OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION
WARNING:
OVERFILLING THE CRANKCASE WITH OIL MAY CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL
INJURY. Check and maintain the proper oil level in the crank case; it is important and cannot be
overemphasized. Check the oil before each use and change it as needed. See Changing the Oil.
RECOMMENDED OIL TYPE
Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is
extremely important. Check the oil before each use and
change the oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil,
can cause premature engine wear and failure. Use a high-quality SAE 30
weight oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SF, SG, SH.
Adding Oil to Crankcase: Initial Use
NOTE:
This unit is shipped without oil. In order to avoid
damage to the unit, put oil in the crankcase before
you attempt to start the unit.
Your unit is supplied with one 3.04 fluid oz. (90 ml.) bottle of SAE
30 SF, SG, SH oil (Fig. 4).
NOTE:
Save the bottle of oil. It can be used to measure the
correct amount during future oil changes. See
Changing the Oil.
1.
Unscrew the top of the bottle of oil and remove the paper
seal covering the opening. Replace the top. Next, cut the
tip off the funnel spout (Fig. 4).
2.
Place the unit on a flat level surface (Fig. 5).
3.
Remove the oil plug / dipstick from the crankcase (Fig. 6).
4.
Pour the entire bottle of oil into the oil fill hole (Fig. 5).
NOTE:
Never add oil to the fuel or fuel tank.
5.
Wipe up any oil that may have spilled and reinstall the oil fill
plug / dipstick.
Check oil before each use and change as needed. Refer to Changing the Oil.
RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE
Old fuel is the primary reason for improper unit performance. Be
sure to use fresh, clean, unleaded gasoline.
NOTE:
This is a four cycle engine. In order to avoid damage
to the unit, do not mix oil with gasoline.
Definition of Blended Fuels
Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such
as ethanol, methanol or MTBE (ether). Alcohol-blended fuel
absorbs water. As little as 1% water in the fuel can make fuel and oil separate or form acids when stored.
Use fresh fuel (less than 60 days old), when using alcohol-blended fuel.
Using Blended Fuels
If you choose to use a blended fuel, or its use is unavoidable, follow recommended precautions:
• Always use fresh unleaded gasoline
• Use the fuel additive STA-BIL® or an equivalent
• Drain tank and run the engine dry before storing unit
Using Fuel Additives
WARNING:
Add fuel in a clean, well ventilated outdoor area. Wipe up any spilled fuel
immediately. Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilt fuel. Do not start the engine until fuel
vapors dissipate.
WARNING:
Gasoline is extremely flammable. Ignited vapors may explode. Always stop
the engine and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Do not smoke while filling the
tank. Keep sparks and open flames at a distance from the area.
The use of fuel additives, such as STA-BIL® Gas Stabilizer or an equivalent, will inhibit corrosion and
minimize the formation of gum deposits. Using a fuel additive can keep fuel from forming harmful deposits
in the carburetor for up to six (6) months. 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 gas tank.
FUELING THE UNIT
WARNING:
Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid
injury from fuel spray. Never operate the unit
without the fuel cap securely in place.
1.
Remove the fuel cap (Fig. 7).
2.
Place the gas container's spout into the fill hole on the fuel
tank (Fig. 7) and fill the tank.
NOTE:
Do not overfill the tank.
3.
Wipe up any gasoline that may have spilled.
4.
Reinstall the fuel cap.
5.
Move the unit at least 30 ft. (9.1 m) from the fueling source and site before starting the engine.
NOTE:
Dispose of the old gasoline in accordance to Federal, State and Local regulations.
STARTING AND STOPPING 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. 10). 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.
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
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. 8).
IF COLD... For cold weather conditions (below 40°F), flip the Cold Weather Start Lever (Fig. 9)
down to the start/closed position and continue to step 3. DO NOT flip this lever down if
the temperature is above 40°F.
4
Fill Level
Funnel
Spout
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Oil Fill Plug
O-Ring
Oil Fill Hole
Fig. 6
Gas Can Spout
Fuel Tank
Fuel Cap
Fig. 7
STARTING AND STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
3.
Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times,
slowly. Some amount of fuel should be visible in the
primer bulb and fuel lines (Fig. 9). If you can't see
fuel in the bulb, press and release the bulb as many
times as it takes before you can see fuel in it.
4.
With the unit in the starting position, do not
squeeze the throttle control (Fig. 10). Pull the
starter rope out a short distance, until you feel some
resistance. This is usually around 2-4 inches. Then
pull the rope smoothly and briskly. Repeat this 5
times. The engine should start.
IF COLD... For cold weather conditions (below 40°F), flip
the Cold Weather Start Lever back up to the
run/open position after the unit has started and
before squeezing the throttle control.
5.
Squeeze the throttle control to warm up the engine
for 15 to 30 seconds. In cold weather, let the engine
warm up for 30 to 60 seconds.
IF...
The engine does not start, go back to step 3.
IF...
The engine stops while you are squeezing the
throttle, go back to step 4.
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 in the OFF
(O) position.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
HOLDING THE TRIMMER
WARNING:
Always wear eye, hearing, foot
and body protection to reduce the risk of injury
when operating this unit.
Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 11).
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 handle
• 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
Some line breakage will occur from:
• Entanglement with foreign matter
• Normal line fatigue
• Attempting to cut thick, stalky weeds
• 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.
• 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
• 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. 12).
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
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. If you are unsure about
these procedures take your unit to any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or
authorized service dealer.
WARNING:
To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs with unit
running. Always service and repair a cool unit. Disconnect the spark plug wire to ensure
that the unit cannot start.
NOTE:
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system may be
performed by any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer.
Stop/ Off (O)
Start/ On (I)
Throttle
Control
Fig. 8
Cold Weather
Primer Bulb
Start Lever
Run/ Open
Close/ Start
Fig. 9
Starter
Rope
Throttle
Control
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12