Troy-Bilt 258 manual Operating Your String Trimmer Mower, Gas And Oil Fill-Up, Starting Engine

SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR STRING TRIMMER MOWER

WARNING: Debris thrown from the string trimmer mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can cause severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses included with unit or eye shields when operating the string trimmer mower.

Gas And Oil Fill-Up

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your string trimmer mower. Read instructions carefully.

WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors with engine running or until the engine has been allowed to cool for at least two minutes after running.

Starting Engine

•Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug. See separate engine operator’s manual.

•Before each use, remove any debris from the engine’s air intake screen on top of engine. Debris can cause engine to overheat.

•Prime engine as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit.

•Move throttle control lever on engine to FAST or RUN position.

•Make sure control lever is disengaged and locked in bracket.

•Stand behind the string trimmer mower and grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope return to the starter slowly. Repeat until engine starts.

NOTE: See your engine manual packed with your unit for more detailed instructions.

WARNING: Never run the engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair, and loose clothing away from the trimmer and engine.

WARNING: Do not attempt to bypass the control lever. Doing so could result in serious personal injury or death.

Using Your String Trimmer Mower

•Once the engine is started, release the control lock bracket on the upper right hand side of the handle by pushing it to the right and squeeze the control handle against upper handle to engage spindle assembly.

•The string trimmer mower is designed with the spin- dle off-set to the left side. This allows the operator to trim along a fence, landscaping, or a house with- out having to make any adjustments to the spindle assembly.

•If the weeds or grass are tall and thick, operate the string trimmer mower at a slower walking speed.

•With the engine off and spark plug disconnected, clean the underside of the trimmer before and after each use to remove any grass or weed build up.

•If the trimmer lines become too short, approxi- mately half the original length, or worn, it will take longer to complete the job. To change to a new trimmer line see MAINTAINING YOUR STRING TRIMMER MOWER.

•Do not trim on excessively steep slopes. If a slope is difficult to stand on, do not trim. Do not trim on slopes when the ground is slippery or wet. Trim across the face of a slope, not up and down.

•Avoid spindle assembly contact to concrete, asphalt, or gravel.

SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS

WARNING: Do not at any time make any adjustments without first stopping engine and disconnecting spark plug wire.

Handle Adjustment

To adjust position of the upper handle proceed as follows:

•Loosen each wing nut, so the carriage bolts are unseated from the handle and the handle connectors are slightly separated from each other.

•The lower handle connector has three marked lines on the top and the upper handle connector has one marked line. See Figure 5.

•To raise the upper handle, move the upper handle forward to match the single marked line with the front marked line on the lower handle connector.

•To lower the upper handle, move the upper handle rearward to match the single marked line with the rear marked line on the lower handle connector.

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