HEDGE CLIPPER 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 Clipper. DANGER! Hedge Clipper 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.
INTRODUCTION WARNING This manual describes how to protect yourself and others from hazards related to operation of a gasoline or electric-powered hedge clipper. Before assembling, fueling, or operating your hedge clipper, you must read this Safety Manual and your Hedge Clipper Operator’s Manual. You must also understand and obey all safety rules, precautions, and operating instructions.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS These important safety symbols and warnings are used throughout this manual, and may also appear in your Operator's Manual. These symbols and warnings are provided to help make you aware of potential hazards, and the precautions you must take to protect yourself and others from injury. You must read this information and understand these symbols, and obey the instructions.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS 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, 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 amputation of fingers Carbon Monoxide Hazard Alert Do not operate indoors.
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS Operate Only With Handle Guard/Do Not Remove Hand Guard (Double-sided Blades) Do not operate without hand guard in place. Operate Only With Handle Guard/Do Not Remove Hand Guard (Single-sided Blades) Do not operate without hand guard in place. Stop Symbol Indicates the “Stop” position for the engine ignition switch (Stop Switch). Keep Bystanders 15 Feet Away Keep bystanders at least 5 m (15 feet) away when operating hedge clippers.
OPERATOR SAFETY OPERATOR SAFETY DANGER Echo hedge clippers are powerful, professional-grade tools designed to cut through bushes, hedges, shrubs, and other woody growth. When used properly, these hedge clippers save time, reduce effort, and make difficult landscaping tasks easy. If handled carelessly or used improperly, these powerful cutting tools can cause severe injury or death.
OPERATOR SAFETY If you are impaired in any way, or are physically unable to safely operate and control the unit, do not fuel, start, or attempt to use the unit. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WARNING Operating a power hedge clipper exposes you to sharp, fast-moving blades, powerful cutting action, flying debris, sharp sticks and branches, and other work area hazards. These hazards can cause serious injury to you and others if you do not take the precautions necessary to protect yourself.
OPERATOR SAFETY PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Gloves Wear sturdy work gloves to provide protection against cuts and scratches. WARNING Sharp Blades/Powerful Cutting Action. Work gloves and other heavy work clothing may not provide protection against serious injury if contact is made with moving blades. Contact with cutting edges of moving blades will cause severe injury or amputation. Keep hands, fingers, and all other body parts away from moving blades.
OPERATOR SAFETY DUST PROTECTION Operators who are sensitive to wood dust or other common airborne allergens may need to wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling these materials while cutting. Dust masks can provide protection against sawdust, plant debris, and other plant matter such as pollen. Make sure the mask does not impair your vision, and replace the mask as needed to prevent air restrictions. PROTECTION AGAINST COLD OR VIBRATION CAUTION Prolonged exposure to cold and/or vibration may result in injury.
OPERATOR SAFETY 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). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when swelling in the wrist puts pressure on a nerve, resulting in severe pain.
ASSEMBLY After assembly, check your unit to make sure guards, shields, protective devices, and all other parts are properly and securely assembled and working correctly. See the Operator’s Manual for details about part locations for your unit. • Make sure all required hardware has been used and is properly tightened. • Make sure throttle lock-out lever resets when released. • Make sure throttle trigger returns to normal position when released.
FUELING IMPORTANT! New locknuts must be used every time blade stiffener is installed, and blade bolt adjustment instructions must be followed EXACTLY. Failure to follow instructions, or to use new locknuts, may damage blades or gearbox and result in rapid blade wear and poor cutting performance. FUELING DANGER Explosion/Fire/Burn Hazard. Gasoline is extremely flammable. Vapors are explosive.
FUELING • NEVER allow flames or sparks near fuel. • ALWAYS loosen fuel caps slowly to allow pressure in tanks and containers to escape • ALWAYS use extreme care when mixing, storing, or handling fuel. • NEVER remove tank cap or refuel a unit while the engine is hot or running • NEVER fill fuel tanks indoors - ALWAYS fill fuel tanks outdoors over open ground. • DO NOT overfill fuel tank - ALWAYS allow room in tank for expansion.
FUELING Fuel Mix WARNING 2-Stroke engine oil contains petroleum distillates and other additives that may be harmful if swallowed. Heated oil can release vapors that can cause flash fire, or ignite with explosive force. Read and follow the oil manufacturer’s instructions, and observe all safety warnings and precautions for handling flammable liquids. • KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. • If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. CALL PHYSICIAN OR A POISON CONTROL CENTER IMMEDIATELY.
STARTING STARTING DANGER The blades on units that require starting at wide-open throttle (throttle trigger fully depressed) will start moving immediately when the engine starts. To avoid loss of control and serious injury, stay clear of blades, and keep blades away from objects that could become entangled. Release throttle trigger immediately when engine starts The Operator’s Manual for your unit provides specific starting instructions for your model and type of engine.
STARTING • ALWAYS move at least 3 m (10 ft.) away from refueling location before starting engine. • ALWAYS remove blade cover before starting unit. Keep blade cover nearby, and place cover back on blades when unit is off and blades have stopped. • NEVER start an HCA (extended shaft, articulating blade) unit while blade is in folded/locked position. Make cutting angle adjustment first.
OPERATION • After the engine has returned to idle and blades have stopped, place the unit on a safe, flat surface, clear of blade obstructions. • Keep one hand on the throttle control handle assembly to maintain control of the unit, and move the choke control lever to the closed, “COLD START” (choke symbol) position to stall the engine. • Hold the unit with a secure, two-handed grip, and wait for the engine to stall to a complete stop.
OPERATION The exhaust produced by Gasoline-powered equipment is hot, and can cause burns or ignite nearby flammable materials. Never blow engine exhaust against your body or toward flammable materials. The muffler and surrounding area become extremely hot during use, and can cause serious burns if touched. Cutting To cut, hold the hedge clipper firmly with two hands, with thumbs wrapped around the handles for a secure grip.
OPERATION • 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. Allow the unit to cool down before performing any maintenance in the muffler area. • NEVER allow flammable debris such as dried leaves and sticks to build up in the exhaust area.
OPERATION • ALWAYS use a suitable tool such as a pruner or chain saw to cut branches larger than the hedge clipper's capacity. • NEVER attempt to cut more than 6 inches of length from a hedge or shrub in one cutting pass. Use multiple passes for cleaner, safer cuts, and better control over blade position. • NEVER cut in the dark or when visibility of the cutting area is poor.
OPERATION Fuel Leaks After the unit has cooled, pour fuel remaining in the tank into an approved fuel container. Purge any fuel left in purge bulb by pressing bulb until it is empty. Pour fuel removed from purge bulb into an approved fuel container, and tighten fuel container cap securely. Tag unit to prevent refueling until leak has been corrected. Contact your dealer for service. • NEVER transport a unit with a fuel leak until all fuel has been safely drained into an approved fuel container.
OPERATION CUTTING - SHAFT HEDGE CLIPPERS Echo manufactures two types of extended reach, shaftmounted hedge clippers to meet the needs of professional landscapers and demanding homeowners. Shaft-mounted hedge clippers (SHC models) provide the additional reach needed for trimming tall bushes and ornamental shrubs. Articulating hedge clippers (HCA model ) provide extended reach, and also allow users to adjust the cutting angle of the blades.
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 clipper with extended reach requires secure footing and stable balance. • ALWAYS stop engine before making adjustments.
MAINTENANCE 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.
MAINTENANCE • NEVER test for ignition spark by grounding spark plug near cylinder plug hole. A spark could ignite fuel vapor, causing serious injury from explosion or fire. • NEVER use a unit with broken, damaged, missing, or worn parts. Contact your dealer for repairs if problems are found. • NEVER use substitute parts, parts from other models or brands, or used parts, when performing maintenance or repairs.
STORAGE • 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 Echo 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.
ELECTRIC HEDGE CLIPPERS SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR ELECTRIC HEDGE CLIPPERS 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 Clippers 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 CLIPPERS • ALWAYS provide a secure connection between hedge clipper power cord and the extension cord being used to provide power. Tie a safety knot in the power cords to prevent accidental disconnection of the power cord during use. • ALWAYS keep power cords away from hedge clipper blades. Move away from the cord when cutting. Stop the unit and set it down if the power cord becomes tangled. Unplug the unit and reposition the cord before proceeding with cutting.
ELECTRIC HEDGE CLIPPERS • NEVER touch the gear housing, blades, or any other metal part on the hedge clipper if the blades have nicked or cut into the power cord. Shut off the power, set the unit down carefully, and disconnect the power cord at the power outlet before freeing the cord from the hedge clipper blades. • ALWAYS check the extension cord and power cord for signs of wear, cuts, or other damage before use, and replace cord if any damage is present.
ELECTRIC HEDGE CLIPPERS • STOP using the unit immediately if the power cords, plugs, receptacles become hot to the touch, if you notice a burning smell, or if you see smoke coming from the power cords or hedge clipper. Turn off the power to the power outlet immediately, and carefully disconnect the power cord. Allow the unit to cool before handling, and have the unit inspected and serviced before using it again.
DEFINITIONS Key Hedge Clipper Terms TERM DEFINITION Air Filter Filters air used by the engine for combustion. Keeps dirt and dust out of the engine to help extend engine life. ANSI Z87.1 American National Standards Institute safety standard for safety glasses. Safety glasses and goggles that meet the requirements of this standard are marked with this number. Anti-vibration System A design that minimizes the vibration created during operation.
DEFINITIONS Foot Protection Heavy-duty footwear that protects the feet from injury. Front Handle Provides secure support of unit for proper balance and control. Helps reduce operator fatigue. Fuel Filter Filter element located on end of fuel line. Filters fuel mix before it enters carburetor. Fuel Tank Contains fuel mix used for engine operation. Gear Case Provides reciprocating motion to hedge clipper blades.
DEFINITIONS Recoil Starter Handle Molded rubber handle attached to starter cord. Used to start engine. Safety Glasses Eye protection devices that are worn like glasses. Safety Goggles Eye protection devices that fit flush against the face and cover the complete eye and socket. Single Reciprocating Blade A hedge clipper with one fixed blade and one blade that moves back and forth over the fixed blade. Single-sided blade Hedge clipper blade that has cutting teeth on one side of blade assembly.
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ECHO INCORPORATED 400 OAKWOOD ROAD LAKE ZURICH, IL 60047 PHONE: (847) 540-8400 www.echo-usa.
