OIL AND FUEL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Gasoline is extremely fl ammable. Ignited vapors may explode. Always stop
the engine and allow it to cool before fi lling the fuel tank. Do not smoke while fi lling the
tank. Keep sparks and open fl ames at a distance from the area.
WARNING:
Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid injury from fuel spray. Never operate the unit
without the fuel cap securely in place.
WARNING:
Add fuel in a clean, level and well ventilated outdoor area. Wipe up any
spilled fuel immediately. Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilled fuel. Do not start the
engine until fuel vapors dissipate.
Be sure to use fresh, clean unleaded fuel and follow instructions carefully for proper fuel/oil mixture.
Defi nition of Blended Fuels
WARNING:
Fuel containing greater than 10% ethanol will likely damage the engine and
void the warranty.
Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol, or MTBE (ether)
which absorb water. Use fuel within 30 days of purchase. Blended fuels older than 30 days will affect
the performance and life of the engine.
Using Blended Fuels
If the use of blended fuel is unavoidable, follow recommended precautions:
Always use the fresh fuel mix explained in the operator's manual
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Always agitate the fuel mix before fueling the unit
Drain the tank and run the engine dry before storing the unit
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Using Fuel Additives
It is recommended to use the manufacturers 2-cycle oil with this unit. If unavailable, use a good
2-cycle oil designed for air-cooled engines along with a fuel additive, such as STA-BIL® Gas Stabilizer
or an equivalent.
Add 0.8 oz. (23 ml) of fuel additive per gallon of fuel according to the instructions on the container.
NEVER add fuel additives directly to the unit's fuel tank.
Mixing The Fuel
Thoroughly mix the proper ratio of 2-cycle engine oil with unleaded fuel in a separate fuel can. Use a
40:1 fuel/oil ratio. Do not mix them directly in the engine fuel tank.
IF...
the unit came with a bottle of 2-cycle oil; pour the entire bottle into 1 gallon of gas and mix
thoroughly.
NOTE:
One gallon (3.8 liters) of unleaded fuel mixed with one 3.2 oz. (95 ml) bottle of 2-cycle oil
makes a 40:1 fuel/oil ratio.
NOTE:
Dispose of the old fuel/oil mix in accordance to Federal, State and Local regulations.
HOLDING THE UNIT
Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 1). Check
for the following:
The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing
•
•
With a slightly-bent right arm, the operator's hand is holding the
shaft grip
The operator's left arm is straight, the left hand holding the
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D-handle
The unit is at waist level
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•
The cutting head is parallel to the ground and easily contacts the grass without the need to bend
over
ADJUSTING TRIMMING LINE LENGTH
WARNING:
Do not remove or alter the line cutting blade assembly. Excessive line
length will cause premature engine failure and / or unit damage.
The Bump Head™ cutting head allows the release of trimming line
without stopping the engine. To release more line, lightly tap the cutting
head on the ground (Fig. 2) while operating the unit at high speed.
Each time the head is bumped, about 1 inch (25.4 mm) of trimming
line releases. A blade in the cutting head shield will cut the line to the
proper length if any excess line is released.
NOTE:
Always keep trimming line fully extended. Line release
becomes more diffi cult when the cutting line gets shorter.
For best results, tap bump knob on bare ground or hard soil. If
attempting a line release in tall grass, engine may stall.
NOTE:
Do not rest the Bump Head™ on the ground while the unit is running.
BEST TRIMMING RESULTS
Keep the cutting head parallel to the ground.
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Do not force the cutting head. Allow the tip of the line to do the cutting, especially along walls.
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Cutting with more than the tip will reduce cutting effi ciency and may overload the engine.
Cut grass over 8 inches (200 mm) by working from top to bottom in small increments to avoid
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premature line wear or engine drag.
Cut from right to left whenever possible. Cutting to the left improves the unit's cutting effi ciency.
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Clippings are thrown away from the operator.
Slowly move the unit into and out of the cutting area at the desired height. Move either in a
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forward-backward or side-to-side motion. Cutting shorter lengths produces the best results.
Trim only when grass and weeds are dry.
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The life of the cutting line is dependent upon:
Following the trimming techniques
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What vegetation is being cut
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Where vegetation is cut
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For example, the line will wear faster when trimming against a foundation wall as opposed to trimming
around a tree.
OIL AND FUEL
OPERATION
LINE INSTALLATION
WARNING:
and become dangerous projectiles.
Always use original equipment manufacturer 0.080 in. (2.03 mm) replacement line. Line other than the
specifi ed may void warranty.
LINE INSTALLATION
Removing the Spool
1. Hold reel and unscrew bump knob
(Fig. 3). Inspect bump knob bolt to
make sure it moves freely. Replace
bump knob if damaged.
2. Remove spool and spring (Fig. 4).
3. Using a clean cloth, clean spool,
spring, shaft, and inner surface of
the reel.
4. Check indexing teeth on spool and
reel for wear (Fig. 5). If necessary,
replace.
NOTE:
Always use correct line length
when installing trimming line.
Line may not release properly
if too long.
Single Line Installation
Go To Front Cover for SplitLine®
Installation:
5. Using 20 feet (6 m) of new line, loop
into two equal lengths. Insert each
end of the line through the holes on
the spool (Fig. 6). Pull line through
so that the loop is as small as
possible.
6. Wind line in tight even layers and in
the direction as indicated on spool.
Place index fi nger between both lines to keep from overlapping while winding.
7. Insert ends of line into appropriate holding slots (Fig. 7).
8. Insert or slide ends of line through eyelets and place spool with spring inside reel (Fig. 8). Push the
spool and reel together.
NOTE:
Spring must be assembled on spool prior to reassembly.
9. While holding spool and reel, grasp ends of line and pull fi rmly to release.
10. Hold reel in place and install bump knob by turning clockwise. Tighten securely.
Installing a Prewound Spool
1. Hold reel with one hand and unscrew bump knob (Fig. 3). Inspect bump knob bolt to make sure it
moves freely. Replace bump knob if damaged.
2. Remove spool from reel and spring from spool (Fig. 4).
3. Place spring in replacement spool.
NOTE:
Spring must be assembled on spool prior to reassembly.
4. Insert or slide ends of the line into eyelets on reel (Fig. 8).
5. Place replacement spool inside reel and push together. While holding spool and reel, grasp line
ends and pull fi rmly to release.
6. Hold the reel in place and install the bump knob by turning clockwise. Tighten securely.
Fig. 1
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Perform these required maintenance procedures at the frequency stated in the table. These
procedures should also be a part of any seasonal tune-up.
NOTE:
Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. For these types of repairs
call 1-800-800-7310 for more information.
NOTE:
Please read the California/ EPA statement that came with the unit for a complete listing of
terms and coverage for the emissions control devices, such as the spark arrestor, muffl er,
carburetor, etc.
FREQUENCY
Every 10 hours
Every 25 hours
Fig. 2
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Cleaning the Air Filter
Failure to maintain the air fi lter properly can result in poor performance
or can cause permanent damage to the engine.
1. Open the air fi lter cover and remove the air fi lter (Fig. 9).
2. Wash the fi lter in detergent and water. Rinse thoroughly and allow
to dry.
3. Apply clean SAE 30 motor oil to fi lter.
4. Squeeze fi lter to spread and remove excess oil.
5. Replace air fi lter into air fi lter cover (Fig. 9).
NOTE:
Operating unit without air fi lter WILL VOID warranty.
6. Reinstall the air fi lter cover and press down until it snaps into place (Fig. 9).
IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT
Idle speed of the engine is adjustable. An idle adjustment screw is between the air fi lter cover and
engine starter housing (Fig. 10).
NOTE:
Careless adjustments can damage unit. An authorized service dealer should make
carburetor adjustments.
After checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air fi lter, the engine still will not idle. Adjust the idle
speed screw as follows:
WARNING:
clothing and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
1. Start the engine and run for one minute.
2. Release throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If engine stops,
insert a small phillips screwdriver into the idle adjustment screw and
turn clockwise 1/8 of a turn at a time until engine idles smoothly.
3. If the engine appears to be idling too fast, turn the screw
counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn at a time to reduce idle speed.
Checking fuel mixture, cleaning air fi lter and adjusting idle speed should
solve most engine problems. If not and the following are true:
engine will not idle
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engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
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there is a loss of engine power
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Have the carburetor adjusted by an approved service dealer.
LINE INSTALLATION
Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, chain or rope. These can break off
Fig. 3
Index Teeth
Fig. 5
Index Teeth
Fig. 7
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
Clean and re-oil air fi lter
Check spark plug condition and gap
Cutting head will spin during idle speed adjustments. Wear protective
Bump Knob
Spool
Bolt
Spring
Reel
Fig. 4
Loop
Fig. 6
Eyelets
Spring
Fig. 8
SEE
p. 3
p. 4
Air Filter Cover
Lock Tab
Air Filter
Fig. 9
Idle Speed
Screw
Fig. 10
3