ENGLISH HEDGE TRIMMER SAFETY MANUAL DANGER Misuse may result in serious or fatal injuries. You must read, understand, and follow these safety instructions and the instructions in your Operator’s Manual before operating a Hedge Trimmer. DANGER Hedge Trimmer blades are very sharp and can cause severe injuries, even if engine is off and blades are not moving. Avoid contact with blades. Wear gloves to protect hands. Place blade cover on blades when transporting or storing unit.
ENGLISH INTRODUCTION WARNING This manual describes how to protect yourself and others from hazards related to operation of a gasoline or electric-powered hedge trimmer. Before assembling, fueling, or operating your hedge trimmer, you must read this Safety Manual and your Hedge Trimmer Operator’s Manual. You must also understand and obey all safety rules, precautions, and operating instructions.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS Circle/Slash Prohibition Symbol This symbol means that the specific action shown is prohibited. Ignoring these prohibitions can result in serious or fatal injury. Safety Alert Symbol The Safety Alert symbol is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. To avoid serious or fatal injuries, obey all safety messages that follow this symbol.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS ENGLISH Read Operator's and Safety Manuals Read manuals carefully, and follow rules for safe operation. Failure to do so could result in serious or fatal injury. Wear Head, Eye, and Hearing Protection Wear head, hearing, and eye protection that meet ANSI requirements. Wear Hand Protection Wear heavy duty work gloves to protect hands Sharp Blades Alert Contact with blades can result in serious cuts and amputation Carbon Monoxide Hazard Alert Do not operate indoors.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS Slip Hazard Alert ENGLISH Wear slip-resistant footwear to reduce risk of falls. Finger Sever Hazard Moving parts can amputate fingers or cause severe injuries. Keep hands, clothing and loose objects away from all openings. Prohibited Clothing Wear protective clothing and shoes. Loose clothing, dangling accessories, or open footwear increases risk of serious injury. Stop Symbol Indicates the “Stop” position for the engine ignition switch (Stop Switch).
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS ENGLISH Do Not Operate Equipment While Impaired Do not operate equipment while under the influence of alcohol, medication, or any other substance that can impair judgment, reflexes, vision, or coordination. Operating a unit while impaired can result in serious injury to operator and bystanders, or cause damage to property or equipment. Operate Only With Handle Guard/Do Not Remove Hand Guard (Double-sided Blades) Do not operate without hand guard in place.
OPERATOR SAFETY ENGLISH PHYSICAL CONDITION WARNING Operating this unit while you are impaired can result in serious personal injury or death to yourself and others. Never operate the unit if you are fatigued, or are under the influence of alcohol, medication, or any other substances that can affect your judgment, reflexes, vision, or coordination. You must be mentally alert and physically able to operate a hedge trimmer safely.
OPERATOR SAFETY ENGLISH Hearing/Ear Protection ECHO Inc. highly recommends wearing ANSI-approved hearing protection whenever you are operating the unit. Hearing protection prevents hearing loss caused by frequent or prolonged exposure to engine noise. ECHO Inc. recommends ear plugs, or for constant, heavy-duty use, wear earmuff-style hearing protection.
OPERATOR SAFETY General Clothing Safety ENGLISH Never wear ties, loose clothing, or clothing with strings, frills, or dangling straps. Keep clothing buttoned or zipped, and keep shirt tails tucked in. Never wear dangling or hanging jewelry such as earrings or necklaces, or any other items that could become entangled with branches or equipment, and be drawn into the air intake grid of the engine.
ENGLISH OPERATOR SAFETY • If you experience discomfort, redness, and/or swelling of the fingers, followed by whitening or loss of feeling, stop using the unit, and contact a doctor. Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) Overuse of the muscles and tendons of the fingers hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness, and pain in these areas. Repetitive hand/wrist movement can put you at high risk for developing a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).
ASSEMBLY ENGLISH WARNING Hedge trimmer blades are extremely sharp. Accidental hand or body contact with blades can result in severe cuts, even if the engine is off and blades are not moving. Always wear sturdy work gloves when handling the hedge trimmer, and do not allow blades to touch any part of your body. If your hedge trimmer requires assembly before it can be used, you must make sure all guards, shields, and protective devices are properly installed.
ENGLISH ASSEMBLY BLADE STIFFENER INSTALLATION WARNING A blade stiffener is provided with most hedge trimmer models. The blade stiffener is strongly recommended for use in all homeowner or light duty cutting applications. In commercial cutting applications, or when cutting thick, dense branches, cutting capacity may be increased by cutting without the blade stiffener. Use extreme care when cutting without blade stiffener. Follow instructions in Operator’s Manual to install or remove blade stiffener.
FUELING ENGLISH DANGER Explosion/Fire/Burn Hazard. Gasoline is extremely flammable. Vapors are explosive. Keep at least 50 feet (15 m) away from heat, sparks, open flame, smoking materials, static electricity, and all other sources of ignition when fueling unit. Gasoline vapor is heavier than air, and can travel along the ground to nearby sources of ignition such as electrical motors, pilot lights, and hot or running engines.
ENGLISH FUELING • ALWAYS wipe up spills immediately, and dispose of fuel soaked wipes safely. Use a fireproof container designed for safe disposal. • IMMEDIATELY change clothes if fuel spills on clothing. Wet clothes down with water first to minimize fire risk. • ALWAYS tighten fuel tank cap securely check cap for tightness. • ALWAYS close fuel container immediately after refueling. • ALWAYS check fuel system for leaks before using unit - NEVER start or operate a unit with leaks.
FUELING • ALWAYS prepare fuel/oil mix in an approved fuel container • ALWAYS follow mixing instructions in Operator’s Manuals. • ALWAYS make sure fuel container caps are tightly secured before shaking container to mix fuel and oil. • ALWAYS store fuel containers in a safe location, with caps and vents sealed tightly. For more detailed safety and first aid information, visit the oil manufacturer’s website for a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet, or contact the oil company.
ENGLISH STARTING DANGER The blades on units that require starting at wide-open throttle (throttle trigger fully deHC-2420/3020 pressed) will start moving immediately when Hedge Trimmer the engine starts. To avoid loss of control and serious injury, stay clear of blades, and keep Operator’s Manual blades away from objects that could become entangled.
STARTING ENGLISH • NEVER “drop start” the unit or attempt to start the unit while it is resting on blade tips. • ALWAYS grip the unit firmly when starting to prevent loss of control when pulling starter handle. • ALWAYS hold the unit securely with both hands after it starts, using the front and rear handles. • MAINTAIN a secure, two-handed grip at all times while unit is in use. • ALWAYS shut unit off immediately if it shakes or vibrates excesssively when started.
ENGLISH OPERATION DANGER Hedge trimmer blades are extremely sharp. Moving blades have powerful cutting action. Contact with moving blades will cause serious injury. Keep hands, feet, and all other body parts away from blades at all times. Wear work gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and protective clothing. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas. Breathing carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness, serious injury, or death. Start and operate outdoors only.
OPERATION ENGLISH • NEVER stand on a ladder or other temporary platform. You can fall or slip, and injure yourself or others. Use a shaft-mounted hedge trimmer to reach tall bushes and shrubs. • NEVER hold or allow others to hold the material you are cutting. • ALWAYS keep both hands on the unit to control the cutting action. • ALWAYS keep the muffler exhaust directed away from your body. • NEVER touch the muffler, muffler cover, or surrounding area during operation.
ENGLISH OPERATION • NEVER cut in the dark or when visibility of the cutting area is poor. You must be able to see the blades and cutting area at all times • ALWAYS be alert for changes in hedge trimmer operation that could signal a problem - sudden vibration, unusual noise, strong smell of fuel, or poor cutting performance all require your immediate attention. Stop the unit IMMEDIATELY if any of these problems occur, and correct the problems before continuing.
OPERATION MECHANICAL PROBLEMS Sudden vibration, unusual noise, or poor cutting performance may all be indications of a loose or broken part, improper blade adjustment, or lack of lubrication. Operating the unit with any of these problems can cause a jam or other sudden malfunction that could result in an injury. Stop using the unit, and check it carefully for problems. Correct all problems before using unit again, or tag it until it can be repaired by an authorized servicing dealer.
ENGLISH OPERATION • ALWAYS operate unit with power head held to the right side of your body. Holding the unit on the left side of your body will allow hot exhaust gases to blow against you and your clothing. • NEVER stand on a ladder or use any other unstable work surface while cutting. Handling a shaft hedge trimmer with extended reach requires secure footing and stable balance. • ALWAYS stop engine before making adjustments.
OPERATION CLEARING JAMS ENGLISH Hedge trimmers convert the rotary motion of the engine crankshaft into back-and-forth cutting motion to drive one or two hedge trimmer blades. This back-and-forth, reciprocating motion is produced by the gear case, which is driven by a clutch attached to the engine’s crankshaft. If the blades get jammed by a wire or other obstruction and can’t move, the clutch allows the engine to keep running.
ENGLISH MAINTENANCE WARNING Operating a poorly maintained hedge trimmer can result in serious injuries to operator and others. Maintain unit as instructed in Operator’s Manual. Keep blades sharp and properly adjusted, and replace broken parts immediately. Your hedge trimmer requires regular maintenance for safe operation and reliable performance. Using a poorly-maintained unit can result in an injury caused by a part failure or other malfunction.
MAINTENANCE • ALWAYS stop unit immediately and correct any problem if unit does not run properly after performing service or maintenance. Operating a unit that has been improperly repaired may result in serious injury. • ALWAYS have major service performed by a qualified service technician. See your dealer for authorized service support. STORAGE DANGER Improper storage can result in fire, explosion, damage to equipment and property, and serious injury. Follow storage instructions in Operator’s Manual.
ENGLISH ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMERS SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMERS DANGER Shock/Electrocution Hazard. Read, understand, and obey all safety and operating instructions. Failure to follow all instructions can result in serious injury or death from electric shock. Electric Hedge Trimmers expose users to risk of electric shock and electrocution, from contact with live electrical wires. Specific handling and safety precautions are required for safe operation, and must be followed.
ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMERS ENGLISH • NEVER place the power cord on or in the material being cut. Use a longer cord to increase cutting reach if necessary, or use a power outlet nearer to the work area. • NEVER carry the hedge trimmer by the power cord, or yank on the cord to disconnect it from a power outlet. Plug and unplug the cords using the connector plugs and sockets only. • ALWAYS avoid sharp edges and abrasive surfaces that can damage power cord insulation.
ELECTRIC HEDGE TRIMMERS ENGLISH ELECTRIC POWER OPERATING SAFETY DANGER Misuse of electrically powered products, or failure to follow all safety precautions and operating instructions, can result in electrical burns, shock, electrocution, and serious or fatal injuries from explosion or fire.
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ENGLISH To locate your nearest ECHO dealer visit our website, http://www.echo-usa.com, or call 1-800-432-ECHO (3246). Ask how to obtain a FREE Safety Video. Echo’s Supplemental Safety Video provides helpful safety and cutting information. To locate your nearest Shindaiwa dealer visit our website, http://www.shindaiwa-usa.com, or call 1-877-986-7783. Ask how to obtain a FREE Safety Video. Shindaiwa’s Supplemental Safety Video provides helpful safety and cutting information.
