SECTION 4: OPERATING YOUR TRIMMER
OIL AND PETROL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
Old and/or improperly mixed fuel is the main reason for improper unit performance. Be sure to use fresh, clean unleaded petrol. Follow the instructions carefully for the proper petrol/oil mixture.
Definition of Blended Fuels
Today's fuels are often a blend of fuel and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol, or MTBE (ether). Alcoholblended petrol absorbs water. As little as 1% water in the petrol can make petrol and oil separate. It forms acids when stored. When using alcohol-blended petrol, use fresh petrol (less than 60 days old).
Using Blended Fuels
If you choose to use a blended petrol, or its use is unavoidable, follow recommended precautions:
• Always use fresh fuel mix per your operator's manual
• Always agitate the fuel mix before fueling the unit
• Drain the tank and run the engine dry before storing the unit
Using Petrol Additives
The bottle of 2-cycle oil that came with your unit contains a petrol additive which will help inhibit corrosion and minimize the formation of gum deposits.
It is recommended that you use only our 2-cycle oil with this unit.
If unavailable, use a good 2-cycle oil designed for aircooled engines along with a petrol additive, such as
STA-BIL ® petrol stabilizer or an equivalent. Add 23 ml
(0.8 oz) of petrol additive per gallon of petrol according to the instructions on the container. NEVER add petrol additives directly to the unit's petrol tank.
CAUTION:
For proper engine operation and maximum reliability, pay strict attention to the oil and petrol mixing instructions on the
2-cycle oil container. Using improperly mixed fuel can severely damage the engine.
Thoroughly mix the proper ratio of 2-cycle engine oil with unleaded petrol in a separate petrol can. Use a 40:1 petrol/oil ratio. Do not mix them directly in the engine fuel tank. See the table below for specific petrol and oil mixing ratios.
NOTE: 3.8 liters (1 gallon) of unleaded petrol mixed with
one 95 ml (3.2 oz) bottle of 2-cycle oil makes a
40:1 petrol/oil ratio.
UNLEADED PETROL
3.8 LITERS
(1 GALLON US)
1 LITER
+
2 CYCLE OIL
95 ml
(3.2 FL. OZ)
25 ml
MIXING RATIO - 40:1
WARNING:
Petrol 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.
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, wellventilated 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.
NOTE: Dispose of the old petrol/oil mix in accordance
to Federal, State and Local regulations.
8
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, Figure 7. To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit must be in a stable position while starting.
1. Mix petrol with oil. Fill fuel tank with petrol/oil mixture. See Oil and Petrol Mixing Instructions.
2. Make sure the On/Off Stop Control in the ON ( I ) position, Figure 5.
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, Figure 6. 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. Place the choke lever in Position 1, Figure 6.
5. Crouch in the starting position (Figure 7) and squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope briskly 5 times (with the choke lever still in Position 1).
6. Place the choke lever in Position 2.
7. While squeezing the throttle control, pull the starter rope briskly 1 to 3 times to start the engine.
8. Keep the throttle squeezed and allow the engine to warm up for 15 to 30 seconds.
9. Place the choke lever in Position 3. The unit is ready for use.
IF...
The engine does not start, go back to step 3.
IF...
The engine fails to start after a couple attempts, place the choke lever in Position 3 and squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope briskly 3 to 8 times. The engine should start. If not, repeat.
IF WARM...
If the engine is already warm, make sure the On/Off Stop control is in the ON position and start the unit with the choke lever in Position 2.
After the unit starts, 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.
Put the ignition switch in the OFF (O) position.
Ignition
Switch
Stop/Off (O)
FIGURE 5
Position 1
Position 2
1
2
3
Starter Rope
Throttle Control
FIGURE 6
Start/On (I)
Position 3
Choke Lever
Primer Bulb
FIGURE 7
9
HOLDING THE TRIMMER
WARNING: Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit.
Before using the unit, stand in the operating position,
Figure 8. 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, his hand holding the D-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
FIGURE 8
ADJUSTING TRIMMING LINE LENGTH
The Bump Head™ cutting head allows you to release trimming line without stopping the engine. To release more line, lightly tap the cutting head on the ground while operating the trimmer at high speed, Figure 9.
NOTE:
Always keep the trimming line fully extended.
Line release becomes more difficult as cutting line becomes shorter.
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 trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult as the cutting line becomes shorter.
NOTE:
Do not rest the Bump Head™ on the ground while the unit is running.
CAUTION: Do not remove or alter the line cutting blade assembly. Excessive line length will make the unit overheat. This may lead to serious personal injury or damage to the unit.
Some line breakage will occur from:
• Entanglement with foreign matter
• Normal line fatigue
• Attempting to cut thick, stalky weeds
• Forcing the line into objects like walls or fence posts
TIPS FOR BEST TRIMMING RESULTS
• Keep the cutting head parallel to the ground.
• Do not force the cutting head. 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 200 mm (8 inches) by working from top to bottom in small increments to avoid premature line wear or engine drag.
• Cut from left to right whenever possible. Cutting to the 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 forwardbackward 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:
• Following the previous trimming techniques
• What vegetation is being cut
• Where vegetation is cut
FIGURE 9
Each time the head is bumped, about 25.4 mm (1 inch) of trimming line releases. A blade in the cutting head guard will cut the line to the proper length if excess line is released.
10
FIGURE 10
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, etc.
Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting head is at a
30° angle to the ground, Figure 10.
