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16

Using a blade

WARNING!

 

Before working with a blade-

equipped unit, always inspect and 

clear the area of objects that could 

interfere with or damage the blade.

 

Never use a blade near sidewalks, 

fence posts, buildings or other 

objects that could cause injury or 

damage.

 

Never use a blade for purposes 

other than those for which it was 

designed.

 

Whenever you strike a hard object 

with a blade, always stop the  

brushcutter and carefully inspect  

the blade for damage. NEVER  

OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER 

WITH A DAMAGED BLADE! 

 

A blade-equipped unit must be 

equipped with a bicycle-type  

handlebar or barrier bar as well  

as a harness or shoulder strap.

 

Always make sure the cutting 

attachment shield is properly 

installed before operating this 

unit. 

Blade Thrust

“Blade thrust” is a sudden sideways or 

backward motion of the brushcutter. 

Such motion may occur when the blade 

jams or catches on an object such 

as a sapling tree or tree stump. BE 

CONSTANTLY ALERT FOR BLADE 

THRUST AND GUARD AGAINST ITS 

EFFECTS!

WARNING!

Blade thrust can occur 

without warning if the blade snags, 

stalls or binds.

WARNING!

Blade thrust is more likely to 

occur in areas where it is difficult to 

see the material being cut.

Brushcutter Handlebar

A brushcutter handlebar or barrier 

bar helps prevent the operator from 

moving forward, or the unit moving 

rearward,  thus preventing inadvertent 

bodily contact with the blade. 

ALWAYS KEEP THE  HANDLEBAR 

OR BARRIER BAR  SECURELY IN 

PLACE ON THE UNIT!

Brushcutter Shoulder Strap

A shoulder strap provides additional  

protection against blade thrust. In 

addition, a shoulder strap gives 

significant support and comfort to help 

ensure safe and  efficient operation. 

When operating a unit with a blade, make 

sure both the handle and shoulder strap 

are adjusted to the size of the operator 

using the unit.

Engine Operating Speeds

Operate the unit at full throttle while 

cutting. Best fuel efficiency is obtained 

by releasing the throttle when swinging 

back after a cut.

 

To prevent possible engine damage, 

do not allow the brushcutter to run 

at high speeds without a load. 

 

Avoid operating the engine at low 

speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid 

clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed  

operation tends to cause grass and  

debris to wrap around the cutting 

head.

D

O

 N

OT

 

C

U

T

The blade rotates counterclockwise. For best performance and to minimize 

being stuck by debris, move the blade from right to left while advancing on your 

work.  Position the blade so cuts are made between the blade’s 8 o’clock and 10 

o’clock positions (as viewed from above). DO NOT cut between the 10 o’clock 

and 5 o’clock positions.

WARNING!

When cutting wood with a blade, feed  the blade slowly—never strike 

or “slam” a spinning blade against the wood.

WARNING!

DO NOT use 2-tooth or non-Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting 

blades with Shindaiwa trimmers and brushcutters.

Using a blade

Ten 

O'clock

OK To Cut

Eight 

O'clock

Five 

O'clock

Blade 

Rotation

Summary of Contents for C344

Page 1: ...IWA OWNER S OPERATOR S MANUAL WARNING Minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others Readthismanualandfamiliarizeyourselfwiththecontents Always wear eye and hearing protection when operating this...

Page 2: ...this manual are intended to help you get the most from this unit as well as to protect you and others from harm These procedures are guidelines for safe operation under most conditions and are not in...

Page 3: ...jury if they are misused or abused Never allow a person without training or instruction to operate this unit Stay Alert You must be physically and mentally fit to operate this unit safely Safety WARNI...

Page 4: ...ing attachment parallel to the ground Always operate with both hands firmly gripping the unit Wear close fitting clothing to protect legs and arms Gloves offer added protection and are strongly recomm...

Page 5: ...g 15 8 lb Bore x Stroke 38 x 30 mm 1 49 x 1 18 in Displacement 34 cc 2 07 cu in Fuel Oil Ratio 50 1 Shindaiwa Red Armor ISO L EGD ISO CD 13738 and J A S O M345 FD two stroke air cooled engine oil Fuel...

Page 6: ...Cutting attachment shields Cutting Attachment Shoulder Strap w Hip Pad This unit comes fully assembled with the exception of the handlebar cutting attachment shield and cutting attachment Cutting att...

Page 7: ...ate D with notch in gear housing G and insert locking tool to prevent splined shaft from turning Arrow on gear housing flange points to notch location 2 Remove cotter pin A Left Hand thread blade nut...

Page 8: ...stic debris shield with cut off knife Using nylon line heads with metal debris shield can result in trimmer damage caused by operation with excessive line length To advance trimmer line NOTE To advanc...

Page 9: ...using 2 5 x 8 mm screws 2 5 mm nuts 2 5 mm lock washers bracket to shield 2 5 mm nuts 2 5 mm lock washers Bracket to Gear Housing 1 If installed remove nylon line head upper fixing plate shield plate...

Page 10: ...thread nut G Turn nut counterclockwise on PTO shaft to tighten 3 Align hole in adapter plate with notch in gear housing and insert Locking Tool A to prevent splined shaft from turning Arrow on gear ho...

Page 11: ...GD ISO CD 13738 and J A S O M345 FD certified oil will void the engine warranty Handling Fuel DANGER Fuel is VERY flammable Use extreme care when mixing storing or handling or serious personal injury...

Page 12: ...ammable material close to the engine muffler NEVER operate the engine without the muffler and spark arrester screen in place and in good working condition FUEL IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE ALWAYS store gasolin...

Page 13: ...and pull recoil starter handle upward Hold the unit UPO Open After engine starts move choke to OPEN position Primer Bulb Return Tube Press primer bulb Close choke Set the choke lever to the CLOSED po...

Page 14: ...ing attachment replace it with a serviceable one Checking Unit Condition ALWAYS make sure the cutting attachment fits properly into the appropriate attachment holder If a properly installed attachment...

Page 15: ...e operator must stop the unit and add new lengths of trimmer line manually Flail This device designed for clearing weeds and light brush features three nylon blades attached to the head by pivots NOTE...

Page 16: ...odily contact with the blade ALWAYS KEEP THE HANDLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT Brushcutter Shoulder Strap A shoulder strap provides additional protection against blade thrust In a...

Page 17: ...ICE CENTER AUTHORIZED BY ECHO INC THE USE OF PARTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIVALENT IN PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY TO AUTHORIZED PARTS MAY IMPAIR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND MAY HAVE A...

Page 18: ...side face of the filter only CAUTION Never operate the unit if the air cleaner assembly is damaged or missing Prefilter Remove and inspect spark plug spark plug gap all models 0 6 mm 0 024 in Clean th...

Page 19: ...mited resistance 5 While holding the adjustment screw in place with the Allen driver tighten the locknut with a wrench 6 Turn engine over several times and return to TDC compression Recheck with prope...

Page 20: ...ldup 6 Reassemble the spark arrester muffler and engine cover in the reverse order of disassembly NOTE Every unit is run at the factory and the carburetor is set in compliance with emission regulation...

Page 21: ...NEVER rotate at engine idle If the idle speed cannot be adjusted by the procedure described here return the unit to your Shindaiwa dealer for inspection Idle Speed Adjustment 1 Place the unit on the g...

Page 22: ...ain all the fuel from the fuel tank IMPORTANT Stored fuel ages Do not mix more fuel than you expect to use in thirty 30 days ninety 90 days when a fuel stabilizer is added 1 Prime the primer bulb unti...

Page 23: ...lter and or vent Priming pump not functioning properly The ignition switch is in O OFF position Shorted ignition ground Faulty ignition unit If the plug is wet excess fuel may be in the cylinder The p...

Page 24: ...d oils at 50 1 gasoline oil ratio Clean repair or replace as necessary Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer Service the air cleaner element Tighten or replace the spark plug Check the...

Page 25: ...red Replace the spark plug Check the Specifications section for the correct plug and gap for your unit Restart Idle engine until cool Symptom Possible Cause Remedy Engine stops abruptly Engine difficu...

Page 26: ...or have questions concerning Shindaiwa s Warranty Statement you can contact our Consumer Product Support Department at 1 800 673 1558 or contact us through the web at WWW SHINDAIWA COM PRODUCT WARRAN...

Page 27: ...lined in the operator s manual is the customer s responsibility Failures due to improper set up pre delivery service or repair service by anyone other than authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer during...

Page 28: ...28 NOTES...

Page 29: ...never be sold or misused by ECHO Inc Registering your purchase enables us to contact you in the unlikely event of a service update or product recall and verifies your ownership for warranty considera...

Page 30: ...30 NOTES...

Page 31: ...31 NOTES...

Page 32: ...call 1 877 986 7783 Dealer information is also available on WWW SHINDAIWA COM When presenting your unit for Warranty service repairs proof of purchase is required Consumer Product Support If you requ...

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