DeWalt DCST991 Instruction Manual

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1-800-4-DeWALT

Instruction Manual

Guide D’utilisation

Manual de instrucciones

DCST991
40V Max* Lithium Brushless String Trimmer
Taille-bordure sans balais au lithium-ion de 40V Max.*
Podadora de cuerda sin escobillas y con batería de iones de
litio de 40V Máx*

final page size: 8.5 x 5.5 in

ENGLISH

English (original instructions) 1

Français (traduction de la notice d’instructions originale) 12

Español (traducido de las instrucciones originales) 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

Speed control switch

4

Auxiliary handle

5

Motor housing

6

Trimmer pole

7

Guard

8

Spool housing

9

Battery housing

10

Battery pack

11

Battery release button

12

Primary handle

Fig. A

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

12

11

9

10

ENGLISH

2

Important Safety Warnings



WARNING: To reduce risk of injury:

• Before any use, be sure everyone using this unit
reads and understands all safety instructions and
other information contained in this manual.

• Save these instructions and reviewfrequently.



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

1 . Avoid Dangerous Environments – DO NOT use

appliances in damp or wet locations. DO NOT operate
portable electric appliances in gaseous or explosive
atmospheres. Motors in these appliances normally spark,
and the sparks might ignitefumes.

2 . Don’t Use InRain.
3 . Keep All Bystanders Away – at a safe distance from

work area, especiallychildren.

4 . 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. Wear protective hair covering to
contain longhair.

5 . Always Wear Eye Protection – Wear ANSI Z87.1

approved eye protection at all times when battery is
installed. Also use face or dust mask. Safety glasses are
available at extra cost at your local

DeWALT

Service Center

or authorized service facility.

6 . Use Right Appliance – Do not use appliance for any job

except that for which it isintended.

7 . Avoid Accidentally Starting – Don’t carry with finger

ontrigger when battery isinstalled.

8 . 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.

9 . Don’t Overreach – Keep proper footing and balance at

alltimes.

10 . Stay Alert – Watch what you are doing. Use common

sense. DO NOT operate while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or when you are tired or ill.

11 . Disconnect Appliance – Remove the battery when not in

use, before servicing, when changing accessories such as
blades, and thelike.

12 . Store Idle Appliances Indoors – When not in use,

appliances should be storedindoors in dry, and high or
locked-up place – out of reach ofchildren.

13 . Maintain Appliance With Care – Keep cutting edge

sharp and clean for best performance and to reduce
the risk of injury. Follow instructions for lubricating and
changing accessories. Inspect appliance cord periodically,
and if damaged, have it repaired by an authorized service
facility. Inspect extension cords periodically and replace

if damaged. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil
andgrease.

14 . 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 indicated elsewhere in
thismanual.

15 . 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.

16 . Guard – Do not use this appliance without guard

attached. Keep guards in place and in workingorder.

17 . DO NOT immerse appliance in water or squirt it with a

hose. DO NOT allow any liquid to get inside it. If appliance
does get wet, allow to dry for a minimum of 48hours.

18 . DO NOT store the appliance on or adjacent to fertilizers

orchemicals.

19 . DO NOT clean with a pressurewasher.
20 . DO NOT charge appliance in rain, or in wet locations.

Specific Warnings for String Trimmers



WARNING: This product is not an edger

and is not intended to be used foredging.

• Don’t operate the appliance when barefoot or wearing
open sandals.

• Wear heavy long pants to protect yourlegs.

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

• 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.

• 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.

Additional Safety Warnings



CAUTION: Use only

DeWALT

replacement
spools and line. Using any other manufacturer's line
can reduce performance, damage the trimmer or
cause personalinjury.
Your trimmer uses 0.080 inches (2.032 mm) diameter
line, however a 0.095 inches (2.413mm) line may be
used as long as it is spiral-shaped with smooth, round
edges, but may reduce runtime of the trimmer.



WARNING: Do not use appliance if the

switch trigger does not turn the appliance on or off.

ENGLISH

3

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:

• compounds in fertilizers

• compounds in insecticides, herbicides
andpesticides

• 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.

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 tool 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 power tool. 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 tool 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 tool 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.

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.

ENGLISH

4

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

The RBRC® Seal

The RBRC® (Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation) Seal on the nickel cadmium,
nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion
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.

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.

NOTE: Li-on batteries should not be put in
checkedbaggage.

Shipping

Your

DeWALT

batteries comply with all applicable shipping
regulations as prescribed by industry and legal standards,
including UN Recommendations on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods; International Air Transport Association
(IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Regulations, and U.S.
Department of Transportation Regulations. Lithium-ion cells
and batteries have been tested to section 38.3 of the UN

Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Manual of Tests and Criteria.

The shipping or transportation of the battery in this product is
restricted and may be classified as a Class 9 Hazardous material.

Shipping by airplane (by air) or ship (by sea)

• Contact your carrier for up to date instructions. Have
your contents (including the battery) with you when
contacting them. The specifications written on them will
be needed to prepare them for shipment, pack them in
a compliant box, and properly label the box.

Shipping by ground (highway or rail)

• The original product box and its packing material can
be used for shipping by ground within the United States
and Canada with the following stipulations:

1. The battery and all other contents must be in their
original packing materials and arranged as received
(including the battery in its original plastic bag and
battery box).

2. The original product box and all other packing materials
must be undamaged.

3. The shipment must be include a document which
contains the following:

- The package contains lithium-ion cells or batteries.

- The package must be handled with care and
that a flammability hazard exists if the package is
damaged.

- Special procedures should be followed in the event
the package is damaged, to include inspection and
repacking if necessary.

- The telephone numbers for additional information
(US and Canada 1-888-698-2571, Elsewhere +1-410­329-9200).

- To ship by ground in a generic box, contact your
carrier for up to date instructions. Have your
contents (including the battery) with you when
contacting them. The specifications written on them
will be needed to prepare them for shipment, pack
them in a compliant box, and properly label the box.

These batteries can be carried on airplanes if:

1. The airline allows spare batteries up to 160 Whr (check
airline website)

2. No more than 2 batteries are carried on, and

3. The batteries are protected against short circuit.

The information provided in this section of the manual is
provided in good faith and believed to be accurate at the
time the document was created. However, no warranty,
expressed or implied, is given. The shipper is responsible to

comply with the applicable regulations.

Important Safety Instructions for All
Battery Chargers



WARNING: Read all safety warnings

and all instructions for the battery pack, charger
and power tool. Failure to follow the warnings

ENGLISH

5

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.

• If use of an extension cord is absolutely necessary
outdoors, 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
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.

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

ENGLISH

6

(+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 tool, 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.

Charging a Battery

DO NOT attempt to charge the battery pack with any
chargers other than those specified by the manufacturer.

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

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

3. The completion of charge will be indicated by the light
remaining ON continuously. The battery pack is fully
charged and may be used at this time or left in the
charger.

NOTE: To ensure maximum performance and life of lithium­ion battery packs:

- Charge the battery pack fully before firstuse.

- Recharge discharged batteries as soon a possible
after every use.

- Do not discharge batteries fully.

Charger Diagnostics

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

Indicators

Charging

Fully Charged

Hot/Cold Pack Delay

Bad Battery

Bad Battery

If you see a bad battery blink pattern, do not continue
to charge this battery. Return it to a service center or a
collection site for recycling.

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

State of Charge indicator (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.

ENGLISH

7

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR

FUTURE USE

COMPONENTS (FIG. A)



WARNING: Never modify the power

tool 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 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.

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

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.



WARNING: Never remove the guard.

Damage or personal injury couldresult.



WARNING: NEVER OPERATE appliance

WITHOUT GUARD FIRMLY IN PLACE. The guard

must always be properly attached on the appliance to
protect theuser.

The trimmer comes fully assembled. The auxiliary handle

4

is positioned to maximize balance. However, if adjustment is
necessary, loosen the four bolts

13

with a hex wrench and

slide the auxiliary handle up or down the trimmer pole

6

as

shown in FigureC.

Fig. C

4

6

1313

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.

Installing and Removing the Battery
Pack (Fig. D)



WARNING: Make certain the lock-off

lever is not engaged to prevent switch actuation
before removing or installingbattery.

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

To install the battery pack: Align the battery pack

10

with the rails inside the main housing and slide it into the
housing until the battery pack is firmly seated and ensure
that it does notdisengage.

To remove battery pack: Depress the release button

11

and firmly pull the battery pack out of the main housing.
Insert it into the charger as described in the charger section
of thismanual.

10

Fig. D

11

Proper Hand Position (Fig. E)



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 primary
handle

12

and one hand on the auxiliary handle

4

.

ENGLISH

8

4

12

Fig. E

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 high­performancecutting.

To extend runtime, push the speed control switch

3

forward toward the auxillary handle

4

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

9

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. F, G)

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

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

Fig. F

Fig. G

Minimum

24 Inches (610 mm)



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.

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 15inch (381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.

Reloading the Cutting Line (Fig. H, I)



WARNING: To reduce the risk of

serious personal injury, turn unit off and remove
the battery pack. An accidental start-up can

causeinjury.



CAUTION: Use only

DeWALT

replacement
spools and line. Using any other manufacturer's line
can reduce performance, damage the trimmer or

ENGLISH

9

cause personalinjury.
Your trimmer uses 0.080 inches (2.032 mm) diameter
line, however a 0.095 inches (2.413mm) line may be
used as long as it is spiral-shaped with smooth, round
edges, but may reduce runtime of the trimmer.



CAUTION: To avoid appliance damage, if

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

Use only

DeWALT

replacement line.

1. Remove battery.

2. Cut a max of 25 feet (8 m) length of trimmer line.

3. Align spool housing eyelets

14

with the arrow

15

on

the spool head

16

as shown in Figure H.

4. Thread one end of the trimmer line through an eyelet.
Guide the line through to the second eyelet and
continue to pull the line through until there are equal
lengths of string on each side of the spool housing as
shown in Figure H.

5. Secure the spool cap

17

from moving with one hand.
Using your other hand, wind the string onto the spool
by rotating the spool head

16

counter clockwise as
shown in Figure I. Continue winding until 5 inches
(127mm) of string remain on each side of the spool
housing.

Fig. H

16

15

14

Fig. I

16

17

MAINTAINENCE



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.

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.



WARNING: Never use solvents or other

harsh chemicals for cleaning the non-metallic parts
of the appliance. 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 appliance; never immerse any
part of the appliance 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

, call 1-800-4-

DeWALT

(1-800-433-9258).

Replacement Accessories

Replacing Spool Assembly (Fig.A, J, K)

1. Rotate the spool housing

8

until the hole

18

in the

spindle plate aligns with notch

19

in the guard. Insert
a screwdriver through the notch and into the hole, to
prevent the spindle from turning.

2. Uncrew and remove the spool housing by turning the
spool head

16

clockwise.

NOTE: Do not try to remove the spool housing by
turning the spool cap

17

.

Fig. J

16

17

19

18

21

3. Remove spindle plate

20

before installing a new
housing. Remove any dirt and grass from the motor
housing and spindle plate.

ENGLISH

10

4. Install spindle plate

20

onto the spindle

21

, so the

double D shaped retaining nut

22

on the spindle sits

inside the base of the spindle plate.

5. Align the spindle plate hole and notch, insert a
screwdriver back into the hole and thread the new
spool housing counterclockwise. Securely tighten the
new spool housing onto the spindle

21

.

Fig. K

21

20

22

Replacing Guard (Fig.L–N)

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

DeWALT

replacement

guard Part Number 90624357.



WARNING: Never operate appliance

without guard firmly in place.

1. Remove the spool assembly as described in the
Replacing Spool Assembly section.

2. Remove the 4 guard screws

23

shown in FigureL.

Fig. L

23

23

3. Lift the guard off at an angle as shown in FigureM.

Fig. M

4. To attached a new guard, slide the
tab

24

of the new guard under the lip

25

of the motor

housing

5

, then lower the back of the guard into place

as shown in FigureN.

5. Replace and securely tighten the 4 guard screws

23

.

6. Replace the spool housing as described in the

Replacing Spool Assembly section.

Fig. N

24

25

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.

Register Online

Thank you for your purchase. Register your product nowfor:

• WARRANTY SERVICE: Registering your product will

help you obtain more efficient warranty service in case
there is a problem with yourproduct.

• CONFIRMATION OF OWNERSHIP: In case of

an insurance loss, such as fire, flood or theft, your
registration of ownership will serve as your proof
ofpurchase.

• FOR YOUR SAFETY: Registering your product will

allow us to contact you in the unlikely event a safety
notification is required under the Federal Consumer
SafetyAct.

Register online at www.dewalt.com/register.

Three Year Limited Warranty

DeWALT

will repair, without charge, any defects due to
faulty materials or workmanship for three years from the
date of purchase. This warranty does not cover part failure
due to normal wear or appliance abuse. For further detail
of warranty coverage and warranty repair information,
visit www.

DeWALT

.com or call 1–800–4-

DeWALT

(1–800–
433–9258). This warranty does not apply to accessories
or damage caused where repairs have been made or
attempted by others. This warranty gives you specific legal
rights and you may have other rights which vary in certain
states orprovinces.

In addition to the warranty,

DeWALT

appliances are covered

by our: