functioned machine may cause injury and/or fire.
9. Inspect the cutting tool frequently, or immedi-
ately after it hits a stone or other hard objects.
If the cutting tool breaks during operation, the
broken piece may fly and cause injury.
10. Stop the motor when inspecting, cleaning or
replacing the cutting tool. Otherwise the cutting tool
may rotate unexpectedly and result in serious injury.
11. Maintain proper control until the cutting tool
stops completely, when stopping the motor or
releasing the throttle trigger. A coasting blade
can cause injury.
12. Before starting the cutting operation, wait until
the cutting tool attains enough speed for cut-
ting. It reduces the risk of kickback and entangling
weeds.
13. Take a rest to prevent loss of control caused
by fatigue. We recommend to take a 10 to
20-minute rest every hour.
14. Stop the motor and place it in safe location,
when resting or leaving the machine. It pre-
vents unexpected accident.
15. Do not touch the engine and its muffler or do
not put them onto combustible materials, while
the engine runs or just after stopping it, as
they are hot. Burn and/or fire may result.
16. Do not operate the tool in bad weather or if
there is a risk of lightning.
Cutting Tools
1. Use a suitable cutting tool for your work.
— Nylon cutting heads (string trimmer heads)
are suitable for trimming lawn grass.
— Metal blades are suitable for cutting weeds,
high grasses, bushes, shrubs, underwood,
thicket, and the like.
Always use the cutting tool guard properly
suited for the cutting tool used.
2. When using a nylon cutting head, use only
flexible, nonmetallic line recommended in this
manual. Never use wire or wirerope. They can
break off and become a dangerous projectile.
3. Never use metal multi-piece pivoting chains,
flail blades or blades not recommended in this
manual. Otherwise serious injury may result.
4. When handling the metal blade, always wear
gloves and put the blade cover on the blade.
The blade can cut bare hands.
5. When using metal blades, avoid "kickback"
and always prepare for an accidental kickback.
See the section Kickback.
Kickback (blade thrust)
Kickback (blade thrust) may occur when the spin-
ning blade contacts an object that it does not imme-
diately cut. It can be violent enough to cause the
unit and/or operator to be propelled in any direc-
tion, and possibly lose control of the unit, resulting
in serious injury. Kickback can occur without warn-
ing if the blade snags, stalls or binds and is more
likely to occur in areas where it is difficult to see the
material being cut.
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.1
To avoid kickback:
Apply the segment between 8 and 11 o'clock.
1.
2. Swing the tool evenly in half-circle from right
to left, like using a scythe. This allows the
proper segment of blade to contact plants to be
cut.
3. Never apply the segment between 12 and 2
o'clock.
4. Never apply the segment between 11 and 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.
► Fig.2
5. Never use cutting blades close to solids, such
as fences, walls, tree trunks and stones.
6. Never use cutting blades vertically, for such
operations as edging and trimming hedges.
7. Avoid using the tool in areas where it is diffi-
cult to see the object being cut.
10 ENGLISH