The HT012 22-Inch electric hedge trimmer made by Black & Decker is a "little gem" as one customer put it.
Here are a few tips to follow when using this trimmer.
1.
As with all corded power tools, do not lift or carry the hedge trimmer by its extension cord.
Lifting/carrying the trimmer only by its electrical cord may damage either the extension cord plug or the trimmer's prong connection.
Similarly, never hold, lift, or carry it by its blade.
2.
Fertilizer and other garden chemicals can hasten the corrosion of metals.
Keep your trimmer clean, and when not in use, store it away from fertilizers and chemicals.
3.
To clean the trimmer, first unplug it.
Then use mild soap and a damp cloth to clean the trimmer.
When you are through, use a dry cloth to remove any remaining dampness.
Never immerse yours in water.
4.
To help ensure that you are cutting a hedge levelly, you can stretch a taut string along the top of the hedge to serve as a guide for your trimming.
5.
Hold your trimmer with two hands - - - one hand on the trigger handle and one hand on the blade guard handle.
In addition to being safer, using two hands on the trimmer will give you more control over the trimmer and help provide a nicer, more even cut.
6.
When trimming the sides of hedges, start your trimmer cutting at the bottom of the hedge and bring it up the side of the hedge in a sweeping motion.
7.
Do not drape your extension cord over the hedge or bush you are trimming.
It is too easy to forget where the cord is located and cut it accidentally with your trimmer.
Something we have all done at least once! 8.
If you accidentally put a nick in the trimmer's blade which affects the blade's movement, unplug the trimmer and then use a fine toothed file or a sharpening stone to smooth out/remove the nick in the trimmer blade.
9.
When you are trimming, try and hold it so that its cutting blade has a slight downward tilt to it.
This will help provide a nicer, cleaner hedge cut.
10.
Never perform any maintenance on your hedge trimmer until you have unplugged the trimmer from its power source.
11.
Do not plug an extension cord into the hedge trimmer if the trigger lock "on" feature on the Black & Decker HT012 is engaged.
Unlock the trimmer's trigger lock "on" feature simply by squeezing the trigger and then releasing it.
Once the trigger lock "on" has been disengaged, you can plug the extension cord into the hedge trimmer.
12.
Black and Decker recommends that a hedge trimmer user wear safety goggles, a dust mask, non-skid footwear, and rubber gloves when trimming.
13.
Stay alert when you are trimming.
Watch out for your extension cord, kids, pets, cable wires, fences, etc.
Do not use the trimmer when you are tired.
14.
When trimming, do not force the hedge trimmer forward.
Let the trimmer do the work! It operates at 3,400 cutting strokes per minute.
Hopefully, these tips will help make your trimming easier and safer!