Husqvarna BG 245 Edger Trowel, Walk-Behind, 967928801, Honda GX120 Gas Engine

Safety Information

Husqvarna BG 245 Edger Trowel

Safety

Safety definitions

Warnings, cautions and notes are used to point out specially important parts of the manual.

WARNING: Used if there is a risk of injury or death for the operator or bystanders if the instructions in the manual are not obeyed.

CAUTION: Used if there is a risk of damage to the product, other materials or the adjacent area if the instructions in the manual are not obeyed.

Note: Used to give more information that is necessary in a given situation.

General safety instructions

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product

• This product is a dangerous tool if you are not careful or if you use the product incorrectly. This product can cause serious injury or death to the
operator or others. Before you use the product, you must read and understand the contents of this operator’s manual.
• Save all warnings and instructions.
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• The operator and the employer of the operator must know and prevent the risks during operation of the product.
• Do not let a person operate the product unless they read and understand the contents of the operator's manual.
• Do not operate the product unless you receive training before use. Make sure that all operators receive training.
• Do not let a child operate the product.
• Only let approved persons operate the product.
• The operator is responsible for accidents that occur to other persons or their property.
• Do not use the product if you are tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine.
• Always be careful and use your common sense.
• This product produces an electromagnetic field during operation. This field can under some circumstances interfere with active or passive medical implants. To decrease the risk of serious injury or death, we recommend persons with medical
implants to speak to their physician and the medical implant manufacturer before operating this product.
• Keep the product clean. Make sure that you can clearly read signs and decals.
• Do not use the product if it is defective.
• Do not do modifications to this product.
• Do not operate the product if it is possible that other persons have done modifications to the product.

Safety instructions for operation

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• Make sure that you know how to stop the engine quickly in an emergency.
• The operator must have the physical strength that is necessary to operate the product safely.
• Do not operate the product without all protective covers installed.
• Use personal protective equipment. Refer to Personal protective equipment on page 7.
• Make sure that only approved persons are in the work area.
• Keep the work area clean and bright.
• Make sure that you are in a safe and stable position during operation.
• Make sure that there is no risk that you or the product can fall from a height.
• Make sure that there is no grease or oil on the handle.
• Do not use the product in areas where fire or explosions can occur.
• The product can cause objects to eject at high speed. Make sure that all persons in the work area use approved personal protective equipment.
Remove loose objects from the work area.
• Before you go away from the product, stop the engine and make sure that there is no risk of accidental start.
• Make sure that clothes, long hair and jewelry do not get caught in moving parts.
• Do not sit on the product.
• Do not hit the product.
• Always operate the product from behind with your hands on the handle.
• Do not operate the product near electrical cables.
The product does not have electrical insulation and injury or death can occur.
• Before you operate the product, find out if there are hidden wires, cables and pipes in the work area. If the product hits a hidden object, stop the engine
immediately and examine the product and the object.
Do not start to operate the product again until you know that it is safe to continue.

Vibration safety

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• During operation of the product, vibrations go from the product to the operator. Regular and frequent operation of the product can cause or increase the
degree of injuries to the operator. Injuries can occur in fingers, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and/or nerves and blood supply or other body parts. The
injuries can be debilitating and/or permanent, and can increase gradually during weeks, months or years. Possible injuries include damage to the blood
circulation system, the nervous system, joints, and other body structures.
• Symptoms can occur during operation of the product or at other times. If you have symptoms and continue to operate the product, the symptoms can
increase or become permanent. If these or other symptoms occur, get medical aid:
• Numbness, loss of feeling, tingling, pricking, pain, burning, throbbing, stiffness, clumsiness, loss of strength, changes in skin color or condition.
• Symptoms can increase in cold temperatures. Use warm clothing and keep your hands warm and dry when you operate the product in cold environments.
• Do maintenance on and operate the product as given in the operator's manual, to keep a correct vibration level.
• The product has a vibration damping system that decreases the vibrations from the handles to the operator. Let the product do the work. Do not push
the product with force. Hold the product at the handles lightly, but make sure that you control the product and operate it safely. Do not push the
handles into the end stops more than necessary.
• Keep your hands on the handle or handles only. Keep all other body parts away from the product.
• Stop the product immediately if strong vibrations suddenly occurs. Do not continue the operation before the cause of the increased vibrations is
removed.

Dust safety

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• Operation of the product can cause dust in the air.
Dust can cause serious injury and permanent health problems. Silica dust is regulated as harmful by several authorities. These are examples of such
health problems:
• The fatal lung diseases chronic bronchitis, silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis
• Cancer
• Birth defects
• Skin inflammation
• Use correct equipment to decrease the quantity of dust and fumes in the air and to decrease dust on work equipment, surfaces, clothing and body parts.
Examples of controls are dust collection systems and water sprays to bind dust. Decrease dust at the source where possible. Make sure that the equipment is correctly installed and used and that regular maintenance is done.
• Use approved respiratory protection. Make sure that the respiratory protection is applicable for the dangerous materials in the work area.
• Make sure that the airflow is sufficient in the work area.
• If it is possible, point the exhaust of the product where it cannot cause dust to go into the air.

Exhaust fumes safety

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• The exhaust fumes from the engine contain carbon monoxide which is an odorless, poisonous and very dangerous gas. To breathe carbon monoxide can cause death. Because carbon monoxide is odorless and cannot be seen, it is not possible to sense it. A symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is dizziness, but it is possible that a person becomes unconscious without warning if the quantity or concentration of carbon monoxide is sufficient.
• Exhaust fumes also contain unburned hydrocarbons including benzene. Long-term inhalation can cause health problems.
• Exhaust fumes that you can see or smell also contain carbon monoxide.
• Do not use a combustion engine product indoors or in areas that do not have sufficient airflow.
• Do not breathe the exhaust fumes.
• Make sure that the airflow in the work area is sufficient. This is very important when you operate the product in trenches or other small work areas
where exhaust fumes can easily collect.

Noise safety

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.
• High noise levels and long-term exposure to noise can cause noise-induced hearing loss.
• To keep the noise level to a minimum, do maintenance on and operate the product as given in the operator's manual.
• Examine the muffler for damages and defects. Make sure that the muffler is correctly attached to the product.
• Use approved hearing protection while you operate the product.
• Listen for warning signals and voices when you use hearing protection. Remove the hearing protection when the product is stopped, unless hearing
protection is necessary for the noise level in the work area.

Personal protective equipment

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• Always use approved personal protective equipment when you operate the product. Personal protective equipment cannot fully prevent injury but it decreases the degree of injury if an accident does occur. Let your dealer help you select the correct personal protective equipment.
• Regularly do a check of the condition of the personal protective equipment.
• Use an approved protective helmet.
• Use approved hearing protection.
• Use approved respiratory protection.
• Use approved eye protection with side protection.
• Use protective gloves.
• Use boots with steel toe-cap and non-slip sole.
• Use approved work clothing or equivalent closefitting clothing that has long sleeves and long legs.

Fire extinguisher

• Keep a fire extinguisher near during operation.
• Use a powder fire extinguisher of "ABE" class or a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher of "BE" type.

Safety devices on the product

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• Do not use a product with defective safety devices.
• Do a check of the safety devices regularly. If the safety devices are defective, speak to your Husqvarna service agent.

Engine ON/OFF switch

The engine can only start when the engine ON/OFF switch is set to "ON". The engine stops when you set the engine ON/OFF switch to "OFF".

To do a check of the engine ON/OFF switch

1. Start the engine. Refer to To start the product on page 10.
2. Set the engine ON/OFF switch to "OFF". The engine stops.

Muffler

The muffler keeps the noise levels to a minimum and sends the exhaust fumes away from the operator.
Do not use the product if the muffler is missing or defective. A defective muffler increases the noise level and the risk of fire.
WARNING: The muffler becomes very hot during and after use and when the engine
operates at idle speed. Be careful near flammable materials and/or fumes to prevent fire.

To do a check of the muffler

• Examine the muffler regularly to make sure that it is attached correctly and not damaged.

Quick stop function

The blades stop immediately when you release the clutch control.

To do a check of the quick stop function

1. Start the engine. Refer to To start the product on page 10.
2. Push the clutch control against the handle. The blades start to rotate.
3. Release the clutch control (A). The blades stop.

Note: The illustration shows the clutch control on model BG 245 and BG 375 (H5-BC). The models BG 475 and BG 375 (H6-BC, H9-BC) have a longer clutch control but the function is the same. Refer to Product overview (BG 375, BG 475) on page 4 and To start the product on page 10.

Fuel safety

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• Fuel is flammable and the fumes are explosive. Be careful with fuel to prevent injury, fire and explosion.
• Do not breathe in the fuel fumes. The fuel fumes are poisonous and can cause injury. Make sure that the airflow is sufficient.
• Do not remove the fuel tank cap or fill the fuel tank when the engine is on.
• Let the engine become cool before you refuel.
• Do not fill fuel in an indoor area. Not sufficient airflow can cause injury or death because of asphyxiation or carbon monoxide.
• Do not smoke near the fuel or the engine.
• Do not put hot objects near the fuel or the engine.
• Do not fill fuel near sparks or flames.
• Before you refuel, open the fuel tank cap slowly and release the pressure carefully.
• Fuel on your skin can cause injury. If you get fuel on your skin, use soap and water to remove the fuel.
• If you spill fuel on your clothing, change clothing immediately.
• Do not fill the fuel tank fully. Heat causes the fuel to expand. Keep a space at the top of the fuel tank.
• Tighten the fuel tank cap fully. If the fuel tank cap is not tightened, there is a risk of fire.
• Before you start the product, move the product to a minimum of 3 m/10 ft from where you refueled.
• Do not start the product if there is fuel or engine oil on the product. Remove the unwanted fuel and engine oil and let the product dry before you start the
engine.
• Examine the engine for leaks regularly. If there are leaks in the fuel system, do not start the engine until the leaks are repaired.
• Do not use your fingers to examine the engine for leaks.
• Keep fuel in approved containers only.
• When the product and fuel is in storage, make sure that fuel and fuel fumes cannot cause damage.
• Drain the fuel in an approved container outdoors and away from sparks and flames.

Safety instructions for operation near edges

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• There is a risk that the product falls when you operate it near an edge. Always keep a minimum of ⅔ of the product on a surface that is sufficiently
stable to hold the product weight.
• If the product falls, stop the engine before you lift the product back to a surface that is sufficiently stable.
Refer to To lift the product on page 22.

Safety instructions for maintenance

WARNING: Read the warning instructions that follow before you use the product.

• If the maintenance is not done correctly and regularly, the risk of injury and damage to the product increases.
• Use personal protective equipment. Refer to Personal protective equipment on page 7.
• Stop the engine and make sure that all parts of the product are cool before you do the maintenance.
• Clean the product to remove dangerous material before you do the maintenance.
• Disconnect the spark plug cap before you do the maintenance.
• The exhaust fumes from the engine are hot and can contain sparks. Do not operate the product in indoor areas or near flammable material.
• Do not change the product. Modifications that are not approved by the manufacturer, can cause serious injury or death.
• Always use original accessories and spare parts.
Accessories and spare parts that are not approved by the manufacturer, can cause serious injury or death.
• Replace damaged, worn or broken parts.
• Only do the maintenance as given in this operator's manual. Let an approved service center do all other servicing.
• Remove all tools from the product before you start the engine after maintenance. Loose tools or tools attached to rotating parts can eject and cause injury.
• After maintenance, do a check of the vibration level in the product. If it is not correct, speak to an approved service center.
• Let an approved service center do servicing on the product regularly.