Using A Brushcutter Blade - Shindaiwa T270 Owner's/Operator's Manual

Using A Brushcutter Blade C270
WARNING!
■ Before working with a blade-
equipped unit, always inspect and
clean the area of objects that could
interfere with or damage the blade.
■ Never use a blade near sidewalks,
fence posts, buildings or other
objects that could cause injury or
damage.
■ Never use a blade for purposes
other than those for which it was
designed.
■ Whenever you strike a hard ob-
ject with a blade, always stop the
brushcutter and carefully inspect
the blade for damage. NEVER
OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER
WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!
■ A blade-equipped unit must be
equipped with a bicycle-type handle-
bar or barrier bar as well as a har-
ness or shoulder strap.
■ Always make sure the cutting at-
tachment shield is properly installed
before operating the unit.
Blade Thrust
'Blade thrust' is a sudden sideways or
backward motion of the brushcutter. Such
motion may occur when the blade jams
or catches on an object such as a sapling
tree or tree stump. BE CONSTANTLY
ALERT FOR BLADE THRUST AND
GUARD AGAINST ITS EFFECTS!
Brushcutter Handlebar
A brushcutter's handlebar or barrier bar
helps prevent the operator from mov-
ing forward or the unit moving rearward;
thus preventing inadvertent bodily
contact with the blade. ALWAYS KEEP
THE HANDLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR
SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!
Brushcutter Shoulder Strap
A shoulder strap provides additional
protection against blade thrust. Plus, a
shoulder strap gives signi cant support
and comfort to help ensure safe and ef-
 cient operation.
When operating a trimmer or brushcutter,
make sure both the handle and shoul-
der strap are adjusted to the size of the
operator using the unit.
16
Engine Operating Speeds
Operate the unit at full throttle while cut-
ting. Best fuel ef ciency is obtained by
releasing the throttle when swinging back
after a cut.
■ To prevent possible engine damage, do
not allow the brushcutter to run at high
speeds without a load.
■ Avoid operating the engine at low
speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid
clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed op-
eration tends to cause grass and debris
to wrap around the cutting head.
The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For
best performance and to minimize being
struck by debris, move the blade from
right to left while advancing on your work.
Position the blade so cuts are made
between the blade's 8 o'clock and 10
o'clock positions (as viewed from above).
DO NOT cut between the 10 o'clock and 5
o'clock positions. See Figure 30.
WARNING!
■ When cutting wood with a blade,
feed the blade slowly never strike
or "slam" the spinning blade against
the wood.
■ DO NOT use 2-tooth or non-
Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting
blades with Shindaiwa trimmers and
brushcutters.
Ten
O'clock
Rotation
OK To Cut
Eight
O'clock
Figure 30
Vertical Cuts
Hold the brushcutter with the blade at a
90° angle to the ground so the blade's
bottom edge rotates toward the operator.
Move the blade from top to bottom
through the cut, and cut only with the bot-
tom edge of the blade. See Figure 31.
When making vertical cuts, never allow
the blade to exceed waist height.
Figure 31
Blade
Five
O'clock
WARNING!
Cut on the left side
of the blade. KEEP
YOUR BODY
OUTSIDE THE
PATH OF BLADE
ROTATION
27036