Troy-Bilt 52051, 52052 Changing Trimmer Mower Lines, To Change Trimmer Lines, Direction, This

Section 5: Maintenance/Repairs

WARNING Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the unit, shut off engine, wait for all parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition key on electric start models. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.

CHANGING TRIMMER/

MOWER LINES

Replace the trimmer lines when they wear to the point that trimming and mowing projects take too long and re- quire too much movement. A good rule of thumb is to change the lines when they reach half their original length.

To Change Trimmer Lines:

1.Stop engine, allow all moving parts to stop and then disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug. Remove the ignition key on electric start models. DO NOT tip the machine. DO NOT touch the metal wear cup on the bottom of the spindle head. This surface may be hot.

NOTE: The two lines are held in place with two steel clamp plates, each clamp permanently secured by a bolt and a nut. Do not attempt to remove the nuts—it is not necessary to remove them in order to change the trimmer lines.

2.Use a 1/2" open-end wrench to loosen the nut (A, Figure 5-11) on one

clamp plate (B) until the clamp plate is loose. Slide the old line out and discard it. Clean out the groove underneath the clamp plate very thoroughly.

3.Feed the new 18" long trimmer line under the clamp plate, positioning it as far back as possible next to the arc (into the groove) of the trimmer head, so the downward-facing prongs of the clamp plate make contact with the line. (Putting gentle downward pressure on the outer edge of the clamp plate will ease installation.) See Figure 5-12 to see how the new line should be posi- tioned. An equal amount of line should project out from each side of the clamp plate, creating an overall 22" wide cut- ting swath. You may offset both trim- mer lines somewhat to increase the cutting swath up to 25" wide. DO NOT offset the line so that the overall cutting swath is greater than 25". See Warning statement at right.

NOTE: Whether replacing one or both lines, they must both be .130" or .155" in diameter.

4.If bottom of trimmer head is equipped with two brackets (see Figure

WARNING

Offsetting the trimmer lines causes the lines to rotate faster than when they project an equal length on each side. This increases the chance of loose materials being dis- lodged and propelled at high speeds.

Failure of the operator to wear safety goggles and ap- propriate clothing and to keep bystanders away can re- sult in severe personal injury or property damage.

5-13), position prongs on brackets as shown by large arrows in Figure 5-13.

5.While holding the clamp plate (B, Figure 5-11) in position on the line (be sure prongs on clamp plate are in con- tact with the line), retighten the nut (A) to 75 in/lbs. Do not overtighten.

6.Repeat steps 2 through 5 to replace the second trimmer line.

A

B

Figure 5-11: Slide a new section of trim- mer line underneath the clamp plate (B), then retighten the nut (A) securely to hold the trimmer line in place.

Direction	PRESS
this	DOWN
	HERE
Insert in

Figure 5-12: Correct position of newly in- stalled line.

Figure 5-13: On bottom of trimmer head, position brackets (if so equipped) as shown before tightening nuts on clamp plates.

15