MTD LT31CSH User Manual

Operator’s Manual

LT31CSH

Trimmer /

Brushcutter

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

P/N 769-01672 (2/05)

2

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Rules for Safe Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Know Your Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Oil and Petrol Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Starting/Stopping Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Maintenance and Repair Instructions . . . . . . . . . . .15

Troubleshooting Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Copy the serial number

here:

THANK YOU

Thank you for buying this quality product. This modern
outdoor power tool will provide many hours of useful
service. You will find it to be a great labor-saving device.
This operator’s manual provides you with easy-to­understand operating instructions. Read the whole
manual and follow all the instructions to keep your new
outdoor power tool in top operating condition.

PRODUCT REFERENCES, ILLUSTRATIONS
AND SPECIFICATIONS

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.

Copyright© 2005 MTD SOUTHWEST INC, All Rights
Reserved.

SERVICE INFORMATION

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

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

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.

Make sure you carefully read and understand this manual before starting or operating this equipment.

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

Copy the model and parent

part number here:

MODEL :

S/N :

ITEM :

3

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

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 and teens under the age of 15 must not use
the unit, except for teens guided by an adult.

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

• Inspect the unit before use. Replace damaged parts.
Check for petrol leaks. Make sure all fasteners are in
place and secure. Replace parts that are cracked,
chipped, or damaged in any way. Do not operate the
unit with loose or damaged parts.

• Carefully inspect the area before starting the unit.
Remove all debris and hard or sharp objects such as
glass, wire, etc.

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

• Clear the area of children, bystanders, and pets. At a
minimum, keep all children, bystanders, and pets
outside a 15 m (50 foot) radius; there still may be a risk
to bystanders from thrown objects. Bystanders should
be encouraged to wear eye protection. If you are
approached, stop the unit immediately.

•Use only

2.41mm (0.095 inch) diameter original

equipment manufacturer replacement line. Never use
metal-reinforced line, wire or rope. These can break off
and become dangerous projectiles.

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

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR PETROL UNITS

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

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

• Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before
filling the feul tank. Never remove the feul tank cap 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.

SYMBOL MEANING

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

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.

WARNING:

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •

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.

WARNING:

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.

DANGER:

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.

CAUTION:

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.

SAFETY ALERT:

Petrol is highly

flammable, and its
vapors can explode if ignited. Take the
following precautions:

WARNING:

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.

4

• Add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area where
there are no sparks or flames. Remove the fuel cap
slowly, and only after the engine stops. 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 away from the
area while adding fuel or operating the unit.

WHILE OPERATING

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

• Wear safety glasses or goggles that meet ANSI Z87.1
standards and are marked as such. Wear 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 attachment shield must always be in place
while operating the unit as a trimmer. 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 shield.

• This unit has a clutch. The cutting attachment remains
stationary when the engine is idling. If it does not, have
the unit adjusted by an authorized service technician.

• Adjust the handle to your size in order to provide the
best grip.

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

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

• 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 Starting/Stopping Instructions.

• Use the right tool. Only use this tool for its intended
purpose.

• Do not overreach. Always keep proper footing and
balance.

• Always hold the unit with both hands when operating.
Keep a firm grip on both handles or grips.

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

• Do not touch the engine, gear housing or muffler.
These parts get extremely hot from operation, even
after the unit is turned off.

• 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 for maintenance or repair.

• Use only original equipment manufacturer replacement
parts and accessories for this unit. These are available
from your authorized service dealer. Use of any
unauthorized 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
attachment and shield.

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

WHILE OPERATING WITH CUTTING BLADE

• Read and understand all safety warnings before
operating this unit.

• Always use the shoulder harness when using the
brush blade accessory.

• Keep the handle between the operator and cutting
attachment or blade at all times.

• NEVER cut when the cutting blade is 76 cm (30
inches) or more above the ground level.

• Blade thrust may occur when the spinning blade
contacts an object that it does not immediately cut.
Blade thrust can be violent enough to propel the unit
and/or operator in any direction, possibly causing a
loss of control. Blade thrust can occur without warning
if the blade snags, stalls or binds. This is more likely to
occur in areas where it is difficult to see the material
being cut.

• For operation with the brush blade, do not cut
anything thicker than 1/2 inch or a violent kickback
could occur.

• Do not attempt to touch or stop the blade when it is
rotating.

•A coasting blade can cause injury while it continues to
spin after the engine is stopped or the throttle trigger
is released. Maintain proper control until the blade has
completely stopped rotating.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

5

• Do not run the unit at high speed when not cutting.

• If you strike or become entangled with a foreign
object, stop the engine immediately and check for
damage. Have any damage repaired before attempting
further operations. Do not operate unit with a bent,
cracked or dull blade. Discard blades that are bent,
warped, cracked or broken.

• Do not sharpen the cutting blade. Sharpening the blade
can cause the blade tip to break off while in use. This
can result in severe personal injury. Replace the blade.

• Do not use the cutting blade for edging or as an edger;
severe personal injury to yourself or others may incur.
Use the cutting blade only for the purpose described
in this manual.

• Stop the engine 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.

After Use

• Clean cutting blades with a household cleaner to
remove any gum buildup. Oil the blade with machine
oil to prevent rust.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

• Lock up and store the cutting blade in an appropriate
area to protect the blade from unauthorized use or
damage.

OTHER SAFETY WARNINGS

• Never store a fueled unit 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.

• 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, see Cleaning and Storage
instructions.

• 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

6

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.

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION

SYMBOL MEANING

• ON/OFF STOP CONTROL

OFF or STOP

• THROWN OBJECTS AND
ROTATING CUTTER CAN
CAUSE SEVERE INJURY

WARNING:Do not

operate without the cutting
attachment shield in place.
Keep away from the rotating cutting
attachment.

• 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.

• BRUSHCUTTERS •REPLACE
DULL BLADE

Do not sharpen the cutting blade.
Sharpening the blade can cause the
blade tip to break off while in use.
This can result in severe personal
injury.

• BRUSHCUTTER SAFETY

WARNING:Thrown

objects and rotating cutter can
cause severe injury. Keep
bystanders, especially children and
pets, at least 50 feet (15 m) away
from the cutting area. The cutting
attachment shield must be used
when using the trimmer cutting
attachment.

• CHOKE CONTROL

1. FULL choke position.

2. PARTIAL choke position.

3. RUN position.

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 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.

• UNLEADED FUEL

Always use clean, fresh unleaded
fuel.

• OIL

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

•ON/OFF STOP CONTROL

ON / START / RUN

12

3

7

KNOW YOUR UNIT

APPLICATIONS

As a trimmer:

• Cutting grass and light weeds

• Edging

• Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc.
As a brushcutter:

• Cutting weeds and light brush of up to 1/2 inch in diameter

Primer Bulb

Air Filter/Muffler

Cover

Spark Plug

Muffler

Blue Choke

Lever

Petrol Cap

On/Off Stop Control

Shaft

Housing

Starter Rope Grip

Blade Shield /

Shield Mount

Line Cutting Blade

Support Fitting

Throttle Control

Cutting Attachment Shield

Cutting Attachment

Gear Housing

Cutting Blade

Handlebar

Foot Stand

Hip Pad

Throttle

Lock-Out

8

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

(4) Screws

Top Clamp

Middle Clamp

Bottom

Clamp

Nuts

Fig. 1

INSTALL AND ADJUST THE HANDLEBAR

1. Place the handlebar between the top and middle
clamp pieces (Fig. 1).

2. While holding the three pieces together, install the four
(4) screws through the top clamp and into middle clamp.

NOTE: The holes in the top and middle clamp will line up

only when assembled correctly.

3. Place the clamps and the handlebar over the shaft
housing and onto the bottom clamp.

4. Hold each hex nut in the bottom clamp recess with a
finger. Start screws with a large Phillips screwdriver.
Do not tighten until you make the handle adjustment.

5. While holding the unit in the operating position (Fig. 2),
move the handlebar to the location that provides you
the best grip.

Fig. 2

6. Tighten the clamp screws evenly, until the handlebar
is secure.

INSTALL THE HARNESS

1. Push the strap through the center of the buckle.

2. Pull the strap over the cross bar and down through
the slot in the buckle (Fig. 3).

3. Put the harness on over head and onto shoulder.
Snap it on to the support fitting (Fig. 4).

4. Adjust length to fit the operator’s size. Pull tab to
lengthen, pull strap to shorten (Fig 5).

Support Fitting

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

REMOVE AND INSTALL THE CUTTING
ATTACHMENT SHIELD

Remove the cutting attachment shield when
using the unit as a brushcutter

Remove the cutting attachment shield from the shield
mount by removing the three (3) screws with a flat blade
screwdriver (Fig. 6). Store parts for future use.

The cutting

attachment shield
should NOT be installed when operating the
unit with a blade. Remove the cutting
attachment shield before removing or
installing the blade.

WARNING:

Always use the

shoulder harness
when using the cutting blade to avoid
serious personal injury.

WARNING: