13
IMPORTANT!
All stored fuels should be stabilized
with a fuel stabilizer such as STA-BIL™ ,
if oil with fuel stabilizer is not used.
Whenever the unit will not be used for 30
days or longer, use the following proce-
dures to prepare it for storage:
Clean external parts thoroughly and
apply a light coating of oil to all metal
surfaces.
Drain all the fuel from the fuel tank.
9. Reassemble the muffler in the reverse
order of disassembly.
23139
135-Hour Maintenance
Every 135 hours of operation,
remove
and clean the muffler.
6. Remove the spark arrester screen and
clean with a stiff bristle brush.
7. Gently tap the muffler on a wood surface
to dislodge any loose carbon.
8. Inspect the cylinder exhaust port for
carbon buildup.
Forward
Muffler
Shield
Lower Muffler
Screw
Catalyst
Muffler
5 mm Muffler
Screws
Rear Muffler
Shield
Spark
Arrester
Screen
Rear Muffler
Shield Bolt
Figure 31
IMPORTANT!
If you note excessive carbon buildup,
consult your servicing dealer.
1. Remove the spark plug boot.
2. Loosen the two 4 mm engine cover
screws (located at the top of the recoil
housing).
3. Loosen the 5 mm engine top cover
screw (the screw is captive) and lift the
cover from the engine.
4. Remove the two 5 mm muffler screws.
Remove the lower muffler screw,
then lift the muffler assembly from the
engine.
5. Remove the rear muffler shield bolt and,
while noting the orientation of parts,
separate the muffler shield.
WARNING!
Never operate the unit with a damaged
or missing muffler or spark arrester!
Operating with missing or damaged ex-
haust components is a fire hazard and
could also damage your hearing.
AH231_38
Guide Bar
Locknut
Cutter Blades
Shoulder
Bolt
Washer (should
turn freely)
Figure 32
Cutter Blade Adjustment
Cutter performance of your unit depends
in great measure on cutter blade clear-
ance. Properly adjusted blades will oscil-
late freely yet help prevent binding of cut
material between blades. Adjust blades as
follows (Figure 32):
1. Loosen all blade locknuts at least one
full turn.
2. Tighten each blade shoulder bolt firmly,
and then loosen the shoulder bolts 1/4
to 1/2 turn.
3. Working from the gearcase end, lock
each bolt in place by firmly tightening
its locknut while preventing the shoul-
der bolt from turning.
CAUTION!
Operating the trimmer with worn or
improperly adjusted cutters will reduce
cutter performance and may also dam-
age your unit.
WARNING!
The cutter blades are very sharp!
Always wear gloves when working
around the cutter assembly.
When shoulder bolt adjustment is
correct, there should be a gap of 0.25–
0.50 mm between the cutter blades and the
flat washers, and the flat washer beneath
each bolt head should turn freely.
Long Term Storage
To remove the remaining fuel from the
fuel lines and carburetor and with the fuel
drained from the fuel tank.
1. Prime the primer bulb until no more fuel
is passing through.
2. Start and run the engine until stops
running.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the engine will
no longer start.
Remove the spark plug and pour about
1/4 ounce of 2-cycle mixing oil into the
cylinder through the spark plug hole.
Slowly pull the recoil starter 2 or 3 times
so oil will evenly coat the interior of the
engine. Reinstall the spark plug.
Before storing the unit, repair or replace
any worn or damaged parts.
Remove the air cleaner element from the
carburetor and clean it thoroughly with
soap and water. Let dry and reassemble
the element.
Store the unit in a clean, dust-free area.
CAUTION!
Gasoline stored in the carburetor for
extended periods can cause hard start-
ing, and could also lead to increased
service and maintenance costs.
