Starting ! WARNING! When the engine is started with the choke in either the choke or start throttle positions the cutting attachment will start to rotate immediately. • The complete clutch cover and shaft must be fitted before the machine is started, otherwise the clutch can come loose and cause personal injury. • Never start the machine indoors. Exhaust fumes can be dangerous if inhaled. • Observe your surroundings and make sure that there is no risk of people or animals coming into contact with the cutting equipment. • Place the machine on the ground, ensure the cutting attachment is clear of twigs and stones. Hold the body of the machine on the ground using your left hand (CAUTION! Not with your foot). Then grip the starter handle with your right hand and pull the starter cord. Fuel safety • Always use a fuel container with an anti-spill valve. • Never refuel the machine while the engine is running. Always stop the engine and let it cool for a few minutes before refuelling. • Always ensure there is adequate ventilation when handling fuel. • Move the machine at least 3 m from the refuelling point before starting it. • Never start the machine: 1 If you have spilt fuel on it. Wipe off the spillage and allow remaining fuel to evaporate. 2 If you have spilt fuel on yourself or your clothes, change your clothes. Wash any part of your body that has come in contact with fuel. Use soap and water. 3 If the machine is leaking fuel. Check regularly for leaks from the fuel cap and fuel lines. 4 Avoid all skin contact with fuel. Fuel is a skin irritant and may even cause skin changes. Transport and storage • Store and transport the machine and fuel so that there is no risk of any leakage or fumes coming into contact with sparks or naked flames, for example, from electrical machinery, electric motors, electrical relays/switches or boilers. • When storing and transporting fuel always use approved containers intended for this purpose. • When storing the machine for long periods the fuel tank must be emptied. Contact your local gas station to find out where to dispose of excess fuel. • The transport guard must always be fitted to the cutting attachment when the machine is being transported or in storage. ! WARNING! Take care when handling fuel. Bear in mind the risk of fire, explosion and inhaling fumes. English – 9 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS General working instructions IMPORTANT! This section describes the basic safety precautions for working with clearing saws and trimmers. If you encounter a situation where you are uncertain how to proceed you should ask an expert. Contact your dealer or your service workshop. Avoid all usage which you consider to be beyond your capability. You must understand the difference between forestry clearing, grass clearing and grass trimming before use. Basic safety rules 1 Look around you: • To ensure that people, animals or other things cannot affect your control of the machine. • To ensure that people, animals, etc., do not come into contact with the cutting attachment or loose objects that are thrown out by the cutting attachment. • CAUTION! Do not use the machine unless you are able to call for help in the event of an accident. 2 Do not use the machine in bad weather, such as dense fog, heavy rain, strong wind, intense cold, etc. Working in bad weather is tiring and can lead to dangerous conditions, e.g. slippery surfaces. 3 Make sure you can move and stand safely. Check the area around you for possible obstacles (roots, rocks, branches, ditches, etc.) in case you have to move suddenly. Take great care when working on sloping ground. 4 Switch off the engine before moving to another area. Fit the transport guard before carrying or transporting the equipment any distance. 5 Never put the machine down with the engine running unless you have it in clear sight. Basic working techniques • Always slow the engine to idle speed after each working operation. Long periods at full throttle without any load on the engine can lead to serious engine damage. Terms • Use a grass cutter or grass blade for clearing grass. • Use a trimmer head or plastic blades for lighter clearing work, for example along verges or around trees. ! WARNING! Sometimes branches or grass get caught between the guard and cutting attachment. Always stop the engine before cleaning. Grass clearing using a grass blade • A grass blade is used for all types of tall or coarse grass. • The grass is cut down with a sideways, swinging movement, where the movement from right-to-left is the clearing stroke and the movement from left-to-right is the return stroke. Let the left-hand side of the blade (between 8 and 12 o’clock) do the cutting. • If the blade is angled to the left when clearing grass, the grass will collect in a line, which makes it easier to collect, e.g. by raking. • Try to work rhythmically. Stand firmly with your feet apart. Move forward after the return stroke and stand firmly again. • Let the support cup rest lightly against th...