AL-KO FRS 410, 4125 Motor Scythe Instruction Manual

AL-KO FRS 410, 4125 Motor Scythe

CAUTION PLEASE READ
For safety reasons, it is imperative that you read these operating instructions before using the appliance. Serious injuries could result if these instructions are not followed. You must therefore dedicate a few minutes to studying your new power tool and its instructions before each use.

Safety instructions for hand-operated petrol power scythe
Read the directions with due care. Familiarize yourself with the settings and proper operation of the machine. Never allow children or other persons who are not familiar with the operating instructions to use the petrol power scythe. Contact your local governmental agency for information regarding minimum age requirements for operating the petrol power scythe. Never mow in the direct vicinity of persons -especially children – or animals.

Maintain a safety distance of 15m. If approached, switch off the appliance immediately. Always keep in mind that the machine operator or user is responsible for accidents involving other persons and/or their property.

Preliminary measures

• Always wear sturdy, non-slip footwear and long trousers when mowing. Never mow barefoot or in sandals.
• Check the grounds on which the machine will be used and remove all objects that could be caught up and violently flung out.
• Warning: Petrol is highly flammable!

Handling

1. Wear close fitting, tough work clothing that will provide protection, such as long slacks or trou-sers, safety work shoes, heavy duty work gloves, hard hat, a safety face shield, or safety glasses for eye protection and a good grade of ear plugs or other sound barriers for hearing protection.
2. Store in a safe place. Open fuel cap slowly to release any pressure which may have formed in fuel tank. To prevent a fire hazard, move at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fueling area before start-ing.
3. Turn unit off before setting it down.
4. Always hold unit firmly with both hands, the thumb and fingers encircling the handles.
5. Keep all screws and fasteners tight. Never operate your equipment when it is improperly ad-justed or not completely and securely assembled.
6. Keep handles dry, clean and free of fuel mixture.
7. Keep stringhead as close to ground as practi-cal. Avoid hitting small objects with stringhead. When cutting on a slope, stand below stringhead. NEVER cut or trim on a hill or slope, etc. if there is the slightest chance of slipping, sliding or losing firm footing.
8. Check area you will be trimming for debris that may be struck or thrown during operation.
9. Keep all parts of your body and clothing away from stringhead when starting or running engine. Before starting engine, make sure stringhead will not come in contact with any obstacle.
10. Stop engine before examining cutting line.
11. Store equipment away from possible flamma-ble materials, such as gas-powered water heat-ers, clothes dryers, or oil-fired furnaces, portable heaters, etc.
12. Always keep the debris shield, stringhead, and engine free of debris build-up.
13. Operation of equipment should always be re-stricted to mature and properly instructed indi-viduals

Meaning of safety symbols used

What not to do

1. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER FUEL than that rec-ommended in your manual. Always follow instruc-tions in the Fuel and Lubrication section of this manual. Never use gasoline unless it is properly mixed with 2-cycle engine lubricant. Permanent damage to engine will result, voiding manufac-turer’s warranty.
2. DO NOT SMOKE while refuelling or operating equipment.
3. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT WITHOUT A MUFFLER and properly installed muffler shield
4. DO NOT TOUCH or let your hands or body come in contact with the muffler. Hold unit with thumbs and fingers encircling the handles.
5. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT IN AWKWARD POSITIONS, off balance, outstretched arms, or one-handed. Always use two hands when operat-ing unit with thumbs and fingers encircling the handles.
6. DO NOT RAISE STRINGHEAD above ground level while unit is operating. Injury to operator could result.
7. DO NOT USE UNIT FOR ANY PURPOSES OTHER than trimming lawn or garden areas.
8. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT FOR PROLONGED PERIODS. Rest periodically.
9. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
10. DO NOT OPERATE UNIT UNLESS DEBRIS SHIELD AND/OR GUARD IS INSTALLED AND IN GOOD CONDITION.
11. DO NOT ADD, REMOVE OR ALTER ANY COMPONENTS OF THIS PRODUCT. Doing so could cause personal injury and/or damage the unit voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.
12. DO NOT operate your unit near or around flam-mable liquids or gases whether in or out of doors. An explosion and/or fire may result.
13. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER CUTTING TOOLS. For your own safety only use the accessories and additional equipment specified in the operating manual or recommended or specified by the manufacturer. The use of tools or accessories other than those recommended in the operating manual or catalogue may place you in danger of personal injury.

PROPER OPERATION

The petrol power scythe is intended for private use, i.e. for use in home and gardening environments. The operating instructions as supplied by the manufacturer must be kept and referred to in order to ensure that the petrol power scythe is properly used and maintained. The instructions contain valuable information on oper-ating, maintenance and servicing conditions.. Due to the high risk of bodily injury to the u-ser, the petrol power scythe must not be used to carry out the following work: to clean (suck up) dirt and debris off walkways, or to chop up tree or hedge clippings. Moreover, the petrol power scythe may not be used to level out high areas such as molehills. For safety reasons, the petrol power scythe may not be used as a drive unit for other work tools or toolkits of any kind.

LAYOUT

Overview

1. Cutting blade
2. Cutting head
3. Guard hood
4. “Bike“ handle
5. a/b Throttle lever
6. Engine switch “off” and “on”
7. a/b Throttle lever lock
8. Carrying strap
9. Air filter cover
10. Petrol tank
11. Levers for “Choke“ and “Run”
12. Petrol accumulation button

Safety devices
It is important that the GUARD HOOD is assembled in order to prevent injuries to the operator due to objects catapulted by the machine.

ASSEMBLING THE COMPONENTS

Some parts of the power scythe come disassembled. For quick and easy assembly, read and follow the instructions below.

Assembly of the „D“ handle
Place the rubber block (2) over the shaft and tighten the upper part (3) and the lower part (1) of the handle with the screws (4).

Assembly of the “Bike” handle

1. Place the rubber block (3) over the shaft.
2. Tighten the lower part (2) and the middle part (4) by using the four screws (1).
3. Insert the bike-bar (5) and tighten the upper part (6) with the four screws (7).

Assembly of the guard hood
Place the two plates (2) under the safety guard and tighten the guard hood (3) with the four screws (1) to the shaft. The integrated blade in the guard hood automatically cuts the cutting line to the optimum length.

Assembly of the cutting head
Now put the retainer pin into the cut-out hole and screw the cutting head onto the locating pin of the drive shaft by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction ( Important: Left-hand screw-thread!). Tighten the cutting head by hand, holding the drive shaft in place with the retainer pin.

Assembly of the cutting blade
Place the cutting blade on the carrier plate in such a way that the centre of the cutting blade is situated precisely on the guide circle on the carrier plate. Place the pressure plate on the cutting blade ensuring that the flat side points to the cutting blade. Tightly screw the fastening nuts on the locating pin by turning them in counter-clockwise direction (Important: Left- hand screw-thread!) Place the retainer pin, as described in the assembly of the cutting head, in the appropriate cut-out hole and use the key. Use safety split pin.

Setting the cutting height
Shoulder strap:

1. Slip the shoulder strap over the left shoulder.
2. Hook the locking hook into eye.
3. Set the length of the shoulder strap in such a way that the cutting head or the cutting blade runs parallel to the ground. In order to establish the optimum length of the shoulder strap, you should then make a few swinging movements without starting the engine.
   Always use the shoulder strap when using the appliance. Attach the strap as soon as you have started the engine and the engine is running in idle mode
   Important: Remove the shoulder strap from the appliance before you start the engine.

STARTING UP

Fuel and oil:

1. The engine of the power scythe is a 2-stroke engine. For operation, it requires a mixture of normal unleaded petrol and 2-stroke oil in a ratio of 25:1 (see fuel mixture table).
2. It is advisable to mix a maximum of 5 litres of petrol/oil mixture, since this quantity will give you approx. 12-15 operational hours and an older petrol/ oil mixture does not guarantee the optimum level of lubrication.

Never use pure petrol for your appliance. Otherwise there is a danger of causing permanent damage to the engine and as a result the manufacturer’s guarantee would not apply. Do not use any petrol/oil mixture which has been kept for longer than 90 days. Only use a petrol/oil mixture in a mixing ratio of 25:1. Do not change the mixing ratio of your own accord even if some types of 2- stroke oil recommend a different mixing ratio. If insufficient

Fuel mixture table:

Starting the engine:

• Important: You must first read the instructions for starting the engine from a cold and a warm state, and then carry out the appropriate start procedure. Place the appliance on a hard, level surface, hold it by the handle with one hand and pull the starting handle on the tension cable with the other hand.
• Important: In order to keep the load on the engine as small as possible during start-up and warm-up, cut the excess cutting line back to 13cm.

Starting the engine from a cold state

1. Set the ignition switch (1) to the “Start” position.
2. Secure the throttle lever: Press the “Lock off” switch (2) downward. Then, at the same time, press the throttle lever (3) and slide the locking switch (4). The throttle lever locks into place on full throttle.
3. The appliance has a choke, which can been set in 2 positions: “CHOKE” ( ) and “RUN” ( ). Set the choke lever to “CHOKE” ( ).
4. For starting purposes, spray fuel into the carburettor. Press the pad ten times.
5. Pull the starting cable out by a short amount, until you feel resistance (approx. 10cm). For a strong ignition spark, a smooth, sharp pull is required. Pull the starting cable four times quickly and forcefully.
6. Set the choke lever to “RUN” ( ).
7. If the engine does not start up, repeat steps 1 to 6.

PLEASE NOTE: If the engine does not start up even after several attempts, read the section “Engine Troubleshooting”.
PLEASE NOTE: Always pull the starting cable out in a straight line. If it is pulled out at an angle, then friction will occur on the eye. As a result of this friction, the cable will become frayed and will wear away faster. Always hold the starter handle when the cables retracts. Never allow the cable to snap back when it has been pulled out. This would fray or wear the cable and also damage the starter unit.

Starting the engine from a warm state

1. Set the ignition switch to the “Start” position.
2. Set the choke lever to the “RUN” ( ) position.
3. Lock the throttle lever as described under Point 2 of “Starting the engine from a cold state”.
4. Pull the starter cable quickly, until the engine starts up. However, do not pull the cable more than 6 times. Hold down the throttle lever FULLY, until the engine is running quietly. If the engine does not want to start, set the choke to “RUN” ( ) and pull 5 more times on the starter cable. However, should the engine not start, then it is probably fully-pumped with petrol. Wait 5 minutes and then try it again with the choke set to “RUN” ( ) and with a fully depressed throttle lever.

To stop engine
Release throttle trigger. Let engine return to idle. Push and hold ignition stop switch until engine stops.

TRIMMING INSTRUCTIONS

Additional safety precautions
Before operating your unit, review ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS in this manual.

Warning / Caution

1. IF UNFAMILIAR WITH TRIMMING techniques, practice the procedures with ENGINE in “OFF” position.
2. ALWAYS CLEAR WORK area of debris such as cans, bottles, rocks, etc. Striking objects can cause serious injury to operator or bystanders and also damage equipment. If an object is accidentally hit, immediately TURN ENGINE OFF and examine equipment. Never operate unit with damaged or defective equipment.
3. ALWAYS TRIM OR CUT AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. Do not run engine slowly at start or during trimming operations.
4. DO NOT use equipment for purposes other than trimming or mowing weeds.
5. NEVER raise stringhead above knee height during operation.
6. DO NOT operate unit with other people or animals in the immediate vicinity. Allow a minimum of 50 feet (15 meters) between operator and other people and animals when trimming or mowing. Allow a distance of 100 feet (30 meters) between operator and other people and animals when SCALPING with stringhead cutter.
7. IF OPERATING UNIT ON A SLOPE, stand below the cutting attachment. DO NOT OPERATE on a slope or hilly incline if there is the slightest chance of slipping or losing your footing.

Stringhead line release
DO NOT use steel wire or plastic-coated steel wire of any kind with your stringhead. Serious operator injury can result. To release fresh line, run engine at full throttle and “bump” stringhead against lawn. Line will automatically release. The knife in debris shield will trim excess line. Periodically remove weed wrap to prevent overheating the drive shaft. Weed wrap occurs when strands of weed become entangled around the shaft beneath the debris shield. This condition prevents the shaft from being properly cooled. Remove weed wrap with screwdriver or similar.

Trimming procedures
When properly equipped with a debris shield and stringhead, your unit will trim unsightly weeds and tall grass in those hard-to-reach areas – along fences, walls, foundations and around trees. It can also be used for scalping to remove vegetation down to the ground for easier preparation of a garden or to clean out a particular area.
NOTE: Even with care, trimming around foundations, brick or stone walls, curves, etc., will result in above normal string wear.

• TRIMMING / MOWING
  Swing trimmer with a sickle-like motion from side to side. Do not tilt the stringhead during the procedure. Test area to be trimmed for proper cutting height. Keep stringhead at same level for even depth of cut.

• CLOSER TRIMMING
  Position trimmer straight ahead with a slight tilt so bottom of stringhead is above ground level and string contact occurs at proper cutting point. Always cut away from operator. Do not pull trimmer in toward operator

• FENCE / FOUNDATION TRIMMING
  Approach trimming around chain link fences, picket fences, rock walls and foundations slowly to cut close without whipping string against the barrier. If the string comes in contact with rock, brick walls, or foundations, it will break or fray. If string snags fencing, it will snap off.

• TRIMMING AROUND TREES
  Trim around tree trunks with a slow approach so string does not contact bark. Walk around the tree trimming from left to right. Approach grass or weeds with the tip of the string and tilt stringhead slightly forward.. Use extreme caution when SCALPING. Keep a distance of 100 feet (30 meters) between operator, other people and animals during these operations.

• SCALPING
  Scalping refers to removal of all vegetation down to the ground. To do this, tilt the stringhead to about a 30 degree angle to the left. By adjusting the handle you will have better control during this operation. Do not attempt this procedure if there is any chance flying debris could injure operator, other people or cause damage to property.

Cutting with blades
Whenever you are cutting with a blade you must wear eye protection and protective clothing. Always use the shoulder strap when working with the blade. Before you use this machine with a blade, check that it has been fitted correctly. Follow all the instructions according “Safety instructions for undergrowth/grass cutting blades”.

WORKING WITH WEED-CUTTING BLADES MOWING WEEDS
Mowing means moving the blade in a horizontal curve from one side to the other. This is very effective for grass-like weeds and small undergrowth. It is not suitable for cutting large, tough weeds or woody vegetation. Do not use weed-cutting blades for cutting scrub or young trees!

JAMMING
Very thick vegetation, such as young trees or thick scrub may jam the blade and bring it to a standstill. Prevent the blade from jamming by anticipating the direction in which the scrub leans and cut it from the opposite side. If the blade jams while cutting, switch off the engine immediately. Hold the machine level so that the blade does not jump or break while you push the young tree away from the cut to free the blade.

TO PREVENT RECOIL
When using metal cutting tools (grass blades, thicket knives) there is a risk that the machine will recoil if the tool strikes a solid object (tree truck, branch, tree stump, stone or the like). In this case the machine will jump backwards in the opposite direction to which the tool is rotating. This may lead to a loss of control of the tool and risk of injury to the user and onlookers. Do not use metal cutting tools near fences, metal posts, boundary stones or foundations. The safety blade is designed to reduce recoil if the blade strikes a hard, solid object.

MAINTENANCE

Air filter
Never work without an air filter. Make sure it is always clean. If it is damaged then it must be replaced with a new filter. Empty the petrol tank and pour the fuel into a suitable jerry can. Open the petrol tank slowly so that any potential pressure can be released.

Cleaning the air filter:

1. Unscrew the screw with which the air filter cover is secured; remove the cover and lift the filter out of the air inlet.
2. Wash the filter in soapy water. DO NOT USE ANY PETROL!
3. Air-dry the filter.
4. Re-insert the filter.

PLEASE NOTE: Replace the filter if it is worn away, torn or damaged, or if it can no longer be cleaned.

Carburettor adjustment
The carburettor was pre-set at the factory for optimum performance. If further adjustments are necessary, please take your unit to the nearest Authorized Service Centre.

Spark plug

1. Spark plug gap = .025″ (.635mm).
2. Torque to 105 to 130 inch pounds (12 to 15 Nm). Connect spark plug boot.

Debris shield knife sharpening

1. Remove cutter knife from debris shield.
2. Place knife in a bench vise. Sharpen knife using a flat file, being careful to maintain the angle of cutting edge. File in one direction only

STORING A UNIT

Failure to follow these steps may cause varnish to form in the carburettor and difficult starting or permanent damage following storage.

1. Perform all the general maintenance recommended in the Maintenance Section of your User Manual.
2. Clean exterior of engine, drive shaft assembly, debris shield and stringhead.
3. Drain fuel from the fuel tank.
4. After fuel is drained, start engine.
5. Run engine at idle until unit stops. This will purge the carburettor of fuel.
6. Allow engine to cool (approx. 5 minutes).
7. Using a spark plug wrench, remove the spark plug.
8. Pour 1 teaspoon of clean 2-cycle oil into the combustion chamber. Pull starter rope slowly several times to coat internal components. Replace spark plug.
9. Store unit in a cool, dry place away from any source of ignition such as an oil burner, water heater, etc.
10. Do not transport and store the trimmer with the blade fitted unless the supplied transport guard is also fitted.

REMOVING A UNIT FROM STORAGE

1. Remove spark plus.
2. Pull starter rope briskly to clear excess oil from combustion chamber.
3. Clean and gap spark plug or install a new spark plug with proper gap.
4. Prepare unit for operation.
5. Fill fuel tank with proper fuel / oil mixture. See Fuel and Lubrication Section.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

| FRS 410| FRS 4125
---|---|---
Engine type| Air cooled 2-stroke engine| Air cooled 2-stroke engine
Displacement| 32 cm³| 32 cm³
Power:| 0,9 kW| 0,9 kW
Dry weight| 7,0 kg| 7,0 kg
Fuel capacity| 0,7 l| 0,7 l
Cutting width with twin line| 41 cm| 41 cm
Line diameter| 2,0 mm| 2,0 mm
Cutting width with cutting blade| –| 25 cm
Handle| D-handle| „Bike”-handle
Ignition| Electronic| Electronic
Spark plug| NGK BPMR6A or similar| NGK BPMR6A or similar
Drive| Centrifugal clutch| Centrifugal clutch

TROUBLE SHOOTING THE ENGINE

Follow instructions in the User Man- ual.
Incorrect carburettor mixture adjust- ment setting.| Have carburettor adjusted by an Au- thorized Service Centre.
Fouled spark plug| Clean / gap or replace plug.
Fuel filter plugged.| Replace fuel filter.
Unit starts, but engine has low  power.| Incorrect lever position on choke.| Move to RUN position.
Dirty air filter.| Remove, clean and reinstall filter.
Incorrect carburettor mixture adjust- ment setting.| Have carburettor adjusted by an Au- thorized Service Centre.
Engine hesitates.| Incorrect carburettor mixture adjust- ment setting.| Have carburettor adjusted by an Au- thorized Service Centre.
No power under load. Runs erratic- ally.| Incorrectly gapped spark plug.| Clean / gap or replace plug.
Smokes excessively. (after approx. 1 min. in full throttle position)| Incorrect carburettor mixture adjust- ment setting.| Have carburettor adjusted by an Au- thorized Service Centre.
Incorrect fuel mixture.| Use properly mixed fuel (25:1 mix- ture).

Guarantee

During the legal guarantee period, we will remedy any faults due to faulty materials or manufacture at our discretion by repair or by the supply of spare parts. The guarantee period is subject to the current law of the country in which the machine was purchased. The guarantee ist only valid under the following conditions:

• The machine has been treated properly.

• The operation instructions have been followed.

• Genuine spare parts have been used. The guarantee is void if:

• Attempts have been made to repair the machine.

• The machine has been altered.

• The machine has been used incorrectly, (e.g. commercial or communal use etc.).
  The following items are excluded from the guarantee:

• Paint damage due to normal wear.

• Wearing parts on the spare parts card which are marked with the box XXX XXX (X)

• Internal combustion engines – separate guarantee conditions apply to these from the relevant engine manufacturer.

In the event of a claim under the guarantee, please contact your dealer or the nearest authorised customer service centre with this guarantee declaration and a proof of purchase. The legal guarantee rights of the purchaser in respect of the seller remain unaffected by the terms of this guarantee.

PART LIST

FRS 410

Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
1| 462503| 14| 701308| 27| 700840| 40| 462539
2| 700730| 15| 462514| 28| 700252| 41| 462545
3| 402310| 16| 462515| 29| 700841| 42| 462527
4| 700385| 17| 700574| 30| 462523| 43| 112406
5| 462510| 18| 700346| 31| 462524| 44| 462535
6| 462511| 19| 462516| 32| 462551| 45| 462536
7| 700496| 20| 462517| 33| 462552| 46| 462537
8| 462546| 21| 462548| 34| 462553| 47| 462538
9| 462547| 22| 462549| 35| 462525| 48| 462528
10| 700483| 23| 462550| 36| 462526| 49| 462532
11| 700137| 24| 112405| 37| 462520| |
12| 462512| 25| 462521| 38| 462635| |
13| 462513| 26| 462522| 39| 462519| |

FRS 4125

Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
1| 462503| 15| 462514| 29| 462522| 43| 462530
2| 700730| 16| 462515| 30| 700840| 44| 462531
3| 402310| 17| 700574| 31| 700252| 45| 462544
4| 700385| 18| 700346| 32| 700841| 46| 462542
5| 462510| 19| 462516| 33| 462523| 47| 462533
6| 462511| 20| 462517| 34| 462524| 48| 112406
7| 700496| 21| 462548| 35| 462551| 49| 462535
8| 462546| 22| 462549| 36| 462552| 50| 462536
9| 462547| 23| 462550| 37| 462553| 51| 462537
10| 700483| 24| 112405| 38| 462525| 52| 462538
11| 700137| 25| 462635| 39| 462526| 53| 462532
12| 462512| 26| 462519| 40| 462527| |
13| 462513| 27| 462520| 41| 462528| |
14| 701308| 28| 462521| 42| 462529| |

FRS 410 / FRS 4125

Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.| Pos.| Art.-Nr.
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
1| 462554| 20| 462573| 39| 462592| 58| 462611
2| 462555| 21| 462574| 40| 462593| 59| 462612
3| 462556| 22| 462575| 41| 462594| 60| 462613
4| 462557| 23| 462576| 42| 462595| 61| 462614
5| 462558| 24| 462577| 43| 462596| 62| 462615
6| 462559| 25| 462578| 44| 462597| 63| 462616
7| 462560| 26| 462579| 45| 462598| 64| 462617
8| 462561| 27| 462580| 46| 462599| 65| 462618
9| 462562| 28| 462581| 47| 462600| 66| 462619
10| 462563| 29| 462582| 48| 462601| 67| 462620
11| 462564| 30| 462583| 49| 462602| 68| 462621
12| 462565| 31| 462585| 50| 462603| 69| 462622
13| 462566| 32| 462584| 51| 462604| 70| 462623
14| 462567| 33| 462586| 52| 462605| 71| 462624
15| 462568| 34| 462587| 53| 462606| 72| 462631
16| 462569| 35| 462588| 54| 462607| 73| 462632
17| 462570| 36| 462589| 55| 462608| 74| 462633
18| 462571| 37| 462590| 56| 462609| |
19| 462572| 38| 462591| 57| 462610| |

EC Declaration of Conformity

We declare that the machine

Trimmer tragbar

Type: Cutting width

conforms to the specifications of the following EC directives
Where appropriate applied standards
Conformity assessment procedure followed
Measured sound power level
guaranteed sound power level

Rochford Garden Machinery Ltd.
(+44)19 63 / 8280 50
(+44)19 63 / 8280 52
AL-KO Geraete GmbH l Head Quarter l Ichenhauser Str. 14 l 89359 Koetz l Deutschland
Telefon: (+49)8221/203-0 l
Telefax: (+49)8221/203 -138 l
www.al-ko.com

References

• Startseite - AL-KO Unternehmensgruppe

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