MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

FREQUENCY

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED

 

SEE

 

 

 

 

 

Before starting engine

Fill fuel tank with fresh fuel

 

p. 4

 

 

Check oil

 

p. 5

 

 

 

 

 

Every 10 hours

Clean and re-oil air filter

 

p. 5

 

 

 

 

 

1st change at 10 hours

Change oil

 

p. 5

2nd change at 25 hours

Change oil

 

p. 5

Every 25 hours after

Clean spark arrestor

 

p. 6

 

 

 

 

 

10 hours on new engine

Check rocker arm to valve clearance and adjust

 

p. 6

Every 25 hours

Check rocker arm to valve clearance and adjust

 

p. 6

Every 25 hours

Check spark plug condition and gap

 

p. 6

 

 

 

 

 

LINE INSTALLATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING: Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, chain or rope. These can break off and

 

become dangerous projectiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This section covers both SplitLine™ and standard single line installation.

Bump Knob™

Always use original equipment manufacturer 0.095 in (2.41 mm)

 

 

WARNING: To prevent extensive engine wear and damage to the unit, always maintain the proper oil level in the crankcase. Never operate the unit with the oil level below the bottom of the dipstick.

1.Stop the engine and allow oil to drain into the crankcase.

2.Place the unit on a flat, level surface to get a proper oil level reading.

3.Keep dirt, grass clippings and other debris out of the engine. Clean the area around the oil fill plug/dipstick before removing it.

4.Remove the oil fill plug/dipstick and wipe off oil. Reinsert it all the way back in.

5.Remove the oil fill plug/dipstick and check the oil level. Oil should be up to the top of the dipstick (Fig. 22).

6.If the level is low, add a small amount of oil to the oil fill hole and recheck (Fig. 23). Repeat this procedure until the oil level reaches the top of the dipstick.

NOTE: Do not overfill the unit.

NOTE: Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill plug/dipstick when checking and changing the oil (Fig. 22).

Index Teeth

Fig. 20

Eyelets

Spring

replacement line. Line other than the specified may make the

Bolt

engine overheat or fail.

 

There are two methods to replace the trimming line:

 

• Wind the inner reel with new line

 

• Install a prewound inner reel

 

CHANGING THE OIL

CAUTION: Wear gloves to prevent injury when handling the unit.

Fig. 21

O-Ring

Oil Fill Plug/Dipstick

Full

Winding the Existing Inner Reel

1. Hold the outer spool with one hand and unscrew the Bump Knob™ counterclockwise (Fig. 13). Inspect the bolt inside

the Bump Knob to make sure it moves freely. Replace the

Bump Knob if damaged.

2. Remove the inner reel from the outer spool (Fig. 14).

3. Remove spring from the inner reel (Fig. 14).

4. Use a clean cloth to clean the the inner reel, spring, shaft, and inner surface of the outer spool.

5. Check the indexing teeth on the inner reel and outer spool for wear (Fig. 15). If necessary, remove burrs or replace the

reel and spool.

NOTE: SplitLine™ can only be used with the inner reel with the slotted holes. Single line can be used on either type of

inner reel. Use Figure 16 to identify the inner reel you have. Indexing Teeth

NOTE: Always use the correct line length when installing trimming line on the unit. The line may not release properly if the line is too long.

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

Outer Spool

Spring

Inner Reel

For a new engine, change the oil after the first 10 hours of operation. Change the oil while the engine is still warm. The oil will flow freely and carry away more impurities.

1.Unplug spark plug boot to prevent accidental starting.

2.Remove the oil fill plug/dipstick.

3.Pour the oil out of the oil fill hole and into a container by tipping the unit to a vertical position (Fig. 24). Allow ample time for complete drainage.

4.Wipe up any oil residue on the unit and clean up any oil that may have spilled. Dispose of the oil according to Federal, State and local regulations.

5.Refill the crankcase with 3.04 fluid ounce (90 ml) of SAE 30 SF, SG, SH oil.

NOTE: Use the bottle and spout saved from initial use to measure the correct amount of oil. The top of the label on the bottle measures approximately 3.4 ounces (100 ml) (Fig. 25). Check the level with the dipstick. If the level is low, add a small amount of oil and recheck. Do not overfill (Fig. 25).

Add 1.4-1.5 Oz.

(41-44 ml)

Top of

Dipstick

Fig. 22

Oil Fill

Plug/Dipstick

Oil Fill Hole

Fig. 23

Single Line Installation

Go To Step 8 for SplitLine™ Installation

6.

Take approximately 20 feet (6 m) of new trimming line, loop it

 

into two equal lengths. Insert each end of the line through one

 

of the two holes in the inner reel (Fig. 17). Pull the line through

6.Replace the oil fill plug/dipstick.

7.Reconnect the spark plug boot.

AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE

Cleaning the Air Filter

 

the inner reel so that the loop is as small as possible.

7.

Wind the lines in tight even layers, onto the reel (Fig. 18).

 

Wind the line in the direction indicated on the inner reel.

 

Place your index finger between the two lines to stop the

 

lines from overlapping. Do not overlap the ends of the line.

 

Proceed to step 11.

SplitLine™ Installation

8.

Take approximately 10 feet (3 m) of new trimming line.

Fig. 15

For Use with

For Use with

Single Line ONLY

Splitline™ or

 

Single Line ONLY

WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury, always turn the unit off and allow it to cool before you clean or service it.

Clean and re-oil the air filter every 10 hours of operation. It is an important item to maintain. Failure to maintain your air filter properly can result in poor performance or can cause permanent damage to your engine.

Fig. 24

 

Insert one end of the line through one of the two holes in

 

the inner reel (Fig. 19). Pull the line through the inner reel

 

until only about 4 inches is left out.

9.

Insert the end of the line into the open hole in the inner reel and

 

pull the line tight to make the loop as small as possible (Fig. 19).

10.

Before winding, split the line back about 6 inches.

11.

Wind the line in tight even layers in the direction indicated on

 

the inner reel.

NOTE: Failure to wind the line in the direction indicated will cause the cutting attachment to operate incorrectly.

Slotted

Holes

Fig. 16

1.

Open the air filter cover. Push the tab on the left side of the

 

 

cover inward. Then pull the air filter cover out and to the

Fill Level

 

right (Fig. 26).

NOTE: It may be necessary to remove the fuel cap to completely remove the air filter cover.

2. Remove the air filter (Fig. 26).

3.

Wash the filter in detergent and water (Fig. 27). Rinse the

 

 

 

 

Fig. 25

 

 

filter thoroughly and allow it to dry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Air Filter

Air Filter Cover

4.

Apply enough clean SAE 30 motor oil to lightly coat the

 

 

 

 

filter (Fig. 28).

 

 

 

12. Insert the ends of the line into the two holding slots (Fig. 20).

13.

Insert the ends of the line through the eyelets in the outer spool

 

 

and place inner reel with spring inside the outer spool (Fig. 21).

Loop

 

Push the inner reel and outer spool together. While holding the

 

 

 

inner reel and outer spool, grasp the ends and pull firmly to

Fig. 17

 

release the line from the holding slots in the reel.

 

5.

Squeeze the filter to spread and remove excess oil (Fig. 29).

Tab

 

 

6. Replace the filter (Fig. 30).

NOTE: If the unit is operated without the air filter, you will VOID the warranty.

7. Reinstall the air filter cover. Position the hooks on the right side of the air filter cover into the slots at the right side of

NOTE: The spring must be assembled on the inner reel before reassembling the cutting attachment.

14. Hold the inner reel in place and install the bump knob by turning clockwise. Tighten securely.

INSTALLING A PREWOUND REEL

1.Hold the outer spool with one hand and unscrew the bump

knob counterclockwise (Fig. 13). Inspect the bolt inside the bump knob to make sure it moves freely. Replace the bump knob if damaged.

2.Remove the old inner reel from the outer spool (Fig. 14).

3.Remove the spring from the old inner reel (Fig. 14).

4. Place the spring in the new inner reel.

NOTE: The spring must be assembled on the inner reel before reassembling the cutting attachment.

5. Insert the ends of the line through the eyelets in the outer spool (Fig. 21).

6. Place the new inner reel inside the outer spool. Push the inner reel and outer spool together. While holding the inner reel and outer spool, grasp the ends and pull firmly to release the line from the holding slots in the spool.

7.Hold the inner reel in place and install the bump knob by turning clockwise. Tighten securely.

CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL

Fig. 18

Loop

Fig. 19

the back plate (Fig. 31, no.1).

8.

Swing the cover to the left until the tab on the air filter cover

Fig. 26

 

snaps into place in the slot on the back plate (Fig. 31, no. 2).

 

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT

 

The idle speed of the engine is adjustable. An idle adjustment screw

 

is reached though a hole in the top of the engine cover (Fig. 32).

 

NOTE:

Careless adjustments can seriously damage your

 

 

unit. An authorized service dealer should make

 

 

carburetor adjustments.

 

Check Fuel

 

Old fuel is usually the reason for improper unit performance. Drain

 

and refill the tank with fresh fuel prior to making any adjustments.

Fig. 27

Refer to Oil and Fuel Information.

Clean Air Filter

 

The condition of the air filter is important to the operation of the

 

unit. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow. This is often mistaken for

 

an out of adjustment carburetor. Check the condition of the air

 

filter before adjusting the idle speed screw. Refer to Air Filter

 

Maintenance.

 

Adjust Idle Speed Screw

 

 

WARNING: The cutting attachment will spin

 

 

during idle speed adjustments. Wear protective

 

 

clothing and observe all safety instructions to

Fig. 28

The importance of checking and maintaining the proper oil level in the crankcase cannot be overemphasized. Check oil before each use:

prevent serious personal injury.

5