GRASS/WEED TRIMMER
BRUSHCUTTERand
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
06/98
X7522270400
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
CONTENTS
GRAPHICWARNINGS .................................................................................................................................. 2
SAFETYPRECAUTIONS............................................................................................................................... 3
DEFINITIONOFTERMS ............................................................................................................................... 5
CURVEDSHAFTMODELS—CLOCKWISEROTATION ......................................................................... 6
STRAIGHTSHAFTMODELS—COUNTERCLOCKWISEROTATION ................................................... 7
PROTECTIVEDEVICES ................................................................................................................................ 8
COMBINATIONOFCUTTINGHEADS,SHIELDS,HANDLES,ETC. ....................................................... 9
RULESFORSAFEOPERATION................................................................................................................... 10
CUTTINGWITHNYLONLINE .................................................................................................................... 16
CUTTINGWITHBLADES ............................................................................................................................. 21
ECHOATTACHMENTSANDACCESSORIES ............................................................................................ 24
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
DANGER
Read the operator’s manual carefully. Be familiar with the con-
trols and the proper use of the unit. Know how to shut the unit
off, and how to unhook a harnessed unit quickly.
•
•
•
Do not allow a person to use this unit unless instructions
are read and understood. Never allow children to operate
or play with the unit.
•
Check that the cutting line or blade of the unit is away from
your feet and legs.
•
•
Be sure the unit is assembled properly.
There is a great risk of eye loss from thrown objects.
Always wear qualified eye protection in accordance with
ANSIStandardZ87.1.
The muffler side of the engine should be away from your
body. This is necessary to avoid arm burns.
•
•
The unit is designed to be used while positioned on the right
side.
Wear proper clothing to protect feet, legs, and other
exposed parts of your body. Wear hearing protection
devices. Also wear dust masks to filter out pollen and
other irritants when deemed necessary.
Always use the appropriate harness, properly worn, when one
is provided with the unit. Balance the unit as recommended by
adjusting the position of the harness clamp on the shaft. If the
unit is not provided with a harness, you can obtain one from
your dealer to reduce fatigue from operation.
•
Do not wear opened-toed shoes or go barefoot or bare-
legged. Do not wear loose or dangling clothing, neckties,
scarfs, or jewelry which could be caught in the unit or the
underbrush.
•
•
Follow instructions in this manual when operating the unit
with a blade. The blade can be made of metal or other
materials such as rubber or plastic. Do not use this unit as a
hammer, lever, crowbar, hatchet or ax. Do not misuse the
blade or the unit. Do not raise the line or blade head above
your knee height. Your unit is not a pruner, hedge trimmer or
chain saw and should not be substituted for these tools.
•
•
•
Keep people out of the danger zone. This is a circle 15
meters in radius (about 16 paces) around the unit and
operator.
Require any persons outside the 15-meter danger zone to
wear eye protection to help protect them from thrown
objects.
When operating the unit with a blade, be sure the blade is
attached to the unit as designed, such as with a locknut and
cotter pin. Also, be sure the blade unit has a metal debris
shield, has either a metal bar handle or a U-handle, and is
suspended from a shoulder harness.
If necessary to cut where people or cars could be hit by
thrown objects, cut at reduced (slow) throttle speed to
reduce the speed of the nylon line or blade, thus reducing
the velocity of thrown objects.
•
Adjust the handle to a position for comfort and good
balance as recommended in this manual.
3
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (CONTINUED)
•
A bladed unit can kickout, causing serious injury to helpers,
bystanders or animals. Keep people and animals at least 15-
meters (approximately 50 feet) away. Use proper procedures
to keep control of the unit.
•
After shutting down the engine, keep fingers and feet away
from the cutting line or blade until all rotation stops. If the
cutting head coasts for a long time instead of stopping right
away, adjust the carburetor per instructions in your
operator’s manual, or have the adjustment made by your
ECHOservicingdealer.
•
•
•
The blade can push, pull or kickout, causing the operator to
lose his balance or lose control of the unit.
•
Shut down immediately if the unit starts to shake or vibrate.
This could be a sign of danger from a broken part or missing
fasteners.
Keep blades clear of fences, wires, posts, rocks, etc. to
prevent kick out and blade damage.
Do not operate when under the influence of alcohol, medica-
tions or substances which can affect your vision, dexterity
and judgment. You must be in good physical and mental
health in order to operate safely.
•
•
Disconnect spark plug wire before you work on the unit or
leave it unattended.
Do not cut with dull blades which can increase the risk of
kickout and breakage.
Before operating unit, thoroughly inspect blades for damage
and cracks. Do not use a damaged blade.
•
•
Do not operate where the unit could contact electrical
conduits, house wiring, or any power lines.
Handle flammable fuel with care. Use an approved type can.
Do not smoke or bring sparks or flame near the fuel supplies.
Use proper fueling procedures as recommended in the
operator’s manual.
•
•
Replace dull 80-tooth Brush Blades if you cannot have them
sharpened professionally. Do not try to resharpen them
yourself.
Sharpen dull 8-tooth Grass/Weed Blades at the proper angles
with a flat file. Do not file down into the gullet (bottom) are of
the tooth. The gullets must be rounded, with no sharp
corners or filing nicks which could be the start of stress
cracks and blade failure.
•
•
•
Never refuel while the engine is running or hot. Move at least
10 feet from the fueling spot before starting the engine.
Do not store the unit with fuel in the tank, because a fuel leak
could start a fire.
Do not run the engine indoors or where there is poor
ventilation. Engine fumes contain deadly poisonous carbon
monoxide.
•
•
ECHO may produce new design attachments and blades from
time to time. If you purchase such an item, follow the
installation, operation and maintenance instructions supplied
withit.
•
•
Never operate the unit without the proper debris shield and
other protective devices in place. Replace damaged or
broken debris shields.
Do not mount any ordinary circular saw blade, a lawnmower
or edge/trimmer blade, or a grinding type cut-off wheel on
your Grass/Weed Trimmer or Weed/Brush Cutter.
Do not operate a semi-automatic feed type line head if the
debris shield is not equipped with a cut-off knife.
•
•
Do not use any blade or attachment not authorized for your
unit by ECHO, Inc.
•
•
Never operate without good visibility and light.
Never start the engine if the drive shaft is not in place to
prevent the engine from over speeding or the clutch from
flying apart.
All maintenance given in the operator’s manual should be
performed by you or an ECHO servicing dealer. Any service
or repair work for which the operator’s manual does not give
instructions must be done only by an authorized ECHO
servicing dealer.
•
•
For starting position, lay the unit down in a clear area so the line
or blade cannot contact the ground or any other obstruction.
•
The debris shield, also known as a cutting attachment shield,
located at the lower rotating head, is intended to reduce the
chance of thrown objects hitting the leg. Do not rely on the
debris shield to protect the eyes from thrown objects. Wear
eye protection goggles conforming to the ANSI Z87.1 Safety
Standard (Z87 is stamped on the goggles).
Hold the unit down firmly so you will not lose control during
cranking. If not held down properly, the engine could pull
you off balance or swing the cutting line or blade into an
obstruction of your body.
•
•
•
Do not crank the engine while the unit is harnessed to you or
otherwise suspended above ground level.
•
•
Secure hair above shoulders.
Always keep both hands on the control handles. Do not
operate one-handed. Do not hold material you are cutting.
Never use wire or wire rope in place of nylon monofilament
cutting line.
Keep the unit and attachments in good working condition.
Tighten fastening parts at regular intervals. Check the
cutting head assembly before each use.
•
Spark arrester mufflers are standard on ECHO units to reduce
the possibility of forest fires. Do not operate the unit with a
loose or defective muffler. Do not remove the spark arrester
screen.
4
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
GLOSSARY
ANSI Z87.1 - The established standard for eye protection devices,
set forth by the American National Standards Institutes (ANSI).
HARNESS-Theadjustablestrappingbywhichtheunitissuspended
fromtheoperator.ASHOULDER/WAISTHARNESSmustbeworn
by the operator when the unit is equipped with a blade for cutting. A
SHOULDERHARNESSwhenblade-cuttingwithabarhandleorU-
handle is acceptable. Also, it is advisable to wear a harness when
using a flexible line trimmer to help reduce fatigue.
BARRIER - A device, such as a bar handle, U-handle or harness,
whichrestrainstheunit’scuttingattachmentfrommovingrearward
and making inadvertent contact with the operator’s legs.
BLADE RETAINER - A mechanism which holds the brushcutter
blade to the driving member.
HEARINGPROTECTION-Earmufforplug-typedeviceswornto
reduce exposure to harmful noise while permitting an operator to
hear certain sounds.
BLADETHRUST-AnothernameforKickout.
BOUNCE - The ricochet of a flying object from any surface,
HIT - When a thrown object hits someone or something and is
particularly from the ground, rocks or buildings.
capable of injury or penetration.
BRUSHBLADE-Amulti-toothcircularsawbladeforsawingheavy
IMPACT SPEED - The speed of a striking object.
brush with SRM models only.
IMPACT ENERGY - The energy from a thrown object that is
CUTTINGCIRCLE-Thebladeperimeterorthecircleformedbya
transferred to another object or person during impact.
cutting line.
HANDLES:
CUTTINGHEAD-Theassemblythatincludestheflexiblecutting
line or a blade. Flexible cutting line heads include:
•
BAR HANDLE - A straight metal handle, standard on some
SRM units.
•
•
•
BUMP-ADVANCEHEAD-Extendsthelinethrougha
bumpingmechanism.
•
•
D-HANDLE-Aloopedhandle.
U-HANDLE - Has the configuration of a U-shaped bicycle
handle bar which reduces the working effort compared to a
D-handle.
CENTRIFUGAL-ADVANCEHEAD-Extendstheline
through speed changes.
MANUALHEAD-Aflexiblelinesuspensionmechanism
requiring manual adjustments of the line length.
KICK OUT - When the unit dangerously propels itself out of a cut
due to blade binding. The direction is opposite the blade rotation
at point of contact. (See page 22.) Also called Blade Thrust.
DANGERZONE-A15-meter(orapproximately50-foot)radiussurround-
ingtheoperatoroftheunit. Nooneelsebuttheoperatorshouldbeinthe
Danger Zone while the unit is being used. (See Risk Zone.)
MAXI-CUTWEEDCUTTER-A3-bladeflail-typedevicewhichcan
be used in place of the nylon line head.
DEBRIS SHIELD - The shield just behind the cutting head. Also
called a cutting attachment shield.
PUSH&PULL-Forcesexertedbytheblade.Ifthebladepulls,the
unit will pull away from the operator. If the blade pushes, the unit
pushes back towards the operator. (See page 22.)
DEFLECTION-Aglance,orbounce,orchangeofpathofathrown
object off a hard surface.
QUICK-RELEASEMECHANISM-Amechanismcontrolledbythe
operator to quickly release the unit from the harness in case of
emergency.
EDGING - Trimming the grass along an edge such as a sidewalk.
FACEMASK-Amasktoshieldfacefromflyingobjects.Facemasks
alone do not provide adequate protection. Eye protection goggles
meeting ANSI Standard Z87.1 must be worn underneath. (See
“GOGGLES.”)
RICOCHET-Athrownobjectwhichglancesoffasurfaceandtakes
a new path.
RISKZONE -Theareabeyondthe15-meter(orapproximately50-
foot) radius surrounding the operator of the unit. Bystanders in the
Risk Zone should wear eye protection against thrown objects. Risk
diminishes with distance from the operator. (See Danger Zone).
FACE SHIELD - A device worn in front of the eyes and a portion
of,orallof,thefacetosupplementprotectionaffordedbyaprimary
protective device. Face shields alone do not provide adequate
protection.(See“GOGGLES.”)
SRM - Shoulder Rotary Mower
GOGGLES-Adevicecoveringeyesandsockets,flushagainstthe
face, having impact-resistant lenses. Such goggles must meet the
ANSI Z87.1 Standard (“Z87” is stamped on the goggles).
SHOULDERROTARYMOWER-Aflexible-linegrassandweed-
cutting unit which can be converted for use with a blade.
SCALPING - The very close cutting of vegetation from the earth.
A trimmer is used to clear growth around trees or shrubs, or from
sidewalks.
GT-GrassTrimmer
GRASS TRIMMER - A grass and weed-cutting unit with a nylon
line cutting head. Not to be used with a metal blade.
SCYTHING - An arcing motion to cut weeds by swinging the tool
head from side to side.
GLOSSARYCONTINUEDONNEXTPAGE
5
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
CURVED SH
MODELS
D-HANDLE
GT SERIES
GRASS/WEED
TRIMMERS
CURVED
SHAFT
SWITCHON
MOSTMODELS
STARTER
GRIP
SINGLEORDOUBLEFEED
NYLONLINEHEAD
ACCORDINGTOMODEL
MUFFLER
COVER
LINECUT-OFFKNIFE
ONRIGHTSIDEOF
DEBRISSHIELD
DEBRISSHIELD
THROTTLE
LEVER
SWITCHISONENGINE
ONSOMEMODELS
WARNING
DANGER
DO NOT INSTALL
AMETALBLADE
ON A GT UNIT.
FUELCAP
SHOULDERHARNESS
(STANDARDON
SOMEMODELS)
ASSEMBLYTOOLS
GLOSSARY (CONTINUED)
STRESS CRACK - Structural damage resulting from misfiling of
blade teeth, pinching in a cut or using the blade as a lever.
TRIMMER-AGTorSRMunitwhenfittedwithalinecuttinghead
or Maxi-Cut Weed Cutter. Metal blades are recommended only on
SRM units with special conversion kits.
TIPSPEED-Thespeedofthecuttinglineorblade(inmphorfpm)
at the perimeter of the cutting circle.
UNIT - Powerhead, shaft and cutting assembly.
THROWNOBJECT-Aprojectilepropelledfromflexiblecutting
line or a blade capable of causing bodily injury to the operator or
bystanders.
U-HANDLE-Hastheconfigurationofabicyclehandlebartoreduce
working effort compared to a D-loop handle.
WEED/GRASS BLADE - A blade to cut heavy grass and weeds.
6
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
STRAIGHT SHAFT
MODELS
SRM SERIES
GRASS/WEED/BRUSHCUTTERS
SHOULDERROTARYMOWERSCONVERTIBLEFORMETALBLADEUSE
D-HANDLEONSOMEMODELSISSUITABLE
FORNYLONLINETRIMMING,BUTMUSTBE
REPLACEDWITHAU-HANDLEIFMETAL
BLADESARETOBEUSED
DEBRISSHIELD
STOPSWITCH
OULDER/WAIST
RNESS
THROTTLE
LEVER
STOPSWITCH
THROTTLE
LEVER
DEBRISSHIELD
U-HANDLEREQUIRED
FORUSEWITHMETALBLADES
ISSTANDARDONTHELARGER
SRMMODELS
OPTIONAL
BLADE
BLADEADAPTER
NUT
PACKAGEOFCOTTER
PINS
METALDEBRISSHIELD
FORUSEWITHMETAL
BLADES
ASSEMBLYTOOLS
7
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
PROTECTIVEDEVICES
TO BE WORN BY OPERATOR
EYEANDFACEPROTECTION
WEAREYE/EARPROTECTION
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.
ECHOsafetygogglesarestampedZ87asbeingincompliancewith
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 the risk zone which extends
beyond the danger zone. (See pages 8-11.)
Ifoperatingconditionsrequireadditionalfaceprotection,flip-down
face shields in conformance with ANSI Standard Z87.1 are also
available. Thefaceshieldsmayattachtoasafety“hardhat”. Safety
goggles must be worn underneath.
AGAINSTHITSFROMEVERYDIRECTION
DESIGNSCONFORMING
TO ANSI Z87.1
HEARINGANDEARPROTECTION
ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection at all times. If not
followed, hearing loss can occur after frequent and lengthy exposure
to engine noise. You should reduce the risk of hearing damage by
wearing with “headset” type protectors or approved ear plugs. “Head
sets” may also prevent ricocheted objects from entering the ears.
GOGGLES
PROTECTIVECLOTHING
Choose pants, shirts and jackets that fit trimly and have no strings,
frills or dangling straps which could catch on the unit or the
underbrush. Do not wear ties, loose clothing or jewelry. Keep
clothing buttoned or zipped up and shirt tails tucked in.
*FACESHIELD
*DANGER:USEGOGGLESUNDERFACESHIELD
The wearing of gloves offers some protection against contact with
skin irritants such as poison ivy. Soft leather work gloves may also
improve your grip.
HEARING
PROTECTORS
SAFETY
GOGGLES
FOOTANDLEGPROTECTION
SHOULDER
HARNESS
Long pants and sturdy shoes with non-slip soles are generally
acceptable protection against objects thrown by a nylon line
trimmer. For heavy brush cutting with metal blades, logger’s pants
or leg chaps with protective inserts and adequate protective boots
are an added consideration.
TRIM-FITTING
CLOTHES
ADDITIONALPROTECTION
STURDYSHOESOR
BOOTS
Hay fever (rhinitis) sufferers may purchase disposable masks at
hardware or medical supply stores to help reduce the intake of
allergenicparticles.
LONG
PANTS
8
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
COMBINATIONS OF CUTTING
HEADS, SHIELDS, HANDLES, ETC…
PLASTICDEBRISSHIELD
PLASTICDEBRISSHIELD
WHENPROVIDEDFOR
STRAIGHTSHAFTUNITS
FORCURVEDSHAFTUNITS
CUT-OFFKNIFE
ONLEFTSIDE
CUT-OFFKNIFE
ONRIGHTSIDE
DEBRIS SHIELDS FOR NYLON LINE HEADS
BASIC COMPONENTS AVAILABLE FOR METAL BLADE USE
REVIEWTHEOPERATOR’SMANUALFORPROPERPROCEDUREWHENCONVERTINGFROMNYLONLINEHEADTO
BLADEAPPLICATION
2. IFUNITHASAD-HANDLE,REPLACE
WITH A BAR OR U-HANDLE
BARHANDLE
1. IFUNITHASAPLASTICDEBRISSHIELD,
REPLACEWITHMETALBLADESHIELD.SEE
OPERATOR’SMANUAL.
U-HANDLE
3. SELECTANDINSTALLTHEBLADE
OFYOURCHOICE.*
4. INSTALLTHESHOULDER/
WAISTHARNESS.
BLADEMUSTBERETAINED
WITHANEWCOTTERPIN
EACHTIMEINSTALLED.
WARNING
DANGER
DO NOT INSTALL
AMETALBLADE
ON A GT UNIT.
* CHECK DEALER FOR NEW CUTTING BLADES
OR HARNESSES WHICH MAY BE INTRO-
DUCED FROM TIME TO TIME
9
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
TRAINING
WARNING
DANGER
Allmodeltrimmersandbrushcutterscanthrowsmallgravel,
stone, glass, metal or plastic objects as well as the material
being cut. Read these “Rules for Safe Operation” with care.
Followinstructionsinthissafetymanualandinyouroperator’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 unit
quickly.
Never allow anyone to use the unit without proper instruction. Be
sure the operator wears the foot, leg, eye, face and hearing protec-
tionrecommendedonpage8andhasreadtheoperator’smanualand
this safety manual.
Always wear approved eye protection from thrown objects when
operating. The eye protection devices available from ECHO are
stamped“Z87”andareinaccordancewithANSIStandardZ87.1.Do
not rely on any face shield to protect your eyes. Do not rely on the
debris shield on the unit to protect your eyes from ricocheting or
thrown objects.
Keep the area clear of bystanders, children and pets.
Never allow children to operate or play with the unit.
WEAREYE/EARPROTECTION
10
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
15METER
DANGERZONE
Do not allow anyone to enter the operating DANGER ZONE with
you.Thedangerzoneisanarea15metersinradius(about16paces)
or 50 feet.
WARNING
DANGER
Beyondthe15-meter (50-feet)DANGERZONE,therestillmay
beriskofeyeinjuryfromthrownobjects.Theriskdiminishes
with distance. But eye protection should be considered for
everyone in the zone of risk.
InsistthatpersonsintheRISKZONEbeyondthedangerzonewear
eye protection from thrown objects. If the unit must be used where
there are unprotected people, operate at a low throttle speed to
reduce the risk of thrown objects.
PREPARATION
WARNING
DANGER
In addition to head, eye, face and ear protection from thrown
objects, wear protective clothes and sturdy shoes to protect
your feet and improve footing on slippery surfaces. Do not
wearties,jewelry,orloose,danglingclothingwhichcouldbe
caught in the unit. Do not wear open-toed footwear, or go
barefoot or bare legged. In certain situations you must assess
whether total face and head protection may be required.
When coupling the shaft to the powerhead, be sure the muffler side
oftheengineistotherightwhenthedebrisshieldisinlevelposition.
MUFFLERSIDE
TOTHERIGHT
Install the handle in position for optimum comfort and good control
of the tool. See the operator’s manual for handle installation.
PROPER
ASSEMBLY
* This DANGER ZONE has been increased from a 10 to 15 meter radius to
include the cutting of small trees that may fall on other adjacent operators
performing the same work.
AIRFILTERSIDE
TOWARDOPERATOR
CUTTINGHEADANDDEBRIS
SHIELDLEVELTOTHE
GROUND
11
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
SEETHEOPERATOR’SMANUALFOR
PROPERHANDLEINSTALLATION.
BALANCETOOL
FOR A LEVEL
PLANEOFCUTTING
HEADROTATION
HARNESSQUICK-
RELEASERING
Use a shoulder harness when provided or when recommended in
this manual. Adjust both harness and the harness clamp on the
unit so the unit hangs with the cutting head a few inches above
ground level. The cutting head and debris shield should be level
in all directions. Harness the unit on the right side as shown.
HARNESSCLAMP
DEBRISSHIELD
U-HANDLE
THROTTLE
TRIGGER
2-3INCHES
a) Slide harness clamp up and down the shaft to find the right
balance. Rotate the clamp to level the cutting head and
debris shield. Lock in position. If the harness clamp is a
free-spinning type, the unit may tend to roll over side-
ways; however, you should still level the head and shield
on the front-to-rear axis.
GROUND
LEVEL
b) Balancing and leveling, as above, may require relocation of
the clamp and readjustment of the harness straps. Also,
each type of cutting head and debris shield mounted on
the unit may require balancing.
QUICK
RELEASE
HOOKTOQUICK
RELEASECLAMP
NOTE
SLIDEHARNESSCLAMP
UPANDDOWNSHAFT,
ANDROTATEITUNTIL
TOOLHEADHANGS
LEVEL JUST ABOVE
GROUND
A person’s size can affect the balancing adjustment. Also,
the balancing procedure may not work with some ECHO
units on some persons. If the procedure does not work for
you, please ask your ECHO servicing dealer for assistance.
WARNING
DANGER
Echo trimmers and brushcutters are designed to fit a wide
variety of body sizes, but may not be adjustable for ex-
tremely tall persons. Do not use the unit if your feet can
reach the blade when the unit is attached to the harness.
Handle fuel with care. It is highly flammable.
a) Use an appropriate type fuel container.
b) Do not smoke or bring flame or sparks near fuel supplies.
c) The fuel tank may be under pressure. Always loosen the
fuel cap and wait for pressure to be equalized before
removing the cap.
d) Fill the fuel tank outdoors over bare ground and install the
fuel cap securely. Do not pour fuel indoors.
e) Wipe any spilled fuel off the unit. Then move at least 10
feet from the fueling spot before starting the engine.
f) Never refuel while the engine is still hot, or fuel a running
engine.
g) Do not store the unit with fuel in its tank, because a fuel
leak could start a fire.
DONOTSTART
ENGINENEAR
FUELINGSPOT
12
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Youshouldbeingoodmentalandphysicalhealth.Donotoperate
if you are under the influence of alcohol or any medication or
substancewhichcouldaffectyourvision, dexterityorjudgment.
Inspect the area before using the unit. Remove objects which the
unit could throw or become entangled with. Remember where
thereareobstructionstobeavoided.Itisgoodpracticetoremove
any debris (wire, rocks, wood, cans, glass, etc.) after cutting an
area. Later, when the area grows back, you will have reduced the
accumulation of hidden debris which the unit could throw.
Inspect the unit before using it. Perform only maintenance or
adjustments for which the operator’s manual gives instructions.
Do not try to repair the unit without proper instructions. The unit
shouldbeservicedonlybytrainedECHOdealerservicemenwith
the proper tools. Be sure that:
a) Engine does not leak fuel.
b) Fasteners are tight, and none are missing.
c) Muffler complies with local fire codes and noise ordi-
nances and is in good condition. (Spark arresters may be
required.)
d) The unit has the proper equipment—shields, handles,
harness, etc.—for the line or blade head to be used.
e) If a blade (made of metal or other materials such as rubber
or plastic) is used on the unit, be sure the blade is attached
to the unit as designed, such as with a cotter pin and nut.
Do not cut with dull, cracked or damaged metal blades.
WARNING
DANGER
Never start the engine if the drive shaft is not in place to
prevent the engine from overspeeding or the clutch from
flying apart.
HEAD WAS
NOTTIGHT!
GENERALOPERATION
Do not run the engine indoors, or where there is poor ventilation.
Engine fumes contain deadly poisonous carbon monoxide.
Wear the recommended foot, leg, head, eye and hearing protection
at all times during operation. Also, assess the job to be done, and
whether other types of protection may be necessary. (See page 8.)
Beforestarting, checkthatthecut-offknifeisproperlylocatedin
the debris shield, and the line does not extend far beyond the
knife.
Never operate the unit without the proper shields and other
protective devices. (See page 9.)
INDOOROPERATION
13
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Never operate the tool without good visibility and light.
STARTONGROUND
WITHLINEORBLADE
HEADINTHECLEAR
Lay the unit down on a clear area and set the controls for starting.
While cranking the unit, use one hand to pull the starter handle and
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
cranking.Donotcranktheunitintheair,orfromaharness.Theunit
could swing into your leg or an obstruction if you lose control.
Do not raise the cutting head above knee height. If raised higher,
thecuttingheadwillbemoredirectlyinlinewithyourface.Thrown
objects may cut your face and eyes.
Keep the unit and attachments in good working condition. Tighten
loose fastening parts and replace any missing fasteners before
using the unit. Check the cutting head assembly before each use.
ONOTCRANK
NGINEFROM
PERATING
OSITION
Shut down immediately if the unit starts to shake or vibrate. A
sudden vibration is a sign there may be danger or trouble, such as
abrokenflywheel,clutchorcuttingblade,orlooseparts.Donotuse
the unit until the trouble has been properly diagnosed and cor-
rected.
SUDDENVIBRATION?
SHUTDOWNIMMEDIATELY!
WAY
After shutting down the engine, wait until all rotation of the unit
stops before going near the cutting head. If the cutting head rotates
after the engine returns to idle, a carburetor adjustment may be
needed.Youcanfollowyouroperator’smanualtomakeadjustment
yourself, or have the carburetor adjusted by your ECHO servicing
dealer.
All maintenance and adjustments given in the operator’s manual
should be performed by you or your ECHO servicing dealer on a
timely basis. ALL required service or repair must be done only by
the ECHO servicing dealer.
SPARK
PLUGWIRE
Alwaysdisconnectthewirefromthesparkplugtomaketheengine
unstartable before you work on the unit or leave it unattended.
SPARK
PLUG
14
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
DONOT
OPERATE
ONE-HANDED
WARNING
DANGER
Use only ECHO cutting attachments on your unit. Do not
mountametalbladeonanyunitoftheGTseries.Donotmount
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 (a 15-meter radius
surrounding the operator).
For transport in a vehicle, tie the unit down, and either
remove or shield metal blades from contact with any surface.
RAYNAUD’S SYNDROME——Some operators may develop a
condition known as Raynaud’s Syndrome affecting the hands or
arms. It is believed that the condition, brought by exposure to cold
and/orvibration,mayresultintinglingandburningandthenbyloss
of color or numbness in fingers. Even if you ECHO model has anti-
vibrationmounts,werecommendyourtakingthefollowingprecau-
tionsbecausetheminimumexposurewhichmighttriggertheailment
is unknown.
FINGERSANDTHUMBSMUST
ENCIRCLEHANDLE
•
•
Keep your body warm, especially the head and neck, hands
and wrists, and feet and ankles.
REMOVEOR
SHIELDBLADE
Avoid awkward, unnatural, stressful grips on the unit
without losing control. Avoid hard, stiff “death grips” while
the unit is vibrating.
•
•
Maintain good blood circulation. Avoid smoking. Exercise
vigorously during frequent work breaks. Also limit the
amount of time you spend using this or any other hand-held
vibrating tool.
FORTRANSPORT
TIEDOWNUNIT
If you experience discomfort, redness and swelling of the
fingers followed by whitening and loss of feeling, consult
your physician before exposing yourself further to vibration
and cold.
REPETITIVESTRESSINJURIES(RSI)—Isisbelievedthatoverus-
ing the muscles and tendons of the fingers, hands, arms and
shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness and
extreme pain to the areas just mentioned. Certain repetitive hand
activitiesmayputyouatahighriskfordevelopingRepetitiveStress
Injury(RSI).AnextremeRSIconditionisCarpalTunnelSyndrome
(CTS),whichcanoccurwhenyourwristswellsandsqueezesavital
nervethatrunsthroughthearea. Somebelieveprolongedexposure
to vibration may contribute to CTS. CTS can cause severe pain for
months or even years. To reduce the risk of RSI or CTS, do the
following:
•
•
Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your
hands.
Reduce the speed and force in which you do the repetitive
movement.
•
•
Do exercises to strengthen the hand and arm muscles.
Wear a shoulder harness to reduce stress on our hands and
arms.
•
See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in the
fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI or CTS is
diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve and muscle
damage can be prevented.
•
Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended or twisted
position. Instead, try to maintain a straight wrist position.
Also, when grasping, use your whole hand, not just the
thumb and index finger.
15
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
CURVED SHAFT
UNITS
DEBRISSHIELD
FORCURVED
SHAFTUNITS
CUTTING
WITH
NYLON LINE
CUT-OFFKNIFE
ONRIGHTSIDE
WARNING
DANGER
If your unit has a curved shaft, line head
rotation is clockwise. The knife will be on
the right side of the debris shield.
One of the intended purposes of the debris shield is to reduce
the risk of the operator’s legs from being struck by thrown
objects. The debris shield, however, should NOT be relied
upon to provide protection for the eyes from thrown objects.
Always wear approved eye protection goggles. The debris
shieldisalsointendedtoassisttheoperatorwhenstartingthe
unitontheground(theunitisrestedonthedebrisshield, thus
helping to keep the cutting line or blade in the clear). The
debris shield can also help the operator determine the reach
ofthecuttinglineduringoperationaswellasprovidealimited
barrier between the operator’s feet and the cutting attach-
ment.
DEBRIS
NOTE
There are two columns of pictures for each column of proce-
dures in this part of the manual. One column shows curved-
shaft units, the other column is for straight-shaft units.
Disregard the column which does not apply to your unit.
Study the pictures which apply to your unit.
CUTONTHIS
SIDE
WARNING
DANGER
Someunitshaveaplasticdebrisshield.Theplasticshieldhas
arazor-sharpknifewhichtrimsthelinewheneveritbecomes
too long. If your unit has a debris shield with a cut-off knife,
do not cut yourself when handling the line head and shield.
Do not operate if the cut-off knife is missing.
CLOCKWISE
ROTATION
16
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
STRAIGHT SHAFT
UNITS
The proper debris shield must be in place on the unit when nylon
cutting line is used.
a) Units with EchomaticTM 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
when converting the unit for use with a semi-automatic feed
type line head. A metal shield does not trim line.
CUT-OFFKNIFEON
LEFTSIDE
For nearly all cutting, it is good to tilt the line head so that contact
is made on the part of the line circle where the line is moving away
from you and the debris shield. (See appropriate picture.) This
results in the debris being thrown away from you.
If your unit has a straight shaft, line
head rotation is counterclockwise. The
knife will be on the left side of the debris
shield.
Tilting the head to the wrong side will shoot the debris toward you.
If the line head is held flat to the ground so that cutting occurs on
thewholelinecircle,debriswillbethrownatyou,dragwillslowthe
engine, and you will use up a lot of line.
WARNING
DANGER
DEBRIS
Use only ECHO quality nylon monofilament line of the
diameter given in your operator’s manual. Never use wire or
wire-reinforcedlineinplaceofnylontrimmerline.Loadyour
nylon line cutting head only with nylon trimmer line of the
properdiameter.
WARNING
DANGER
Use extreme caution when operating over bare spots and
gravel,becausethelinecanthrowsmallrockparticlesathigh
speeds. Debris shields on the unit cannot stop objects which
bounce or ricochet off hard surfaces.
CUTON
THISSIDE
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
ROTATION
17
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
CURVED SHAFT
UNITS
Thebasiccuttingactionspicturedare:Trimming,scything,scalp-
ing and lawn edging. These actions are as follows
TRIMMING:Thisisfeedingthetrimmercarefullyintothematerial
youwishtocut.Tilttheheadslightlytodirectdebrisawayfromyou.
If cutting up to a barrier such asa 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
to the barrier, but do not jam (overfeed) the line into the barrier. If
trimminguptowiremeshorchainlinkfencing,becarefultofeedonly
uptothewire.Ifyougotoofar,thelinewillsnapoffaroundthewire.
TRIMMING
DEBRIS
KNIFESIDE
RAISED
ANGLETO
WALL
Trimmingcanbedonetocutthroughweedstemsoneatatime.Place
the trimmer line head near the bottom of the weed—never high up,
which could cause the weed to chatter and catch the line. Rather
than cut the weed right through, just use the very end of the line to
wear through the stem slowly.
TILTANGLES
SCYTHING:Thisisthecuttingormowingoflargegrassyareasby
sweepingorswingingthetrimmerinalevelarc.Useasmooth,easy
motion. Do not try to hack or chop down the grass. The unit can be
hand-heldforscything.Scythingisalsoverycomfortabletodowith
the unit on a shoulder harness. Tilt the line head to direct the debris
away from you on the scything stroke. Then return without cutting
grass for another stroke. If you are well protected and do not care
whether some debris is thrown in your direction, you may scythe
in both directions.
SCYTHING
SCALPINGandEDGING:Bothofthesearedonewiththelinehead
tiltedatasteepangle. Scalpingisremovingtopgrowth,leavingthe
earth bare. Edging is trimming the grass back where it has spread
overasidewalkordriveway.Duringbothedgingandscalping,hold
the unit at a steep angle and in a position where the debris, and any
dislodged dirt and stone, will not come back towards you even if it
ricochets off the hard surface. Although the pictures show how to
edge and scalp, every operator must find for himself the angles
which suit his body size and cutting situation.
SCALPING
WARNING
DANGER
Do not use a blade for edging or scalping.
PROPERSHIELD
POSITION
EDGING
18
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
STRAIGHT SHAFT
UNITS
WARNING
DANGER
TRIMMING
Alwayscheckthatthereisasafedistancebetweenthecutting
device and your feet. Be sure to keep the cutting device away
from your body during operation.
DEBRIS
KNIFESIDE
RAISED
ANGLETO
WALL
WEAREYE/EARPROTECTION
ANGLETO
GROUND
SCYTHING
NOTE
When scalping under the trees, do not cut into the soil where
thesurfacerootscouldbeinjured,orfeedthelineintothebark
of the tree.
SCALPING
WARNING
DANGER
Do not us a blade for edging or scalping.
EDGING
19
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
RICHOCHET
BOUNCEUNDERTHESHIELD
Alwayswearpropereyeprotectionagainstthrownobjects.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.
Donotpushthelineintotoughweeds,trees,orwirefences.Pushing
thelineintochickenwire,chainlinkfencingorthickbrushcanresult
in snapped-off line ends being hurled back at the operator. The
proper way is to cut right up to a barrier, such as any of those
mentioned, but never run the line into or through the obstruction.
Do not cut closely to obstruction or barrier.
Avoidtrimmerlinecontactwithbrokenwirefencing.Piecesofwire
broken off by the trimmer can be hurled at high speeds.
WARNING
DANGER
Do not trim in any area where there are broken strands of
fencing wire. Remove the broken pieces of wire, or give the
are wide berth. Wear proper safety protection. Do no cut
where you cannot see what the cutting device is cutting.
20
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
CUTTING WITH BLADES
WARNING
DANGER
• DonotinstallametalbladeonGTseriestrimmermodels,
or any model which lacks a hole for the blade-securing
cotter pin on the cutting head shaft.
• WhenusinganSRMmodelwithmetalblades,replacethe
trimmer debris shield with the metal blade debris shield.
(Seeoperator’smanual.)Abraceisusedonsomemodels
to support the shield.
• Also, use the unit with either a bar handle or a U-handle,
ametaldebrisshield,ashoulderharness,andbladecollar
plus a nut and cotter pin. If your unit has a
D-handle, convert to a U-handle.
Install the blade properly with the teeth pointing in the direction
your blade head rotates. Refer to the operator’s manual for proper
blade installation and tooth direction. Be sure to use a new cotter
pin every time a blade is installed.
LOWERADAPTER
PLATE(COLLAR)
UPPERADAPTER
PLATE(COLLAR)
NUT
NOTE
LOCKING
AMaxi-CutWeedCuttermaybeinstalledonmostECHOGT
orSRMseriesunitsinplaceofalineheadassembly.Aspecial
interference-threaded lock nut is needed to secure it on GT
series units with a curved shaft. Straight shaft units use a nut
and cotter pin. The Maxi-Cut Weed Cutter can be used with
eitheraplasticlinedebrisshieldorametalbladedebrisshield.
Installation instructions are on the Maxi-Cut package and in
the operator’s manual.
TOOLHOLE
COTTERPIN
BLADE
METALBLADE
DEBRISSHIELD
BRACE
WARNING
DANGER
WARNING
DANGER
If a kickout occurs with a blade unit, the operator’s legs or
bystanderscanbeseverelyinjured.Alwaysweartherequired
harness for the unit and be sure it is properly worn and
secured.
A metal blade SRM unit must have the items shown on page
9.TheseincludeeitherabarhandleorU-handle,a metaldebris
shield, a shoulder harness and a blade-retaining nut and
cotterpin.TheseitemsareobtainablefromyourECHOdealer
who sold you your unit.
Adjust the shoulder harness to your body, and balance the as-
sembled unit from the harness as instructed on page 12. Inspect the
blades before use. The teeth must be sharp and there must be no
cracks in the steel. Dull blades increase the risk of blade kick out
reactions.Smallcracksmaygrowtowhereapieceoftheblademay
fly off during operation.
WIRESCANCATCH
ANDFLAPAROUND
WARNING
DANGER
• Do not cut with dull, cracked or damaged metal blade.
• Before cutting growth, inspect for obstructions such as
boulders, metal stakes or strands of wire from broken
fences. If an obstruction cannot be removed, mark its
locationsothatyoucanavoiditwiththeblade. Rocksand
metal will dull or damage a blade. Wires can catch on the
blade head and flap around or be thrown into the air.
21
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
GTSERIES
CLOCKWISE ROTATION
DONOTTOUCHTHESETYPESOF
OBJECTSWITHTHEBLADE
PULL
METALSTAKES
UTILITYWIRES
PUSH
RUBBER
OBJECT ON LEFT
OBJECT ON RIGHT
SRM SERIES
COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION
MASONRY
METALFENCE
ROCKS
PUSH
WARNING
DANGER
Be sure you understand the reaction forces of push and pull,
and kickout (also called blade thrust), described in this
manual, and how these forces may affect your balance in the
operation of a bladed unit.
PULL
OBJECT ON LEFT
OBJECT ON RIGHT
KICKOUT
(BLADE THRUST)
REACTIONFORCES
PUSH. The operator feels the unit push toward him when he tries
to saw with the blade on the side where the teeth are moving away
fromhim.Ifhecannotholdthebladeinthecut,akickoutmayoccur
when the blade is pushed out to where the teeth at the outside
furthestpointfromtheoperatorarecutting.Thebladewill“kickout”
sideways.
KICKOUT.Thisblade-thrustreactionmayoccurwhenthemoving
blade at the front of the blade circle contacts strong brush or trees.
The force that occurs pushes the entire unit and blade violently
away in an arc. Kickout is a danger to a bystander and also a jolting
force to the operator.
PULL. The opposite of push. When the part of the blade where the
teetharemovingtowardtheoperatorisusedforcutting,thereaction
is a pull away from the operator. Although this pull type of cutting
may cause sawdust to be thrown back at the operator, it is recom-
mended for sawing of heavy brush because the cutting is smoother
and more stable than when the unit pushes.
NOTE
The direction of the kickout will depend on what unit model
youareusing.Acurved-shaftGTmodelemploysaclockwise
rotation of its cutting head and will kickout to the left of the
operator. The straight-shaft SRM employs a counter-clock-
wise rotation of its cutting head and will kickout to the right
of the operator.
SCYTHING
WEEDS
USINGWEEDBLADES
SCYTHINGWEEDS.Thisiscuttingbyswingingthebladeinalevel
arc. It can quickly clear areas of field grass and weeds. Scything
should not be used to cut large, tough weeds or woody growths.
22
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
NOTE
Do not use a weed blade to cut brush or trees which exceed
a diameter of 1/2 to 3/4 inches.
Scything can be done in both directions, or just in one way which
results in the debris being thrown away from you. That is using the
sideofthebladethatitisrotatingawayfromyou.Tiltdowntheblade
slightly on this same side. You will be hit by some debris if you
scythe in both directions.
SAWING. This must be done when weeds are too thick and strong
forscything.Cutonlywiththesideofthebladethatismovingaway
from you.
SAWINGSAPLINGS
Ifkickoutkeepshappening,theblademaybedull,orthematerialso
thick and hard that you should use a Brush Blade instead of the
Weed Blade.
USING BRUSH BLADES
WARNING
DANGER
BrushBladesmustbesharp.Dullbladesrequirereplacement
or professional resharpening. Do not try to sharpen Brush
Blades yourself.
BINDING
TherearetwowaystocutwithaBrushBlade:scythingandsawing.
The way you should choose depends on the hardness and size of
thebrushortreestobecutdown.Onlyverysmall,thinbrushshould
be scythed. Never hack at brush or trees.
3. PUSHTREETOFREE
BLADE
1. SHUTOFF
ENGINE
NOTETHATOURRECOMMENDATIONFORCUTTINGWITH
BRUSHBLADESISTHEOPPOSITEOFTHATDESCRIBEDFOR
WEEDBLADES.
Growth up to 3-inches in diameter, which is too thick for scything,
may be cut by sawing. Sawing requires judgment on your part
whether to cut on the side where the blade pulls away from you but
throws back the debris, or on the side where the debris is thrown
away from you but the reaction is a push which could become a
kickout (blade thrust).
2. HOLDUPUNITTO
KEEPWEIGHTOFF
BLADE
HOWTOFREEABOUNDBLADE
Always cut on the side of the tree which will cause the tree to fall
away from the unit. A kickout or bind may result if the tree falls
toward the unit and pinches the blade.
Do not force the blade to cut. Do not change the angle of cut after
cutting into the wood. Avoid using any pressure or leverage which
could cause the blade to bind or crack.
SHUTOFFENGINEIMMEDIATELYifthebladebindsfastinacut.
Hold up the unit to keep side pressure off the blade. Reach forward
and push the tree to free the blade.
23
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
If a tether line is used to insure that a tree falls away from the blade,
the line holder must wear proper eye protection and attire, and be
no closer to the tool that 15 meters (50 feet).
TETHERLINEHOLDERMUST
WEARPROPEREYEPROTEC-
TION
Beverycarefulwhenrecuttingclearedareas.Ifthebladecannotcut
clearthroughashortstump, itmaytearitoffandhurlitbackathigh
speeds.
BLADE-THROWN
STUMPSECTION
ECHO ATTACHMENTS & ACCESSORIES
ECHOMATICTM NYLON CUTTING LINE HEADS
EchomaticTM nylon line heads are standard on most ECHO GT or
SRM series units. The line feeding action of the EchomaticTM head
is called semi-automatic because the operator has to activate the
head by tapping it on the ground. A plastic debris shield with cut-
off knife must be used with a semi-automatic feed line head.
Manual feed nylon heads are standard on some units, and optional
for all units. They require the use of appropriate debris shield as
identified in the operator’s manual for the specific units.
DUAL&SINGLELINESEMI-AUTOMATICFEEDLINEHEADS
If replacement of the cutting head assembly is ever necessary,
installtheassemblyrecommendedinyouroperator’smanualorunit
parts list.
WARNING
DANGER
All heads must be used with a plastic debris shield.
ECHOREPLACEMENT
NYLONMONOFILAMENT
TRIMMERLINE
4-STRINGMANUALFEED
LINEHEAD
24
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
ECHO FLEXIBLE WEED/GRASS BLADE
FOR SRM UNITS ONLY
This three-bladed device, with a 10-inch radius, is made of flexible
plasticonarigidhub.UseinplaceofanylonlineheadonECHOSRM
series units only. Not for heavy weeds or brush.
WARNING
DANGER
A blade made of materials such as plastic or rubber can be
equallyasdangerousasametalblade.Takeeveryprecaution
possible when cutting with a blade no matter what material it
is made of.
ECHO MAXI-CUTTM WEED CUTTER
FOR GT AND SRM UNITS
The cutting circle is always at full diameter with this three-bladed,
flailactioncutter.CanbeusedonanyECHOGTorSRMseriesunits
for weed and grass cutting. Follow instructions in the operator’s
manual for proper assembly. Not for cutting brush. Sets of nylon
replacement blades are available.
WARNING
DANGER
MAXI-CUT must be used with a plastic debris shield.
ECHO METAL WEED/GRASS BLADE
FOR SRM UNITS ONLY
The8-inchdiameter8-toothECHOWeed/GrassBlademakesshort
work of field grass, garden debris and weeds. Handles thick, tough
weeds. Must not be used to cut brush and heavy woody growth.
Needs to be in sharp condition for good results.
SHARPENING
8-TOOTH
WEED/GRASS
BLADE
WARNING
DANGER
30° ANGLE
LEAVE2MM
Piecesfromacrackedmetalbladecanflyoffduringoperation.
Inspect metal blades for cracks before each use. Discard
crackedbladesnomatterhowsmallthecrack.Crackedblades
can be the result of misuse or improper sharpening.
RADIUSUNFILED
The blade teeth can be sharpened to a 30-degree edge angle with
a flat file. Use care not to file down into the rounded gullet area of
the tooth or nick the gullet with the file. Nicked or sharp-cornered
gullets can result in tiny stress cracks which keep lengthening until
the blade breaks.
SHARPCORNER
GULLET MAY CRACK
25
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
ECHO BRUSH BLADES
FOR SRM UNITS ONLY
3. PUSHTREETOFREE
1. SHUTOFF
ENGINE
BLADE
KNIFE
CLEARING
BRUSH
ECHOBLADES
There are three types of ECHO Blades: knife, brush and clearing
blades. The ECHO products catalog lists the blade sizes available.
These blades must be in sharp condition for both safety and good
results. Have dull blades sharpened professionally or have them
replaced.
2. HOLDUPUNITTO
KEEPWEIGHTOFF
BLADE
HOWTOFREEABOUNDBLADE
Follow the instructions on page 23 for cutting with a brush blade.
WARNING
DANGER
Never cut brush with a dull blade. Dullness increases the
chance the blade may kick out of a cut.
If a sapling or shrub binds the blade, do not use the blade as a lever
to free the bind, because this will cause blade failure. Instead, shut
off the engine and push the sapling or shrub to free the blade. Do
not use a cracked or damaged blade.
ECHO CULTIVATOR ATTACHMENTS
FOR STRAIGHT SHAFT SRM UNITS
These attachments are designed to cultivate soft soil for weeding,
preparing seed beds, mulching crop residues, preparing for germi-
nation in small fields, etc.
ReadandfollowinstructionsinyouECHOWeed/GrassTrimmer&
Brushcutter Safety Manual for general operation of the unit. Con-
sult the Cultivator Attachment Operator’s Manual for assembly,
safe operation and maintenance of the cultivator attachment. In
addition, follow these precautions for safe and proper use:
Avoid tine-walking during starting. Tine-walking is the forward
pull resulting when the rotating tines contact the ground or other
obstruction. Starttheengineatidlethrottleandkeepthetinesinthe
clear during cranking. If the throttle must be advanced for starting,
usesomemeansofpreventingpossiblecontactofthetineswithany
object.
26
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
Guard against kicking. Obstructions in or on the soil can cause the
tinestokickforwardorupward.Thetinescanalsokickbacktoward
the operator if allowed to contact obstructions above them.
a) Wear non-slip gloves and use the proper grip on the handles
to keep control of the unit.
b) Avoid contact with obstructions at or below ground level.
c) Keep the tines at ground level. Do not raise the head where
tine contact with wires, branches, etc. could cause you to
lose control.
Maintainabalancedstance, andkeepthecultivatorheadwellaway
from your feet.
Alwaysshutofftheenginebeforeclearingdebrisfromthetinesand
hubs. Dry-clean the attachment after use.
Donotimmersethecultivatorheadinwaterormudorwashitdown,
because moisture will harm the internal parts.
ECHO UNDERWATER CUTTING ATTACHMENTS
FOR STRAIGHT SHAFT SRM UNITS
These reciprocating blade type attachments are for “straight shaft”
SRM units only. They have waterproof heads designed for under-
waterweedcutting.Thebladeangleissuitableforlow-levelcutting.
Followinstructionsinthissafetymanualforgeneraloperationofthe
SRM unit.
Follow instructions in the ECHO Underwater Cutting Attachment
Operator’s Manual for assembly, operation, lubrication and main-
tenance of the attachment.
HEREARESOMESPECIALPRECAUTIONSFORTHESAFEUSE
OFTHEUNDERWATERCUTTINGATTACHMENT.
Wear approved type (Z87) goggles to protect your eyes.
Operate the unit with a harness.
Keepthebladeheadclearofyourbody. Donotdrawthebladehead
close to your feet.
Alwaysshutofftheenginebeforecleaningmaterialsfromtheblade
teeth.
27
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
ECHO INCORPORATED
400 OAKWOOD ROAD
LAKE ZURICH, IL 60047
PRINTEDINU.S.A
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.
|