_I, WARNING:
Engine
exhaust,
some
of its constituents,
and certain
vehicle
components
contain
or emit chemicals
known
to the State of California
to cause
cancer
and birth defects
or other
repro-
ductive
harm.
A CAUTION:
Muffler
and other
engine
parts become
extremely
hot during
operation
and remain
hot after engine
has stopped.
To avoid
severe
burns
on
contact,
stay away from these
areas.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
,' Read, understand,
and follow
all
instructions
on the machine
and in the
manual
before
starting.
Be thoroughly
familiar
with the controls
and the proper
use of the machine
before
starting.
• Do not put hands
or feet near or under
rotating
parts.
• Keep all parts of your
body
away from
muffler
and spinning
line. A hot muffler
can cause
serious
burns.
• Only allow
responsible
individuals,
who
are familiar
with the instructions,
to
operate
the machine.
• Stay away from breakable
objects,
such
as house
windows,
auto
glass,
green-
houses,
etc.
• Clear the area of objects
such as rocks,
toys, wire, bones,
sticks,
etc., which
could
be picked
up and thrown
by the
spinning
lines.
• Be sure the area is clear of other
people
before
trimming,
particularly
small chil-
dren and pets.
Stop
machine
if anyone
enters
the area.
• Wear appropriate
clothing
such as a
long-sleeved
shirt or jacket.
Also wear
long trousers
or slacks.
Do not wear
shorts.
• Do not wear loose
clothing
which
could
get caught
in this equipment.
• Do not operate
the machine
when
bare-
foot or wearing
open
sandals.
Always
wear work
gloves
and sturdy
footwear.
Leather
work
shoes
or short boots
work
well for most people.
These
will protect
the operator's
ankles
and shins from
small
sticks,
splinters,
and other
debris,
and improve
traction.
• Do not pull machine
backwards
unless ab-
solutely
necessary.
Always
look down and
behind beforeandwhilemovingbackwards.
• Do not operate
the machine
without
proper
guards,
plates
or other
safety
protective
devices
in place.
• See manufacturer's
instructions
for
proper
operation
and installation
of
accessories.
Only use accessories
ap-
proved
by the manufacturer.
• Never use blades,
wire, orflailing
devices.
This unit is designed
for line trimmer
use
only. Use of other
accessories
or attach-
ments
will increase
the risk of injury.
• Stop the rotating
trimmer
head when
crossing
gravel
drives,
walks,
or roads.
Wait for the cutting
lines to stop rotat-
ing.
• Stop the engine
(motor)
whenever
you leave the equipment
and allow
it
to cool,
before
cleaning,
repairing
or
inspecting
the unit. Be sure the trim-
mer head
and all moving
parts have
stopped.
• Operate
only in daylight
or good
artifi-
cial light.
• Do not operate
the machine
while
un-
der the influence
of alcohol
or drugs.
• Never
operate
machine
in wet grass.
Always
be sure of your footing:
keep a
firm hold on the handle
and walk;
never
run.
• If the equipment
should
start to vibrate
abnormally,
stop the engine
(motor)
and check
immediately
for the cause.
Vibration
is generally
a warning
of
trouble.
• Always
wear
safety goggles
or safety
glasses
with side shields
when
operat-
ing machine.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes
are a major factor
related
to slip and
fall
accidents
which
can
result
in severe
injury.
All slopes
require
extra caution.
If
you feel uneasy
on a slope,
do not trim it.
DO:
• Trim across
the face of slopes:
never
up
and down.
Exercise
extreme
caution
when
changing
direction
on slopes.
• Remove
obstacles
such as rocks,
tree
limbs,
etc.
• Watch
for holes,
ruts, or bumps.
Tall
grass
can hide obstacles.