Makita EE400MP Instruction Manual - Page 5

• Hold the front handle with the left hand and the rear grip with the right hand, no matter you are right-hander or left-hander. Wrap your finger and thumbs around the handles. • Never attempt to operate the equipment with one hand. Loss of control may result in serious or fatal injury. To reduce the risk of injury, keep your hands and feet away from the cutting tool. • Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Watch for hidden obstacles such as tree stumps, roots and ditches to avoid stumbling. • Never work on a ladder or tree to avoid loss of control. • If the equipment gets heavy impact or fall, check the condition before continuing work. Check the fuel system for fuel leakage and the controls and safety devices for malfunction. If there is any damage or doubt, ask Makita authorized service center for the inspection and repair. • Do not touch the gear case. The gear case becomes hot during operation. • Take a rest to prevent loss of control caused by fatigue. We recommend taking a 10 to 20-minute rest every hour. • When you leave the equipment, even if it is a short time, always switch off the engine or remove the battery cartridge. The equipment unattended with the engine running may be used by unauthorized person and cause serious accident. • Follow the instruction manual of the power unit for proper use of the control lever and switch. • During or after operation, do not put the hot equipment onto dry grass or combustible materials. • If grass or branches get caught between the cutting tool and guard, always stop the motor and remove the spark plug cap or the battery cartridge before cleaning. Otherwise unintentional blade rotation may cause serious injury. • If the cutting tool hits stones or other hard objects, immediately switch off the motor and inspect the cutting tool. • Check the cutting tool frequently during operation for cracks or damages. Before the inspection, switch off the motor and wait until the cutting tool stops completely. Replace damaged cutting tool immediately, even if it has only superficial cracks. • Never cut above waist height. • Before starting the cutting operation, wait until the cutting tool reaches a constant speed after pulling the trigger. • Always be sure of your footing on slopes. • Walk, never run. • Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the edger toward you. • Make sure the blade has stopped before crossing surfaces other than grass and when transporting the edger to and from the area to be edged. • Stop the engine whenever you leave the edger. Cutting tools • Never use inappropriate blades including metal multi-piece pivoting chains and flail blades. It may result in serious injury. • Always use the cutting tool guard properly suited for the cutting tool used. Vibration • People with poor circulation who are exposed to excessive vibration may experience injury to blood vessels or the nervous system. Vibration may cause the following symptoms to occur in the fingers, hands or wrists: "Falling asleep" (numbness), tingling, pain, stabbing sensation, alteration of skin color or of the skin. If any of these symptoms occur, see a physician! • To reduce the risk of "white finger disease", keep your hands warm during operation and well maintain the equipment and accessories. Transport • Before transporting the equipment, switch off the motor and remove the spark plug cap or battery cartridge. Remove the cutting tool. • When transporting the equipment, carry it in a horizontal position by holding the shaft. Keep the hot muffler away from your body. • When transporting the equipment in a vehicle, properly secure it to avoid turnover. Otherwise fuel spillage and damage to the equipment and other baggage may result. Maintenance • Have your equipment serviced by our authorized service center, always using only genuine replacement parts. Incorrect repair and poor maintenance can shorten the life of the equipment and increase the risk of accidents. • Before doing any maintenance or repair work or cleaning the equipment, always switch off the motor and remove the spark plug cap or the battery cartridge. Wait until the motor gets cold. • To reduce the risk of fire, never service the equipment in the vicinity of fire. • Always wear protective gloves when handling the cutting blade. • Always clean dust and dirt off the equipment. Never use gasoline, benzine, thinner, alcohol or the like for the purpose. Discoloration, deformation or cracks of the plastic components may result. • After each use, tighten all screws and nuts, except for the carburetor adjustment screws. • Do not attempt any maintenance or repair not described in this booklet or the instruction manual of the power unit. Ask Makita authorized service center for such work. • Always use Makita genuine spare parts and accessories only. Using parts or accessories supplied by a third party may result in the equipment breakdown, property damage and/or serious injury. • Request Makita authorized service center to inspect and maintain the equipment at regular interval. Storage • Before storing the equipment, perform full cleaning and maintenance. Remove the spark plug cap or the battery cartridge. Drain the fuel after the engine gets cold. Remove the cutting tool. • If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors. • Store the equipment in a dry and high or locked location out of reach of children. • Do not prop the equipment against something, such as a wall. Otherwise it may fall suddenly and cause an injury. First aid • Always have a first-aid kit close by. Immediately replace any item taken from the first aid kit. • When asking for help, give the following information: --Place of the accident --What happened --Number of injured persons --Nature of the injury --Your name Assembly and adjustment WARNING: • Before assembling or adjusting the equipment, switch off the motor and remove the spark plug cap or battery cartridge. Otherwise the cutting tool or other parts may move and result in serious injury. • Before handling cutting blade, wear protective gloves. During the assembly or adjustment, your fingers may contact with the cutting blade and it may cause serious injury. • When assembling or adjusting the equipment, always put it down. Assembling or adjusting the equipment in an upright position may result in serious injury. • Follow the warnings and precautions in the chapter "Safety precautions" and the instruction manual of the power unit. 5