Mtd LT31C operators manual

Operator’s Manual

LT31C 2-Cycle

Petrol Trimmer

IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment.

MTD SOUTHWEST 550 N. 54TH STREET, CHANDLER, ARIZONA 85226-2434

PRINTED IN U.S.A. REV 2
PART NO. 769-00303 (9/02)

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices ............................................................... 3

Know Your Trimmer ........................................................................................ 6

Assembling Your Trimmer ............................................................................... 7

Operating Your Trimmer.................................................................................. 8

Maintaining Your Trimmer............................................................................. 11

Off-Season Storage ...................................................................................... 16

Troubleshooting............................................................................................ 17

Specifications............................................................................................... 18

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new trimmer. It will help you assemble, prepare and
maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the unit
and copy the information from it to the space provided below. The information on the model
plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an
authorized dealer.

• Locate the model number by standing in the operating position behind the unit and looking on the left
side of the engine next to the On/Off Stop Control Switch. A sample model plate is explained below. For future
reference, please copy the model number and the serial number of the equipment in the space below.

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

Copy the parent part number here:

3

This Symbol Points Out Important Safety Information Which, If Not Followed, Could Endanger The Personal
Safety And/or Property Of Yourself And Others. Read And Follow All Instructions In This Manual Before
Attempting To Operate Your Cultivator. Failure To Comply With These Instructions May Result In Personal
Injury. When You See This Symbol–Heed Its Warning.

SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: 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.

NOTE: Advises you of information or instructions vital to the operation or maintenance of the equipment.

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.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE OPERATING

• Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the
controls and proper use of the unit.

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

• Children under the age of 15 must not use the unit;
teens can use the unit under adult guidance.

• Inspect the unit before use. Replace damaged parts.
Check for fuel leaks. Make sure all fasteners are in
place and secure. Replace cutting head parts that are
cracked, chipped, or damaged in any way. Make sure
the cutting head is properly installed and securely
fastened. Be sure the cutting head guard is properly
attached, and positioned as recommended. Failure to
do so can result in personal injury to the operator and
bystanders, as well as damage to the unit.

• Use only 2.03 mm (0.080 inch) diameter original
equipment replacement line. Never use metal­reinforced line, wire, or rope, etc. These can break
off and become a dangerous projectile.

• Be aware of risk of injury to head, hands and feet.

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

• Keep children, bystanders and pets outside a 15
meter (50 ft.) radius, at a minimum. They may still be
at risk due to thrown objects. Encourage bystanders
to wear eye protection. If you are approached, stop
the engine and cutting head immediately.

• Squeeze the throttle control and check that it
returns automatically to the idle position. Make all
adjustments or repairs before using unit.

• This unit was not designed to be used as a
brushcutter. Do not attach or operate this unit with
any type of brushcutting blade or brushcutting
attachment.

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR PETROL TRIMMERS

WARNING: Petrol (gasoline) is highly
flammable, and its vapors can explode if
ignited. Take the following precautions:

• 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.

• Add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area
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 9.1 m (30 feet) from the
fueling source and site before starting the engine.
Do not smoke, keep sparks and open flames from
the area while adding fuel or operating the unit.

SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WHILE OPERATING

• 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.

•Wear safety glasses or goggles 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.

• The cutting head guard must always be in place
while operating the unit. Do not operate unit without
both trimming lines extended, and the proper line
installed. Do not extend the trimming line beyond
the length of the guard.

• This unit does not have a clutch. The cutting head
continues rotating when the engine is idling. Have the
unit adjusted by an authorized service technician.

• Adjust the D-Handle to your size to provide you with
the best grip.

• Be sure the cutting head is not in contact with
anything before starting the unit.

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

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

•Avoid accidental starting. Be in the starting position
whenever pulling the starter rope. The operator and
unit must be in a stable position while starting. Refer
to the Starting/Stopping Instructions.

• Use the right tool. Only use this tool for the purpose
in which it was intended.

• Do not overreach. Always keep proper footing and
balance while operating unit.

• Keep hands, face, and feet at a distance from all
moving parts. Do not touch or try to stop the cutting
head when it is rotating.

• Do not touch the engine, gear housing or muffler.
These parts get extremely hot from operation. When
turned off they remain hot for a short time.

• Do not operate the engine faster than the speed
needed to cut, trim or edge. Do not run the engine
at high speed when not cutting.

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

• If you strike or become entangled with a foreign
object, stop the engine immediately and check for
damage. Do not operate before repairing damage.
Do not operate the unit with loose or damaged parts.

• Stop the unit, switch the engine to off and disconnect
the spark plug wire for maintenance or repair.

• Use only original equipment 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.

• Keep unit clean of vegetation and other materials.
They may become lodged between the cutting
head and guard.

•To reduce fire hazard, replace faulty muffler and
spark arrestor, keep the engine and muffler free from
grass, leaves, excessive grease or carbon build up.

OTHER SAFETY WARNINGS

•

Never store the unit with fuel in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.

• Allow the engine to cool before storing or
transporting. Be sure to secure the unit while
transporting. Refer to Off Season Storage.

• Store the unit in a dry area, locked up or up high
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, referring to Off Season
Storage.

• 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.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4

5

SYMBOL MEANING

• ON/OFF STOP CONTROL

ON / START / RUN

• ON/OFF STOP CONTROL

OFF or STOP

•HOT SURFACE WARNING

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

• SHARP BLADE

WARNING: Sharp blade on cutting
head guard. To prevent serious injury,
do not touch line cutting blade.

• CHOKE CONTROL

A. FULL choke position.
B. PARTIAL choke position.
C.RUN position.

• DO NOT USE BLADES

WARNING: To prevent serious
personal injury, do not attach or
operate the unit with any type
of blade.

SYMBOL MEANING

• SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL

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

•WARNING - READ
OPERATOR'S MANUAL

Read 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 Z87.1-1989 standards
and ear protection when operating this
unit. Use a full face shield when needed.

• KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY

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

• PRIMER

Push primer bulb, fully and slowly, 5
to 7 times.

• UNLEADED FUEL

Always use clean, fresh unleaded fuel.

•OIL

Refer to operator's manual for the
proper type of oil.

• THROWN OBJECTS CAN
CAUSE SEVERE INJURY

WARNING: Keep clear of blower
outlet. Never point the blower at
yourself or others. Objects can be
thrown from blower. Do not operate
unit without proper attachments and
guards in place.

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.

6

SECTION 2: KNOW YOUR TRIMMER

Cutting Head Guard

Fuel Cap

Throttle

Control

D-handle

Cutting Head

Shaft

Grip

Primer

Bulb

Choke

Lever

Air Filter/Muffler

Cover

Spark Plug

Shaft

Tube

Starter

Rope Grip

Line Cutting Blade

Muffler

Ignition

Switch

APPLICATIONS

As a trimmer:

• Cutting grass and light weeds

• Edging

• Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc.