Using Blades; Safe Operating Practices; Thrown Debris - Honda UMK431 Owner's Manual

OPERATION
Using Blades
Refer to the chart on page 9 for appropriate blade
applications.
If using a blade on a Honda trimmer equipped
with a loop handle, also install the Honda
conversion kit that includes a full shoulder
harness, a barrier bar, and a debris shield for
blades. Follow the installation instructions and
safety information that come with the kit.
Metal blades supplied with UNBA models are
supplied with a cover surrounding the edge of the
blade. For your safety, and to protect the blade,
the cover should be installed whenever the
trimmer is not in use.
Be sure to remove the blade cover before starting
the engine. Otherwise, the blade cover may fly off
at high speed.
If the trimmer starts to vibrate after the blade
strikes an object, stop the engine immediately and
check the blade for damage. A damaged blade
may break, and pieces of a broken blade can
become dangerous projectiles. Replace the blade
if it is broken, cracked, bent, or damaged in any
way.
SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES
Be very careful when operating the trimmer over
uneven or rough ground, and when the ground is
wet and slippery. Watch out for hidden obstacles
that could cause you to stumble. Operate the
trimmer only under conditions with good visibility.
Do not operate the trimmer where you cannot see
what it is cutting.
Rotating cutting lines can cause serious
abrasions and cuts, and blades can cut
deeply.
Keep away from the cutting lines or blade
whenever the engine is running.
Always stop the engine, and be sure the
cutting line head or blade has stopped
turning, before inspecting or handling the
cutting lines or blade.
Thrown Debris
The trimmer will throw debris in the direction of
blade movement at the point of contact.
The cutting line head or blade on Honda UMK422
and UMK431 trimmers rotates counterclockwise,
as viewed from the operator's position, so tilting
the cutting line head to the right will throw debris
away from you, and tilting to the left will throw
debris toward you.
DEBRIS
Cut with the right
side to throw debris
away from you.
If the cutting line head or blade is held parallel to
the ground, debris will scatter in all directions, and
there will be greater friction which will wear out
the cutting line or blade sooner.
When operating the trimmer near a hard surface,
such as a wall, work from an angle where debris
that strikes the hard surface will ricochet away
from you.
Gravel, loose stones, etc. can be picked up by the
nylon cutting lines or blade and thrown many feet
with enough force to cause serious personal
injury and/or property damage. Before crossing
graveled areas, release the throttle trigger to stop
the cutting line head or blade.
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