OPERATOR’S MANUAL Trimmer / Brushcutter F3040 UT70131 Your new trimmer has been engineered and manufactured to Homelite’s high standard for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. Properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance. WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator’s manual. Thank you for buying a Homelite trimmer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ■ Safety ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2 - 3 ■ Symbols ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 - 5 ■ Technical Data .................................................................................................................
SAFETY SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR BRUSHCUTTER AND BLADE USE ■ After engine stops, keep rotating blade in heavy grass or pulpy weeds until it stops. ■ Do not operate the brushcutter unless the blade guard is firmly secured in place and in good condition. ■ Use heavy gloves while installing or removing blades. ■ Always stop the engine and remove the sparking plug wire before attempting to remove any obstruction caught or jammed in the blade or before removing and installing the blade.
SYMBOLS Important: Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and more safely. SYMBOL NAME EXPLANATION Safety Alert Symbol Indicates danger, warning or caution. It means attention!!! Your safety is involved. Read Your Operator’s Manual Your manual contains special messages to bring attention to potential safety concerns as well as operating and servicing information.
SYMBOLS SYMBOL NAME EXPLANATION Switch On/Off Switch I = ON to Run O = OFF to Stop The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols and the explanations with them deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures.
UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS PACKING LIST FOR OWNER’S KIT ■ Carefully remove the product from the carton. ■ Inspect the product to make sure no breakage or damage occurred during carriage. ■ Do not discard the packing material until you have inspected and operated the product.
ASSEMBLY FRONT HANDLE See Figure 2. A barrier handle should be used for ensuring the best control and maximising operator safety. 1. Hold the top and bottom clamp snugly in position on the shaft housing so that handle will be located to the operator’s left. 2. Insert the end of the handle between the clamps. 3. Align the bolt holes and push the long bolt (1/4-20 x 1 1/2 in) through the handle side. 4. Place short bolt (1/4-20 x 1 in) through opposite side of clamp.
ASSEMBLY SILENCER GUARD ASSEMBLY See Figure 4. 1. Remove silencer guard and two screws from the owner’s kit. 2. Attach the silencer guard to the rear housing. NOTE: Make sure the bent end of the silencer guard fits securely into the opening of the rear housing. 3. Install two screws. 4. Tighten screws securely. REAR HOUSING SILENCER GUARD GRASS DEFLECTOR AND BLADE GUARD USE SCREWS See Figure 5.
ASSEMBLY BLADE GUARD FOUR SCREWS See Figure 6. 1. Attach the blade guard to the mounting bracket; install the four screws (10-24 x 3/4 in) from the top of the mounting bracket through the blade guard and into the threaded mounting plates. 2. Using the torque wrench supplied, tighten all four screws securely. NOTE: When using the string head, the string shield must be attached to blade guard. MOUNTING CLAMP BLADE GUARD NOTCHES GRASS DEFLECTOR See Figure 6. 1.
ASSEMBLY INSTALLING THE BLADE See Figure 8. 1. Place the upper flange washer over the gear shaft with the hollow side toward the blade guard. 2. Centre the blade on the upper flange, making sure the blade sits flat. Install the cupped washer with the raised centre away from the blade. Install the blade nut. The blade turns anticlockwise from the operator’s position. 3. Place the holding pin through the slot in the upper flange washer and the hole in the gear head.
OPERATION 4. Prior to replacing the fuel cap, clean and inspect the gasket. 5. Immediately replace fuel cap and hand tighten. Wipe up any fuel spillage. Move 9 m (30 ft) away from refuelling site before starting engine. NOTE: It is normal for smoke to be emitted from a new engine during and after first use. FUEL AND REFUELLING HANDLING THE FUEL SAFELY ■ Always handle fuel with care. It is highly flammable. ■ Always refuel outdoors where there are no sparks and flames. Do not inhale fuel vapour.
OPERATION CUTTING TIPS See Figure 10. ■ Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut; this is the best cutting area. ■ Do not cut in dangerous cutting area. ■ Use the tip of string to do the cutting; do not force string head into uncut grass. ■ Wire and picket fences cause extra string wear, even breakage. Stone and brick walls, kerbs and wood may wear string rapidly. ■ Avoid trees and shrubs. Tree bark, wood mouldings, cladding and fence posts can easily be damaged by the string.
OPERATION OPERATING THE BRUSHCUTTER Hold the brushcutter with the right hand on the trigger handle and the left hand on the left handle. Keep a firm grip with both hands while in operation. Brushcutter should be held at a comfortable position with the trigger handle about hip height. Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the kick-back reaction of the cutting blade. APPROACH THE WEEDS BEING CUT FROM THE RIGHT.
OPERATION STARTING AND STOPPING IGNITION SWITCH I = ON TO RUN O = OFF TO STOP See Figures 14 and 15. NOTE: The unit is equipped with an automatic choke feature. The starting instructions for this feature are different from units with a manual choke. Be sure to read and follow the starting instructions below. WARNING: THROTTLE INTERLOCK Never start or run the engine inside a closed or poorly ventilated area; breathing exhaust fumes can kill. TO START A COLD ENGINE: 1.
MAINTENANCE 6. Make sure the string head and the spool retainer are installed on the shaft by turning the retainer anticlockwise to tighten. WARNING: Use only original manufacturer’s replacement parts, accessories and attachments. Failure to do so can cause possible injury, poor performance and may void your warranty. 7. Pull the strings again to rotate the spool into cutting position.
MAINTENANCE STRING REPLACEMENT See Figures 18, 19, 20, and 21. 1. Stop the engine, disconnect the sparking plug wire. Hold the string head and unscrew the spool retainer. Turn clockwise. 2. Remove the spool from the string head. NOTE: Keep the spring attached to the spool. Remove any old string remaining on the spool. SECOND STRING 3. Cut two pieces of string, each being approximately 2.7 m (9 ft) long. 4. Insert the first string into the anchor hole in the upper part of the spool.
MAINTENANCE CLEANING THE EXHAUST PORT AND SILENCER LATCH Depending on the type of fuel used, the type and amount of oil used, and/or your operating conditions, the exhaust port and silencer may become blocked with carbon deposits. If you notice a power loss with your petrol-powered tool, a qualified service technician will need to remove these deposits to restore performance.
MAINTENANCE STORAGE (1 MONTH OR LONGER) FUEL CAP 1. Drain all fuel from tank into a container approved for petrol. Run engine until it stops. WARNING: 2. Clean all foreign material from the trimmer. Store it in a well-ventilated place that is inaccessible to children. Keep away from corrosive agents such as garden chemicals and de-icing salts. 3. Abide by all ISO and local regulations for the safe storage and handling of petrol. Excess fuel should be used up in other 2-cycle engine-powered equipment.
TROUBLESHOOTING IF THESE SOLUTIONS DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, CONTACT YOUR AUTHORISED SERVICE DEALER. PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION Engine will not start: 1. No spark. 1. Check spark. Remove sparking plug. Reattach the sparking plug cap and lay sparking plug on metal cylinder. Pull the starter rope and watch for spark at sparking plug tip. If there is no spark, repeat test with a new sparking plug. 2. Push primer bulb until bulb is full of fuel.
TROUBLESHOOTING IF THESE SOLUTIONS DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, CONTACT YOUR AUTHORISED SERVICE DEALER. PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION String will not advance: 1. String welded to itself. 2. Not enough string on spool. 5. Engine speed too slow. 1. Lubricate with silicone spray. 2. Install more string. Refer to “String Replacement” earlier in this manual. 3. Pull strings while alternately pressing down on and releasing spool retainer. 4. Remove string from spool and rewind.
WARRANTY GUARANTEE – STATEMENT (RTSA / RTUK / RTG) All Homelite products are guaranteed from defects in material and workmanship for a period of twenty-four (24) months, effective and evidenced from date of original invoice or delivery note. Defects caused by normal wear and tear, unauthorised/improper maintenance/handling or overload are excluded from this guarantee as are accessories such as battery packs, bulbs, blades and bits etc.
OPERATOR’S MANUAL Trimmer / Brushcutter F3040 UT70131 Ryobi Technologies GmbH Itterpark 7 D-40724 Hilden Germany Tel.: +49 (0)2103 / 29 58 0 Fax : +49 (0)2103 / 29 58 29 info@ryobi-rtg.de Ryobi Technologies Customer Services Anvil House Tuns Lane Henley-on-Thames RG9 1SA UK Homelite / R.T.S.