Echo BRUSHCUTTER User Manual

GRASS/WEED TRIMMER

BRUSHCUTTER and

CLEARING SAW

SAFETY MANUAL

Read and understand these instructions.

Failure to do so will increase risk of injury.

X7522270400

For your nearest ECHO Dealer, call 1-800-432-ECHO (3246)

99922202600
06/98

GRAPHIC
WARNINGS

Circle and slash symbol means
whatever is shown is prohibited.

Specifications, descriptions and illustrative material in
this literature are as accurate as known at the time of
publication, but are subject to change without notice.
Illustrations may include optional equipment and acces­sories, and may not include all standard equipment.

This device accompanied by the words

WARNING and DANGER calls atten­tion to an act or a condition which can
lead to serious personal injury.

RISKS

Eye Loss from
Thrown Objects

Injury to Bystanders

Injury

Blade Contact
from Kick Out (Blade
Thrust)

&

&

&

&

&

TO REDUCE RISKS

Wear Eye/Leg Protection
(ANSI Z87.1)

Keep People and
Animals Away
15 meters (50 feet)

Read & Understand
Operator’s Manual and
Safety Manual

• Read Manuals

• Proper Gear

• Keep People Away

Eye Loss
from Ricochet

Using Wrong
Equipment

2

&

&

Wear Eye/Leg Protection
(ANSI Z87.1)

Blade Operation
Requires:

• Blade Shield & Shoulder
Harness with Bar Handle
or
U-Handle

Wear Proper Clothing.

CONTENTS

GRAPHIC WARNINGS .................................................................................................................................. 2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............................................................................................................................... 3

DEFINITION OF TERMS ............................................................................................................................... 5

CURVED SHAFT MODELS — CLOCKWISE ROTATION ......................................................................... 6

STRAIGHT SHAFT MODELS — COUNTERCLOCKWISE ROTATION ................................................... 7

PROTECTIVE DEVICES ................................................................................................................................8

COMBINATION OF CUTTING HEADS, SHIELDS, HANDLES, ETC. ....................................................... 9

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION................................................................................................................... 10

CUTTING WITH NYLON LINE .................................................................................................................... 16

CUTTING WITH BLADES ............................................................................................................................. 21

ECHO ATTACHMENTS AND ACCESSORIES ............................................................................................ 24

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

W ARNING DANGER

Read the operator’s manual carefully. Be familiar with the con­trols 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.

• There is a great risk of eye loss from thrown objects.
Always wear qualified eye protection in accordance with
ANSI Standard Z87.1.

• 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.

• Do not wear opened-toed shoes or go barefoot or bare­legged. Do not wear loose or dangling clothing, neckties,
scarfs, or jewelry which could be caught in the unit or the
underbrush.

• 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.

• 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.

• Check that the cutting line or blade of the unit is away from
your feet and legs.

• Be sure the unit is assembled properly.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

3

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (CONTINUED)

• A bladed unit can kickout, causing serious injury to helpers,
bystanders or animals. Keep people and animals at least 15­meters (approximately 50 feet) away. Use proper procedures
to keep control of the unit.

• The blade can push, pull or kickout, causing the operator to
lose his balance or lose control of the unit.

• 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, medica­tions or substances which can affect your vision, dexterity
and judgment. You must be in good physical and mental
health in order to operate safely.

• 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.

• 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.

• Never operate the unit without the proper debris shield and
other protective devices in place. Replace damaged or
broken debris shields.

• Do not operate a semi-automatic feed type line head if the
debris shield is not equipped with a cut-off knife.

• 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.

• For starting position, lay the unit down in a clear area so the line
or blade cannot contact the ground or any other obstruction.

• 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.

• Always keep both hands on the control handles. Do not
operate one-handed. Do not hold material you are cutting.

• Keep the unit and attachments in good working condition.
Tighten fastening parts at regular intervals. Check the
cutting head assembly before each use.

• 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
ECHO servicing dealer.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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
with it.

• 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 use any blade or attachment not authorized for your
unit by ECHO, Inc.

• 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.

• 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).

• Secure hair above shoulders.

• Never use wire or wire rope in place of nylon monofilament
cutting line.

• 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

GLOSSARY

ANSI Z87.1 - The established standard for eye protection devices,

set forth by the American National Standards Institutes (ANSI).
BARRIER - A device, such as a bar handle, U-handle or harness,

which restrains the unit’s cutting attachment from moving rearward
and making inadvertent contact with the operator’s legs.

BLADE RETAINER - A mechanism which holds the brushcutter
blade to the driving member.

BLADE THRUST - Another name for Kickout.
BOUNCE - The ricochet of a flying object from any surface,

particularly from the ground, rocks or buildings.
BRUSH BLADE - A multi-tooth circular saw blade for sawing heavy

brush with SRM models only.
CUTTING CIRCLE - The blade perimeter or the circle formed by a

cutting line.
CUTTING HEAD - The assembly that includes the flexible cutting

line or a blade. Flexible cutting line heads include:

• BUMP-ADVANCE HEAD - Extends the line through a

bumping mechanism.

• CENTRIFUGAL-ADVANCE HEAD - Extends the line

through speed changes.

• MANUAL HEAD - A flexible line suspension mechanism

requiring manual adjustments of the line length.

DANGER ZONE - A 15-meter (or approximately 50-foot) radius surround­ing the operator of the unit. No one else but the operator should be in the
Danger Zone while the unit is being used. (See Risk Zone.)

DEBRIS SHIELD - The shield just behind the cutting head. Also
called a cutting attachment shield.

DEFLECTION - A glance, or bounce, or change of path of a thrown
object off a hard surface.

EDGING - Trimming the grass along an edge such as a sidewalk.
FACE MASK - A mask to shield face from flying objects. Face masks

alone do not provide adequate protection. Eye protection goggles
meeting ANSI Standard Z87.1 must be worn underneath. (See
“GOGGLES.”)

FACE SHIELD - A device worn in front of the eyes and a portion
of, or all of, the face to supplement protection afforded by a primary
protective device. Face shields alone do not provide adequate
protection. (See “GOGGLES.”)

GOGGLES - A device covering eyes and sockets, flush against the
face, having impact-resistant lenses. Such goggles must meet the
ANSI Z87.1 Standard (“Z87” is stamped on the goggles).

GT - Grass Trimmer
GRASS TRIMMER - A grass and weed-cutting unit with a nylon

line cutting head. Not to be used with a metal blade.

HARNESS - The adjustable strapping by which the unit is suspended
from the operator. A SHOULDER/WAIST HARNESS must be worn
by the operator when the unit is equipped with a blade for cutting. A
SHOULDER HARNESS when blade-cutting with a bar handle or U­handle is acceptable. Also, it is advisable to wear a harness when
using a flexible line trimmer to help reduce fatigue.

HEARING PROTECTION - Ear muff or plug-type devices worn to
reduce exposure to harmful noise while permitting an operator to
hear certain sounds.

HIT - When a thrown object hits someone or something and is
capable of injury or penetration.

IMPACT SPEED - The speed of a striking object.
IMPACT ENERGY - The energy from a thrown object that is

transferred to another object or person during impact.
HANDLES:

• BAR HANDLE - A straight metal handle, standard on some
SRM units.

• D-HANDLE - A looped handle.

• U-HANDLE - Has the configuration of a U-shaped bicycle
handle bar which reduces the working effort compared to a
D-handle.

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.

MAXI-CUT WEED CUTTER - A 3-blade flail-type device which can
be used in place of the nylon line head.

PUSH & PULL - Forces exerted by the blade. If the blade pulls, the
unit will pull away from the operator. If the blade pushes, the unit
pushes back towards the operator. (See page 22.)

QUICK-RELEASE MECHANISM - A mechanism controlled by the
operator to quickly release the unit from the harness in case of
emergency.

RICOCHET - A thrown object which glances off a surface and takes
a new path.

RISK ZONE - The area beyond the 15-meter (or approximately 50­foot) 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).

SRM - Shoulder Rotary Mower
SHOULDER ROTARY MOWER - A flexible-line grass and weed-

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.

SCYTHING - An arcing motion to cut weeds by swinging the tool
head from side to side.

GLOSSARY CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

5

CLOCKWISE

HEAD ROTATION

CURVED SHAFT

MODELS

GT SERIES

GRASS/WEED
TRIMMERS

SINGLE OR DOUBLE FEED
NYLON LINE HEAD
ACCORDING TO MODEL

DEBRIS SHIELD

W ARNING DANGER

DO NOT INSTALL

A METAL BLADE

ON A GT UNIT.

CURVED
SHAFT

LINE CUT-OFF KNIFE
ON RIGHT SIDE OF
DEBRIS SHIELD

D-HANDLE

SWITCH ON
MOST MODELS

THROTTLE
LEVER

SWITCH IS ON ENGINE
ON SOME MODELS

SHOULDER HARNESS
(STANDARD ON
SOME MODELS)

STARTER
GRIP

MUFFLER
COVER

FUEL CAP

GLOSSAR Y (CONTINUED)

STRESS CRACK - Structural damage resulting from misfiling of

blade teeth, pinching in a cut or using the blade as a lever.
TIP SPEED - The speed of the cutting line or blade (in mph or fpm)

at the perimeter of the cutting circle.
THROWN OBJECT - A projectile propelled from flexible cutting

line or a blade capable of causing bodily injury to the operator or
bystanders.

6

ASSEMBLY TOOLS

TRIMMER - A GT or SRM unit when fitted with a line cutting head
or Maxi-Cut Weed Cutter. Metal blades are recommended only on
SRM units with special conversion kits.

UNIT - Powerhead, shaft and cutting assembly.
U-HANDLE - Has the configuration of a bicycle handle bar to reduce

working effort compared to a D-loop handle.
WEED/GRASS BLADE - A blade to cut heavy grass and weeds.

STRAIGHT SHAFT

COUNTER-

MODELS

SRM SERIES

GRASS/WEED/BRUSH CUTTERS

SHOULDER ROTARY MOWERS CONVERTIBLE FOR METAL BLADE USE

DEBRIS SHIELD

SHOULDER/WAIST
HARNESS

CLOCKWISE

HEAD ROTATION

D-HANDLE ON SOME MODELS IS SUITABLE
FOR NYLON LINE TRIMMING, BUT MUST BE
REPLACED WITH A U-HANDLE IF METAL
BLADES ARE TO BE USED

STOP SWITCH

THROTTLE
LEVER

DEBRIS SHIELD

OPTIONAL
BLADE

U-HANDLE REQUIRED
FOR USE WITH METAL BLADES
IS STANDARD ON THE LARGER
SRM MODELS

METAL DEBRIS SHIELD
FOR USE WITH METAL
BLADES

STOP SWITCH

THROTTLE
LEVER

BLADE ADAPTER

NUT

PACKAGE OF COTTER
PINS

ASSEMBLY TOOLS

7

PROTECTIVE DEVICES
TO BE WORN BY OPERATOR

WEAR EYE/EAR PROTECTION

AGAINST HITS FROM EVERY DIRECTION

DESIGNS CONFORMING
TO ANSI Z87.1

GOGGLES

*FACE SHIELD

*DANGER: USE GOGGLES UNDER FACE SHIELD

EYE AND FACE PROTECTION

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.

ECHO safety goggles are stamped Z87 as being in compliance with
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.)

If operating conditions require additional face protection, flip-down
face shields in conformance with ANSI Standard Z87.1 are also
available. The face shields may attach to a safety “hard hat”. Safety
goggles must be worn underneath.

HEARING AND EAR PROTECTION

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.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

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.

HEARING
PROTECTORS

SAFETY
GOGGLES

SHOULDER
HARNESS

TRIM-FITTING
CLOTHES

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.

FOOT AND LEG PROTECTION

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.

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

STURDY SHOES OR

LONG
PANTS

8

BOOTS

Hay fever (rhinitis) sufferers may purchase disposable masks at
hardware or medical supply stores to help reduce the intake of
allergenic particles.

COMBINATIONS OF CUTTING
HEADS, SHIELDS, HANDLES, ETC…

PLASTIC DEBRIS SHIELD
FOR CURVED SHAFT UNITS

CUT-OFF KNIFE
ON RIGHT SIDE

PLASTIC DEBRIS SHIELD
WHEN PROVIDED FOR
STRAIGHT SHAFT UNITS

DEBRIS SHIELDS FOR NYLON LINE HEADS

BASIC COMPONENTS AVAILABLE FOR METAL BLADE USE

REVIEW THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR PROPER PROCEDURE WHEN CONVERTING FROM NYLON LINE HEAD TO

2. IF UNIT HAS A D-HANDLE, REPLACE

BLADE APPLICATION

WITH A BAR OR U-HANDLE

BAR HANDLE

CUT-OFF KNIFE
ON LEFT SIDE

1. IF UNIT HAS A PLASTIC DEBRIS SHIELD,
REPLACE WITH METAL BLADE SHIELD. SEE
OPERATOR’S MANUAL.

3. SELECT AND INSTALL THE BLADE
OF YOUR CHOICE.*

BLADE MUST BE RETAINED
WITH A NEW COTTER PIN
EACH TIME INSTALLED.

* CHECK DEALER FOR NEW CUTTING BLADES
OR HARNESSES WHICH MAY BE INTRO­DUCED FROM TIME TO TIME

U-HANDLE

4. INSTALL THE SHOULDER/
WAIST HARNESS.

W ARNING DANGER

DO NOT INSTALL

A METAL BLADE

ON A GT UNIT.

9