Black & Decker GL420 User Manual

GL420
GL423
GL425
GL430

1

Copyright Black & Decker

2

3

2

4

1

3

A

6

7

8

9

5

5

10

B

C

3

12

11

15

13

20

7

14

18

17

1916

ED

20º

4

F

ENGLISH

STRIMMER GL420/GL423/GL425/GL430

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have chosen a Black & Decker tool. Our aim is
to provide quality tools at an affordable price.
We hope that you will enjoy using this tool for
many years

EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

GL420/GL423/GL425/GL430 families
Black & Decker declares that these
products conform to: 98/37/EC,
89/336/EEC, 73/23/EEC, EN 60335,
EN 55014, EN 61000,
2000/14/EC, Lawn trimmer, L ≤ 50 cm

Annex VIII, No. 0086,
B.S.I., HP2 4SQ, United Kingdom

Level of sound pressure, measured according to
2000/14/EC:

LpA(sound pressure) dB(A) 81

LWA(acoustic power) dB(A) 94

LWA(guaranteed) dB(A) 96

Always wear ear protection if the sound
pressure exceeds 85 dB(A).

Hand/arm weighted vibration value according to
98/37/EC:

2

< 2.5 m/s

Brian Cooke

Director of Engineering

Spennymoor, County Durham DL16 6JG,

United Kingdom

1-12-2001

INTENDED USE

Your Black & Decker strimmer GL420/GL423/GL425/
GL430 families has been designed for trimming
lawn edges and to cut grass in confined spaces.
This tool is intended for consumer use only.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Warning symbols

The following symbols are used in this manual:

Denotes risk of personal injury, loss of life
or damage to the tool in case of non­observance of the instructions in this
manual.

Denotes risk of electric shock.

Read the manual prior to operation.

Know your appliance

◆ Warning! When using mains-powered

appliances, basic safety precautions,
including the following, should always
be followed to reduce the risk of fire,
electric shock and personal injury.

◆ Read all of this manual carefully before

operating the appliance.

◆ Before operating the appliance, make

sure that you know how to switch it off
in an emergency.

◆ The intended use is described in this

manual. The use of any accessory or
attachment or performance of any
operation with this appliance other than
those recommended in this instruction
manual may present a risk of personal
injury.

◆ Retain this manual for future reference.

5

ENGLISH

Work area

◆ Do not expose the appliance to rain. Do not

use the appliance in damp or wet conditions.

◆ Only use the appliance in daylight or good

artificial light.

Personal protection

◆ Wear stout shoes or boots to protect your feet.

Do not operate the appliance wearing open­toed sandals or when barefoot.

◆ Wear long trousers to protect your legs.

Using your appliance

◆ Be sure that the appliance is switched off when

plugging in.

◆ Stay alert. Watch what you are doing. Use

common sense.

◆ Do not operate the appliance when you are

tired.

◆ If the appliance begins to vibrate abnormally,

switch it off and remove the plug from the
socket. Allow rotating parts to stop and inspect
the appliance for damage and loose parts.

◆ Never pull the cord to disconnect the plug

from the socket. Keep the cord away from
heat, oil and sharp edges.

◆ If the mains cable is damaged during use,

switch the appliance off and disconnect the
plug from the mains immediately. Do not

touch the mains cable before disconnecting
from the mains.

Safety of others

◆ Do not allow children or any person unfamiliar

with these instructions to operate the appliance.

◆ Do not allow children, visitors or animals to

come near the work area or to touch the
appliance or mains cable.

◆ Remember that the operator may be held

responsible for accidents or hazards occurring
to other people or their property.

After use

◆ Switch off, remove the plug from the socket

and ensure that moving parts have stopped
rotating before leaving the appliance
unattended and before changing, cleaning or
inspecting any parts of the appliance.

6

◆ When not in use, the appliance should be

stored in a dry place. Children should not have
access to stored appliances.

Inspection and repairs

◆ Before use, check the appliance for damaged

or defective parts. Check for misalignment and
seizure of moving parts, breakage of parts,
damage to guards and switches and any other
conditions that may affect its operation.

◆ Do not use the appliance if any part is damaged

or defective. Do not use the appliance if the
switch does not turn it on and off.

◆ Never use the appliance when any guard or

enclosure is damaged or not in place.

◆ Ensure that the appliance will operate properly

and perform its intended function.

◆ Have any damaged or defective parts repaired

or replaced by an authorised repair agent.

◆ Before use, check the mains cable for signs of

damage, ageing and wear.

◆ Do not use the appliance if the mains cable is

damaged or defective.

◆ If the mains cable is damaged or defective it

must be repaired by an authorised repair agent
to avoid a hazard.

◆ Never attempt to remove or replace any parts

other than those specified in this manual.

Additional safety instructions for grass trimmers

The following warning symbols are found on the
appliance:

Wear safety glasses or goggles when
operating this tool.

The cutting line will continue to run for a
few seconds after switching the appliance
off. Never attempt to force the line to
come to a standstill.

360˚

6m/20ft

Keep people and animals at least 6 m
away from the cutting area.

Do not expose the appliance to rain or
high humidity.

Switch off, remove the plug from the
socket and ensure that moving parts have
stopped rotating before leaving the
appliance unattended and before
changing, cleaning or inspecting any parts
of the appliance.

◆ Before using the appliance, check that your

cutting path is free from sticks, stones, wire
and any other objects.

◆ Only use the appliance in the correct position,

with the cutting line near the ground, as shown
in the illustrations. Never switch the appliance
on in any other position.

◆ Switch on the appliance only when hands and

feet are away from the cutting line.

◆ Avoid body contact with the cutting line while

the appliance is running.

◆ Do not work on steep slopes. Be sure of your

footing. Be aware that freshly cut grass is
damp and slippery.

◆ Take care when trimming near borders and

gravel paths or roads, as stones and soil may
be moved by the cutting line.

◆ Do not put the appliance down until the

cutting line has come to a complete standstill.

◆ Use only the appropriate type of

Black & Decker cutting line. Never use metal
cutting line or fishing line.

◆ Take care to avoid injury from the line

trimming blade. Do not touch the blade. After
extending new cutting line, always return the
appliance to its normal operating position
before switching on.

◆ Take care to keep the mains cable away from

the cutting line. Always be aware of the
position of the cable.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

The appliance has been designed for one voltage
only. Always check that the power supply
corresponds to the voltage on the rating plate.

This appliance is designed for use on AC
(mains) power supplies only. Do not
attempt to use on any other supply.

ENGLISH

This appliance is double insulated in
accordance with EN 60335; therefore no
earth wire is required.

◆ Prevent body contact with earthed or

grounded surfaces (e.g. metal railings, lamp­posts etc.).

◆ Electric safety can be further improved by

using a high-sensitivity (30 mA/30 mS) residual
current device (RCD).

Mains plug replacement (U.K. & Ireland only)

◆ Should your mains plug need replacing and

you are competent to do this, proceed as
instructed below. If you are in doubt, contact
an authorised repair agent or a qualified
electrician.

◆ Disconnect the plug from the supply and

remove the fuse from the plug.

◆ Cut off the plug and dispose of it safely; a plug

with bared copper conductors is dangerous if
engaged in a live socket outlet.

◆ Only fit 13 Amperes BS1363A approved plugs

fitted with the correctly rated fuse (1).
Use 5 Amperes fuses.

◆ The cable wire colours, or a letter, will be

marked at the connection points of most good
quality plugs. Attach the wires to their
respective points in the plug (see above). Brown
is for Live (L) (2), blue is for Neutral (N) (4).

◆ Before replacing the top cover of the mains

plug ensure that the cable restraint (3) is holding
the outer sheath of the cable firmly and that the
leads are correctly fixed at the terminal screws.

◆ If the plug has a fuse cover, make sure that the

fuse cover is fitted. Do not use the plug if the
fuse cover is missing or damaged.

7

ENGLISH

Never use a light socket.

Never use the tool unless the guard is
properly fitted.

Using an extension cable

Always use an approved extension cable suitable
for the power input of this appliance (see rating
plate). The extension cable must be suitable for
outdoor use.

◆ Before use, inspect the cable for signs of

damage, wear and ageing. Replace the
extension cable if damaged or defective.

◆ When using a cable reel, always unwind the

cable completely.

◆ Take care to keep the cable away from the

cutting line. Always be aware of the position of
the cable.

CARTON CONTENTS

The carton contains:
1 Grass trimmer
1 Guard with mounting screw
1 Instruction manual

◆ Carefully unpack all parts.

OVERVIEW (fig. A)

1. On/off switch

2. Handle

3. Power inlet (not for UK)

3. Mains cable (UK)

4. Secondary handle (GL430)

5. Guard

6. Line trimming blade

7. Spool housing

8. Cutting line

Releasing the cutting line (fig. A)

In transit, the cutting line is taped to the spool
housing.

◆ Remove the tape holding the cutting line (8) to

the spool housing (7).

Connecting the tool to the mains (fig. A & C)

Unless the tool is fitted with a mains cable, you will
need to connect an extension cable to the power
inlet (3).

◆ Connect the female socket of a suitable

extension cable to the power inlet (3).

◆ Loop the cable through the cable restraint (10)

as shown to prevent the extension cable from
becoming detached during use.

◆ Insert the mains plug into a mains outlet.

The extension cable must be suitable for
outdoor use.

USE

Let the tool work at its own pace. Do not
overload.

Switching on and off (fig. A)

◆ To switch the tool on, push the on/off switch (1).

◆ To switch the tool off, release the the on/off

switch.

Never attempt to lock a switch in the on
position.

ASSEMBLY

Before assembly, make sure that the tool
is switched off and unplugged.

Fitting the guard (fig. B)

◆ Unplug the tool.

◆ Remove the screw (9) from the guard (5).

◆ Place the guard (5) onto the tool as shown.

◆ Firmly press the guard until it snaps into place.

◆ Secure the guard with the screw (9).

8

Automatic line feed

The Reflex system will automatically feed out more
cutting line when necessary.

Hints for optimum use

◆ Hold the tool as shown in fig. F.

◆ Gently swing the trimmer from side to side as

shown in fig. F.

◆ When cutting long grass, work in stages from

the top.

◆ Keep the tool away from hard objects and

delicate plants.

ENGLISH

◆ If the tool starts running slowly, reduce the load.

◆ In order to achieve optimum cutting results,

only cut dry grass.

MAINTENANCE

Your Black & Decker tool has been designed to
operate over a long period of time with a
minimum of maintenance. Continuous satisfactory
operation depends upon proper tool care and
regular cleaning.

Before performing any maintenance,
switch off and unplug the tool.

◆ Regularly clean the ventilation slots in your tool

using a soft brush or dry cloth.

◆ Regularly clean the cutting line and spool

using a soft brush or dry cloth.

◆ Regularly use a blunt scraper to remove grass

and dirt from the underneath of the guard.

Do not use any abrasive or solvent-based
cleaner.

Fitting a new spool of cutting line (fig. D)

Replacement spools of cutting line are available
from your Black & Decker dealer (cat. no. A6481).

◆ Unplug the tool.

◆ Keep the tabs (11) depressed and remove the

spool cover (12) from the housing (7).

◆ Remove the empty spool (13) from the housing.

◆ Remove any dirt and grass from the housing.

◆ Take the new spool and unwind approx. 9 cm

of cutting line.

◆ Feed the cutting line through the eyelet (14).

◆ Push the spool onto the drive shaft (15) and

rotate it slightly until it is seated. Make sure
that the cutting line is not trapped under the
spool and that 9 cm of cutting line protrudes
from the housing.

◆ Align the tabs on the spool cover with the

holes in the housing.

◆ Push the cover onto the housing until it snaps

securely into place.

If the cutting line protrudes beyond the
trimming blade (6), cut it off so that it just
reaches the blade.

Winding new line onto an empty spool (fig. E)

You may wind new cutting line onto an empty
spool. Replacement packs of cutting line are
available from your Black & Decker dealer
(cat. no. A6170 (25 m), A6171 (40 m)).

◆ Remove the empty spool from the tool as

described above.

◆ Remove any old cutting line from the spool.

◆ Feed 2 cm of cutting line into one of the holes

(16) in the spool as shown.

◆ Bend the cutting line and anchor it in the

L-shaped slot (17).

◆ Wind the cutting line onto the spool in the

direction of the arrow (18). Make sure to wind
the line on neatly and in layers. Do not criss­cross.

◆ When the wound cutting line reaches the

recesses (19), cut the line. Let the line protrude
approx. 9 cm from the spool and hold a finger
on the line to keep it in place.

◆ Proceed as described above to fit the spool on

the tool.

Only use round 1.5 mm diameter
Black & Decker cutting line. Do not use
Reflex Plus twisted cutting line. The use of
an incorrect type of cutting line can
damage the auto feed mechanism and will
void the warranty.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If your tool seems not to operate properly, follow
the instructions below. If this does not solve the
problem, please contact your local Black & Decker
repair agent.

Before proceeding, unplug the tool.

Tool does not start

◆ Check that the power cables are properly

connected.

◆ Check the mains fuses.

Tool vibrates strongly

◆ Carefully clean the spool housing.

◆ If this does not solve the problem, unwind the

line from the spool and rewind it more tightly.

9

ENGLISH

Tool runs slowly

◆ Check that the spool housing can rotate freely.

Carefully clean it if necessary.

◆ Check that the cutting line does not protrude

more than 9 cm from the spool housing. If it
does, cut it off so that it just reaches the line
trimming blade.

Automatic line feed does not work

◆ Keep the tabs depressed and remove the

spool cover from the housing.

◆ Lift the spool approx. 6 mm and pull the

cutting line until it protrudes 9 cm from the
housing. If insufficient cutting line is left on the
spool, install a new spool of cutting line as
instructed above.

◆ Push the spool back into place and rotate it

slightly until it is seated.

◆ Align the tabs on the spool cover with the

holes in the housing.

◆ Push the cover onto the housing until it snaps

securely into place.

◆ If the cutting line protrudes beyond the trimming

blade, cut it off so that it just reaches the blade.

If the automatic line feed still does not work or the
spool is jammed, try the following suggestions:

◆ Carefully clean the spool cover and housing.

◆ Remove the spool and check if the lever (20)

can move freely (fig. D).

◆ Remove the spool and unwind the cutting line,

then wind it on neatly again as described
above. Replace the spool as instructed.

You can check the location of your nearest
authorised repair agent by contacting your local
Black & Decker office at the address indicated in
this manual. Alternatively, a list of authorised
Black & Decker repair agents and full details of our
after-sales service and contacts are available on
the Internet at: www.2helpU.com.

GUARANTEE

Black & Decker is confident of the quality of its
products and offers an outstanding guarantee.
This guarantee statement is in addition to and in
no way prejudices your statutory rights.
The guarantee is valid within the territories of the
Member States of the European Union and the
European Free Trade Area.

If a Black & Decker product becomes defective
due to faulty materials, workmanship or lack of
conformity, within 24 months from the date of
purchase, Black & Decker guarantees to replace
defective parts, repair products subjected to fair
wear and tear or replace such products to ensure
minimum inconvenience to the customer unless:

◆ The product has been used for trade,

professional or hire purposes;

◆ The product has been subjected to misuse or

neglect;

◆ The product has sustained damage through

foreign objects, substances or accidents;

◆ Repairs have been attempted by other persons

than authorised repair agents or Black & Decker
service staff.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Black & Decker provides a facility for
recycling Black & Decker products once
they have reached the end of their
working life. This service is provided free
of charge. To take advantage of this
service please return your product to any
authorised repair agent who will collect
them on our behalf.

10

To claim on the guarantee, you will need to
submit proof of purchase to the seller or an
authorised repair agent. You can check the
location of your nearest authorised repair agent by
contacting your local Black & Decker office at the
address indicated in this manual. Alternatively, a
list of authorised Black & Decker repair agents and
full details of our after-sales service and contacts
are available on the Internet at:

www.2helpU.com.

OTHER OUTDOOR TOOLS

Black & Decker has a full range of outdoor power
tools that make life in the garden easy. If you
would like further information on the following
products, please contact our Service and
Information Centre (see the address page towards
the end of this manual) or your local
Black & Decker retailer.

String trimmers Chainsaws
Cordless shear Hedgetrimmers
Lawnmowers Lawnrakers
Leafbusters Shredders

Not all products are available in all countries.

ENGLISH

11

TYP.

1/2

3

12

10

13

6

14

11

5

6

9

8

16

7

4

2

1

1

17

22

GL20S GL20SC GL225/225S/225SC/225C

18

13

23

15

1

19

20

21

GL420/GL423/GL425/425S/425SC

E13003 17 - 07 - 2003www.2helpU.com

12

TYP.
1/2

11

10

12

24

3

13

14

6

5

13

9

8

6

7

4

2

1

16

19

20

21

E13002 www.2helpU.com 24 - 07 - 2000

23

15

13

574792-22

14

07/03

15

Australia DEWALT Industrial Power Tool Company Tel. [phone]

7 Clarice Road Fax [phone]
Box Hill, Victoria 3128

New Zealand Black & Decker Tel. [phone]

81 Hugo Johnston Drive Fax [phone]
Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand

United Kingdom Black & Decker Tel. [phone]

210 Bath Road Fax [phone]
Slough, Berkshire SL1 3YD Helpline 01753 574277

574792-22 07/03

16