STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Operate this unit only in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Carbon monoxide
exhaust fumes can be lethal in a confined area.
WARNING:
Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the starting position when
pulling the starter rope (Fig. 22). To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit must be
in a stable position while starting. Make sure that any Add-On item is installed correctly and
secure before starting the unit.
1. Check the oil level in the crankcase. Refer to Checking the Oil Level.
2. Fill the fuel tank with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline. Refer to Fueling
the Unit.
NOTE: There is no need to turn the unit on. The On/Off Stop Control is in
the ON ( I ) position at all times (Fig. 20).
3. Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times, slowly. Some
amount of fuel should be visible in the primer bulb (Fig. 21). If fuel
cannot be seen in the bulb, press and release the bulb until fuel is
visible.
4. Move the choke lever to Position 1 (Fig. 21).
5. Crouch in the starting position (Fig. 22). SQUEEZE and HOLD the
throttle control for ALL further steps. Pull the starter rope 5 times.
6. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Move the choke lever to
Position 2 (Fig. 21).
7. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope 3-5
times to start the engine.
8. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Allow the engine to warm
up for 30-60 seconds.
9. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Move the choke lever to
Position 3 (Fig. 21).
10. Continue to squeeze the throttle control. Run the unit for an
additional 60 seconds to complete the warm-up. The unit may be used
during this step.
NOTE: The unit is properly warmed up when the engine accelerates
without hesitation.
IF... the engine hesitates, return the choke lever to Position 2 and
continue the warm-up.
IF... the engine does not start, go back to step 3.
IF... the engine fails to start after a few attempts, move the choke lever to Position 3 and squeeze the
throttle control. Pull the starter rope 3-8 times. The engine should start. If not, repeat.
IF THE ENGINE IS HOT... Move the choke lever to Position 2, press the primer bulb 10 times,
squeeze the throttle control and pull the starter rope until the unit starts. Run the unit for 2-5
minutes. The unit may be used during this time. Then move the choke lever to Position 3.
STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Release your hand from the throttle control. Allow the engine to cool down by idling.
2. Press and hold the On/Off Stop Control switch in the OFF (O) position until the unit comes to a
complete stop (Fig. 20).
HOLDING THE TRIMMER
Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 23). Check for the following:
• The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing
• With a slightly-bent right arm, the operator's right hand is holding the
shaft grip
• The operator's left arm is straight, the left hand holding the assist
handle
ON (I)
OFF (O)
• The unit is at waist level
• The cutting attachment is parallel to the ground and easily contacts the
grass without the need to bend over
ADJUSTING TRIMMING LINE LENGTH
Throttle
Control
Fig. 20
The Bump Head™ cutting attachment allows you to release trimming line without stopping the engine.
Choke Lever
Primer Bulb
To release more line, lightly tap the cutting attachment on the ground (Fig. 24) while operating the
trimmer at high speed.
NOTE: Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release
becomes more difficult as the cutting line becomes shorter.
Each time the head is bumped, about 1 inch (25.4 mm) of trimming line is
released. A blade in the cutting attachment shield will cut the line to the
proper length if excess line is released.
Fig. 21
For best results, tap the Bump Head™ on bare ground or hard soil. If line
release is attempted in tall grass, the engine may stall. Always keep the
Starting Position
trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult as the
Starter
cutting line becomes shorter.
Rope
NOTE: Do not rest the Bump Head™ on the ground while the unit is running.
Some line breakage will occur from:
• Entanglement with foreign matter
Throttle
• Normal line fatigue
Control
• Attempting to cut thick, stalky weeds
Fig. 22
• Forcing the line into objects such as walls or fence posts
TIPS FOR BEST TRIMMING RESULTS
• For best trimming results, operate unit at full throttle.
• Keep the cutting attachment parallel to the ground.
• Do not force the cutting attachment. Allow the tip of the line to do the cutting, especially along walls.
Cutting with more than the tip will reduce cutting efficiency and may overload the engine.
• Cut grass over 8 inches (200 mm) by working from top to bottom in small increments to avoid
premature line wear or engine drag.
• Cutting from left to right improves the unit's cutting efficiency. Clippings are thrown away from the
operator.
• Slowly move the trimmer into and out of the cutting area at the desired height. Move either in a
forward-backward or side-to-side motion. Cutting shorter lengths produces the best results.
• Trim only when grass and weeds are dry.
• The life of your cutting line is dependent upon proper adherence of
explained trimming techniques, what vegetation is cut, and where
vegetation is cut.
For example, the line will wear faster when trimming against a foundation
wall as opposed to trimming around a tree.
DECORATIVE TRIMMING
Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around
trees, posts, fences and more.
Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting attachment is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 25).
USING THE CUTTING BLADE
Before operating the unit with the cutting blade, stand in the operating position (Fig. 23). Refer to
Holding the Trimmer.
Cutting Blade Operating Tips
To establish a rhythmic cutting procedure:
• Plant feet firmly, comfortably apart.
• Bring the engine to full throttle before entering the material to be cut. At full throttle the blade has
maximum cutting power and is less likely to bind, stall or cause blade thrust (which can result in serious
personal injury to the operator or others).
• Cut while swinging the upper part of your body from left to right.
• Always release the throttle trigger and allow the engine to return to idle speed when not cutting.
• When you are finished, always unsnap the unit from the harness before taking off the harness.
• Swing the unit in the opposite direction as the blade spins, which increases the cutting action.
• After the return swing, move forward to the next area to be cut plant your feet again.
• The cutting blade is designed with a second cutting edge. You can use it by removing the blade,
turning it upside down, and reinstalling it.
To reduce the chance of material wrapping around the blade, follow these steps:
• Cut at full throttle
• Swing the unit into material to be cut from your left to your right (Fig. 26)
• Avoid the material just cut as you make the return swing
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury
when operating this unit.
WARNING:
Do not remove or alter the line cutting blade assembly. Excessive line length will make
the clutch overheat. This may lead to serious personal injury or damage to the unit.
WARNING:
Always wear eye, hearing, foot, body protection and the shoulder strap to
reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit.
WARNING:
Do not use the cutting blade for edging or as an edger. Severe personal injury
to yourself or others can result.
WARNING:
Blade thrust may occur when the spinning blade contacts an object that it
does not immediately cut. Blade thrust can be violent enough to cause the unit and/or
operator to be propelled in any direction, and possibly lose control of the unit. Blade thrust
can occur without warning if the blade snags, stalls or binds. This is more likely to occur in
areas where it is difficult to see the material being cut.
WARNING:
The blade continues to spin after the engine is turned off. The coasting blade
can seriously cut you if accidentally touched.
WARNING:
Do not sharpen the cutting blade. Sharpening the blade can cause the blade
tip to break off while in use. This can result in severe personal injury to yourself or others.
Replace the blade.
WARNING:
Do not clear away any cut material with the engine running or blade turning.
To avoid serious personal injury, turn off the engine. Allow the blade to stop before
removing materials wrapped around the blade shaft.
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
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