Homelite HOMHT20 User Manual - Page 11

OPERATION HOLDING THE HEDGE TRIMMER See Figure 4. The unit has both a front and rear handle. With the blade directed away from you, hold the unit by both handles. WARNING: Always keep both hands on the hedge trimmer handles. Never hold shrubs with one hand and operate the hedge trimmer with the other. Improper operation of the hedge trimmer may result in serious injury. CUTTING TIPS See Figure 5. DANGER: Never cut near electric cords or lines. If blade jams on any electrical cord or line, DO NOT TOUCH THE BLADE! IT CAN BECOME ELECTRICALLY LIVE AND VERY DANGEROUS. Continue to hold the hedge trimmer by the insulated rear handle or lay it down and away from you in a safe manner. Disconnect the electrical service to the damaged line or cord before attempting to free the blade from the line or cord. Contact with the blade, other conductive parts of the hedge trimmer, or live electric cords or lines will result in death by electrocution or serious injury. WARNING: Clear the area to be cut before each use. Remove all objects such as cords, lights, wire, or loose string which can become entangled in the cutting blade and create a risk of serious personal injury.  Before starting the hedge trimmer, hold the unit with both hands with the cutting blades directed away from you. Always use the hedge trimmer properly.  Do not force the hedge trimmer through heavy shrubbery. This can cause the blades to bind and slow down. If the blades slow down, reduce the pace.  Do not try to cut stems or twigs that are larger than 5/8 in. thick, or those obviously too large to feed into the cutting blade. Use a non-powered hand saw or pruning saw to trim large stems.  If blades do become jammed, stop the motor, allow the blades to stop and make sure the switch trigger is locked out in the off position before attempting to remove the obstruction.  If desired, you can use a string to help cut your hedge level. Decide how high you want the hedge. Then, stretch a piece of string along the hedge at this height. Trim the hedge just above this guide line of string. Trim the side of a hedge so that it will be slightly narrower at the top. More of the hedge will be exposed when shaped this way, and it will be more uniform.  Always hold hedge trimmer with both hands when operating. Use a firm grip on the handles. The unit is used for cutting in either direction in a slow, sweeping action from side to side.  Wear gloves when trimming thorny or prickly growth.  When trimming new growth, use a wide sweeping action, so that the stems are fed directly into the cutting blade. Older growth will have thicker stems and will be trimmed easiest by using a sawing movement. WARNING: Battery tools are always in operating condition. Therefore, switch should always be in the OFF position when not in use or carrying at your side. Page 9 - English