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2. Release the throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, insert a small phillips
screwdriver into the hole in the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 40). Turn the idle speed screw in, clockwise,
1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.
NOTE: The cutting attachment should not rotate when the engine idles.
3. If the cutting attachment rotates when the engine idles, turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise
1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed), to reduce idle speed.
Checking the fuel mixture, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine problems.
If not and all of the following are true:
• The engine will not idle
• The engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
• There is a loss of engine power
Have the carburetor adjusted by an authorized service dealer.
REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG
Use a Champion RDJ7Y spark plug (or equivalent). The correct air gap is 0.025 inch (0.635 mm). Remove
the plug after every 25 hours of operation and check its condition.
1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the plug wire firmly
and pull it from the spark plug.
2. Clean around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the
cylinder head by turning a 5/8 in. socket counterclockwise.
3. Replace a cracked, fouled or dirty spark plug. Set the air gap
at 0.025 in. (0.635 mm) using a feeler gauge (Fig. 41).
4. Install a correctly-gapped spark plug in the cylinder head.
Tighten by turning the 5/8-inch socket clockwise until snug.
If using a torque wrench torque to:
110-120 in.•lb. (12.3-13.5 N•m)
Do not over tighten.
CLEANING
Use a small brush to clean off the outside of the unit. Do not use strong detergents. Household cleaners
that contain aromatic oils such as pine and lemon, and solvents such as kerosene, can damage plastic
housing or handle. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth.
STORAGE
• Never store the unit with fuel in the tank where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing.
• Store the unit locked up to prevent unauthorized use or damage.
• Store the unit in a dry, well-ventilated area.
• Store the unit out of the reach of children.
LONG TERM STORAGE
If the unit will be stored for an extended time, use the following storage procedure:
1. Drain all fuel from the fuel tank into a container with the same 2-cycle fuel mixture. Do not use fuel
that has been stored for more than 60 days. Dispose of the old fuel/oil mix in accordance to Federal,
State and Local regulations.
2. Start the engine and allow it to run until it stalls. This ensures that all fuel has been drained from the
carburetor.
3. Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 1 oz. (30 ml) of any high quality motor oil or
2-cycle oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug.
NOTE: Remove the spark plug and drain all of the oil from the cylinder before attempting to start the
trimmer after storage.
4. Thoroughly clean the unit and inspect it for any loose or damaged parts. Repair or replace damaged
parts and tighten loose screws, nuts or bolts. The unit is ready for storage.
TRANSPORTING
• Allow the engine to cool before transporting.
• Drain fuel from unit.
• Tighten fuel cap before transporting.
• Secure the unit while transporting.
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your unit off and allow it to
cool before you clean or service it.
WARNING:
Do not sand blast, scrape or clean electrodes. Grit in the engine could
damage the cylinder.
Fig. 41
0.025 in.
(0.635 mm)
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Removing the Air Filter/Muffler Cover
1. Remove the four (4) screws securing the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 34). Use a flat blade or T20 Torx
bit screwdriver.
2. Place the blue choke lever in Position 2 (Fig. 34) and pull the cover from the engine. Do not force.
Cleaning the Air Filter
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.
1. Remove air filter/muffler cover. Refer to Removing the Air Filter/Muffler Cover.
2. Turn cover over and look inside to locate the air filter. Remove the air filter from inside the air
filter/muffler cover (Fig. 35).
3. Wash the filter in detergent and water (Fig. 36). Rinse the filter
thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water. Allow it to dry completely.
4. Apply enough clean SAE 30 oil to lightly coat the filter (Fig. 37).
5. Squeeze the filter to spread and remove excess oil (Fig. 38).
6. Replace the air filter inside the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 35).
NOTE: Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter/muffler
cover assembly will VOID the warranty.
Reinstalling the Air Filter/Muffler Cover
1. Place the air filter/muffler cover over the back of the
carburetor and muffler. Align the screw holes.
2. Insert the four (4) screws into the holes in the air
filter/muffler cover (Fig. 34) and tighten. Do not over tighten.
Fig. 34
Screws
Screws
Blue
Choke
Lever
Fig. 35
Air filter
Inside Muffler C over
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your unit off and allow it to
cool before you clean or service it.
Fig. 36
Fig. 38
Fig. 37
SPARK ARRESTOR MAINTENANCE
1. Remove air filter/muffler cover. Refer to Removing the Air
Filter/Muffler Cover.
2. Locate the muffler, but do not remove it. Find the screw on the
bottom of the muffler (Fig. 39). Remove the screw using either
a torx #20 or flat blade screwdriver.
3. Carefully pry up the left side spark arrestor hood. Two tabs act
as hinges on the right side of the hood. Flip open the spark
arrestor hood like a door and then pull its tabs out of the
muffler slots.
4. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, carefully pry the spark
arrestor screen out from the inside of the spark arrestor hood.
5. Clean the spark arrestor screen with a wire brush. Replace it if
it is damaged, or if you are unable to clean it thoroughly.
6. Reinstall the spark arrestor screen snugly back into the spark
arrestor hood.
7. Reinstall the two hood tabs into the two muffler slots and flip the spark arrestor hood closed.
8. Replace the screw you removed in Step 2 and tighten it securely.
9. Reinstall the air filter/muffler cover.
CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT
The idle speed of the engine is adjustable through the air
filter/muffler cover (Fig. 40).
NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An
authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.
Check Fuel Mixture
Old and/or improperly mixed fuel is usually the reason for
improper unit performance. Drain and refill the tank with fresh,
properly-mixed fuel prior to making any adjustments. 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 and change the air/fuel
mixture. 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
If, after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter, the engine still will not idle, adjust the idle
speed screw as follows:
1. Start the engine and let it run at a high idle for a minute to warm up. Refer to Starting/Stopping
Instructions.
Fig. 40
Idle Speed Screw
Fig. 39
Spark Arrestor
Hood
Muffler
Screw
Engine
Spark
Arrestor
Screen
Tabs
Slots
WARNING:
If the exhaust deflector assembly is not tightened securely, it could fall off
causing damage to the unit and possible serious personal injury.
WARNING:
The cutting attachment may spin during idle speed adjustments. Wear
protective clothing and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
WARNING:
To prevent serious personal injury, make sure the cutting attachment has
stopped rotating before you turn it off and set it down.