Black & Decker Gl560pxc, Gl555xc, Gl550, Gl555, Gl560 Instruction Manual

English

Trimmer GL550/GL555/GL560

Congratulations!

Your purchase of this Black & Decker Reflex® grass trimmer and lawn edger assures you of years of problem free trimming. The Reflex® not only trims grass and edges the lawn, it also has a unique totally automatic line feed system. You do nothing - the Reflex® system means non-stop trimming; by the use of a simple mechanism it senses when the line has worn and, when needed, automatically feeds out line to its optimum cutting length. You just switch the unit on and trim.

Description

Following is a list of the parts that will be mentioned in this instruction leaflet and are shown in the appropriate diagrams:

Body (1)

Secondary handle (2)

Supply cord restraint (3)

Locking ring (4)

Cutting line (5)

Guard (6)

Line trimming blade (7)

Edge guide (9)

Cable storage hooks (11)

Hanging hole (18)

Power inlet or supply cord (19)

Switch handle (20)

Trigger switch (21)

Arrow (24)

Skid (25)

Guard retaining lugs (10)

Guard screw (22)

Guard screw hole (23)

Spool cover (8)

Spool housing (12)

Spool cover tab (13)

Eyelet (15)

Spool (17)

Arrow (16)

Lever (14)

Safety instructions

Read all of this manual carefully, observing all the recommended safety instructions before, during and after using your machine. Maintain your machine in good working order.

Familiarise yourself with the controls on your machine before attempting to operate it, but above all, be sure you know how to stop your machine in an emergency.

Retain this manual and all other literature supplied with your machine for future reference.

Electrical connection

• Your machine is designed for use on

• Plug your machine into a power point,

• Do not leave your machine

• Always switch off and remove the

Power supply cord

• The power supply cord should be

• Always keep the power supply cord

• Never carry your machine by the cord or

• Have damaged cords replaced

Cutting line

• Take care against injury from line trimming

• The cutting line (5) will continue to run for

User manual

AC (mains) electrical supplies only. Do not attempt to use on any other supply.

never in a light socket.

unattended whilst it is connected to the electrical supply.

plug from the mains before cleaning, inspecting or adjusting any part of the trimmer, or if the supply cable has become damaged or entangled.

regularly inspected for signs of damage or ageing and only used if in good condition.

away from the cutting line (5), be aware of its position at all times.

jerk the cord to separate the connectors. Keep the cord away from heat, oils and sharp edges.

completely by your nearest Black & Decker service centre. Do not attempt to do this yourself as the switch handle is not customer serviceable.

blade (7) during unpacking and assembly and any excess line which may be cut off when the trimmer is first operated.

a short time after releasing the switch lever.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to stop the cutting line, always allow it to stop on its own.

• Never fit metal cutting line.

Clothing

• Always wear safety glasses when using

your machine.

• To protect your feet, always wear stout

shoes or boots (not bare footed or wearing open sandals).

• Wear long trousers to protect your legs -

any debris left on the lawn or cutting path may be picked up and ejected by the cutting line.

Using your machine

• Always use your machine in the manner

outlined in this manual. Your machine is designed to be used in an upright position and if it is used in any other way an injury may result.

• Before using your machine, disconnect

it from the electrical supply and visually inspect the rotating parts for damage. Also, check that the spool assembly is secure.

• Always check that your lawn or cutting

path is clear of all sticks, stones, wire and other debris. Contact with such debris may damage your machine.

• Keep your machine away from your feet

and other parts of your body when switching on and during operation.

• Do not switch on your machine when it is

upside down.

• Walk, never run with the unit.

• Do not use your machine in the rain and

do not allow it to get wet.

• Use your machine only in daylight or

good artificial light.

• Do not cross gravel paths or roads whilst

the cutting line is rotating.

• Do not cut excessively steep slopes. Be

sure of your footing and cut across the face of slopes, never up and down.

• Never use your machine with a

damaged guard (6) or without the guard fixed in position.

• Be careful when trimming as freshly cut

grass is damp and slippery.

Safety of others

• Never allow children or persons who are

unfamiliar with this type of machine to use it, nor anyone who has not read this leaflet.

ENGLISH

• Do not allow children, animals or other

360˚

6m/20ft

Electrical safety

adults near your machine when in use always keep them well away from the cutting area.

Care of your machine

• Store your machine in a dry place when

not in use, out of the reach of children.

• Do not use solvents or cleaning fluids to

clean your machine - use a blunt scraper to remove grass and dirt. Always disconnect from the electrical supply and ensure the cutting line (5) is stationary before cleaning.

• Do not operate your machine if any parts

are defective.

• Do not attempt to remove any parts other

than those mentioned in these instructions.

• Use only Black & Decker recommended

replacement parts and accessories.

Your machine should always be switched off at the mains before disconnecting any plug and socket connector, extension cables or cordsets.

Mains plug replacement (UK only)

Should your mains plug need replacing and you are competant to do this, proceed as instructed below. If you are in doubt, contact a Black & Decker service centre or a qualified electrician.

• Disconnect the plug from the supply.

• 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 amp BS1363A approved

plugs fitted with the correctly rated fuse.

• 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.

• Brown is L (live) and blue is N (neutral).

• Before replacing the top cover of the

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

Warning! Never connect Live or Neutral wires to Earth pin marked ‘E’ or .

Fuse replacement (UK only)

Your machine is supplied with cable fitted with a non-wireable plug.

• The plug is fitted with a 5 amp fuse

which is the recommended fuse for your machine.

• Only use replacement fuses which are

approved to BS1362.

• When changing the fuse in your plug,

always ensure the fuse cover is refitted. If the fuse cover is missing or damaged do not use the plug.

Note: Fuses do not give personal protection against electric shock. The recommended Black & Decker RCD is available from your nearest Black & Decker service centre.

Increased safety can be obtained by having a qualified electrician install a high sensitivity (30mA) circuit breaker in the house wiring. If you do not have such a circuit breaker installed, or you do not wish to have one installed, then we strongly recommend that the electrical power to the machine be supplied through a high sensitivity residual current device (RCD). The RCD is designed to provide a high degree of personal protection against harmful electric current should fault conditions occur.

Warning! The use of an RCD or other circuit breaker unit does not release the operator of the machine from the safety instructions and safe working practices given in this manual.

Extension cables and cordsets

You can use up to 100 feet (30 metres) extension cord without undue loss of power. Extension cables and cordsets should comply with national regulations.

Preparing the trimmer for use (Fig. 2)

• Take the trimmer and the guard (6) out of

the box.

• Remove the guard screw (22) which is

located on the base of the trimmer body (1) (Fig. 2.1).

• Place the guard into the channel on the

trimmer body.

• Push the guard fully home until the guard

is flush with the body (Fig. 2.2).

• Replace the guard screw (Fig. 2.3).

• If correctly assembled, the guard will now

be secured to your trimmer.

• In transit, your trimmer is packed in

‘Edging’ mode, if you want to ‘Trim’ refer to the section ‘How to convert between the trimming and edging mode’.

• In transit, the end of the cutting line (5) is

taped to the side of the spool cover (8). Please discard the tape to release the length of line. There should be a minimum of 9cm (3.5") of cutting line protruding from the spool housing (12) before using your trimmer.

Note: When your machine is operated for the first time any excess line will be cut off by the line trimming blade (7) housed in the guard. This is also the case for any subsequent line adjustment. Because line cut off by the blade in the guard may be ejected, it is important that the amount of excess line is kept to a minimum. Where an excessive amount of line is pulled out, the line should be cut back to the outside of the guard before switching on your trimmer. Cut the line off on the trimmer blade by hand.

• Always ensure that the spool cover is

secure before and after use.

How to use your trimmer (Fig. A - K)

In order to get the most from your trimmer please be sure to follow the techniques shown. Do not be impatient; you will obtain the best results by experience and by following these simple rules.

Do not use your trimmer without its guard.

Do not cut wet grass; best results are achieved when the grass is dry.

Trimming

• To switch on your trimmer, squeeze the

trigger switch (21).

• To switch the unit off, release the

trigger switch.

• To carry the trimmer when not in use,

it is preferred that you use the secondary handle (2).

Cut at an angle and with the tip of the

cutting line (5).

Swing the trimmer gently from side to side.

Do not overload the trimmer. It operates best

at high speeds.

On long grass, start at the top.

Take small cuts.

Use the edge of the guard (6) to keep the

trimmer away from hard surfaces and delicate items.

Edging

Best results are achieved on edges greater

than 50mm deep.

Note: Your trimmer is a maintenance tool for trimming overhanging grass and should not be used to create edges. Edges can be created using an edging spade.

With the skid (25) on the grass edge and the edge guide (9) hooked over the edge, pull

the unit along while keeping the edge guide in contact with the lawn edge.

A closer cut can be achieved by angling the trimmer.

If your trimmer is suitable for use with a

‘Detachable’ extension cord, loop a length of cord through the cord restraint (3) to avoid the plug and socket coming apart accidentally if the cord is pulled.

How to convert between the trimming and edging mode (Fig. 3)

In addition to conventional trimming (Fig. D), your trimmer can be used to trim overhanging grass along lawn edges and flower beds (Fig. J).

To convert your trimmer between the

trimming and edging mode:

Unlock

• With the trimmer switched off and the

edge guide (9) resting on the ground, place one hand on the switch handle (20). Using your other hand, turn the locking ring (4) anti-clockwise, as far as it will go (approximately quarter of a turn) (Fig. 3.1).

Convert

• While keeping hold of the switch handle,

grasp the trimmer body (1) and rotate half a turn in the direction of the arrow (24), until the body ‘clicks’ into position (Fig. 3.2).

Lock

• While still holding the switch handle,

tighten the locking ring clockwise, using the other hand. Only light finger pressure is required to secure it (Fig. 3.3).

Replacement line

A new spool containing 10 metres of cutting line (cat. no. A6481) may be purchased from your Black & Decker dealer. Alternatively, replacement line packs are available.

ENGLISH

For maximum reliability, never put on a heavier or lighter line (e.g. fishing line) which will prevent the automatic feed from functioning, cause motor failure or reduce cutting performance.

How to fit a new spool of cutting line (Fig. 4 & 5)

• Disconnect your trimmer from the

power supply.

• Remove the spool cover by pushing the

How to wind new line onto an empty spool (Fig. 6 & 7)

spool cover tabs (13) inwards and upwards (Fig. 4), then pull off (it is not necessary to push both tabs in at the same time). The empty spool can now be withdrawn from the drive shaft.

• Remove any dirt or grass that may have

collected inside the spool housing (12) and cover (8).

• Unwind approximately 9cm (3.5") of

cutting line (5) from the new spool (17). Feed the cutting line through the eyelet and then push the spool onto the centre drive shaft (Fig. 5). Rotate as necessary to fully seat the spool, taking care not to trap the cutting line underneath the spool and making sure that there is a minimum of 9cm (3.5") protruding from the spool housing.

• Replace the spool cover by aligning

both tabs on it (13) with the slots in the spool housing and pushing them into place. Make sure that both tabs are securely located.

• A maximum of 10 metres of new cutting

line can be wound onto the empty spool. The spool has an ‘Indicator’ to help you avoid winding an excessive quantity of cutting line on the spool, as too much will prevent the automatic feed system from functioning (Fig. 6).

• Remove any remnant of old cutting line

from the spool (17).

• Push the end of the new cutting line into

one of the two holes provided in the spool (17) and insert 20mm.

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