Safety Manual

ENGLISH

CLEARING JAMS

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. As

soon as the obstruction is removed, the blades are free to

start moving again, instantly cutting whatever is left in the

path of the blade teeth.

To protect yourself from serious injury when clearing jams,

follow these important safety rules:

• NEVER reach for, or try to remove, jammed material while the engine is

running.

• ALWAYS switch the unit off and disconnect the spark plug before clearing a

jam. On electric powered units, switch the unit OFF, and unplug the power

cord from the power outlet.

• ALWAYS inspect the blades after clearing a jam to make sure all jammed

material has been cleared, and to make sure blades are not damaged.

Stop Position

Ignition

Switch

OPERATION