BLADE BRAKE
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The hedge trimmer is fitted with an electric brake which very quickly brings the blades to
a stop as soon as either the rear handle on/off trigger (1) or front handle on/off safety
switch (2) are released.
•
This safety feature reduces the chance of injury to the operator if a hand slips off the front
or rear handle and control is lost temporarily.
•
When the unit is switched off and the motor brake operates there may be some sparking
(or flashing) in the area of the upper motor ventilation slots. This is perfectly normal and
does not indicate a fault.
WORKING POSITION ADJUSTMENT
•
Maintain proper footing and balance and do not overreach.
•
Please wear safety goggles, nonslip footwear and rubber gloves when trimming. Hold the
tool firmly in both hands and turn the tool on by squeezing both switches.
•
Always hold the trimmer with one hand on the front handle (1) and the other on the rear
handle (2).
•
Never hold the tool by the safety guard (3).
TRIMMING NEW GROWTH
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The most effective way to trim new growth is to use a wide sweeping motion, feeding the
blade teeth through the twigs.
•
A slight downward tilt of the blade, in the direction of motion gives the best cut. Do not
use the trimmer for cutting stems greater than 15mm in diameter. Use the trimmer only for
cutting normal shrubbery found around houses and buildings.
LEVELING HEDGES
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Stretch a piece of string along the length of the hedge as a guide when leveling hedges.
SIDE-TRIMMING HEDGES
•
Begin at the bottom and cut in an upward sweeping action so that the debris falls away
from the trimmer and does not build up around the dual action cutting blades (4).
SHAPING
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A hedge should be trimmed to a trapezoidal form, that is, it should widen toward the
bottom at both sides. This improves the penetration of light to the lower extremities. A
general guideline is approximately a 10cm slant for each 1metre of hedge height.
CUTTING SEQUENCE
•
First cut both sides, starting at the bottom and work to the top to prevent cuttings from
falling into the area where you are still working.
TRIMMING THE TOP
•
Where the branches have grown extremely long, cut back the hedge in several stages.
The shorter the cuttings the better suited they are for composting.
GENERAL INFORMATION
•
When older hedges are to be cut back a substantial amount, use pruning shears or some
other device to trim thicker branches (greater than 15mm diameter) to the desired
length before starting work with the hedge trimmer.
•
To shape precisely, run a taught line between the extreme edges of the hedge and then
trim along the length of the line.
•
Ensure the dual action cutting blades (4) do not come into contact with any object
made of hard material that could damage the blades, such as fencing wire or metallic
plant supports.
•
When the task is complete, turn off the tool, slip on the blade cover (5).
