DeWalt DCST970 Instruction Manual

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1-800-4-DeWALT

Instruction Manual

Guide D’utilisation

Manual de instrucciones

DCST970

60V Max* Lithium String Trimmer
Taille-bordure au lithium-ion de 60 V max.*
Podadora de cuerda con batería de iones de litio de 60 V Máx*

English 1

Français 12

Español 24

ENGLISH

1

Definitions: Safety Alert Symbols and Words

This instruction manual uses the following safety alert symbols and words to alert you to hazardous situations and your risk
of personal injury or property damage.



DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or seriousinjury.



WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or seriousinjury.



CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderateinjury.



(Used without word) Indicates a safety related message.



NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury which, if not avoided, may result in propertydamage.



WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all
instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and

instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or
seriousinjury.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, read the
instructionmanual.

If you have any questions or comments about this or
any

DeWALT tool, call us toll free at:

1-800-4-

DeWALT (1-800-433-9258).

1

Variable speed trigger

2

Lock-off lever

3

Handle

4

Speed control switch

5

Auxiliary handle

6

Motor housing

7

Upper trimmer pole

8

Lower trimmer pole

9

Pole bracket

10

Guard

11

Spool housing

12

Battery housing

13

Battery pack

14

Battery release button

Fig. A

14

12

11

10

9

8

6

7

5

4

2

1

13

3

ENGLISH

2

KEY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW



WARNING: Do not remove guard. The guard must
be attached when trimming. Operating this trimmer
without the guard will violate the product warranty.

Use

DeWALT

replacement line use

.080 inch

and .

095 inch line.

• For optimal performance, use Dewalt .080 inch line.
DeWALT .095 inch line can also be use, but may degrade
runtime of the trimmer. Using any other line with
the trimmer can degrade performance and/or cause
damage to the trimmer.

• For use only with

DeWALT 60V batteries.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT
THIS OR ANY D

eWALT appliance, CALL US TOLL FREE AT:

1–800–4-DeWALT (1–800–433–9258).

Important Safety Warnings



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

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

• ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION – Wear
safety spectacles or goggles at all times when battery is
installed. These items are available for purchase.

• DRESS PROPERLY – Do not wear loose clothing
or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Gloves
and substantial rubber soled footwear are recommended
when working outdoors. Don’t operate the appliance
when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear heavy
long pants to protect your legs. Wear protective hair
covering to contain long hair.

• NYLON LINE – Keep face, hands and feet clear of
rotating nylon line at all times.

• THE ROTATING LINE PERFORMS A
CUTTING FUNCTION – Use care when trimming

around screens and desirable plantings.

• DO NOT USE materials not recommended, such as
metal wire, rope, and the like.

• KEEP ALL BYSTANDERS AWAY – at a safe
distance from work area, especially children.

• MAKE SURE that other persons and pets are at least
100 feet (30m) away.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK of rebound (ricochet)
injury, work going away from any nearby solid object such
as wall, steps, large stone, tree, etc. Use great care when
working close to solid objects and where necessary, do
trimming by hand.

• AVOID ACCIDENTALLY STARTING – Don’t
carry with finger on trigger when battery is installed.

• USE THE RIGHT APPLIANCE – Do not use this
appliance for any job except that for which it is intended.

• DON’T OVERREACH

– Keep proper footing and

balance at all times.

• DON’T FORCE APPLIANCE

– It will do the job
better and with less likelihood of a risk of injury at the rate for
which it was designed

• DAMAGE TO UNIT – If you strike or become

entangled with a foreign object, stop appliance
immediately, remove battery, check for damage and
have any damage repaired before further operation is
attempted. Do not operate with a broken hub or spool.

• REMOVE BATTERY – when not in use, when

replacing line, or prior to cleaning.

• AVOID DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS – Do not use electric appliances in

damp or wet locations. Follow all instructions in this
Instruction Manual for proper operation of your appliance.
Don’t use the appliance in the rain.

• DO NOT OPERATE portable electric appliances in
gaseous or explosive atmospheres. Motors in these appliances
normally spark, and the sparks might ignite fumes.

• STORE IDLE APPLIANCES INDOORS – When
not in use, appliances should be stored indoors in a dry, locked-up
place out of reach of children.

• STAY ALERT – Do not operate this unit when you are
tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.

• MAINTAIN APPLIANCES WITH CARE –
Follow instructions in maintenance section. Keep handles
dry, clean and free from oil and grease.

• CHECK DAMAGED PARTS – Before further use
of the appliance, a guard or other part that is damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will
operate properly and perform its intended function. Check
for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts, mounting, and any other condition
that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that
is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by
an authorized service center unless otherwise indicated
elsewhere in this manual.

• DO NOT immerse appliance in water or squirt it with a
hose. DO NOT allow any liquid to get inside it.

• DO NOT store the appliance on or adjacent to fertilizers
or chemicals.

• DO NOT clean with a pressure washer.

• Keep guards in place and in working order.

• Keep hands and feet away from cutting area.

• Do not charge appliance in rain, or in wet locations



WARNING: Do not use appliance if the switch trigger
does not turn the appliance on or off. Any appliance
that can not be controlled with the switch trigger is
dangerous and must be repaired.



WARNING: Some dust created by this product
contains chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Some examples of these chemicals are:
ʵ compounds in fertilizers
ʵ compounds in insecticides, herbicides and pesticides
ʵ arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber

To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, wear approved
safety equipment such as dust masks that are specially
designed to filter out microscopic particles.



WARNING: This product is not an edger and is not

intended to be used for edging.

ENGLISH

3

The label on your appliance may include the following
symbols. The symbols and their definitions are asfollows:

V ......................... volts

Hz ....................... hertz

min ..................... minutes

or DC ......direct current

...................... Class I Construction

(grounded)

…/min ..............per minute

BPM .................... beats per minute

IPM ..................... impacts per minute

RPM .................... revolutions per

minute

sfpm ................... surface feet per

minute

SPM .................... strokes per minute

A ......................... amperes

W ........................ watts

or AC ...........alternating current

or AC/DC .... alternating or

direct current

...................... Class II

Construction

(double insulated)

no ....................... no load speed

n ......................... rated speed

...................... earthing terminal

..................... safety alert symbol

..................... visible radiation

..................... wear respiratory

protection

..................... wear eye

protection

..................... wear hearing

protection

..................... read all

documentation

BATTERIES AND CHARGERS

The battery pack is not fully charged out of the carton.
Before using the battery pack and charger, read the
safety instructions below and then follow charging
proceduresoutlined. When ordering replacement battery
packs, be sure to include the catalog number andvoltage.

Your appliance uses a

DeWALT charger. Be sure to read all
safety instructions before using your charger. Consult the
chart at the end of this manual for compatibility of chargers
and batterypacks.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Important Safety Instructions for All
Battery Packs



WARNING: Read all safety warnings and all
instructions for the battery pack, charger and
appliance. Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/
or serious injury.

• Do not charge or use the battery pack in explosive

atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases or dust. Inserting or removing the battery

pack from the charger may ignite the dust orfumes.

• NEVER force the battery pack into the charger. DO

NOT modify the battery pack in any way to fit into
a non-compatible charger as battery pack may
rupture causing serious personal injury. Consult

the chart at the end of this manual for compatibility of
batteries andchargers.

• Charge the battery packs only in designated

DeWALTchargers.

• DO NOT splash or immerse in water or otherliquids.

• Do not store or use the appliance and battery pack

in locations where the temperature may reach or
exceed 104°F (40°C) (such as outside sheds or metal
buildings in summer). For best life store battery packs in

a cool, drylocation.
NOTE: Do not store the battery packs in a appliance
with the trigger switch locked on. Never tape the
trigger switch in the ONposition.

• Do not incinerate the battery pack even if it is
severely damaged or is completely worn out. The

battery pack can explode in a fire. Toxic fumes and
materials are created when lithium ion battery packs
areburned.

• If battery contents come into contact with the skin,
immediately wash area with mild soap and water. If
battery liquid gets into the eye, rinse water over the open
eye for 15 minutes or until irritation ceases. If medical
attention is needed, the battery electrolyte is composed of
a mixture of liquid organic carbonates and lithiumsalts.

• Contents of opened battery cells may cause
respiratory irritation. Provide fresh air. If symptoms
persist, seek medicalattention.



WARNING: Burn hazard. Battery liquid may be
flammable if exposed to spark orflame.



WARNING: Fire hazard. Never attempt to open the
battery pack for any reason. If the battery pack case
is cracked or damaged, do not insert into the charger.
Do not crush, drop or damage the battery pack. Do
not use a battery pack or charger that has received a
sharp blow, been dropped, run over or damaged in
any way (e.g., pierced with a nail, hit with a hammer,
stepped on). Damaged battery packs should be
returned to the service center forrecycling.

Transportation



WARNING: Fire hazard. Do not store or carry the
battery pack so that metal objects can contact
exposed battery terminals. For example, do

not place the battery pack in aprons, pockets, tool
boxes, product kit boxes, drawers, etc., with loose
nails, screws, keys, etc. Transporting batteries

can possibly cause fires if the battery terminals
inadvertently come in contact with conductive
materials such as keys, coins, hand tools and the
like. The US Department of Transportation Hazardous

Material Regulations (HMR) actually prohibit
transporting batteries in commerce or on airplanes in
carry-on baggage UNLESS they are properly protected
from short circuits. So when transporting individual
battery packs, make sure that the battery terminals
are protected and well insulated from materials that
could contact them and cause a short circuit.

Shipping the

DeWALT FLEXVOLT™ Battery

The D

eWALT FLEXVOLT™ battery has two modes: Use and

Shipping.
Use Mode: When the FLEXVOLT™ battery stands alone or is

in a D

eWALT 20V Max* product, it will operate as a 20V Max*

battery. When the FLEXVOLT™ battery is in a 60V Max* or a
120V Max* (two 60V Max* batteries) product, it will operate
as a 60V Max* battery.

Shipping Mode: When
the cap is attached to the
FLEXVOLT™ battery, the
battery is in Shipping Mode.

ENGLISH

4

Strings of cells are electrically disconnected within the pack
resulting in three batteries with a lower Watt hour (Wh)
rating as compared to one battery with a higher Watt hour
rating. This increased quantity of three batteries with the
lower Watt hour rating can exempt the pack from certain
shipping regulations that are imposed upon the higher Watt
hour batteries.

The battery label indicates two Watt hour ratings (see
example). Depending on how the battery is shipped, the
appropriate Watt hour rating must be used to determine
the applicable shipping requirements. If utilizing the
shipping cap, the pack will be considered 3 batteries at
the Watt hour rating indicated for “Shipping”. If shipping
without the cap or in a tool, the pack will be considered one
battery at the Watt hour rating indicated next to “Use”.

USE: 120 Wh Shipping: 3 x 40 Wh

Example of Use and Shipping Label Marking

Shipping Watt hour rating indicates 3 x 40 Wh, meaning 3
batteries of 40 Watt hours each. The Use Watt hour rating

indicates 120 Watt hour (1 battery implied).

Fuel Gauge Battery Packs (Fig. B)

Some DeWALT battery packs include a fuel gauge which
consists of three LED lights that indicate the level of charge
remaining in the batterypack.

The fuel gauge is an indication of approximate levels of
charge remaining in the battery pack according to the
followingindicators:

75–100% charged

51–74% charged

< 50% charged

Pack needs to be charged

To actuate the fuel gauge, press and hold the fuel gauge
button. A combination of the three green LED lights will
illuminate designating the level of charge left. When the
level of charge in the battery is below the usable limit, the
fuel gauge will not illuminate and the battery will need to
berecharged.

Fig. B

NOTE: The fuel gauge is only an indication of the charge
left on the battery pack. It does not indicate appliance
functionality and is subject to variation based on product
components, temperature and end-userapplication.

For more information regarding fuel gauge battery packs,
please contact call 1-800-4-

DeWALT (1-800-433-9258) or

visit our website www.dewalt.com.

The RBRC® Seal

The RBRC® (Rechargeable Battery
Recycling Corporation) Seal on the nickel
cadmium, nickel metal hydride or lithium­ion batteries (or battery packs) indicates
that the costs to recycle these batteries
(or battery packs) at the end of their useful life have already
been paid by

DeWALT. In some areas, it is illegal to place
spent nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion
batteries in the trash or municipal solid waste stream and
the Call2Recycle® program provides an environmentally
consciousalternative.

Call 2 Recycle, Inc., in cooperation with

DeWALT and other
battery users, has established the program in the United
States and Canada to facilitate the collection of spent nickel
cadmium, nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion batteries. Help
protect our environment and conserve natural resources by
returning the spent nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride
or lithium-ion batteries to an authorized

DeWALT service
center or to your local retailer for recycling. You may also
contact your local recycling center for information on
where to drop off the spent battery. RBRC® is a registered
trademark of Call 2 Recycle,Inc.

Important Safety Instructions for All
Battery Chargers



WARNING: Read all safety warnings and all
instructions for the battery pack, charger and
appliance. Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/
or serious injury.

• DO NOT attempt to charge the battery pack with

any chargers other than the ones in this manual.

The charger and battery pack are specifically designed to
worktogether.

• These chargers are not intended for any uses other

than charging

DeWALT rechargeable batteries.

Any other uses may result in risk of fire, electric shock
orelectrocution.

• Do not expose the charger to rain orsnow.

• Pull by the plug rather than the cord when

disconnecting the charger. This will reduce the risk of
damage to the electric plug andcord.

• Make sure that the cord is located so that it will not

be stepped on, tripped over or otherwise subjected
to damage orstress.

• Do not use an extension cord unless it is absolutely

necessary. Use of improper extension cord could result in

risk of fire, electric shock orelectrocution.

• When operating a charger outdoors, always provide

a dry location and use an extension cord suitable
for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use

reduces the risk of electricshock.

• An extension cord must have adequate wire size

(AWG or American Wire Gauge) for safety. The smaller
the gauge number of the wire, the greater the capacity

ENGLISH

5

of the cable, that is, 16 gauge has more capacity than 18
gauge. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage
resulting in loss of power and overheating. When using
more than one extension to make up the total length,
be sure each individual extension contains at least the
minimum wire size. The following table shows the correct
size to use depending on cord length and nameplate
ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gauge. The
lower the gauge number, the heavier thecord.

Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets

Volts

Total Length of Cord in Feet

(meters)

120 V 25 (7.6) 50 (15.2) 100 (30.5) 150 (45.7)
240 V 50 (15.2) 100 (30.5) 200 (61.0) 300 (91.4)

Ampere Rating

American Wire Gauge

More
Than

Not
More
Than

0 6 18 16 16 14

6 10 18 16 14 12
10 12 16 16 14 12
12 16 14 12 Not Recommended

• Do not place any object on top of the charger or
place the charger on a soft surface that might block
the ventilation slots and result in excessive internal
heat. Place the charger in a position away from any heat

source. The charger is ventilated through slots in the top
and the bottom of thehousing.

• Do not operate the charger with a damaged cord

orplug.

• Do not operate the charger if it has received a sharp
blow, been dropped or otherwise damaged in any
way. Take it to an authorized servicecenter.

• Do not disassemble the charger; take it to an
authorized service center when service or repair
is required. Incorrect reassembly may result in a risk of

electric shock, electrocution orfire.

• Disconnect the charger from the outlet before

attempting any cleaning. This will reduce the risk of
electric shock. Removing the battery pack will not reduce

thisrisk.

• NEVER attempt to connect 2 chargerstogether.

• The charger is designed to operate on standard

120V household electrical power. Do not attempt to
use it on any other voltage. This does not apply to the

vehicularcharger.



WARNING: Shock hazard. Do not allow any liquid to
get inside the charger. Electric shock mayresult.



WARNING: Burn hazard. Do not submerge the
battery pack in any liquid or allow any liquid to
enter the battery pack. Never attempt to open the
battery pack for any reason. If the plastic housing of
the battery pack breaks or cracks, return to a service
center for recycling.



CAUTION: Burn hazard. To reduce the risk of injury,
charge only DeWALT rechargeable battery packs.
Other types of batteries may overheat and burst
resulting in personal injury and propertydamage.

NOTICE: Under certain conditions, with the charger
plugged into the power supply, the charger can
be shorted by foreign material. Foreign materials
of a conductive nature, such as, but not limited to,
grinding dust, metal chips, steel wool, aluminum
foil or any buildup of metallic particles should be
kept away from the charger cavities. Always unplug
the charger from the power supply when there is no
battery pack in the cavity. Unplug the charger before
attempting toclean.

Charging a Battery

1. Plug the charger into an appropriate outlet before
inserting battery pack.

2. Insert the battery pack

13

into the charger, making sure
the battery pack is fully seated in the charger. The red
(charging) light will blink continuously indicating that
the charging process has started.

3. The completion of charge will be indicated by the red
light remaining ON continuously. The battery pack is
fully charged and may be used at this time or left in the
charger. To remove the battery pack from the charger,
push the battery release button (?) on the battery pack.

NOTE: To ensure maximum performance and life of lithium­ion battery packs, charge the battery pack fully before first use.

Charger Operation

Refer to the indicators below for the charge status of the
battery pack.

DCB107, DCB112, DCB113, DCB115, DCB118, DCB132

Charging

Fully Charged

Hot/Cold Pack Delay*

The red light will continue to blink, but a yellow indicator
light will be illuminated during this operation. Once the
battery pack has reached an appropriate temperature, the
yellow light will turn off and the charger will resume the
charging procedure.

The compatible charger(s) will not charge a faulty battery
pack. The charger will indicate faulty battery pack by
refusing to light or by displaying a problem pack or charger
blink pattern.

NOTE: This could also mean a problem with a charger.
If the charger indicates a problem, take the charger and

battery pack to be tested at an authorized service center.

Hot/Cold Pack Delay

When the charger detects a battery pack that is too hot
or too cold, it automatically starts a Hot/Cold Pack Delay,
suspending charging until the battery pack has reached an
appropriate temperature. The charger then automatically
switches to the pack charging mode. This feature ensures
maximum battery pack life.

A cold battery pack will charge at a slower rate than a warm
battery pack. The battery pack will charge at that slower rate

ENGLISH

6

throughout the entire charging cycle and will not return to
maximum charge rate even if the battery pack warms.

The DCB118 charger is equipped with an internal fan
designed to cool the battery pack. The fan will turn on
automatically when the battery pack needs to be cooled.

Never operate the charger if the fan does not operate
properly or if ventilation slots are blocked. Do not permit
foreign objects to enter the interior of the charger.

Electronic Protection System

Li-Ion appliances are designed with an Electronic
Protection System that will protect the battery pack against
overloading, overheating or deep discharge.

The appliance will automatically turn off if the Electronic
Protection System engages. If this occurs, place the lithium­ion battery pack on the charger until it is fully charged.

Wall Mounting

These chargers are designed to be wall mountable or to
sit upright on a table or work surface. If wall mounting,
locate the charger within reach of an electrical outlet,
and away from a corner or other obstructions which may
impede air flow. Use the back of the charger as a template
for the location of the mounting screws on the wall. Mount
the charger securely using drywall screws (purchased
separately) at least 1" (25.4 mm) long, with a screw head
diameter of 0.28–0.35" (7–9mm), screwed into wood to an
optimal depth leaving approximately 7/32" (5.5 mm) of the
screw exposed. Align the slots on the back of the charger
with the exposed screws and fully engage them in the slots.

Charger Cleaning Instructions



WARNING: Shock hazard. Disconnect the charger
from the AC outlet before cleaning. Dirt and grease
may be removed from the exterior of the charger using
a cloth or soft non-metallic brush. Do not use water or
any cleaning solutions.

Important Charging Notes

1. Longest life and best performance can be obtained if
the battery pack is charged when the air temperature is
between 65°F and 75°F (18° – 24°C). DO NOT charge
the battery pack in an air temperature below +40°F
(+4.5°C), or above +104°F (+40°C). This is important
and will prevent serious damage to the battery pack.

2. The charger and battery pack may become warm to the
touch while charging. This is a normal condition, and
does not indicate a problem. To facilitate the cooling of
the battery pack after use, avoid placing the charger or
battery pack in a warm environment such as in a metal
shed or an uninsulated trailer.

3. If the battery pack does not charge properly:

a. Check operation of receptacle by plugging in a lamp

or other appliance;

b. Check to see if receptacle is connected to a light

switch which turns power off when you turn out the
lights;

c. Move the charger and battery pack to a location

where the surrounding air temperature is
approximately 65°F – 75°F (18° – 24°C);

d. If charging problems persist, take the battery pack

and charger to your local service center.

4. The battery pack should be recharged when it fails to
produce sufficient power on jobs which were easily
done previously. DO NOT CONTINUE to use under these
conditions. Follow the charging procedure. You may
also charge a partially used pack whenever you desire
with no adverse effect on the battery pack.

5. Foreign materials of a conductive nature such as, but
not limited to, grinding dust, metal chips, steel wool,
aluminum foil, or any buildup of metallic particles
should be kept away from charger cavities. Always
unplug the charger from the power supply when there
is no battery pack in the cavity. Unplug the charger
before attempting to clean.

6. Do not freeze or immerse the charger in water or any
other liquid.

Storage Recommendations

1. The best storage place is one that is cool and dry, away
from direct sunlight and excess heat or cold.

2. For long storage, it is recommended to store a fully
charged battery pack in a cool dry place out of the
charger for optimal results.

NOTE: Battery packs should not be stored completely
depleted of charge. The battery pack will need to be
recharged before use.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR

FUTURE USE

COMPONENTS (FIG. A)



WARNING: Never modify the appliance or any part of
it. Damage or personal injury couldresult.

Refer to Figure A at the beginning of this manual for a
complete list ofcomponents.

INTENDED USE

This string trimmer is designed for professional trimming
applications DO NOT use under wet conditions or in
presence of flammable liquids or gases.

This is not an edger and is not intended to be used for
edging.

This string trimmer is a professional appliance. DO NOT
let children come into contact with the tool. Supervision is
required when inexperienced operators use this appliance.

ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENTS



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal
injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack
before making any adjustments or removing/
installing attachments or accessories. An

accidental start-up can causeinjury.

ENGLISH

7

Assembling the Pole (FIG. A, C)

1. To assemble the pole, line up the hole

15

in the lower

trimmer pole

8

with the pin

16

on the pole bracket

9

.

2. Pull the pin out and slide the lower trimmer pole into
the upper trimmer pole

7

as shown in figureC.

3. Release the pin and ensure it fully engages the hole.

4. Secure the poles by tightening the bracket wingnut

17

.

fig. C

17

16

15

Attaching the Auxiliary Handle (FIG. A, D)

1. Place the auxiliary handle

5

onto the top of the upper

trimmer pole

7

.

2. Slide the bracket

18

of the auxiliary handle into the

bottom of the handle.

3. Thread the handle bolts

19

through the bracket and

into the handle.

4. Tighten the handle bolts. Ensure the handle is securely
attached.

fig. D

18

1919

If adjustment is necessary, loosen the handle bolts

19

and
slide the auxiliary handle up or down the upper trimmer
pole

7

. Then, retighten the bolts.

Adjustment



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal
injury, turn appliance off and remove battery
before making any adjustments or removing/
installing attachments or accessories.



WARNING: Never operate appliance without guard
firmly in place. Damage or personal injury could result.

OPERATION



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal
injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack
before making any adjustments or removing/
installing attachments or accessories. An

accidental start-up can causeinjury.



WARNING: Always use proper eye protection that
conforms to ANSI Z87.1 (CAN/CSA Z94.3) while
operating this appliance.



WARNING: Remove the battery before making any
assembly, adjustments, or changing accessories. Such
preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting
the TRIMMER accidentally.



CAUTION: Before you begin trimming, only use the
appropriate type of cutting line.



CAUTION: Inspect area to be trimmed and remove
any wire, cord, or string-like objects which could
become entangled in the rotating line or spool. Be
particularly careful to avoid any wire which might be
bent outwardly into the path of the appliance, such as
barbs at the base of a chain link fence.

Installing and Removing the Battery Pack
(Fig. A, E, F)

NOTE: For best results, make sure your battery pack is
fullycharged.



WARNING: Before removing or installing battery,
make certain the lock-off lever is not engaged to
prevent trigger actuation.

To install battery pack: Insert battery pack

13

into battery

housing

12

as shown in figureE until fully seated and an

audible click is heard.
Make sure battery pack is fully seated and fully latched into

position.
To remove battery pack: Depress the battery release

button

14

on the battery and pull battery pack out of

appliance as shown in figureF.

fig. E

fig. F

Proper Hand Position (Fig. G



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury,
ALWAYS use proper hand position as shown.



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury,
ALWAYS hold securely in anticipation of a sudden

reaction.

Proper hand position requires one hand on the main
handle

3

and one hand on the auxiliary handle

5

.

ENGLISH

8

Switching Trimmer On and Off (Fig. A)

To turn the appliance on, squeeze the lock-off lever

2

and

then the variable speed trigger

1

. To turn the appliance off,

release the variable speed trigger and the lock-off lever.



WARNING: Never attempt to lock the trigger in the
on position.

Speed Control Switch (Fig. A)

This string trimmer gives you the choice to operate at a
more efficient speed to extend the runtime for larger jobs, or
accelerate the trimmer speed for high-performance cutting.

To extend runtime, push the speed control switch

4

forward toward the auxillary handle

5

into the "LO"
position. This mode is best for larger projects that require
more time to complete.

To accelerate the trimmer, pull the speed control switch
back toward the battery housing

12

into the "HI" position.
This mode is best to cut through heavier growth and for
applications that need higher RPM.

NOTE: When in "HI" mode, runtime will be decreased as
compared to when trimmer is in "LO" mode.

Trimming (Fig. G, H)

With the trimmer on, angle it and swing side to side as
shown in FigureG.

Maintain a minimum distance of 24 inches (610 mm)
between the guard and your feet as shown in FigureH.



WARNING: Keep the rotating

string roughly parallel with the ground (tilted no more
than 30 degrees). This trimmer is not an edger. DO
NOT TILT the trimmer so that the string is spinning
near a right angle to the ground. Flying debris can
cause serious injury.

fig. G

fig. H

minimum
24inches
(610mm)

Bump Feed Trimmer Line Feed

Your trimmer uses 0.080 inches (2.032 mm) diameter nylon
line. Cutting line will wear faster and require more feeding
if the cutting is done along sidewalks or other abrasive
surfaces or heavier weeds are being cut.

As you use the trimmer, the string will get shorter due
to wear. Gently bump the trimmer on the ground while
running at normal speed and the line will feed.

NOTE: Extending nylon line beyond the 13inch (330mm)
swath will negatively affect performance, runtime, and the
life of the trimmer due to potential of damaging motor.
Doing so may void the warranty.

Helpful Cutting Tips

• Use the tip of the 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, curbs, and wood may
wear string rapidly.

• Do not allow spool cap to drag on ground or other surfaces.

• In long growth, cut from the top down and do not
exceed 12 inches (304.8 mm) high.

• Keep trimmer tilted toward the area being cut; this is
the best cutting area.

• The trimmer cuts when passing the unit from the left to
right. This will avoid throwing debris at the operator.

• Avoid trees and shrubs. Tree bark, wood moldings, siding,
and fence posts can easily be damaged by the string.

MAINTENANCE (FIG. I)



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal
injury, turn unit off and remove the battery pack
before making any adjustments or removing/
installing attachments or accessories. An

accidental start-up can causeinjury.

1. Keep the air intake slots

20

clean to avoid overheating.

fig. I

20

2. Your trimmer line can dry out over time. To keep
your line in top condition, store spare line in a plastic,
sealable bag with a tablespoon of water.

3. Plastic parts may be cleaned by using a mild soap and
a damp rag.

4. The line cutter on the edge of the guard can dull over
time. It is recommended you periodically touch-up the
sharpness of the blade with a file.

Cleaning



WARNING: Blow dirt and dust out of all air vents with
clean, dry air at least once a week. To minimize the risk
of eye injury, always wear ANSI Z87.1 approved eye
protection when performingthis.

ENGLISH

9



WARNING: Never use solvents or other harsh
chemicals for cleaning the non-metallic parts of
the tool. These chemicals may weaken the plastic
materials used in these parts. Use a cloth dampened
only with water and mild soap. Never let any liquid
get inside the tool; never immerse any part of the tool
into aliquid.

Accessories



WARNING: Since accessories, other than those
offered by DeWALT, have not been tested with this
product, use of such accessories with this tool could be
hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury, only DeWALT
recommended accessories should be used with
thisproduct.

Recommended accessories for use with your tool
are available at extra cost from your local dealer or
authorized service center. If you need assistance in
locating any accessory, please contact

DeWALT Industrial
Tool Co., 701East Joppa Road, Towson, MD 21286, call
1-800-4-

DeWALT (1-800-433-9258) or visit our website:

www.dewalt.com.

Replacement Accessories



WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal
injury, turn appliance off and remove battery
before making any adjustments or removing/
installing attachments or accessories.



WARNING: Do not use any blades, or any accessory
or attachment other than those recommended by
DeWALT on this trimmer. Serious injury or product
damage may result.

An extended coverage guard is available (sold separately)
for extra coverage if desired. Use

DeWALT replacement

guard Part Number 90624357.
Use

DeWALT replacement .080 inch and .095 inch lines.

• For optimal performance use .080 inch line.

DeWALT
.095 inch line can also be used, but may degrade
runtime of the trimmer. Using any other line with
the trimmer can degrade performance and/or cause
damage to the trimmer.

Replacing the Cutting Line (Fig. A, J–M)



CAUTION: To avoid appliance damage, if the cutting
line protrudes beyond the trimming blade, cut it off so
that it just reaches the blade.

1. Remove battery.

2. Turn spool

21

clockwise to unlock as shown in figure J.

The white nub

22

(figure M) inside the spool will rotate

away from the spool window

23

to indicate it is unlocked.

fig. J

21

23

3. Pull the spool straight out to remove.

4. Remove any dirt and grass from the spool and housing.

5. First, wind new line in the channel of the spool closest
to the holding slots

24

as shown in figureK.

6. Place the end of the cutting line

25

into the retaining

hole

26

.

fig. K

26

25

24

7. Wind the cutting line onto the spool in the direction of the
arrow on the bottom of the spool. Make sure to wind the
line on neatly and in layers. Do not crisscross (figure L).

8. When the wound cutting line reaches the beginning
of the holding slots

24

, cut the line approximately 4

inches (106mm).

9. Push the line in the holding slots on one side of the spool
to hold the first line while you wind the second line.

10. Repeat the above procedure for the second cutting line
on the lower section of the spool.



CAUTION: Before you begin trimming, only use the
appropriate type of cutting line. Ensure that cutting
line is present in both sections of the spool as shown
in figureL.

fig. L

11. Once both lines are wrapped around the spool

23

,
place your thumb and finger on the holding slots to
further secure the string and feed the end of each line
through the two holes

27

on either side of the head in

the spool housing

11

as shown in figureM.

ENGLISH

10

12. Line up the white nubs

22

inside the spool housing

with the recesses

28

of the spool. Align the holding

slots

24

with the two holes

27

as close as possible.

13. Push the spool into the spool housing and turn
counterclockwise to lock the spool in place. Ensure the
white nub

22

appears in the spool window

21

. Make
sure the line doesn't unravel and wrap around the shaft
below the spool.

14. Pull both ends of the cutting line to release them from
the holding slots. If the line extends past the cutting blade
on the guard cut the line so it just reaches the blade.

fig. M

27

22

28

Replacing Spool Housing (Fig. N, O)

1. Rotate the spool housing

11

until the hole

29

in the

spindle

30

lines up with notch

31

in the guard

10

.

A third hole in the motor housing

32

will be visible as
shown in figureN. Insert screwdriver through each all
three holes to prevent the spool housing from turning.

2. Turn the spool housing clockwise as shown in figureO.

3. Insert a screwdriver back through the three holes
(

29, 31

, and

32

) and thread the new spool housing

counterclockwise and securely tighten onto the bolt

33

protruding from the trimmer.

fig. N

30

29

32

31

fig. O

33

Replacing Guard (Fig. P, Q)



WARNING: Never operate appliance without guard
firmly in place. Damage or personal injury could result.

1. Remove the spool housing as described in the
"Replacing Spool Housing" section.

2. Remove the 4 guard screws

34

shown in figureP.

3. Lift the guard off at an angle as shown in figureQ.

fig. P

34

34

fig. Q

4. To attached a new guard, slide the tab

35

of the new

guard under the lip

36

of the motor housing

6

, then
lower the back of the guard into place as shown in
figureR.

5. Replace and securely tighten the 4 guard screws

34

.

6. Replace the spool housing as described in the
"Replacing Spool Housing" section.

fig. R

36

35

Repairs

The charger and battery pack are notserviceable.



WARNING: To assure product SAFETY and
RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment
(including brush inspection and replacement) should
be performed by a

DeWALT factory service center
or a DeWALT authorized service center. Always use
identical replacementparts.

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