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Section 5: Maintenance 15
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving 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.
WARNING
BELT PERFORMANCE
TROUBLESHOOTING
Poor belt performance (noise, overheating,
cracking, etc.), can be caused by several
conditions. Follow the steps below to cor-
rect belt performance problems. Also use
these checks after installing a new belt.
After shutting the engine off and discon-
necting the spark plug wire, remove the
rear belt cover on the underside of the
machine (refer to previous page). Release
the Trimmer Head Control Bail to remove
all belt tension.
1 – Belt must be routed between pulleys
and guides.
Examine inside surface of belt. If it is
cracked or peeling, unbolt and lower the
spindle mounting plate and proceed with
this step. The pulley system has two belt
guides (see Figures 5-7 and 5-8) – the belt
must run between the pulleys and the
guides. If it doesn’t, reroute it as shown.
Use masking tape to temporarily hold the
belt in place while reattaching the spindle
mounting plate.
2 – Minimum clearance is 1/4" on each
side between rear belt guide and pulley.
If the rear belt guide (Figure 5-8) is less
than 1/4" from the sides of the pulley when
the Trimmer Head Control Bail is engaged,
loosen the belt guide hardware and move the
guide to create a clearance of at least 1/4".
Tighten the hardware securely.
3– Both idler pulleys must be mounted
right-side up.
Check that the two idler pulleys shown in
Figure 5-9 are correctly installed – note that
the longer hub on each pulley is against the
idler arm. If the pulleys are upside-down,
turn them over and tighten them securely.
LUBRICATION
Apply light oil or a silicone-based lubricant
to the following locations:
• Throttle control cable
• Control bail cable
• Nuts, bolts and other hardware
NOTE: The spindle head is permanently
lubricated at the factory. There is no need
for additional lubrication.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Before each use of the machine and at
each refueling, clean grass, chaff or accu-
mulated debris from the finger guard area
(A, Figure 5-10) on top of the engine, and
from the linkage, springs and controls on
the engine. Keep the area around and
behind the muffler free of any combustible
debris. See “Cleaning Debris” in the
Engine Owner’s Manual for complete
cleaning instructions. Do not use water to
clean engine parts as water could contam-
inate the fuel system. Use a brush or dry
cloth. Be sure engine is cool before clean-
ing around muffler area.
NOTE: The separate engine air cleaner
must also be serviced according to the
instructions in the Engine Owner’s
Manual.
Figure 5-7
Figure 5-9
Figure 5-8
Front Pulley
Belt Guide
Brake
Place
Tape Here
Spindle Mounting Plate
Rear
Pulley
Belt
Guide
Minimum
1/4" Gap
Idler Arm
Longer Hub
Idler Pulley
Idler Pulley
Engine parts must be kept clean to
reduce the risk of overheating and igni-
tion of accumulated debris. This espe-
cially important if cutting tall grass.
Clean accumulated debris at each refuel-
ing and before each use of the machine.
Failure to comply can cause injury or
property damage.
WARNING
Figure 5-10
A