Makita EBH340R Instruction Manual page 5

Method of operation
– Use the brushcutter only in good light and visibility. During cold
seasons beware of slippery or wet areas, ice and snow (risk of
slipping). Always ensure a safe footing.
– Do not overreach. Keep proper footing, balance and hand control
of the unit at all times.
– Never cut above waist level.
– Never stand on a ladder while running the brushcutter.
– Never climb up into trees to perform any cutting operation with
the brushcutter.
– Never work on unstable surfaces or steep terrain.
– Remove all objects such as stones, nails, broken glass, wire, etc.
found within the working areas.
Foreign articles may damage the cutting tool, can cause
dangerous kickbacks, or could be thrown about dangerously.
– Before commencing cutting the cutting tool must have reached
full working speed.
– Never operate this tool while it is turned upside-down or when it
is at an extreme angle.
– WARNING! — The cutter area is still dangerous while the
machine is coasting to a stop.
Kickback
– When operating the brushcutter, uncontrolled kickback can occur.
– This particularly is the case when attempting to cut within a blade
segment between 12 and 2 o'clock as viewed from the operator's
position.
– Never touch this segment of the brushcutter to solid objects, such
as bushes, stumps, trees, etc., with a diameter greater than 3 cm.
– The brushcutter will then be deflected at great force and speed
with the potential risk of serious injuries.
– Never operate the brushcutter using the blade segment
between the 12 and 2 o'clock position.
Kickback prevention
To avoid kickbacks, observe the following:
– Operation within the blade segment between 12 and 2 o'clock
can cause serious potential hazards, especially when using metal
cutting blades.
Use of this brushcutter utilizing blade segment positions from 11
to 12 o'clock and 2 to 5 o'clock can still cause a likely potential for
some kickback.
– Cutting operations attempted within the blade segments between
11 and 12 o'clock, and between 2 and 5 o'clock, should only be
performed by trained and experienced operators, and only at
their own risk. Smooth and easy cutting with almost no kickback
is possible using the blade segment between 8 and 11 o'clock.
Cutting Tools
Use only the correct cutting tool for the specific job in hand.
Cutter blade (Star Blade (4 teeth), Eddy Blade (8 teeth)):
For cutting thick materials, such as weeds, high grass, bushes,
shrubs, underwood, thicket, etc. (max. 2 cm dia. thickness). Perform
this cutting work by swinging the brushcutter evenly in half-circles
from right to left (similar to using a scythe).
Maintenance instructions
– The condition of the cutter, in particular of the cutter blade, guard
and of the shoulder strap must be checked before commencing
work. Particular attention is to be paid to the cutting blades which
must be correctly sharpened.
– Turn off the engine and remove spark plug connectors when
replacing or sharpening cutting blade, and also when cleaning
the cutter or cutting tool.
12
5
2
Caution: Kickback
Diagrammatic figure
Diagrammatic figure