9
in the side of the gearbox by rotating the dust
cup. Insert a small screwdriver into aligned
holes. This will keep the shaft from turning while
loosening the trimmer head. Remove the trim-
mer head by turning clockwise. Remove the
screwdriver. To remove the plastic shield, loos-
en and remove wing nut. Pivot shield to release
bracket from slot. See INSTALLATION OF THE
CUTTING HEAD and ATTACHING THE
PLASTIC SHIELD for illustrations. Be sure to
store all parts and instructions for future use.
Never use the trimmer head with the metal
blade installed.
ATTACHING THE METAL SHIELD
WARNING:
The metal shield must
be properly installed on the tool anytime the
tool is used with a blade. The forward tip of the
metal shield helps to reduce the occurrence
of blade thrust which can cause serious injury
such as amputation to the operator or by-
standers. Failure to install the shield in the
position shown can result in serious injury to
the operator. The length of the shield must be
aligned with the length of the shaft.
Shaft
Metal
Shield
Blade
1. Place the metal shield under the gearbox,
and align the screw holes.
Shield
Gearbox
2. Insert and thread the 4 mounting screws
through the holes of the gearbox and the
metal shield. Tighten evenly and secure-
ly with the hex wrench provided.
INSTALLATION OF THE METAL
BLADE
WARNING:
Wear protective gloves
when handling or performing maintenance on
the blade to avoid injury. The blade is sharp and
can cut you even when it is not moving.
WARNING:
Do not use any blades, or
fastening hardware other than the washers and
nuts shown in the following illustrations. These
parts must be provided by Poulan/WEED
EATER and installed as shown below. Failure to
use proper parts can cause the blade to fly off
and seriously hurt you or others.
NOTE:
The dust cup and retaining washer are
located on the gearbox shaft and not in the parts
bag. All other fasteners mentioned in the follow-
ing assembly steps are in the parts bag.
1. Remove the retaining washer from the
threaded shaft of the gearbox. Leave the
dust cup on the shaft.
2. Install the blade and the retaining washer
over the threaded shaft.
3. Make sure the raised part of the retaining
washer is facing the gearbox and the
raised area fits into the hole in the center
of the blade.
4. Slide the blade and retaining washer onto
the shaft of the gearbox.
5. Place the cupped washer onto the shaft.
Make sure the cupped side of the washer
is toward the blade.
6. Install the blade nut by threading onto the
shaft counterclockwise (looking from bot-
tom of unit).
Shield
Blade
Retaining
Washer
Aligned Holes
Cupped
Washer
Nut
Threaded Shaft
Gearbox
Dust Cup
NOTE:
Make sure all parts are in place as il-
lustrated, and the blade is sandwiched between
the dust cup and the retaining washer. There
should be no space between the blade and the
dust cup or the retaining washer.
7. Align hole in dust cup with hole in side of
gearbox by rotating the blade.
8. Insert a small screwdriver into aligned
holes. This will keep the shaft from turn-
ing while tightening the blade nut.
9. TIghten blade nut firmly with a wrench while
holding screwdriver in position.
10. Remove the screwdriver.
11. Turn blade by hand. If the blade binds
against the shield, or appears to be uneven,
the blade is not centered, and you must re-
install.
NOTE:
To remove blade, insert
screwdriver into aligned holes. Unthread
the nut and remove parts. Be sure to store
parts and instructions for future use.
