Poulan S31BC User Manual

Instruction Manual

Manual de Instrucciones

Manuel d’Instructions

S31BC

ENGLISH ESPAÑOL

For Occasional Use Only

DANGER:

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Operating Instructions before
using this product. Failure to do so can result in serious injury.

PELIGRO:

Lea el manual de instrucciones y siga todas las advertencias e
instrucciones de seguridad. El no hacerlo puede resultar en le­siones graves.

DANGER:

Lire le manuel d’instructions et bien respecter tous les avertisse­ments et toutes les instructions de sécurité. Tout défaut de le
faire pourrait entraîner des blessures graves.

Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
250 Bobby Jones Expressway
Augusta, GA 30907

CopyrightE2002 Electrolux Home Products, Inc.

530088130

FRANÇAIS

4/26/02

SAFETY RULES

WARNING:

appliances, basic safety precautions must al­ways be followed to reduce the risk of fire and
serious injury.

DANGER:

dangerous!

including amputation or blindness to the op­erator and others. The warnings and safety
instructions in this manual must be followed to
provide reasonable safety and efficiency in
using the unit. The operator is responsible for
following the warnings and instructions in this
manual and on the unit. Read the entire in­struction manual before assembling and us­ing the unit! Restrict the use of this unit to per­sons who read, understand, and follow the
warnings and instructions in this manual and
on the unit. Never allow children to operate
this unit.

INSTRUCTION
MANUAL

This unit can cause serious injury

DANGER:

away from material it does not cut. Blade
thrust can cause amputation of arms or legs.
Keep people and animals 50 feet (15 meters)
away.

When using gardening

This power tool can be

SAFETY INFORMATION
ON THE UNIT

Blade can thrust violently

Hazard Zone

50 Feet

(15 Meters)

WARNING:

as a fastening device for the blade.

WARNING:

spin after the throttle is released or, engine is
turned off. The coasting blade can throw objects
or seriously cut if accidentally touched. Stop the
blade by contacting the right hand side of the
coasting blade with material already cut.

Stop coasting
blade by contact
with cut material.

Do not use trimmer head

The blade continues to

WARNING:

objects violently. You and others can be
blinded or injured. Wear safety glasses and
leg protection.

ALWAYS WEAR:

Eye

Protection

Leg Guards

Boots

WARNING:

objects. Blade/T rimmer line can throw objects
violently. Others can be blinded or injured.
Keep people and animals 50 feet (15 meters)
away.

Trimmer line can throw

Thrown
Objects

Hazard zone for thrown

OPERATOR SAFETY

Dress properly. Always wear safety

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glasses or similar eye protection when op­erating, or performing maintenance on your
unit. (Safety glasses are available.) Eye
protection should be marked Z87.
Always wear face or dust mask if operation

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is dusty.
Always wear heavy, long pants, long sleeves,

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boots, and gloves. Wearing safety leg guards
is recommended.
Always wear foot protection. Do not go

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barefoot or wear sandals.
Secure hair above shoulder length. Secure

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or r e m o v e loose clothing and jewelry or cloth­ing with loosely hanging ties, straps, tassels,
etc. They can be caught in moving parts.
Being fully covered also helps protect you

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from debris and pieces of toxic plants
thrown by spinning line/blade.
Stay Alert. Do not operate unit when you are

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tired, ill, upset or under influence of alcohol,
drugs, or medication. Watch what you are do­ing; use common sense.

2

Wear hearing protection.

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Never start or run the engine inside a

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closed room or building. Breathing exhaust
fumes can kill.
Keep handles free of oil and fuel.

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Always use the handlebar and a properly

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adjusted shoulder strap with a blade (see
ASSEMBLY).

UNIT/MAINTENANCE SAFETY

WARNING:

the spark plug before performing mainte­nance (except carburetor adjustments).

Look for and replace damaged or loose

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parts before each use. Look for and repair
fuel leaks before use. Keep unit in good
working condition.
Throw away blades that are bent, warped,

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cracked, broken, or damaged in any other
way. Replace trimmer head parts that are
cracked, chipped, broken, or damaged in
any other way before using the unit.
Maintain unit according to recommended

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procedures. Keep blade sharp. Keep cut­ting line at the proper length.
Use only 0.080!(2 mm) diameter Snappert/

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Weed Eater"brand replacement line.
Never use wire, rope, string, etc.
Install required shield properly before using

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the unit. Use the metal shield for all metal
blade use. Use the plastic shield for all line
trimmer use.
Use only specified blade or trimmer head;

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make sure it is properly installed and se­curely fastened.
Never start engine with clutch shroud re-

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moved. The clutch can fly off and cause se­rious injury.
Be sure blade or trimmer head stops turning

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when engine idles.
Make carburetor adjustments with the low-

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er end supported to prevent blade or trim­mer line from contacting any object. Hold
unit by hand; do not use the shoulder strap
for support.
Keep others away when making carburetor

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adjustments.
Use only recommended Snappert/Weed

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Eaterraccessories and replacement parts.
Have all maintenance and service not ex-

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plained in this manual performed by your au­thorized service dealer .

Stop unit and disconnect

FUEL SAFETY

Mix and pour fuel outdoors.

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Keep away from sparks or flames.

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Use a container approved for fuel.

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Do not smoke or allow smoking near fuel or

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the unit or while using the unit.
Avoid spilling fuel or oil. Wipe up all fuel

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spills before starting engine.
Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from

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fueling site before starting engine.
Stop engine and allow it to cool before re-

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moving fuel cap.
Empty the fuel tank before storing or trans-

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porting the unit. Use up fuel left in the car­buretor by starting the engine and letting it
run until it stops.

Store unit and fuel in area where fuel vapors

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cannot reach sparks or open flames from
water heaters, electric motors or switches,
furnaces, etc.
Always store gasoline in a container ap-

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proved for flammable liquids.

CUTTING SAFETY

WARNING:

cut before each use. Remove objects (rocks,
broken glass, nails, wire, string, etc.) which
can be thrown or become entangled in the
blade or trimmer head.

Keep others including children, animals,

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bystanders, and helpers at least 50 feet (15
meters) away. Stop engine immediately if
you are approached.
Always keep engine on the right--hand side

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of your body.
Hold the unit firmly with both hands.

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Keep firm footing and balance. Do not over-

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reach.
Keep blade or trimmer head below waist

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level. Do not raise engine above your waist.
Keep all parts of your body away from

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blade, trimmer head, and muffler when en­gine is running. A hot muffler can cause se­rious burns.
Cut from your left to your right. Cutting on

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right side of the shield will throw debris
away from the operator.
Use only in daylight or good artificial light.

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Use only for jobs explained in this manual.

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Inspect the area to be

TRANSPORTING AND STORAGE

Stop the unit before carrying.

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Keep muffler away from your body.

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Allow the engine to cool and secure the unit

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before storing or transporting it in a vehicle.
Empty the fuel tank before storing or trans-

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porting the unit. Use up fuel left in the carbu­retor by starting the engine and letting it run
until it stops.
Store unit so the blade or line limiter blade

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cannot accidentally cause injury. The unit
can be hung by the tube.
Store unit out of reach of children.

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SAFETY NOTICE:

through prolonged use of gasoline powered
hand tools could cause blood vessel or nerve
damage in the fingers, hands, and joints of
people prone to circulation disorders or ab­normal swellings. Prolonged use in cold
weather has been linked to blood vessel dam­age in otherwise healthy people. If symptoms
occur such as numbness, pain, loss of
strength, change in skin color or texture, or
loss of feeling in the fingers, hands, or joints,
discontinue the use of this tool and seek med­ical attention. An anti --vibration system does
not guarantee the avoidance of these prob­lems. Users who operate power tools on a
continual and regular basis must monitor
closely their physical condition and the condi­tion of this tool.

SPECIAL NOTICE:

with a temperature limiting muffler and spark
arresting screen which meets the require­ments of California Codes 4442 and 4443. All
U.S. forest land and the states of California,

Exposure to vibrations

This unit is equipped

3

Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ore­gon, and Washington require by law that
many internal combustion engines be
equipped with a spark arresting screen. If you
operate in alocale where such regulations ex­ist, you are legally responsible for maintaining
the operating condition of these parts. Failure

ASSEMBLY

CARTON CONTENTS

Check carton contents against the following
list:

Brushcutter

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Blade shield screws (4)

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Cupped washer

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Large nut for installing blades

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Hex wrench

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Metal shield

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Plastic shield

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Shoulder strap with warning

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4--point weed blade

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Trimmer head (assembled on unit)

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Handlebar (assembled on unit)

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Wing nut (screwed onto shield)

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Container of oil

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WARNING:

connect spark plug before performing any as­sembly procedures.

WARNING:

repeat all steps to ensure your unit is properly
assembled and all fasteners are secure.

Examine parts for damage. Do not use dam­aged parts.

NOTE:

missing or damaged, call 1-800-554-6723.
It is normal for the fuel filter to rattle in the

empty fuel tank.
Finding fuel or oil residue on muffler is normal
due to carburetor adjustments and testing
done by the manufacturer.

TOOLS REQUIRED

S
S

ADJUST AND SECURE THE HAN­DLEBAR

barrier portion of the handlebar must be ad­justed and remain installed as shown to pro­vide a barrier between operator and the spin­ning blade. The handlebar clamp must be
positioned between the arrows on the handle­bar decal.

1. Lift handlebar to upright position.

If you need assistance or find parts

Hex wrench (provided)
Adjustable wrench

DANGER:

Always stop unit and dis-

If received assembled,

To avoid serious injury, the

to do so is a violation of the law. For normal
homeowner use, the muffler and spark arrest­ing screen will not require any service. After
50 hours of use, we recommend that your
muffler be serviced or replaced by your autho­rized service dealer.

Handlebar

2. Rotate handlebar/clamp counterclock­wise toward engine until clamp falls into
groove of base.

Handlebar
Clamp

Clamp
Knob

3. Place the handlebar in a comfortable
position.

4. Retighten handlebar by turning clamp
knob clockwise until handlebar is secure
and stationary in clamp base (clamp
knob can not be overtightened).

Handlebar

Clamp
Base

ASSEMBLY OF SHOULDER STRAP

WARNING:

and handlebar adjustments are required before
starting the engine.

1. Try on shoulder strap and adjust for fit and
balance before starting the engine orbegin­ning a cutting operation.

2. Insert your right arm and head through
the shoulder strap and allow it to rest on
your left shoulder. Make sure the danger
sign is on your back and the hook is to the
right side of your waist.

A one-half twist is built in the shoulder

NOTE:

strap to allow the strap to rest flat on the shoul­der.

3. Adjust the strap, allowing the hook to be
about 6 inches below the waist.

4. Fasten the strap hook to the clamp located
between the trigger handle and the handle­bar clamp base and lift the tool to the oper­ating position.

Proper shoulder strap

4

CONFIGURING YOUR UNIT

You can configure your unit using a cutting
head for grass and light weeds, or a weed
blade for cutting grass, weeds, and brush up
to 1/2 inch in diameter. To assemble your unit,
go to the section for the desired configuration
and follow the instructions.

ASSEMBLY INFORMATION -­TRIMMER HEAD

TRIMMER
HEAD

Bracket

Slot

Shield

Gearbox

Dust Cup

Retaining Washer

Wing Nut

Remove the blade and metal shield be-

NOTE:

fore attaching the plastic shield and trimmer
head. To remove blade, push in locking lever
and hold. Rotate blade nut until the locking lever
falls into one of the grooves in the dust cup.
Continue to holdthe locking lever. This will keep
the shaft from turning while loosening the blade
nut. Remove blade nut by turning clockwise.
Release locking lever. Remove both washers
and blade. To remove metal shield, loosen and
remove the four mounting screws. See AT­TAC HING THE METAL SHIELD and INSTAL­LATIO N OF THE METAL BLADE for illustra­tions. Be sure to store all parts and instructions
for future use.

ATTACHING THE PLASTIC SHIELD
AND TRIMMER HEAD

WARNING:

erly installed. The shield provides partial
protection to the operator and others from the
risk of thrown objects, and is equipped with a
line limiter blade which cuts excess line to the
proper length. The line limiter blade (on un­derside of shield) is sharp and can cut you.

1. Remove wing nut from shield.

2. Insert bracket into slot on shield.

3. Pivot shield until bolt passes through hole
in bracket.

4. Tighten the wing nut securely.

NOTE:

the threads on the threaded shaft, remove the
covering to expose the threads. Before
installing the trimmer head, make sure the
dust cup and retaining washer are positioned
on the gearbox as shown below.

If your unit has a plastic cover over

The shield must be prop-

NOTE:

installed as shown in the illustration before
installing the trimmer head.

5. Push in locking lever and hold.

6. Rotate dust cup until the locking lever

7. Continue to hold in locking lever. This will

8. Thread trimmer head onto the shaft in the

9. Release locking lever.

Make sure all parts are properly

falls into one of the grooves

keep the shaft from turning while tighten­ing the trimmer head.

direction shown on the decal. Tighten un­til secure.

.

Locking Lever

ASSEMBLY INFORMATION -- WEED
BLADE

WEED
BLADE

NOTE:

tic shield before attaching the metal shield
and installing the weed blade. To remove the
trimmer head, push in locking lever and hold.
Rotate trimmer head until the locking lever
falls into one of the grooves in the dust cup.
Continue to hold in locking lever. This will
keep the shaft from turning while loosening
the cutting head. To remove the plastic shield,
loosen and remove wing nut. Pivot shield to
release bracket from slot. See INSTALLA­TION OF THE CUTTING HEAD and AT­TACHINGTHE PLASTIC SHIELD for illustra­tions. Be sure to store all parts and
instructions for future use. Never use the
trimmer head with the metal blade installed.

Remove the trimmer head and plas-

5

ATTACHING THE METAL SHIELD

WARNING:

be properly installed on the tool anytime the
tool is used with a blade. The forward tip of the
metal shield helps to reduce the occurrence
of blade thrust which can cause serious injury
such as amputation to the operator or by­standers. Failure to install the shield in the
position shown can result in serious injury to
the operator. The length of the shield must be
aligned with the length of the tube.

1. Place the metal shield under the gearbox,
and align the screw holes.

The metal shield must

Gearbox

3. Make sure the raised part of the retaining
washer is facing the gearbox and the
raised area fits into the hole in the center
of the blade.

4. Slide the blade and retaining washer onto
the shaft of the gearbox.

5. Place the cupped washer onto the shaft.
Make sure the cupped side of the washer
is toward the blade.

6. Install the blade nut by threading onto the
shaft counterclockwise.

Gearbox

Shield

Shield

2. Insert and thread the 4 mounting screws
through the holes of the gearbox and the
metal shield. Tighten evenly and secure­ly with the hex wrench provided.

INSTALLATION OF THE METAL
BLADE

WARNING:

when handling or performing maintenance on
the blade to avoid injury. The blade is sharpand
can cut you even when it is not moving.

WARNING:

fastening hardware other than the washers and
nuts shown in the following illustrations . These
parts must be provided by Poulan/Weed Eater
and installed as shown below. Failure to use
proper parts can cause the blade to fly off and
seriously hurt you or others.

NOTE:

located on the gearbox shaft and not in the parts
bag. All other fasteners mentioned in the follow­ing assembly steps are in the parts bag.

1. Remove the retaining washer from the

2. Install the blade and the retaining washer

The dust cup and retaining washer are

threaded shaft of the gearbox. Leave the
dust cup on the shaft.

over the threaded shaft.

Wear protective gloves

Do not use any blades, or

Dust Cup

Retaining
Washer

Cupped
Washer

NOTE:

lustrated, and the blade is sandwiched between
the dust cup and the retaining washer. There
should be no space between the blade and the
dust cup or the retaining washer.

7. Push in locking lever and hold.

8. Rotate blade nut until the locking lever

9. Continue to hold in locking lever. This will

10. Tighten blade nut firmly with a wrench.

11. Release locking lever.

12. Turn blade by hand. If the blade binds

Make sure all parts are in place as il-

falls into one of the grooves in the dust
cup.

keep the shaft from turning while tightening
the blade nut.

against the shield, or appearsto be uneven,
the blade is not centered, and you must re­install.

Threaded Shaft

Blade

Nut

Locking Lever

6

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR BRUSHCUTTER

READ THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR UNIT .
Compare the illustrations with you r unit to familiarize yourself with the location of the various con tr o ls
and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

Trimmer Head

Shield

Blade

Line Limiter
Blade

Throttle
Trigger

Tube

Starter Handle

Handlebar

ON/STOP Switch

Primer Bulb

Choke Lever

ON/STOP SWITCH

The ON/STOP switch is used to stop the
engine. To stop the engine, push and release
the engine ON/STOP switch.

PRIMER BULB

The PRIMER BULB removes air from the car­buretor and fuel lines and fills them with fuel.
This allows you to start the engine with fewer
pulls on the starter rope. Activate the primer
bulb by pressing it and allowing it to return to
its original form.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

WARNING:

information in the safety rules before you be­gin. If you do not understand the safety rules,
do not attempt to fuel your unit. Call
1-800-554-6723.

Be sure to read the fuel

FUELING ENGINE

WARNING:

when refueling.
This engine is certified to operate on un-

leaded gasoline. Before operation, gasoline
must be mixed with a good quality synthetic
2-cycle air-cooled engine oil designed to be
mixed at a ratio of 40:1. Poulan/Weed Eater
brand synthetic oil is recommended. Mix gaso­line and oil at a ratio of 40:1. A 40:1 ratio is ob­tained by mixing 3.2 ounces of oil with 1 gallon
of unleaded gasoline.

DO NOT USE automotive oil or boat oil.
These oils will cause engine damage. When
mixing fuel, follow instructions printed on con­tainer. Once oil is added to gasoline, shake
container momentarily to assure that the fuel
is thoroughly mixed. Always read and follow

Remove fuel cap slowly

Muffler

CHOKE

The CHOKE helps to supply fuel to the engine
to aid in cold starting. Activate the choke by
moving the choke lever to the FULL CHOKE
position. After the engine attempts to start, move
the choke lever to the HALF CHOKE position.
Once engine has started, move the choke lever
to the OFF CHOKE position.

the safety rules relating to fuel before fueling
your unit.

IMPORTANT

Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or
methanol) can attract moisture which leads to
separation and formation of acids during stor­age. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system
of an engine while in storage.
To avoid engine problems, empty the fuel sys­tem before storage for 30 days or longer.
Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it
run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner prod­ucts in the fuel tank or permanent damage
may occur.
See the STORAGE section for additional in­formation.

HOW TO STOP YOUR UNIT

To stop the engine, push and release the

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engine ON/STOP switch. The switch will
automatically return to the ON position.
Wait 5 seconds before attempting to restart
unit to allow switch to reset.
If engine does not stop, move choke lever

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to FULL CHOKE position.

7

ON/STOP
Switch

Throttle Trigger

HOW TO START YOUR UNIT

Choke
position
decal

WARNING:

turn while starting the engine. Avoid any con­tact with the muffler. A hot muffler can cause
serious burns.

The trimmer head will

STARTING A COLD ENGINE (or a
warm engine after running out of
fuel)

Starting Position

Starter Handle

Choke
Lever

Primer Bulb

Muffler

1. Set unit on a flat surface.

2. Slowly press the primer bulb 6 times.

3. Move choke lever to FULL CHOKE by
aligning lever with position shown on de­cal (see illustration below).

Choke
position
decal

4. Squeeze the throttle trigger fully and hold
through

5. Pull starter rope handle sharply until en-

6. As soon as engine sounds as if it is trying

all remaining steps.

gine sounds as if it is trying to start, but do
not pull rope more than 6 times.

to start, move choke lever to HALF
CHOKE by aligning lever with position
shown on decal (see illustration below).

7. Pull starter rope sharply until engine runs,
but no more than 6 pulls. If the engine
doesn’t start after 6 pulls (at the HALF
CHOKE position), move the choke lever to
the FULL CHOKE position and press the
primer bulb 6 times. Squeeze and hold the
throttle trigger and pull the starter rope 2
more times. Move the choke lever to the
HALF CHOKE position and pull the starter
rope until the engine runs, but no more than
6 pulls. If the engine doesn’t start, repeat
procedure 2 additional times.

NOTE:

probably flooded. Proceed to STARTING A
FLOODED ENGINE.

8. Once the engine starts, allow it to run 10se­conds, then move the choke lever to OFF
CHOKE by aligning lever with position
shown on decal (see illustration below ). Al­low the unit to run for 30 more seconds at
OFF CHOKE before releasing the throttle
trigger.
choke lever in the OFF CHOKE position,
move the choke lever to the HALF CH OKE
position and pull the rope until engine runs,
but no more than 6 pulls.

Choke
position
decal

If engine still doesn’t start, it is

NOTE:

If engine dies with the

STARTING A WARM ENGINE

1. Move the choke lever to the HALF
CHOKE position.

2. Squeeze and hold the throttle trigger.
Keep throttle trigger fully squeezed until
the engine runs smoothly.

3. Pull starter rope sharply until engine runs,
but no more than 5 pulls.

4. Allow engine to run 15 seconds, then
move the choke lever to the OFF CHOKE
position.

If engine has not started, pull starter

NOTE:

rope 5 more pulls. If engine still does not run, it
is probably flooded.

STARTING A FLOODED ENGINE

Flooded engines can be started by placing
the choke lever in the OFF CHOKE position;
then, pull the rope to clear the engine of ex­cess fuel. This could require pulling the starter
handle many times depending on how badly
the unit is flooded.

8

If the unit still doesn’t start, refer to
TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE or call
1-800-554-6723.

OPERATING POSITION

ALWAYS WEAR:

Long Pants

Boots

Cut from your left to your right.

Eye Protection

TRIMMER LINE ADVANCE

The trimmer line will advance approximately 2
in. (5 cm) each time the bottom of the trimmer
head is tapped on the ground with the engine
running at full throttle.

The most efficient line length is the maximum
length allowed by the line limiter.Always keep
the shield in place when the tool is being oper­ated.
To advance line:

Operate the engine at full throttle.

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Hold the trimmer head parallel to and above

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the grassy area.
Tap the bottom of the trimmer head lightly

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on the ground one time. Approximately 2 in.
(5 cm) of line will be advanced with each
tap.

Always tap the trimmer head on a grassy
area. Tapping on surfaces such as concrete
or asphalt can cause excessive wear to the
trimmer head.If the line is worn down to 2
inches (5 cm) or less, more than one tap will
be required to obtain the most efficient line
length.

When operating unit, clip shoulder strap onto
clamp, stand as shown and check for the fol­lowing:

Wear eye protection and heavy clothing.

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Extend your left arm and hold handlebar

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grip with your left hand.
Hold throttle grip with your right hand with

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finger on throttle trigger.
Keep unit below waist level.

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Keep shoulder strap pad centered on your

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left shoulder and danger sign centered on
your back.
Maintain full weight of tool on your left

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shoulder.
Without bending over, keep the blade or

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trimmer head near and parallel to the
ground and not crowded into material being
cut.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USE WITH TRIMMER HEAD

WARNING:

tion. Never lean over the trimmer head. Rocks
or debris can ricochet or be thrown into eyes
and face and cause blindness or other serious
injury.

Before trimming, bring engine to a speed suffi­cient to cut material to be trimmed.

Do not run the engine at a higher speed than
necessary. The cutting line will cut efficiently
when the engine is run at less than full throttle.
At lower speeds, there is less engine noise and
vibration. The cutting line will last longer and will
be less likely to “weld” onto the spool.

Always release the throttle trigger and allow
the engine to return to idle speed when not
cutting.

To stop engine:

Release the throttle trigger.

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Push and release the engine ON/STOP

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switch.

Always wear eye protec-

WARNING:

diameter line. Other sizes of line will not ad­vance properly and can cause serious injury.
Do not use other materials such as wire,
string, rope, etc. Wire can break off during
cutting and become a dangerous missile that
can cause serious injury.

Use only 0.080!(2 mm)

CUTTING METHODS

WARNING:

and do not crowd the line when cutting around
hard objects (rock, gravel, fence posts, etc.),
which can damage the trimmer head, become
entangled in the line, or be thrown causing a
serious hazard.

The tip of the line does the cutting. You will

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achieve the best performance and mini­mum line wear by not crowding the line into
the cutting area. The right and wrong ways
are shown below.

The line will easily remove grass and

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weeds from around walls, fences, trees and
flower beds, but it also can cut the tender
bark of trees or shrubs and scar fences.
For trimming or scalping, use less than full

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throttle to increase line life and decrease
head wear, especially:

During light duty cutting.

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Near objects around which the line can

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wrap such as small posts, trees or fence
wire.

For mowing or sweeping, use full throttle for

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a good clean job.

Use minimum speed

9

TRIMMING

head about 3 in. (8 cm) above the ground and
at an angle. Allow only the tip of the line to
make contact. Do not force trimmer line into
work area.

Trimming

SCALPING

unwanted vegetation down to the ground. Hold
the bottom of the trimmer head about 3 in. (8
cm) above the gr ound and at an angle. Allow the
tip of the line to strike the ground around trees,
posts, monuments, etc. This technique in­creases line wear .

MOWING

in places conventional lawn mowers cannot
reach. In the mowing position, keep the line
parallel to the ground. Avoid pressing the
head into the ground as this can scalp the
ground and damage the tool.

-- Hold the bottom of the trimmer

-- The scalping technique removes

-- Y our trimmer is ideal for mowing

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USE WITH WEED BLADE

Blade Thrust

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when using a bladed unit. This reaction can
cause serious injury such as amputation.
Carefully study this section. It is important that
you understand what causes blade thrust,
how you can reduce the chance of its
occurring, and how you can remain in control
of unit if blade thrust occurs.

WHAT CAUSES BLADE THRUST--Blade

S

Thrust

contacts an object that it does not cut. This
contact causes the blade to stop for an instant
and then suddenly move or “thrust” away
from the object that was hit. The “thrusting”
reaction can be violent enough to cause the
operator to be propelled in any direction and
lose control of the unit. The uncontrolled unit
can cause serious injury if the blade contacts
the operator or others.

WHEN BLADE THRUST OCCURS

S

Blade Thrust

the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is
more likely to occur in areas where it is
difficult to see the material being cut. By
using the unit properly, the occurrence of
blade thrust will be reduced and the
operator will be less likely to lose control.

is a reaction that only occurs

can occur when the spinning blade

can occur without warning if

--

SWEEPING

line can be used to blow away loose debris from
an area. Keep the line parallel to and above the
area surface and swing the tool from side to
side.

-- The fanning action of the rotating

Cut only grass, weeds, and woody brush up

S

to 1/2 inch in diameter with the weed blade.
Do not let the blade contact material it
cannot cut such as stumps, rocks, fences,
metal, etc., or clusters of hard, woody brush
having a diameter greater than 1/2 inch.
Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade is more

S

likely to snag and thrust.
Cut only at full throttle. The blade will have

S

maximum cutting power and is less likely to
bind or stall.
“Feed” the blade deliberately and not too

S

rapidly. The blade can thrust away if it is fed
too rapidly.
Cut only from your left to your right. Cutting on

S

right side of the shield will throw debris away
from the operator .
Use the shoulder strap and keep a firm grip

S

on the unit with both hands. A properly

10

adjusted shoulder strap will support the
weight of the unit, freeing your arms and
hands to control and guide the cutting motion.
Keep feet comfortably spread apart and

S

braced for a possible sudden, rapid thrust of
unit. Do not overreach. Keep firm footing and
balance.
Keep blade below waist level; it will be

S

easier to maintain control of unit.
Do not raise the engine above your waist as

S

the blade can come dangerously close to
your body.
Do not swing unit with such force that you

S

are in danger of losing your balance.
Bring the engine to cutting speed before en­tering the material to be cut.If the blade does
not turn when you squeeze the throttle trigger,
make sure tube is fully inserted into the en­gine.
Always release the throttle trigger and allow
engine to return to idle speed when not cut­ting. The blade should not turn while the en­gine is running at idle. If the blade turns at idle,
do not use your unit. Refer to the CARBURE­TOR ADJUSTMENT section or contact your
authorized service dealer.

MAINTENANCE

WARNING:

plug before performing maintenance except
for carburetor adjustments.

CHECK FOR LOOSE
FASTENERS AND PARTS

Spark Plug Boot

S

Air Filter

S

Housing Screws

S

Assist Handle Screw

S

Debris Shield

S

CHECK FOR DAMAGED OR
WORN PARTS

Contact an authorized service dealer for re­placement of damaged or worn parts.

ON/STOP Switch -- Ensure ON/STOP

S

switch functions properly by pushing and

releasing the switch. Make sure engine

stops. Wait 5 seconds before attempting to

restart unit to allow switch to reset. Restart

engine and continue

Fuel Tank -- Discontinue use of unit if fuel

S

tank shows signs of damage or leaks.

Debris Shield -- Discontinue use of unit if

S

debris shield is damaged.

INSPECT AND CLEANUNIT AND DE­CALS

After each use, inspect complete unit for

S

loose or damaged parts. Clean the unit and

decals using a damp cloth with a mild deter-

gent.

Wipe off unit with a clean dry cloth.

S

CLEAN AIR FILTER

A dirty air filter decreases engine perform­ance and increases fuel consumption and
harmful emissions. Always clean after every
5 hours of operation.

Disconnect the spark

Maintain good firm footing while using the

S

unit. Do this by planting feet firmly in a
comfortable apart position.
Cut while swinging the upper part of your

S

body from left to right.
As you move forward to the next area to cut,

S

be sure to maintain your balance and
footing.

RECOMMENDED CUTTING POSITION

Cut using the 2
o’clock to 4 o’clock
position of the
blade

WARNING:

must not try to clear away cut material with the
engine running or the blade turning to avoid
serious injury. Stop engine and blade before
removing materials wrapped around blade or
tube.

1. Clean the cover and the area around it to
keep dirt from falling into the carburetor
chamber when the cover is removed.

2. Remove parts by pressing button to re­lease air filter cover.

NOTE:

producing harmful evaporative emissions, do
not clean filter in gasoline or other flammable
solvent.

3. Wash the filter in soap and water.

4. Allow filter to dry.

5. Add a few drops of oil to the filter;

6. Replace parts.

To avoid creating a fire hazard or

squeeze the filter to distribute oil.

Button

The operator or others

Air Filter

2 o’clock

4 o’clock

Air Filter
Cover

REPLACE SPARK PLUG

Replace the spark plug each year to ensure
the engine starts easier and runs better. Set
spark plug gap at 0.025 in. Ignition timing is
fixed and nonadjustable.

1. Twist, then pull off spark plug boot.

2. Remove spark plug from cylinder and
discard.

3. Replace with Champion RCJ-6Y spark
plug and tighten securely with a 3/4 inch
socket wrench..

4. Reinstall the spark plug boot.

11

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

REPLACING THE LINE

1. Remove spool by firmly pulling on tap
button.

2. Clean entire surface of hub and spool.

3. Replace with a pre-wound spool, or cut two
lengths of
ameter Snappert/WeedEaterrbrand line.

WARNING:

string, etc., which can break off and become a
dangerous missile.

4. Insert ends of the lines about 1/2 inch (1
cm) into the small holes on the inside of
spool.

Spool

Line exit holes

Hub

feet of 0.080!(2 mm) di-

12-1/2

Never use wire, rope,

Line in Notch

Line in Notch

Small
Holes

STORAGE

5. Wind the line evenly and tightly onto the
spool. Wind in the direction of the arrows
found on the spool.

6. Push the lines into the notches, leaving 3
to 5 inches (7 -- 12 cm) unwound.

7. Insert the lines into the the exit holes in
the hub as shown in the illustration.

8. Align the notches with the line exit holes.

9. Push spool into hub until it snaps into
place.

10. Pull the lines extending outside of the hub
to release the lines from the notches.

BLADE REPLACEMENT

Refer to the ASSEMBLY section for blade re­placement instructions and illustrations.

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT

Your carburetor is equipped with limiter caps.
Carburetor adjustment is a complicated task.
We recommend that you take your unit to an
authorized service dealer. Damage will occur
if you turn the needles beyond the limiter
stops.

WARNING:

steps after each use:

Allow engine to cool before storing or trans-

S

porting.
Store unit and fuel in a well ventilated area

S

where fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or
open flames from water heaters, electric
motors or switches, furnaces, etc.
Store unit with all guards in place. Position

S

unit so that any sharp object cannot acci­dentally cause injury.
Store unit and fuel well out of the reach of

S

children.

Perform the following

SEASONAL STORAGE

Prepare unit for storage at end of season or if
it will not be used for 30 days or more.
If your unit is to be stored for a period of time:

Clean the entire unit before lengthy

S

storage.
Store in a clean dry area.

S

Lightly oil external metal surfaces.

S

FUEL SYSTEM

Under FUELING ENGINE in the OPERA­TION section of this manual, see message la-

IMPORTANT

beled
sohol in your engine.

regarding the use of ga-

Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in
minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits
during storage. Add stabilizer to the gasoline
in the fuel tank or fuel storage container. Fol­low the mix instructions found on stabilizer
container. Run engine at least 5 minutes after
adding stabilizer.

ENGINE

Remove spark plug and pour 1 teaspoon of

S

40:1, 2-cycle engine oil (air cooled) through
the spark plug opening. Slowly pull the
starter rope 8 to 10 times to distribute oil.
Replace spark plug with new one of recom-

S

mended type and heat range.
Clean air filter.

S

Check entire unit for loose screws, nuts,

S

and bolts. Replace any damaged, broken,
or worn parts.
At the beginning of the next season, use

S

only fresh fuel having the proper gasoline to
oil ratio.

OTHER

Do not store gasoline from one season to

S

another.
Replace your gasoline can if it starts to rust.

S

12

TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE

WARNING:

recommended remedies below except remedies that require operation of the unit.

Always stop unit and disconnect spark plug before performing all of the

TROUBLE CAUSE REMEDY

Engine will not
start.

1. Engine flooded.

2. Fuel tank empty.

3. Spark plug not firing.

4. Fuel not reaching
carburetor.

5. Carburetor requires
adjustment.

1. See “Starting a Flooded Engine” in
Operation Section.

2. Fill tank with correct fuel mixture.

3. Install new spark plug.

4. Check for dirty fuel filter; replace.
Check for kinked or split fuel line;
repair or replace.

5. See “Carburetor Adjustment” in
Service and Adjustments Section.

Engine will
not idle
properly.

Engine will not
accelerate,
lacks power,
or dies under
a load.

Engine
smokes
excessively.

Engine runs
hot.

1. Carburetor requires
adjustment.

2. Crankshaft seals worn.

3. Compression low.

1. Air filter dirty.

2. Spark plug fouled.

3. Carburetor requires
adjustment.

4. Carbon build-up on
muffler outlet screen.

5. Compression low.

1. Choke partially on.

2. Fuel mixture incorrect.

3. Air filter dirty.

4. Carburetor requires
adjustment.

1. Fuel mixture incorrect.

2. Spark plug incorrect.

3. Carburetor requires

adjustment.

4. Carbon build-up on

muffler outlet screen.

1. See “Carburetor Adjustment” in
Service and Adjustments Section.

2. Contact an authorized service dealer.

3. Contact an authorized service dealer.

1. Clean or replace air filter.

2. Clean or replace plug
and regap.

3. See “Carburetor Adjustment” in
Service and Adjustments Section.

4. Contact an authorized service dealer.

5. Contact an authorized service dealer.

1. Adjust choke.

2. Empty fuel tank and refill with
correct fuel mixture.

3. Clean or replace air filter.

4. See “Carburetor Adjustment” in
Service and Adjustments Section.

1. See “Fueling Engine” in Operation
section.

2. Replace with correct spark plug.

3. See “Carburetor Adjustment” in
Service and Adjustments Section.

4. Contact an authorized service dealer.

13

LIMITED WARRANTY

ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.,

warrants to the original purchaser that each

Snapper

new
ment is free from defects in material and
workmanship and agrees to repair or replace
under this warranty any defective gasoline
product or attachment as follows from the
original date of purchase.

2 YEARS

household purposes.

90 DA YS

commercial, professional, or income produc­ing purposes.

30 DAYS

purposes.
This warranty is not transferable and does not
cover damage or liability caused by improper
handling, improper maintenance, or the use
of accessories and/or attachments not spe­cifically recommended by

HOME PRODUCTS, INC.,

tionally, this warranty does not cover tune­ups, spark plugs, filters, cutting line, or rotat­ing head parts that will wear and require
replacement with reasonable use during the
warranty period. This warranty does not cov-

brand gasoline tool or attach-

tttt

-- Parts and Labor, when used for

-- Parts and Labor, when used for

-- Parts and Labor, if used for rental

ELECTROLUX

for this tool. Addi-

U.S. EPA

EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT

YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGA­TIONS:

Agency and POULAN/WEED EATER, DIVI­SION OF WCI OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, INC.,
are pleased to explain the emissions control
system warranty on your year 2001--2004 small
off--road engine. POULAN/WEED EATER
must warrant the emission control system on
your small off--road engine for the periods of
time listed below provided there has been no
abuse, neglect, or improper maintenance of
your small off--road engine. Your emission con­trol system includes parts such as the carbure­tor and the ignition system. Where a warrant­able condition exists, POULAN/WEED EATER
will repair your small off- -road engine at no cost
to you. Expenses covered under warranty in­clude diagnosis, parts and labor.

TURER’S WARRANTY COVERAGE:

emissions related part on your engine (as listed
under Emissions Control Warranty Parts List) is
defective or a defect in the materials or work­manship of the engine causes the failure of such
an emissionrelated part, the part will be repaired
or replaced by POU LAN/WEED EATER.

OWNER’S WARRANTY RESPONSIBILI­TIES:

are responsible for the performance of the re­quired maintenance listed in your instruction
manual. POU LAN/WEED EATER recom­mends that you retain all receipts covering
maintenance on your small off--road engine, but
POULAN/WEED EATER cannot deny warran­ty solelyfor the lack of re c e ip ts or for your failure
to ensure the performance of all scheduled

The U. S. Environmental Protection

MANUFAC-

If any

As the small off--road engine owner, you

er predelivery setup or normal adjustments
explained in the instruction manual.

THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC
LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE
OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM
STATE TO STATE.NO CLAIMS FOR CON­SEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES WILL
BE ALLOWED, AND THERE ARE NO
OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES EX­CEPT THOSE EXPRESSLY STIPULATED
HEREIN.

SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITA­TIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WAR­RANTY LASTS OR THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATIONS OF INCIDENTAL OR CON­SEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.

The policy of

UCTS, INC.,

products. Therefore,

PRODUCTS, INC.,

change, modify, or discontinue models, de­signs, specifications, and accessories of all
products at any time without notice or obliga­tion to any purchaser.

maintenance. As the small off--road engine
owner , you should be aware that POULAN/
WEED EATER may deny you warranty cover­age if your small off--road engine or a part of it
has failed due to abuse, neglect, impropermain­tenance, unapproved modifications, or the use
of parts not made or approved by the original
equipment manufacturer. You are responsible
for presenting your small off--road engine to a
POULAN/WEED EATER authorized repair
center as soon as a problem exists. Warranty
repairs should be completed in a reasonable
amount of time, not to exceed 30 days. If you
have any questions regarding your warranty
rights and responsibilities, you should contact
your nearest authorized service center or call
POULAN/WEED EATER at 1--800--554--6723.

WARRANTY COMMENCEMENT DATE:

warranty period begins on the date the small
off--road engine is purchased.

COVERAGE:

od of two years from the initial date of purchase.

WHAT IS COVERED: REPAIR OR RE­PLACEMENT OF PARTS.

ment of any warranted part will be performed at
no charge to the owner at an approved POU­LAN/WEED EATER servicing center . If you
have any questions regarding your warranty
rights and responsibilities, you should contact
your nearest authorized service center or call
POULAN/WEED EATER at 1--800--554--6723.

WARRANTY PERIOD:

which is not scheduled for replacement as re­quired maintenance, or which is scheduled only
for regular inspection to the effect of ”repair or

ELECTROLUX HOME PROD-

is to continuously improve its

ELECTROLUX HOME

reserves the right to

This warranty shall be for a peri-

LENGTH OF

Repair or replace-

Any warranted part

14

The

replace as necessary” shall be warranted for 2
years. Any warranted part which is scheduled
for replacement as required maintenance shall
be warranted for the period of time up to the first
scheduled replacement point for that part.

DIAGNOSIS:

for diagnostic labor which leads to the deter­mination that a warranted part is defective if the
diagnostic work is performed at an approved
POULAN/W EED EATER servicin g center.

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES:

WEED EATER may be liable for damages to
other engine components caused by the failure
of a warranted part still under warranty.

IS NOT COVERED:

abuse, neglect, or improper maintenance are
not covered.

PARTS:

can be grounds for disallowing a warr antyclaim.
POULAN/WEED EATER is not liable to cover
failures of warranted parts caused by the use of
add--on or modified parts.

This engine is certified to be emissions compliant for the following use:

Moderate (50 hours)

Intermediate (125 hours)

Extended (300 hours)

The owner shall not be charged

POULAN/

All failures caused by

ADD--ON OR MODIFIED

The use of add--on or modified parts

HOW TO FILE A

WHA T

CLAIM:

If you have any questions regarding
your warranty rights and responsibilities, you
should contact your nearest authorized service
center or call POULAN/WEED EATER at
1--800--554-- 6723.

RANTY SERVICE:

pairs shall be provided at all POULAN/WEED
EATER service centers. Call 1--800 --554--6723.

MAINTENANCE, REPLACEMENT AND RE­PA IR OF EMISSION RELATED PARTS:

POULAN/WEED EATER approved replace­ment part used in the performance of any war­ranty maintenance or repair on emission related
parts will be provided without charge to the own­er if the part is under warranty.

CONTROL WARRANTY PARTS LIST :

buretor, Ignition System: Spark Plug (covered
up to maintenance schedule), Ignition Module.

MAINTENANCE STATEMENT:

responsible for the performance of all required
maintenance as defined in the instruction
manual.

WHERE TO GET WAR-

Warranty services or re-

Any

EMISSION

Car-

The owner is

15