0458-838-8601-A
20
English 
5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
– Do not continue work with a damaged or improperly 
mounted cylinder housing or a damaged/deformed 
muffler shell. It may interfere with the cooling 
process of the muffler.
■ The muffler of this trimmer / brushcutter is furnished with 
a spark arresting screen. If your gas/oil mix ratio is correct 
(i.e., not too rich), this screen will normally stay clean as a 
result of the heat from the muffler and need no service or 
maintenance. To reduce the risk of fire from the emission 
of hot particles:
– Never operate your trimmer / brushcutter with a 
missing or damaged spark arresting screen.
– If you experience loss of performance and suspect a 
clogged screen, have your muffler serviced. Some 
state or federal laws or regulations may require a 
properly maintained spark arrester for certain uses.
■ In California, it is a violation of § 4442 or § 4443 of the 
Public Resources Code to use or operate gasoline-
powered tools on forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-
covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is 
equipped with a complying spark arrester that is 
maintained in effective working order. The owner/operator 
of this product is responsible for properly maintaining the 
spark arrester. Other states or governmental 
entities/agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, may 
have similar requirements.
– Do not use your trimmer / brushcutter around 
flammable materials or around vegetation or brush 
when there is a risk of fire or wildfire.
– Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest 
Service if you have any question about laws or 
regulations relating to fire protection requirements.
DANGER
■ To reduce risk of electrocution:
5.8 Working with the Cutting Attachments
5.8.1 Kickout (Blade Thrust) with All Metal Cutting 
Attachments
WARNING
– Never operate this trimmer in the vicinity 
of any wires or cables that may be 
carrying electric current. Look carefully 
for concealed wires before starting work.
– Do not rely on the trimmer's insulation 
against electric shock, even when 
holding the power tool by insulated 
gripping surfaces.
Kickout (blade thrust) is the sudden and 
uncontrolled movement of the cutting head 
toward the operator's right or rear that can occur 
when the shaded areas (especially the darkly 
shaded area) of a rotating blade contact a solid 
rigid object like a tree, rock, bush or wall. The 
cutting attachment may be thrown to the right or 
to the rear (black arrow) any time the rapid 
rotation of the blade is stopped, slowed, 
snagged or bound in an object that it doesn't 
immediately cut.