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GRASS/WEED TRIMMER
BRUSHCUTTER and
CLEARING SAW
SAFETY MANUAL
Read and understand these instructions.
Failure to do so will increase risk of injury.
For your nearest ECHO Dealer, call 1-800-432-ECHO (3246)
99922202600
X7522270400
06/98
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Specifications, descriptions and illustrative material in GRAPHIC this literature are as accurate as known at the time of publication, but are subject to change without notice. Illustrations may include optional equipment and acces- WARNINGS sories, and may not include all standard equipment. This device accompanied by the words Circle and slash symbol means WARNING and DANGER calls atten- whatever is shown is prohibited. tion to an act or a condition which can lead to serious personal injury. T
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CONTENTS GRAPHIC WARNINGS .................................................................................................................................. 2 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ............................................................................................................................... 3 DEFINITION OF TERMS ............................................................................................................................... 5 CURVED SHAFT MODELS — CLOCKWISE ROTATION .
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (CONTINUED) • A bladed unit can kickout, causing serious injury to helpers, • After shutting down the engine, keep fingers and feet away bystanders or animals. Keep people and animals at least 15- from the cutting line or blade until all rotation stops. If the meters (approximately 50 feet) away. Use proper procedures cutting head coasts for a long time instead of stopping right to keep control of the unit. away, adjust the carburetor per instructions in your operator’s manual
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GLOSSARY ANSI Z87.1 - The established standard for eye protection devices, HARNESS - The adjustable strapping by which the unit is suspended set forth by the American National Standards Institutes (ANSI). from the operator. A SHOULDER/WAIST HARNESS must be worn by the operator when the unit is equipped with a blade for cutting. A BARRIER - A device, such as a bar handle, U-handle or harness, SHOULDER HARNESS when blade-cutting with a bar handle or U- which restrains the unit’s cutting attachment
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CLOCKWISE CURVED SHAFT HEAD ROTATION MODELS CURVED GT SERIES SHAFT GRASS/WEED D-HANDLE TRIMMERS SWITCH ON SWITCH IS ON ENGINE MOST MODELS ON SOME MODELS DEBRIS SHIELD FUEL CAP STARTER THROTTLE GRIP LINE CUT-OFF KNIFE LEVER ON RIGHT SIDE OF DEBRIS SHIELD MUFFLER COVER SINGLE OR DOUBLE FEED NYLON LINE HEAD ACCORDING TO MODEL WARNING DANGER SHOULDER HARNESS (STANDARD ON DO NOT INSTALL SOME MODELS) A METAL BLADE ON A GT UNIT. ASSEMBLY TOOLS GLOSSARY (CONTINUED) STRESS CRACK - Structural damage re
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COUNTER- STRAIGHT SHAFT CLOCKWISE MODELS HEAD ROTATION SRM SERIES GRASS/WEED/BRUSH CUTTERS SHOULDER ROTARY MOWERS CONVERTIBLE FOR METAL BLADE USE STOP SWITCH STOP SWITCH THROTTLE LEVER SHOULDER/WAIST HARNESS THROTTLE LEVER U-HANDLE REQUIRED FOR USE WITH METAL BLADES IS STANDARD ON THE LARGER SRM MODELS METAL DEBRIS SHIELD FOR USE WITH METAL D-HANDLE ON SOME BLADES MODELS IS SUITABLE FOR NYLON LINE TRIMMING, BUT MUST BE REPLACED WITH A U-HANDLE IF METAL BLADES ARE TO BE USED OPTIONAL BLADE DEBRIS
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PROTECTIVE DEVICES TO BE WORN BY OPERATOR EYE AND FACE PROTECTION WEAR EYE/EAR PROTECTION At the minimum, the operator must wear eye approved protection, not only against objects thrown by the unit, but also because eye infections can be caused by airborne dust, seeds and pollen. ECHO safety goggles are stamped Z87 as being in compliance with ANSI Standard Z87.1 for eye protection devices. Prescription glasses may be worn under the safety goggles. Eye protection should also be worn by persons in
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COMBINATIONS OF CUTTING HEADS, SHIELDS, HANDLES, ETC… PLASTIC DEBRIS SHIELD PLASTIC DEBRIS SHIELD WHEN PROVIDED FOR FOR CURVED SHAFT UNITS STRAIGHT SHAFT UNITS CUT-OFF KNIFE CUT-OFF KNIFE ON LEFT SIDE ON RIGHT SIDE DEBRIS SHIELDS FOR NYLON LINE HEADS BASIC COMPONENTS AVAILABLE FOR METAL BLADE USE REVIEW THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR PROPER PROCEDURE WHEN CONVERTING FROM NYLON LINE HEAD TO BLADE APPLICATION 2. IF UNIT HAS A D-HANDLE, REPLACE WITH A BAR OR U-HANDLE BAR HANDLE 1. IF UNIT HAS A PLASTIC
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RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION TRAINING WARNING DANGER All model trimmers and brushcutters can throw small gravel, stone, glass, metal or plastic objects as well as the material being cut. Read these “Rules for Safe Operation” with care. Follow instructions in this safety manual and in your operator’s manual. Read the operator’s manual carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and proper use of the unit. Know how to stop the unit and shut off the engine. Know how to unhook a harnessed uni
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15 METERS 15 METER DANGER ZONE DANGER ZONE NO PERSON EXCEPT OPERATOR ALLOWED IN 15 METER RADIUS* DANGER ZONE. EYE, EAR, FACE, FOOT, LEG AND BODY PROTECTION MUST BE WORN BY OPERATOR. PERSONS IN ZONE OF RISK BEYOND DANGER ZONE SHOULD WEAR EYE PROTECTION AGAINST THROWN OBJECTS. RISK DIMINISHES WITH DISTANCE FROM DANGER ZONE. Do not allow anyone to enter the operating DANGER ZONE with WARNING DANGER you. The danger zone is an area 15 meters in radius (about 16 paces) or 50 feet. Beyond the 15-met
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SEE THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR BALANCE TOOL FOR A LEVEL PROPER HANDLE INSTALLATION. HARNESS QUICK- PLANE OF CUTTING RELEASE RING HEAD ROTATION Use a shoulder harness when provided or when recommended in HARNESS CLAMP this manual. Adjust both harness and the harness clamp on the U-HANDLE unit so the unit hangs with the cutting head a few inches above THROTTLE ground level. The cutting head and debris shield should be level TRIGGER in all directions. Harness the unit on the right side as shown. DEB
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You should be in good mental and physical health. Do not operate if you are under the influence of alcohol or any medication or substance which could affect your vision, dexterity or judgment. Inspect the area before using the unit. Remove objects which the unit could throw or become entangled with. Remember where there are obstructions to be avoided. It is good practice to remove any debris (wire, rocks, wood, cans, glass, etc.) after cutting an area. Later, when the area grows back, you will h
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Never operate the tool without good visibility and light. START ON GROUND Lay the unit down on a clear area and set the controls for starting. WITH LINE OR BLADE While cranking the unit, use one hand to pull the starter handle and HEAD IN THE CLEAR the other hand to stabilize the unit. To be sure the cutting line or blade cannot contact the ground or any obstruction, rest the unit on the debris shield (see illustration at left). Hold the unit firmly down so you will not lose control during crank
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DO NOT WARNING DANGER OPERATE ONE-HANDED Use only ECHO cutting attachments on your unit. Do not mount a metal blade on any unit of the GT series. Do not mount an ordinary circular saw blade, lawnmower blade, edge/ trimmer blade, or grinding type cut off wheel on your ECHO Weed/Grass Trimmer or Weed/Brush Cutter. • Always use both hands on the handles. Do not operate one- handed. • Always hold the unit with the fingers and thumbs encircling the handles. • Keep bystanders out of the Danger Zone
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CURVED SHAFT UNITS DEBRIS SHIELD FOR CURVED SHAFT UNITS CUTTING WITH NYLON LINE CUT-OFF KNIFE ON RIGHT SIDE WARNING DANGER If your unit has a curved shaft, line head One of the intended purposes of the debris shield is to reduce rotation is clockwise. The knife will be on the risk of the operator’s legs from being struck by thrown the right side of the debris shield. objects. The debris shield, however, should NOT be relied upon to provide protection for the eyes from thrown objects. Always w
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STRAIGHT SHAFT UNITS The proper debris shield must be in place on the unit when nylon cutting line is used. TM a) Units with Echomatic semi-automatic line head must have a debris shield with cut-off knife. b) Units with manual feed line head or blade head require a debris shield. Consult your operator’s manual for the proper debris shield. WARNING DANGER The cutting line can flap around if too much line is exposed. Always reinstall the plastic debris shield and cut-off knife CUT-OFF KNIFE ON
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CURVED SHAFT The basic cutting actions pictured are: Trimming, scything, scalp- ing and lawn edging. These actions are as follows UNITS TRIMMING: This is feeding the trimmer carefully into the material TRIMMING you wish to cut. Tilt the head slightly to direct debris away from you. DEBRIS If cutting up to a barrier such as a fence, wall or tree, approach from an angle where any debris ricocheting off the barrier will fly away from you. Move the line head slowly until the grass is cut right up KN
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STRAIGHT SHAFT UNITS WARNING DANGER TRIMMING Always check that there is a safe distance between the cutting device and your feet. Be sure to keep the cutting device away DEBRIS from your body during operation. KNIFE SIDE RAISED ANGLE TO WEAR EYE/EAR PROTECTION WALL ANGLE TO GROUND SCYTHING NOTE When scalping under the trees, do not cut into the soil where the surface roots could be injured, or feed the line into the bark of the tree. SCALPING WARNING DANGER Do not us a blade for edging or
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RICHOCHET BOUNCE UNDER THE SHIELD Always wear proper eye protection against thrown objects. Objects can bounce up at you from the ground under the debris shield, or ricochet off any nearby hard surface. Do not trim at high blade or line speeds near roadways when there is traffic, or in places where there are pedestrians. If you must trim where people are in the zone of risk (see page 11) use a much lower or reduced blade or line speed, by using a partial trigger setting. DO NOT TRIM NEAR Do not
