Operator’s Manual 18” String Trimmer Mower Model Series 200 IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush- covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019. MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00042B.fm 11/04 TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices 3 Making Adjustments 10 Slope Gauge 6 Maintaining Your String Trimmer Mower 10 Assembling Your String Trimmer Mower 7 Trouble Shooting 13 Know Your String Trimmer Mower 8 Illustrated Parts List 14 Operating Your String Trimmer Mower 9 Warranty 16 FINDING MODEL NUMBER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new string trimmer mower. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says. Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. A sample model plate is also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position and looking on the left rear of the base assembly of the string trimmer mower. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web site and/or help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized service dealer. Copy the model number here: MTD LLC P. O. BOX 361131 Copy the serial number here: CLEVELAND,OH 44136 330-220-4683 www.mtdproducts.com 800-800-7310 CUSTOMER SUPPORT Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support. If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below: Visit mtdproducts.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately available. The answer you are The answer you are looking for could be just looking for could be just a mouse click away! a mouse click away! If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representative, please call 1-800-800-7310. The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to Engine Manual performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more information. 2 SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning. WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. General Operation 6. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover 1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, recommended. Never operate a unit in bare feet, understand, and follow all instructions on the sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be shoes. completely familiar with the controls and the proper 7. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating use of this machine before operating it. Keep this parts. Keep clear of discharge area at all times as manual in a safe place for future and regular the rotating trimmer head and lines can cause reference and for ordering replacement parts. injury. 2. This machine is a precision piece of power 8. Never pull the string trimmer mower back toward equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise you while you are walking. If you must back the extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been string trimmer mower away from a wall or designed to perform one job: to cut vegetation and obstruction first look down and behind, and then grass. Do not use it for any other purpose. follow these steps: 3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a. Step back from the string trimmer mower to this machine. Children 14 years old and over fully extend your arms. should read and understand the operation b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure instructions and safety rules in this manual and footing. should be trained and supervised by an adult. Only c. Pull the string trimmer mower back slowly, no responsible individuals who are familiar with these more than half way toward you. rules of safe operation should be allowed to use d. Repeat these steps as needed. this machine. 9. Do not operate the string trimmer mower while 4. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment under the influence of alcohol or drugs. is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, 10. The trimmer head control handle is a safety device. bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the makes the safety device inoperative and may result string trimmer mower in any direction which could in personal injury through contact with the rotating cause serious personal injury to the operator or any head or lines. The trimmer head control handle others allowed in the area. Plan your trimming must operate easily in both directions and pattern to avoid discharge of material toward automatically return to the disengaged position building, walls, roads, sidewalks, bystanders and when released. the like. To help avoid trimmer line contact or a 11. Disengage the trimmer head before starting the thrown object injury, keep children, bystanders, and engine. helpers at least 75 feet from the string trimmer 12. Never operate the string trimmer mower in wet mower while it is in operation. Stop the string grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall trimmer mower if anyone enters the area. can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you 5. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles are losing your footing, release the trimmer head during operation or while performing an adjustment control handle immediately and the trimmer head or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that will stop rotating within a few seconds. may be thrown from the machine in any direction. 3 13. Trim or mow only in daylight or good artificial light. 2. Do not trim or mow slopes greater than 15 degrees Walk never run. as shown on the slope gauge. 14. Stop the trimmer head when crossing gravel drives, 3. Do not trim or mow on wet grass. Unstable footing walks or roads. could cause slipping. 15. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug and Children ground it, and check immediately for the cause. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the Vibration is generally a warning of trouble. presence of children. Children are often attracted to the 16. Shut the engine off and wait until the trimmer head string trimmer mower and the trimming or mowing activity. comes to a complete stop before replacing trimmer They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that line, making any adjustment or repairs. The trimmer children will remain where you last saw them. head continues to rotate for a few seconds after the 1. Keep children out of the trimming or mowing area engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body and under the watchful care of a responsible adult in the trimmer head area until you are sure the other than the operator. trimmer head has stopped rotating. 2. Be alert and turn string trimmer mower off if a child 17. Never operate the string trimmer mower without enters the area. proper shields, guards, trimmer head control 3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind handle or other safety protective devices in place and down for small children. and working. Never operate the string trimmer 4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure so, can result in personal injury.