READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THE
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION.
FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
WARNUNG
LESEN SIE DIE BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG SORGFÄLTIG
DURCH, UND BEFOLGEN SIE DIE SICHERHEITSREGELN. ANDERNFALLS BESTEHT DAS RISIKO SCHWERER VERLETZUNGEN.
AVVERTENZA
LEGGERE E SEGUIRE ATTENTAMENTE LE ISTRUZIONI PER LAVORARE IN CONDIZIONI DI MASSIMA SICUREZZA. LA MANCATA OSSERVANZA DELLE ISTRUZIONI POTREBBE PROVOCARE
LESIONI GRAVI.
ADVERTENCIA
LEA ATENTAMENTE LAS INSTRUCCIONES Y SIGA LAS INDICACIONES PARA UN FUNCIONAMIENTO SEGURO. DE NO HACERLO, PODRÍA SUFRIR LESIONES GRAVES.
1Top cover
ENGLISH
OPERATOR'S MANUAL
HEDGE TRIMMER
HC-331ES
HC-341ES
WARNING
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THE
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION.
FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Important information
2Important information
Please ensure that you read the operator's manual before using your product.
Intended use of this product
ECHO Hedge Trimmers are lightweight, high-performance, petrol engined units designed for hedge and shrub trim-
ming.
Do not use this unit for any purpose other than aforementioned.
Users of the product
You should not use this product until you have read the operator's manual carefully and fully absorbed its content.
This product should not be used by anyone who has failed to read the operator's manual properly, is suffering from a
cold, tiredness or otherwise in poor physical condition, or children.
Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their prop-
erty.
About your operator's manual
This manual contains necessary info rmation abo ut the operation and maintena nce of your prod uct. Please read it c are-
fully and absorb its contents.
Always keep your manual in a place where it is readily accessible.
If you have lost your manual or it is damaged and no longer readable, please purchase a new one from your ECHO
DEALER.
The units used in thi s manual are SI units (Inte rnational System of Unit s). Figures in parentheses are reference values,
and there may be a slight conversion error in some cases.
Loaning or assigning your product
When loaning the pro duct described in t his manual to anoth er party, ensure th at the person borro wing and working w ith
the product receives the operat or's ma nual alo ng with the product . If you assi gn your prod uct to anot her party, pl ease
enclose the operator's manual with the product when handing it over.
Enquiries
Please contact your ECHO DEALER for requests regarding information about your product, the purchase of consum-
ables, repairs, and other such enquiries.
Notices
The content of this manual may be changed without notice for the purpose of upgrades to the product. Some of the
illustrations used may differ from the product itself in order to make the explanations clearer.
Please consult your ECHO DEALER if anything is unclear or of concern.
Feature of this model: "ES" START
"ES" START generates enough revolving power to rotate cra nkshaft up to a speed to ignite the engine and bring almost
no kickback. "ES" START makes engine start far easier than you ever expect.
2
Contents
For safe use of your product...............................................................................................4
Declaration "CE" of conformity .........................................................................................26
3
For safe use of your product
Be careful to read this section before using your product.
For safe use of your product
The precautions described in this section contain important safety information. Please observe them carefully.
You must also read the precautions that appear in the body of the manual itself.
Text following a [diamond mark] mark describes the potential consequences of failing to observe the precaution.
Warning notices
Situations where there is a ris k of phy sical inju ry to the operator and other people are indicated in this manual an d on th e product
itself by the following warning notices. Always read and observe them carefully in order to ensure safe operation.
DANGER WARNING CAUTION
This symbol accompanied by the
word "DANGER" calls attentions to
an act or a condition which will lead to
serious personal injury or death of operators and bystandars.
Other indicators
As well as warning notices, this manual uses the following explanatory symbols:
This symbol accompanied by the
word "WARNING" calls attentions to
an act or a condition which can lead to
serious personal i njury or death o f operators and bystanders.
"CAUTION" indicates a potentially
hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate inju ry.
NOTEIMPORTANT
Circle and slash symbol means whatever is
shown is prohibited.
This enclosed mes sage provid es tips
for use, care and mai nte nan ce of the
product.
Framed text featuring the word "IM-PORTANT" contains important information about the use, checking,
maintenance a nd storag e of the product described in this manual.
Symbols
In this manual and o n the pro duct i tself, a series of exp lanato ry symbo ls is used. Pl ease m ake sure that you ful ly und erstan d what
each symbol means.
Symbol form/shapeSymbol description/applica-
tion
Carefully read the operator's
manual
Wear eyes, ears and head
protection
Safety / Alert
Finger severing
Symbol form/shapeSymbol description/applica-
tion
Petrol and oil mixture
Purge bulb (Primer)
Carburettor adjustment
- Low speed mixture
Carburettor adjustment
- High speed mixture
Emergency stop
Carburettor adjustment
- Idle speed
4
For safe use of your product
Symbol form/shapeSymbol description/applica-
tion
Do not use the produc t in places with poor ventilation
Beware of fire
Beware of electric shocksEnvironmental protection!
Beware of high-temperature
areas
Symbol form/shapeSymbol description/applica-
tion
Choke Control
"Cold Start"
Position
(Choke Closed)
Choke Control
"Run"
Position
(Choke Open)
Guaranteed sound power level
Location in which the safety decal is attached
The safety decal shown below has been attached to the products described in this manual. Ensure that you understand what
the decal means before using your product.
If the decal b ecomes unre adable due t o wear and t ear or damage , or peels off and is lost, pl ease purcha se a replace ment decal
from your ECHO DEALER and atta ch it in the loc ati on shown in the ill ust rati ons be low. En sure that the decal is readable at all
times.
1. Safety decal (Part number X505-002030)
2. Safety decal (Part number X505-002310)
5
For safe use of your product
Handling fuel
DANGER
Always keep well away from fire when refuelling
Fuel is highly inflammabl e an d lea ds to a risk of fire if mis hand led. U se extre me c ar e whe n mixing, storing or hand ling
or serious personal injury may result. Be careful to observe the following instructions.
Do not smoke or hold a flame near when refuelling.
Do not fuel up while the engine is hot or in operation.
If you do so, the fuel could ignite and cause fire, leading to burns.
About the container and refuelling place
Use an approved fuel container.
Fuel tanks/cans may be under pressure.
Always loosen fuel caps slowly allowing pressure to
equalize.
DO NOT fill fuel tanks indoors.
ALWAYS fill fuel tanks outdoors over bare ground.
Fuel spills can cause fire
Observe the following precautions when refuelling:
Do not add so much fuel tha t it reaches the mouth of the
fuel tank. Keep the fuel within the prescribed l evel (up to
the shoulder level of the fuel tank).
Mop up any fuel that overflows or spills out due to over-
filling.
Tighten the fuel tank cap securely after refuelling.
Fuel spills can cause fire and burns when ignited.
1. Fuel tank
2. Shoulder level
Do not start the eng ine in the area where yo u refueled
You must not start the engine in the place where you
carried out the refuelling. Move at least 3m from the
place where you refueled before starting the engine.
Fuel leaks that occur while refuel-
ling can cause fire if ignited.
Fuel leaks cause fire
After refuelling, always check
that there are no leaks or discharges of fuel from the fuel
pipe, fuel system grommets, or
around the fuel tank cap.
If you do find fuel leaks or discharges, stop using the
product immediately and contact your ECHO DEALER
to have it repaired.
Any fuel leaks could cause fire.
6
For safe use of your product
Handling the engine
WARNING
Starting the engine
Be particularly careful to observe the following precautions when starting the engine:
Always ensure all handles and guards are fitted
Check that none of the nuts and bolts are loose
Check that there are no fuel leaks
Check that the cutter blade is not damaged or exces-
sively worn. If you find any abnormalities, do not use
the product.
Place the product in a flat, well ventilated place
Leave plenty of space around the product and do not al-
low people or animals near it
Remove obstructions, if any
Make sure that the cutter blade is not touching the
ground or any obstacles
Start the engine with the throttle trigger in the idle spee d
position
Hold the product firmly to the ground when starting the
engine
Do not start the engine holding the product in the air
Failure to obse rve the prec autio ns coul d cause an acci dent
or injury, or even lead to a fatality.
Put safety first in the case of fire or smoke
If fire comes from the engine or smoke appears from
any area other than the exhaust vent, first distance
yourself from the product to ensure yo ur physical safety.
Use a shovel to throw sand or other such
material on the fire to prevent it from
spreading, or put it out with a fire extinguisher.
A panicked reac tion could resu lt in the fire and
other damage becoming more extensive.
Exhaust fumes are toxic
The exhaust fumes from the engi ne contain toxic gases.
Do not operate the product indoors or in a pla stic greenhouse or in other ill ventilated places.
The exhaust fumes could cause poisoning.
Once the engine has st arted , check for abnormal vibrations and sounds
Check that there are no abnormal vibrations or sounds
once the engine starts. Do not use the product if there
are abnormal vibrations or sounds. Contac t your ECHO
DEALER to have it repaired.
Accidents involving parts that fall or shatter off can cause
wounds or serious injury.
Do not touch high temperature or high voltage components while the product is running
Do not touch the following high temperature or high voltage components while the product is running or for some
time after it stops.
Silencer, spark plug, gear housing, and
other high temperature components
You could burn yourself if you touch a high
temperature component.
Spark plug, spark plug wire, and other
high voltage components
You could receive an electric shock if you
touch a high voltage com po nen t w hil e the
product is running.
Turn off the engine when checking or maintaining
the product
Observe the following precautions when checking and
maintaining your product after use:
Turn the engine off and do not attempt to check or main-
tain the product until the engine has cooled
You could burn yourself.
Remove the spark plug cap before performing checks
and maintenance
An accident could occur of the product starts unexpectedly .
Checking the spark plug
Observe the following precautions when checking the
spark plug.
If the electrodes or terminals are worn, or if there are
cracks in the ceramics, replace them with new parts.
The spark test (for checking whether the spark plug is
sparking) must be carried out by a profe ssional. Plea se
ask your ECHO DEALER.
The spark test must not be carried out in proximity of
the spark plug hole.
The spark test must not be performed in places where
there are fuel spills or inflammable gases
You must not touch the
metal parts of the spark
plug
The spark plug could ig-
nite a fire or give you an
electric shock.
7
For safe use of your product
Handling the product
General precautions
WARNING
Operator's manual
Be careful to read the operator's manual
properly before using your product in order to ensure correct operation.
Failure to do so could lead to a n accide nt or
serious inju ry.
Do not use the product for anything
other than its intended purpose
You must not use the product for any purpose other
than those described in the operator's manual.
To do so could lead to an accident or serious injury.
Do not modify the product
You must not modify the product.
To do so could lead to an accident or serious injury. Any
malfunction resulting from a modification to the product will
not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Loaning or assigning your product
When loaning your product to another party, ensure
that the person borrowing the product receives the operator's manual along with it.
If you assign your product to another party, please en-
close the operator's manual with the product when
handing it over.
Failure to do so could lead to an accident or serious injury.
Being prepared in case of an injury
In the unlikely event of an accident or injury, please ensure
that you are prepared.
First aid kit
Towels and wipes (to stop any bleeding)
Whistle or mobile phone (for calling outside help)
If you are un abl e t o pe rform fi rst aid or c al l fo r outside help,
the injury could worsen.
Do not use the pr oduct unless it has been checked
and maintained
You must not use the product unless it has been
checked and maintained. Always ensure that the product is checked and maintained on a regular basis.
Failure to do so could lead to an accident or serious injury.
Precautions for use
DANGER
Starting the engine
Never try to start the engine by positioning yourse lf on
the blade side.
Physical injury can occur if the cutter blade suddenly starts
to move.
Always stop the engine when a blade jam occurs
Do not attempt to remove an object causing a blade jam
if the engine is runnnig.
Physical injury can occur if a bla de jam is removed and the
blade strats moving.
8
For safe use of your product
WARNING
Users of the product
The product should not be used by :
people who are tired
people who have taken alcohol
people who are on medication
people who are pregnant
people who are in poor physical
condition
people who have not read the op-
erator's manual
children
Failure to observe these instruc-
tions could lead to an accident.
Environment of use and operation
Do not use the product in places where the re is no sure
foothold, such as on steep slopes or after rainfall, as
such places are slippery and dangerous.
Do not operate the product at night or in dark places
with poor visibility.
A serious injury could result if you fall or slip, or fail to oper-
ate the product correctly.
Vibration and cold
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud's Phenomenon which affects the fingers of c ertain individu als may be
brought about by exposure to vibration and cold. Exposure to vibration and cold may cause tingli ng and burn ing,
followed by loss of colour and numbness in the fingers.
The following precautions are strongly recommended because the minimum exposure which might trigger the ailment is unknown.
Keep your body warm, especially the head and neck,
feet and ankles, and hands and wrists.
Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous
arm exercises during frequent work brea ks, and also by
not smoking.
Limit the number of hours of operation.
Try to fill each day with jo bs where op erating the hed ge
trimmer or other hand-held power equipment is not required.
If you experience discomfort redness and swelli ng of
the fingers, followed by whitening and loss of feeling,
consult your physician before exposi ng yourself further
to cold and vibration.
Failure to observ e these instru ctions could res ult in damage
to your health.
Turn off the engine when moving around
When moving around in the situations described below,
turn off the engine and ensure that the cutter blade has
stopped moving, then fit the blade cover and position the
silencer away from yourself.
Moving to the place where you are working
Moving to another area while you are working
Leaving the place where you have been working
Failure to observe these precautions could cause burns or
serious inju ry.
When transporting the product by car, empty the fuel
tank, fit the blade cover, and secure the product firmly
in place to prevent it from moving around.
Travelling by car with fue l in the fuel tank could lead to a fire.
Repetitive stress injuries
It is believed that over-using the muscles and tendons of
the fingers, hands, arms and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness and extreme pain to
the areas just mentioned. Certai n repetitive hand activities
may put you at a high risk for developing a repetitive
stress injury (RSI).
To reduce the risk of RSI, do the following:
Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended or twisted
position.
Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest
your hands. Reduce the speed and force in which you
do the repetitive movement.
Do exercises to strengthen hand and arm muscles.
See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in
your fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI is
diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve and muscle
damage can be prevented.
Failure to observ e these instru ctions could res ult in damage
to your health.
9
For safe use of your product
WARNING
Remove foreign objects and obstructions before
working with the product
Inspect area that the product will be used in. Remove
stones, metal objects and any other object that could
jam or damage the product.
An accident or serious injury can occur if foreign objects
throw the cutting device.
Turn off the engine immediately if anything goes
wrong
In the following situations, turn off th e engin e imme diately
and ensure that the cutting device has stopped before
checking each area of the product. Replace any damaged
parts.
If the cutting device hits a rock, tree, post, or oth er such
obstruction while you work.
If the product suddenly starts to vibrate abnormally.
Continuing to use parts when they are damaged could lead
to an accident or serious injury.
Do not operate the product one-handed
Keep both hands on handles while the engine is run-
Keep a firm grip on the hedge trimmer with both hands,
Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the
Never remove hands from the product when the bla des
Failure to observe these instructions w ill cause the p roduct
ning. Never operate the product with only one hand.
the right hand on the front handle, the left hand on the
rear handle.
handles.
are moving.
to be held unsteadily and could result in serious injury.
The area within a 10 m radius is a danger zone
The area within a 10 m radius of the product is a danger
zone. Be careful to observe the following precautions
while working with the product.
Do not allow children and other people or pets to enter
the danger zone.
If another person enters the danger zone, turn off the
engine to stop the blade
When approaching the operator, signal to him by, for
example, throwing twigs from o utside the danger zone,
and then check that engine has been swi tched off and
the blade has stopped moving.
Do not allow anyone to hold the material you are cut-
ting.
Any contact with the cutt er blade could cause serio us injury.
Do not use the product when the cutter blade is moving at idle speed
You must not use the product while the cutter blade is
moving if the Hedge Trimmer is running with the throttle
trigger in the idle speed position. Turn off the engin e immediately and adjust the carburettor.
To do so could lead to an accident or serious injury.
Make sure that the cutter blade is stopped before
putting the product on the ground
When you turn off the engine, check to ensure the cutter
blade has stopped moving before you lower the product
to the ground.
Even if the engine has been turned off, the blade can still
cause an injury while free-wheeling.
Remove debris from the silencer
If objects such as grasses, leaves, twigs or excessive
grease got stuck over the area around the silencer of
the engine, stop the en gine an d remov e them paying attention not to touch hot spots.
Failure to do so could lead to a fire.
10
For safe use of your product
WARNING
Do not use the product to cut hard objects
Do not use the product to cut hard objects such as
wires or steel plates.
If the blade strikes an obstruction or is prevented from
functioning properly, stop the engine and inspect the
blade for damage.
Failure to follow these instructions could cause breakage of
the product or an accident.
Never use the product getting on a ladder or a stool
Do not overreach or stand on unstable surfaces.
Do not use the product when being at the top o f the lad-
der or standing on a stool.
Failure to do so could lead to an accident or serious injury.
Protective gear
WARNING
Wearing protective gear
Always wear the following protective gear when working
with the hedge trimmer.
a Head protection (helmet): Pro tec ts the head
b Ear muffs or ear plugs: Protect the hearing
c Safety goggles: Protect the eyes
d Safety gloves: Protect the hands from cold and vibration
e Work clothes that fit (long sleeves, long trousers): Pro-
tect the body
f Heavy duty, non-slip protective boots or non-slip work
shoes : Protect the feet
Failure to observ e these precaution s could result in dama ge
to your sight or hearing, or lead to a serious injury.
When necessary, please use the protective gear below.
Dust mask: Protects the breathing apparatus
Bee net: To deal with attacks by bees
Do not wear to work unsuitably
Do not wear ties, jewellery, or loose, dangling clothing which could be
caught in the unit. Do not wear open toed footwear, or go bare-foot or
barelegged.
Failure to observe these precautions could result in damage to your sight or
hearing, or lead to a serious injury.
11
Packing list
The following parts are packed separately in the packing box.
When you have unpacked the box, please check the parts that it contains.
Contact your ECHO DEALER if anything is missing or broken.
NumberPart nameQu ant ity
(1)Hedge trimmer assembly1
(2)Blade cover1
Packing list
(3)Operator's manual1
(4)T-wrench1
(5)Open end wrench1
(6)L-wrench1
12
Description
Description
1. Spark plug
2. S ilencer cove r Cover for the s ilencer to prevent operator
contact with hot exhaust.
3. Carburettor Device for mixing fuel and air in the correct
proportions.
4. Starter handle Pull handle to start the engine. ("ES" START)
5. Throttle trigger lockout Device that prevents the accidental operation of the throttle trigger until manually released.
6. Igni tion switch Device for all owing the engine to be started and stopped.
7. Throttle trigger Device a ctivated by the operat or's finger,
for controlling the engine speed.
8. Rear handle Handle l oc ated fu rthe st fro m the c utti ng de vice.
9. Fuel tank cap For closing the fuel tank.
10. Fuel tank Contains fuel and fuel filter.
11. Air cleaner cover Covers air filter.
12. Frame
13. Gear housing Housing to support the gears that reduce
the speed of engine to cutting attachment.
14. Front handle Handle located on the frame.
15. Guard Guard between the front handle and cutting device for protecting the han d from injuries if the hand slips
off the handle.
16. Cutting device That part of the assembly of cutter blade
and shear plate to gether with any s upporting part, whi ch
performs the cutting action.
17. Blunt extension An extending blunt part of the cutting
device. (Applicable to double edged blade unit)
18. Blade cover When transporting or storing the product
always fit the blade cover.
13
Before you start
Before you start
Preparing the fuel
DANGER
Fuel is highly inflammable and ther e is a risk of fire if it is handled incorrectly. Carefully read
and observe the precautions in the sectio n of this man ual titled "For sa fe use of your prod uct".
Once the refuelling is complete, securely tighten the fuel tank cap and do not forget to
check that there are no leak s or discharges of fuel from th e fuel pipe, fuel system gromm ets,
or around the fuel tank cap. If you do find fuel leaks or discharges, stop using the product
immediately and contact your ECHO DEALER to have it repaired.
If the fuel ignites, it could cause burns and fire.
CAUTION
There is difference in pressure between the fuel tank and the outside air. When refuelling, loosen the fuel tank cap
slightly to eliminate the difference in pressure.
Otherwise, fuel may get spewed.
NOTE
Stored fuel ages. Do not mix more fuel than you expect use in thirty (30) days. Do not mix directly in fuel tank.
Fuel
Fuel supply
1. Fuel tank2. Shoulder level
Fuel is a mixture of regular grade petrol and an air-cooled 2-
stroke engine oil of reputable brand name.
Minimum 89 Octane unl eaded petrol is recommended . Do not
use fuel containing methyl alcohol or more than 10 % of ethyl
alcohol.
Standard (ISO/CD 13738), JASO FC, FD grade and ECHO
Premium 50 : 1 oil.
- Do not mix directly in engine fuel tank.
- Avoid spilling petrol or oil. Spilling fuel should always be
wiped up.
- Handle petrol with care, it is highly inflammable.
- Always store fuel in approved container.
Always refuel in a well ve ntil ate d loc ati on . Do not pour fuel in-
doors.
Place the prod uc t an d the refu ell in g ta nk on the ground when
performing the refuelling operat ion . Do not refu el the prod uc t
on the loading platform of a truck, or in other such places.
Always ensure that the fuel level remains be low the shoulder
level of the fuel tank when refuelling.
There is a difference in pressure between the fu el tank and the
outside air. When refu elling, loosen the fue l tank cap slightly to
eliminate the difference in pressure.
Always wipe up any fuel spills.
Move at least 3m away from where you refueled before you
start the engine.
Keep the refuelling tank in a shaded area away from fire.
14
Engine operation
Engine operation
Starting the engine
WARNING
When starting the engine, observe the precautio ns describe d from Page 4 in the section "For safe us e o f y our prod-
uct" to ensure that you operate the product correctly.
If the cutter blade moves even though the throttle trigger is in the idle speed position when the engine is started,
adjust the carburettor before using the product.
Cutter blade will start moving as engine attains clutch engagement speed.
Failure to observe the precautions could cause an accident or injury, or even lead to a fatality.
NOTE
Pull out the starter grip gently at first, and then more rapidly. Do not pull the starter rope out to more than 2/3 of its length.
Do not let go of the starter grip as it returns.
Starting a cold engine
(Connect the spark plug cap if the produ ct has been i n storage for
a long period of time)
1. Ignition switch
2. Throttle trigger
1. Choke lever
2. Purge bulb
1. Starter handle ("ES" START)
3. Throttle trigger lockout
3. Cold Start
4. Run
The starting procedu re de pends on whethe r the eng in e is cold o r
warm. A cold engine is started as follows.
1. Remove the blade cover and chec k the cut ter bla de. If an ything is wrong, replace it with a new one.
2. Placing the product on l evel ground, check to ensure that the
blade does not come into contact with the surface of the
ground or any other imped iment using a beam or other such
implement.
3. Check that there are no fuel leaks.
4. Move the ignition switch to the Start position.
5. Move the choke lever to the "Cold Start" position.
6. Alternately press and release the purge bu lb until the fu el is
sucked up into it.
7. Checking that the area around you is safe, hold the front
handle firmly with your right hand as shown in the illustration,
pulling several times on the starter grip.
8. If you hear an explosion-like sound and the en gine stops immediately, move the choke lever to the "Run" position and
continue pulling on the starter grip to start the engine.
9. If the engine starts immediately when you carry out the instructions in step 7, above, return the choke lever gently to
the "Run" position.
10. Leave the engine to warm up at idle speed for a while.
11. Depress the throttle trigger lockout and gradually squeeze
the throttle trigger.
15
Engine operation
Engine warm-up
Starting a warm engine
1. Once the engine starts, allow it to warm up for 2 to 3 minutes
at idling (i.e. low speed).
2. Warming the engine helps to lubricate its internal workings
more smoothly. Allow the engine to warm up ful ly, especially
when it is cold.
1. Move the ignition switch to the Start position.
1. Ignition switch
2. Throttle trigger
1. Choke lever
2. Purge bulb
3. Throttle trigger lockout
3. Cold Start
4. Run
Stopping the engine
1. Ignition switch2. Throttle trigger
2. Check that the choke lever is in the "Run" position.
3. If fuel tank is not empty, pull on the starter grip to start the
engine.
4. If no fuel is visible in the purg e bulb, alterna tely press a nd release the purge bulb until the fuel is sucked up into it.
5. Checking that the area around you is safe and pull on the
starter grip to start the engine.
1. Release the throttle trigger and set the engine to idling (i.e.
low speed).
2. Move the ignition switch to the Stop position.
3. In the event of an emergency, stop the engine immediately
using the ignition switch.
4. If the engine fails to stop, move t he chok e lev er to the " Cold
Start" position. The engine will stall and come to a halt (a
choke stop).
∗ If the engine fails to stop when the ignito n switch is used, hav e
the ignition switc h checked an d repaired by your E CHO DEALER before you use the product again.
16
Hedge and shrub trimming operation
Hedge and shrub trimming operation
Basic hedge trimming operation
NOTE
This product is designed to cut shrubs and hedges with branches no larger than 6 mm in diameter.
When starting to trim, run the engin e at full throttl e. Cu tti ng at les s at than f ull spee d can dama ge the clut ch by allo wing it to
slip. When you do not conduct trimming or cutting work, do not run the engine at full throttle.
Pulling the throttl e trigger af ter the e ngine is st arted will c ause
the engine speed to rise and the c utte r blad e to sta r t movin g.
Adjust the engine speed depending on, for example, the
amount of the hedges to be cut.
1. Throttle trigger2. High speed
3. Idling
Conduct cutting work with the cutter blade positioned away
from you. Do not orient the cutt er blade towa rd yourself or put
it closer to yourself.
When cutting the top of the hedges or shrubs, do so by moving
the cutter blade from side to side. Tidy trimming will be made
possible by moving the blade slightly cast d own.
When cutting sides, do so by moving the cutter blade in the
bottom-up direction for tidy trimming.
Do not press the cutter blade against the objects like trees.
Operate the prod uct in accordance with the movement an d the
speed of the cutter blade.
17
Maintenance and care
Maintenance and care
Servicing guidelines
AreaMaintenancePageBefore useMonthly
Air filterClean/Replace18•
Fuel filterInspect/Clean/Replace18•
Spark plugInspect/Clean/Adjust/Replace20•
CarburettorAdjust/Replace and adjust19•
Cooling systemInspect/Clean19•
SilencerInspect/Tighten/Clean20•
Gear housingGrease20• (15 - 20h)
StarterInspect22•
BladesInspect/Clean/Lubricate21•
Fuel systemInspect20•
Screws, bolts and nutsInspect/Tighten/Replace-•
IMPORTANT
Time intervals are maximum. Actual use and your experience will determine the frequency of required maintenance. Record
dates of monthly and yearly inspections.
Maintenance and care
If you have any questions or problems, please contact your ECHO DEALER.
Cleaning air filter (Before each use)
NOTE
If filter is excessively dirty or no longer fit s properl y, repla ce
it.
Ensure that the filter is completely dry before reinstalling it.
1. Close choke. Loosen cleaner cover knob and remove air
cleaner cover and air filter.
2. Carefully brush dirt from filter or clean with a nonflammable
solvent if necessary. Dry it completely before installation.
1. Air filter
2. Air cleaner cover
3. Cleaner cover knob
Cleaning fuel filter (Check periodically)
3. Reinstall air filter with cove r, after ins talli ng air fil ter to co ve r.
1. Pick up fuel filter through fuel tank opening with a piece of
steel wire or the like.
2. Clean filter in a suitable cleaner or replace it if necessary.
3. Reinstall the filter.
1. Fuel filter
18
Maintenance and care
Carburettor adjustment (As required)
WARNING
When carburettor adjustm ent is comple ted, cutter b lade should no t move at idle , otherwise se rious persona l injury may
result.
CAUTION
When starting, idle speed adjuster (T) should be adjusted not to move the cutter blade.
When there is some trouble with the carburettor, contact your ECHO DEALER.
Every unit is test run at the factory and the carburettor is fine
tuned for maximum performance.
Before adjusting carburettor, clean or replace air filter, start engine and run several minu tes to bring i t to operating temperature .
1. Idle Speed Adjustment.
Start engine and turn i dle speed adjustm ent screw (T) c lockwise until the blade s be gi n to m ov e, th en t urn th e s cre w ( T)
anticlockwise until the blades stop moving. Turn screw (T)
anticlockwise an additional 1/2 turn.
2. Accelerate to full throttle for 2 to 3 seconds to clear excess
fuel from engine the n return to idle. Acc elerate to ful l throttle
to check for smooth transition from idle to full throttle.
T: Idle speed adjuster
Cleaning cylinder fins (Check periodically)
1. Recoil starter housing
2. Cylinder fins
3. Exhaust guide
4. Silence r cover
1. Of the bolts fixing the exhaust guide, take out the (M6) bolt
on silencer side an d loosen the (M4 ) bolt on the exha ust port
side.
2. Remove the silencer cover.
3. Carefully remove the recoil starter housing and clean dirt
and dust from fins.
4. Reinstall the recoil starter housing and the silencer cover.
5. Put the exhaust guide back in place and tighten two bolts.
NOTE
Clogged fins will cause poor engine cooling.
19
Maintenance and care
Cleaning silencer (Check periodically)
1. Remove the exhaust guide and silencer cover.
2. Clean deposits from the silencer and the exhaust guide.
3. Tighten two bolts.
4. Reinstall the silencer cover and the exhaust guide.
1. Exhaust guide
2. Silence r cover
3. Two bolts
4. Silence r
Check fuel system (Check before each use)
1. Fuel tank cap
Check spark plug (Check periodically)
After refuelling, make sure fuel does not leak or exude from
around fuel pipe, fuel grommet or fuel tank cap.
In case of fuel leakage or exudation there is a danger of fire.
Stop using the machine immediat ely and req uest yo ur ECHO
DEALER to inspect or replace.
Check plug gap. Correct gap is 0.6 mm to 0.7 mm.
Inspect electrode for wear.
Inspect insulator for oil or other deposits.
Replace plug if needed and tighten to 15 N•m - 17 N•m (150
kgf•cm to 170 kgf•cm).
a: 0.6 - 0.7 mm
Lubricating gear housing (Every 15 - 20 hours of operation)
1. Clean dirt from grease fitting.
2. Hold the product firmly and carefully pump grease in fitting.
Do not force grease. Too much pressure will force grease
past seals and cause damage. Apply 1 - 2 pumps of
grease every 15 - 20 hours of operation.
NOTE
Use good quality lithium multi grease.
1. Grease fitting
20
Maintenance and care
Care for cutting blades
CAUTION
Wear gloves to protect hands from sharp blades.
If you experience any problems with sharpening the blade, we recommend that you take it to your ECHO DEALER.
Failure to observe these precautions could lead to injury.
Lubricating blades (Every 4 hours of operation)
Apply a few drops of oil the each bolt slots at the bottom of
blades.
1. Bolt slots
Cleaning blades (After each use)
Remove gummy r esidue from blade s with a 50 : 50 mixture of
kerosene (paraffin) and machine oil.
Sharpening blades (As needed)
NOTE
Use a disk grinder, endless abrasive belt, or smooth flat file.
1. Remove all nuts and bolts securing cutters to frame bar.
2. Remove cutters.
3. Hold a cutter in a vice.
4. File and reshape the cutter edges as shown.
5. If frame bar is deformed or dam age d, re pl ace w ith ne w one .
(A):6 mm radius
(B):100° (Approx.)
(C):45°
Adjusting gap between blades (As needed)
Loosen the locknuts.
Tighten the blade bol ts un til snug with 10 mm open end wrench.
Loosen the bolts 1/2 turn.
Hold the bolts from turning and tighten the locknuts with Twrench.
1. Bolt
2. Locknut
3. Loosen 1/2 turn
21
Maintenance and care
Troubleshooting table
ProblemDiagnosisCauseSolution
The engine does
not start
Engine is difficult to
start, fluctuating rotation
Engine starts but
no acceleration is
possible
The engine stops
Fuel is entering the overflow pipe
No fuel is entering the
overflow pipe
The spark plug is dirty or
damp
There is no fuel in the fuel tank
The ignition switch is in the Stop posi-
Clean or replace
Clean or replace
Consult your ECHO DEALER
Adjust
Clean
Adjust
Consult your ECHO DEALER
The engine fails to
stop
The cutter blade
moves when the
engine is idling
The cutter blade
gets blunt
Checking and maintenanc e requires sp ecialis t knowledge. If yo u are unable to ch eck and main tain the produc t or deal with a
fault yourself, consult your ECHO DEALER. Do not attempt to dismantle the product.
Consult your ECHO DEALER in the event of a problem that is not covered in the table above, or other such concerns.
For spare parts and con sumables, plea se use only ge nuine parts and des ignated products and components. U sing parts from
other manufacturers or non-designated components may result in a malfunction.
Ignition switch malfunction Perform an emergency stop
and consult your ECHO DEAL ER
Carburettor adjustment problem
Damaged clutch spring
Worn cutter blade
Big gap between upp er blade and low -
er blade
Slippage of the clutch
Adjust
Consult your ECHO DEALER
Consult your ECHO DEALER
Consult your ECHO DEALER
Consult your ECHO DEALER
NOTE
"ES" START (See page 2)
When starter handle cannot be pulled lightly, the trouble is diagnosed as failure of engine inside.
Please consult your dealer.
If disassembled inadvertently, it can cause injury.
22
Storage
Storage
Long-term storage (30 days or more)
WARNING
Do not store in sealed locations filled with fuel gas, or close to naked flames or sparks.
You could cause a fire.
When storing the product for long periods of time (30 days or more), ensure that the following preparations for storage are carried out.
1. Empty the fuel tank completely.
A. Remove any fuel from the fuel tank.
B. Alternatel y pre ss and rele as e the purg e bul b a nu mb er
of times to remove the fuel from the purge bulb.
C. Start the engine and run it a t idle speed until it comes to
a natural stop.
1. Ignition switch2. Throttle trigger
2. Move the ignition switch to the Stop position.
3. Wipe clean any grease, oil, du st, di rt an d other materi als on
the outside of the hedge trimmer.
4. Perform the periodic checks prescribed in this manual.
5. Check that the screws and nuts are tightened. Tighten up
any that are loose.
6. Remove the spark plug and add the appropriate quantity
(around 10 mL) of clean, new 2-stroke engine oil to the cylinder via the installation socket.
A. Place a pie ce of clean cloth over the spark plu g installa -
tion socket.
B. Pull 2 or 3 times on the starter grip to distribute the en-
gine oil into the cylinder.
C. Observ e the piston loca tion through the sp ark plug hole.
Pull the recoil starter handle slowly until the piston
reaches the top of its travel and leave it there.
7. Fit the spark plug. (Do not connect the spark plug cap. )
8. Lubricate the blades with a heavy coat of oil to prevent rust.
1. Spark plug2. Spark plug wire
9. Once the product is sufficiently cool and dry, fit the blade
cover onto the cutter bl ade an d wrap the eng ine sect ion in a
plastic bag or other cove ring before putting the m in storage.
10. Store the product in a dry, dust free place, out of the reach
of children and other unauthorized persons.
23
Disposal procedure
Disposal procedure
Dispose of waste oil in accordance with local regulations.
Major plastic pa rts making up the prod uct have codes showing
their materials.
The codes refer to the following materials; dispose of those
plastic parts in accordance with local regulations.
Please contact you r ECHO DEALE R in case you do not know
how you should dispose of waste oil / plastic parts.
24
Specifications
Specifications
HC-331ESHC-341ES
Mass:
Unit, empty tankkg5.86.1
Unit, full tankkg6.16.5
Volume: Fuel tankL0.5
Cutting device:
TypeDual action, single sided
Lengthmm7641010
Pitchmm35
Heightmm23
Gear ratio and lubrication:4.67 reduction and good quality lithium grease
External Dimensions: length × width × heightmm1130 × 315 × 2101375 × 315 × 210
Engine:
TypeAir cooled Two stroke single cylinder
Engine displacementmL (cm³)23.6
Maximum shaft brake power, measured in accordance
with ISO 8893
Engine speed at maximum engine powerr/min7500
Recommended maximum engine speedr/min11000
Recommended engine idling speedr/min3000
CarburettorDiaphragm type
IgnitionFlywheel magneto - CDI system
Spark plugNGK BPMR8Y
StarterRecoil starter ; "ES" START (See page 2)
ClutchAutomatic Centrifugal
OilTwo stroke, air-cooled engine oil. ISO-L-EGD Stan d-
Ratio50 : 1 (2 %)
Fuel consumption at maximum engine powerL/h0.57
Specific fuel consumption at maximum engine powerg/(kW•h)636
kW0.66
petrol is recommended. Do not use fuel containing
methyl alcohol or more than 10 % of ethyl alcohol.
ard (ISO/CD 13738), J ASO FC, FD grade and EC HO
Premium 50 : 1 oil.
Sound Pressure Level: (ISO 22868) LpAav =dB(A)94.395.3
Guaranteed Sound Power Level: (2000/14/EC) L
Vibration levels: (ISO/DIS 10517)
Idlingm/s²3.72.7
Racingm/s²5.18.0
These specifictions are subject to change without notice.
=dB(A)108109
WA
25
Declaration "CE" of conformity
Declaration "CE" of conformity
The undersigned manufacturer:
KIORITZ CORPORATION
7-2 SUEHIROCHO 1-CHOME
OHME; TOKYO 198-8711
JAPAN
declares that the hereunder specified new unit:
PORTABLE HEDGE TRIMMER
Brand: ECHO
Type: HC-331ES
HC-341ES
complies with:
* the requirements of Directive 98/37/EC (1998)
(use of harmonized standard ISO 10517 (EN 774))
* the requirements of Directive 2004/108/EC
(use of harmonized standards EN 50081-1, EN 50082-1, EN 55014 and EN 55022)
* the requirements of Directive 2002/88/EC
* the requirements of Directive 2000/14/EC