MTD AH720 User Manual

P/N 769-03351 (9/07)

For service call 1-800-345-8746 or 1-800-668-1238 in Canada to obtain a list of authorized service dealers near you.

DO NOT RETURN THE UNIT TO THE RETAILER. PROOF OF PURCHASE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR WARRANTY SERVICE.

THIS PRODUCT IS COVERED BY ONE OR MORE U.S. PATENTS. OTHER PATENTS PENDING.

Service on this unit both within and after the warranty period should be performed only by an authorized and approved service dealer.

Before beginning, locate the unit’s model plate. It lists the model and serial numbers of your unit. Refer to the sample plate below and copy the information for future reference.

Copy the serial number here:

Copy the model and parent part number here:

All information, illustrations, and specifications in this manual are based on the latest product information available at the time of printing. We reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Rules for Safe Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Know Your Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Maintenance and Repair Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E7

MODEL :

S/N :

ITEM :

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATING

• Carefully read and understand the operator's manual of the unit that powers this attachment.

• Read this operating instruction manual carefully. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the equipment. Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls quickly.

• Do not operate this unit when tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.

• Never allow children to operate the equipment. Never allow adults unfamiliar with the instructions to use the unit. Never allow adults to operate the equipment without proper instruction.

• All guards and safety attachments must be installed properly before operating the unit.

• Inspect the unit before use. Ensure the blade is installed correctly and secure.

• Clear the area to be hedged before each use. Remove all objects such as rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, or string which can be thrown or become entangled in the hedge trimmer attachment.

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR GAS POWERHEADS AND HEDGE TRIMMERS

• Store fuel only in containers specifically designed and approved for the storage of such materials.

• Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Never remove the cap of the fuel tank, or add fuel, when the engine is hot. Never operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in place. Loosen the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure in the tank.

• Mix and add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated area outdoors where there are no sparks or flames. Slowly remove the fuel cap only after stopping engine. Do not smoke while fueling or mixing fuel. Wipe up any spilled fuel from the unit immediately.

• Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilled fuel. Do not start the engine until fuel vapors dissipate.

• Move the unit at least 30 feet (9.1 m) from the fueling source and site before starting the engine. Do not smoke. Keep sparks and open flames away from the area while adding fuel or operating the unit.

• Never start or run the unit inside a closed room or building. Breathing exhaust fumes can kill. Operate this unit only in a well ventilated area outdoors.

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •

Read the Operator’s Manual and follow all warnings and safety

instructions. Failure to do so can result in serious injury to the

operator and/or bystanders.

FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 1-800-345-8746 IN U.S. OR

1-800-668-1238 in CANADA

The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols, and their explanations, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures.

NOTE: Advises you of information or instructions vital to the

operation or maintenance of the equipment.

SYMBOL MEANING

SAFETY ALERT:

Indicates danger, warning or caution. Attention is required in order to avoid serious personal injury. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.

DANGER:

Failure to obey a safety warning will result in serious injury to yourself or to others. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury.

WARNING:

Failure to obey a safety warning can result in injury to yourself and others. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury.

CAUTION:

Failure to obey a safety warning may result in property damage or personal injury to yourself or to others. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

WARNING:

When using the unit, you must follow the safety rules. Please read these instructions before operating the unit in order to ensure the safety of the operator and any bystanders. Please keep these instructions for later use.

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR ELECTRIC POWERHEADS AND HEDGE TRIMMERS

• CORD SETS: Make sure your cord set is in good condition. When using a cord set, be sure to use a cord that is heavy enough to carry the current that your unit will draw. An undersized cord set will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. See the operator’s manual for the unit that will power this add-on for the recommended cord size.

• Inspect all extension cords and the unit power connection periodically. Look closely for deterioration, cuts or cracks in the insulation. Also inspect the connections for damage. Replace the cords if any defects or damage appear.

• Prevent disconnection of the hedge trimmer powerhead from extension cord during operation by using a plug-receptacle retaining strap, connector, or by making a knot as shown below:

• Avoid dangerous environments. Never operate your unit in damp or wet conditions. Moisture is a shock hazard.

• Do not use the unit in the rain. Do not use in or around water. Do not use on wet hedges or shrubbery.

• Do not handle the plug or unit with wet hands or standing on any wet surfaces.

• Do not leave the unit plugged in when not in use, changing

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

WHILE OPERATING

• Keep all bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 50 ft (15 m) away.

• Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked as meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards, and ear/hearing protection when operating this unit. Wear a face or dust mask if the operation is dusty.

• Wear heavy long pants, boots, gloves, and a long sleeve shirt. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, short pants, sandals, or go barefoot. Secure hair above shoulder level.

• Use the unit only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Use hedge trimmer properly. Only use this tool for the purpose intended. Use only for trimming the type of shrub, growth, etc., described in the operating instructions.

• Do not force unit. It will do the job better and with less likelihood of injury at a rate for which it was designed.

• Use extreme caution when reversing or pulling the unit towards you.

• Do not overreach, take extra care when working on steep slopes or inclines. Always keep proper footing and balance.

• DO NOT stand on an unstable support. Do not use on a ladder.

• Always hold the unit with both hands when operating. Keep a firm grip on both the front and rear handle or grips.

• Keep hands, face, and feet at a distance from all moving parts. Do not touch or try to stop the blades when they are moving.

• Do not operate the engine faster than the speed needed to do the job. Do not run the engine at high speed when not in use.

• Always stop the engine/motor when operation is delayed or when walking from one location to another.

• Stop the engine/motor for maintenance, repair, to install or remove the blades. The unit must be stopped and the blades no longer moving to avoid injury.

• Always wear heavy gloves when handling, removing, installing or cleaning the blades.

• If you strike or become entangled with a foreign object, stop the engine/motor immediately and check for damage. Have any damage repaired before attempting further operations.

• Stop the unit IMMEDIATELY if you feel excessive vibration. Vibration is a sign of trouble. Inspect thoroughly for loose nuts, bolts or damage before continuing. Repair or replace affected parts as necessary.

• Stop and switch the unit to off for maintenance, repair, or for changing add-ons or other attachments.

• Maintain hedge trimmer with care. Keep blades sharp at all times, and clean for best and safest performance. Follow maintenance instructions. Always use a clean cloth when cleaning. Never use brake fluid, gasoline, petroleum-based products, or any strong solvents to clean your unit.

• Use only genuine MTD replacement parts and accessories for this unit. These are available from your authorized service dealer. Use of any non-MTD parts or accessories could lead to serious injury to the user or damage to the unit, and void your warranty.

OTHER SAFETY WARNINGS

• Allow the unit to cool before storing or transporting. Be sure to secure the unit while transporting.

• Store the unit in a locked up and dry or high and dry place to prevent unauthorized use or damage, out of the reach of children.

• Never douse or squirt the unit with water or any other liquid. Keep handles dry, clean and free from debris. Clean after each use.

• Keep these instructions. Refer to them often and use them to instruct other users. If you loan someone this unit, also loan them these instructions.

• Only qualified personnel should perform any repairs or maintenance procedures that are not described in this manual.

• Check engine mounting bolts and other bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.

• Inside a building store the machine away from ignition sources. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

• Always refer to the Operator’s Manual instructions for important details if the unit is to be stored for an extended period.

• Do not attempt to repair the machine unless you have the proper tools, and instructions for disassembly and repair of the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION:

Blades will coast after the powerhead is

in the “OFF” position.

• SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS •

This operator's manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product. Read the operator's manual for complete safety, assembly, operating and maintenance and repair information.

SYMBOL MEANING SYMBOL MEANING

• WARNING - READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL

ead the operator’s manual(s) and follow all warnings and safety instructions. Failure to do so can result in serious injury to the operator and/or bystanders.

• WEAR EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION WARNING:

Thrown objects and loud noise can cause severe eye injury and hearing loss. Wear eye protection meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards and ear protection when operating this unit. Use a full face shield when needed.

• HOT SURFACE WARNING

Do not touch a hot muffler, gear housing or cylinder. You may get burned. These parts get extremely hot from operation. They remain hot for a short time after the unit is turned off.

• KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM BLADES MOVING BLADES CAN CAUSE SEVERE

INJURY.

Do not put hands on blades when starting the engine or while operating hedge trimmer attachment.

• SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL

Indicates danger, warning or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.

• KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY

WARNING:

Keep all bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 50 feet (15 m) from the operating area.

• USE BOTH HANDS

Always use both hands while operating the chain saw. Never use only one hand to operate the saw.

KNOW YOUR UNIT

ASSEMBLING THE COUPLER

Installing the add-on: NOTE: To make installing or removing the add-on easier, place the

unit on the ground or on a work bench.

1. Remove the hanger from the top of the shaft housing.

2. Turn knob counterclockwise to loosen (Fig. 1).

3. While firmly holding the add-on, push it straight into the coupler (Fig. 2).

NOTE: Aligning the release button with the guide recess will help

installation (Fig. 3).

WARNING:

Read and understand operator’s manual

for unit to be used with this add-on prior to operation.

WARNING:

To avoid serious personal injury and damage to the unit, shut unit off before removing or installing add-ons.

Primary Hole

Upper Shaft

Housing

Coupler

Fig. 2

Lower Shaft

Housing

Release Button

Knob

4. Turn the knob clockwise to tighten (Fig. 1). The hedge trimmer add-on should be installed with the release

button in the primary hole.

CAUTION:

Lock the release button in the primary hole (Fig. 2) and securely tighten the knob before operating this unit.

CAUTION:

The add-ons with the coupler system are to be used in the primary hole only. Using the wrong hole could lead to personal injury or damage to the unit.

Fig. 1

Knob

90˚ Edge

Trimming Hole

Adjustment Bolt

Drive Shaft

Assembly

Angle

Adjustment

Handle

Blade

Indexing Ring

Tighten

Loosen

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Coupler

Release Button

Guide Recess

Knob

Fig. 3

WARNING:

DO NOT USE an extension boom with this product. It is not designed to be used with an extension and using one may cause serious injury.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Removing the add-on:

1. Turn the knob counterclockwise to loosen (Fig. 1).

2. Press and hold the release button (Fig. 2).

3. While firmly holding the upper shaft housing, pull the hedge trimmer attachment out of the coupler (Fig. 2).

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE OPERATING

Adjust the angle of the trimmer to suit the area you are trimming; adjust the blade angle based on the situation. Adjust the blade as follows:

1. Grasp the adjustment bolt (Fig. 4) and turn counterclockwise to unscrew the bolt from the hole in the indexing ring.

OPERATING TIPS

• To trim new growth, use a wide sweeping motion, feeding the blade teeth through the hedge or twigs. The most effective cutting is achieved with a slight downward tilt of the blade.

.• Wear gloves when trimming thorny or prickly growth. When

trimming new growth, use a wide sweeping action, so that the stems are fed directly into the cutting blade. Older growth will have thicker stems and will be trimmed easiest by using a sawing movement.

• Do not try to cut stems that are larger than 7/16 inches (11 mm) thick. Use a non-powered hand saw or pruning saw to trim large stems.

• If desired, you can use a string to help cut your hedge level. Decide how high you want the hedge. Then, stretch a piece of string along the hedge at this height. Trim the hedge just above this guide line of string. Trim the side of a hedge so that it will be slightly narrower at the top. More of the hedge will be exposed when shaped this way, and be more uniform.

• To trim the sides of hedges, hold the hedge trimmer at the bottom and sweep upwards.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

LUBRICATING BLADE

1. For easier operation and longer blade life, lubricate the hedge trimmer attachment blade before and after each use. Before lubricating, be sure the powerhead is turned OFF. Apply light machine oil along the edge of the top blade strap (Fig. 6).

2. Occasionally, you should oil your hedge trimmer attachment during use. Before oiling, stop hedge trimmer, then oil. You then can resume trimming. Do not oil while hedge trimmer attachment is running.

OTHER MAINTENANCE

1. The cutting blades are made from high quality, hardened steel and with normal usage, they will not require resharpening. However, if you accidentally hit a wire fence, stones, glass or other hard objects, you may put a nick in the blade. There is no need to remove this nick as long as it does not interfere with the movement of the blade. If it does interfere, turn the powerhead off and use a fine toothed file or sharpening stone to remove the nick.

2. If you drop the trimmer, carefully inspect it for damage. If the blade is bent, housing cracked, or handles broken or if you see any other condition that may affect the trimmer’s operation contact a professional service center for repairs before putting it back into use.

3. Fertilizers and other garden chemicals contain agents which greatly accelerate the corrosion of metals. Do not store the tool on or adjacent to fertilizers or chemicals.

4. With the unit powered off (and the spark plug disconnected), use only mild soap and a damp cloth to clean the tool. Never let any liquid get inside the tool; never immerse any part of the tool into a liquid.

NOTE: To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs,

maintenance and adjustments should be performed by an professional service center using identical replacement parts.

Approximate Operating Weight of Attachment ........................................................................................................................... 5.11 lbs. (2.3 kg)

Blade Length ...................................................................................................................................................................................22” (558.8 mm)

Fig. 6

WARNING:

Before maintenance, be sure your hedge trimmer is disconnected from the power supply. Failure to do so can result in accidental starting, causing serious personal injury.

NOTES

MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR:

No implied warranty, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, applies after the applicable period of express written warranty above as to the parts as identified. No other express warranty or guaranty, whether written or oral, except as mentioned above, given by any person or entity, including a dealer or retailer, with respect to any product shall bind MTD. During the period of the Warranty, the exclusive remedy is repair or replacement of the product as set forth above. (Some states do not allow

limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.)

The provisions as set forth in this Warranty provide the sole and exclusive remedy arising from the sales. MTD shall not be liable for incidental or consequential loss or damages including, without limitation, expenses incurred for substitute or replacement lawn care services, for transportation or for related expenses, or for rental expenses to temporarily replace a warranted product. (Some states do not allow limitations on

how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you.)

In no event shall recovery of any kind be greater than the amount of the purchase price of the product sold. Alteration of the safety features of the product shall void this Warranty. You assume the risk and liability for loss, damage, or injury to you and your property and/or to others and their property arising out of the use or misuse or inability to use the product.

This limited warranty shall not extend to anyone other than the original purchaser, original lessee or the person for whom it was purchased as a gift.

How State Law Relates to this Warranty: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

To locate your nearest service dealer dial 1-800-345-8746 or 1-

800-668-1238 in Canada.

MTD LLC

P.O. Box 361131

Cleveland, OH 44136-0019

The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC (“MTD”} with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories.

MTD warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in material or workmanship. This limited warranty shall only apply if this product has been operated and maintained in accordance with the Operator’s Manual furnished with the product, and has not been subject to misuse, abuse, commercial use, neglect, accident, improper maintenance, alteration, vandalism, theft, fire, water or damage because of other peril or natural disaster. Damage resulting from the installation or use of any accessory or attachment not approved by MTD for use with the product(s) covered by this manual will void your warranty as to any resulting damage. This warranty is limited to ninety (90) days from the date of original retail purchase for any MTD product that is used for rental or commercial purposes, or any other income-producing purpose.

HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE: Warranty service is available, WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER. To locate the dealer in your area, check for a listing in the Yellow Pages, call 1-800-345-8746 or 1-800-668-1238 in Canada, or write to

P.O. Box 361131, Cleveland, OH 44136-

0019

This limited warranty does not provide coverage in the following cases:

A. Tune-ups - Spark Plugs, Carburetor Adjustments, Filters B. Wear items - Bump Knobs, Outer Spools, Cutting Line, Inner

Reels, Starter Pulley, Starter Ropes, Drive Belts

C. MTD does not extend any warranty for products sold or

exported outside of the United States of America, its possessions and territories, except those sold through MTD’s authorized channels of export distribution.

MTD reserves the right to change or improve the design of any MTD Product without assuming any obligation to modify any product previously manufactured.

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