Shindaiwa 81646 User Manual

SHINDAIWA OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S MANUAL

T261 TRIMMER T261X TRIMMER

WARNING!

Minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others! Read this manual and familiarize yourself with the contents. Always wear eye and hearing protection when operating this unit.

Part Number 81646 Rev. 1/07

T261

T261X

Contents

Throughout this manual are special “attention statements”.

IMPORTANT!

The operational procedures described in this manual are intended to help you get the most from this unit as well as to protect you and others from harm. These procedures are guidelines for safe operation under most conditions, and are not intended to replace any safety rules and/ or laws that may be in force in your area. If you have questions regarding your T261 series hand held power equipment, or if you do not understand something in this manual, your Shindaiwa dealer will be glad to assist you. You may also contact Echo Inc. at the address printed on the back of this Manual.

Attention StatementsIntroduction

PAGE

The Shindaiwa T261 Series hand held power equipment has been designed and built to deliver superior performance and reliability without compromise to quality, comfort, safety or durability.

Shindaiwa engines represent the leading edge of high-performance engine technology, delivering exceptionally high power with remarkably low displacement and weight. As an owner/operator, you’ll soon discover for yourself why Shindaiwa is simply in a class by itself!

Shindaiwa Inc. reserves the right to make changes to products without prior notice, and without obligation to make alterations to units previously manufactured.

Attention Statements ...............................2

Genereal Safety Instructions ..................3

Safety Labels .............................................4

Product Description .................................5

Speciﬁcations ............................................5

Assembly and Adjustments .....................6

Fuel ............................................................9

Starting the Engine ..................................9

Stopping the Engine ..............................10

Adjusting Engine Idle ............................10

Checking Unit Condition.......................11

Shoulder Strap

........................................11

Cutting Grass ..........................................11

Using a Blade (T261X) ..........................12

Maintenance ...........................................13

Long Term Storage ................................15

Troubleshooting Guide .........................16

Emission System Warranty ...................19

IMPORTANT!

The information contained in this owner's/operator's manual describes units available at the time of publication.

CAUTION!

A statement preceded by the word “CAUTION” contains information that should be acted upon to prevent mechanical damage.

WARNING!

A statement preceded by

the triangular attention symbol and the word “WARNING” contains information that should be acted upon to prevent serious bodily injury.

WARNING!

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

NOTE:

A statement preceded by the word “NOTE” contains information that is handy to know and may make your job easier.

IMPORTANT!

A statement preceded by the word “IMPORTANT” is one that possesses

special signicance.

Read and follow this

operators manual.

Failure to do so could

result in serious injury.

Wear eye and hearing

protection at all times

during the operation

of this unit.

Keep bystanders

at least 50 feet (15 m)

away during operation.

Beware of thrown or

ricocheted objects.

Do not operate this unit with a

blade unless the unit is equipped

with a Shindaiwa-approved

handlebar or barrier.

Always wear a harness when

operating this unit with a blade.

A harness is also recommended

when using trimmer line.

If unit is used as a brushcutter,

beware of blade thrust. A jammed

blade can cause the unit to jerk

suddenly and may cause the

operator to lose control of the unit.

Echo Inc. reserves the right to make changes to products without prior notice, and without obligation to make alterations to units previously manufactured.

DO NOT OPERATE THIS UNIT IF YOU ARE TIRED, ILL OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR MEDICATION.

Work Safely

Shindaiwa trimmers operate at very high speeds and can do serious damage or injury if they are misused or abused.

Never allow a person without training or instruction to operate this unit!

Stay Alert

You must be physically and mentally ﬁt to operate this unit safely.

WARNING!

Never operate power equipment of any kind if you are tired or if you

are under the inuence of alcohol,

drugs, medication or any other substance that could affect your ability or judgement.

Never make unauthorized attachment installations. Do not use attachments not approved by Shindaiwa for use on this unit.

General Safety Instructions

The Properly Equipped Operator

Always operate with both hands ﬁrmly gripping the

unit.

Wear close-ﬁtting clothing to protect legs and arms. Gloves offer added protection and are strongly recommended. Do not wear clothing or jewelry that could get caught in machinery or underbrush. Secure hair so it is above shoulder level. NEVER wear shorts!

Wear hearing protection devices

and a broad-brimmed hat or

helmet.

Always wear eye protection such as

goggles or safety glasses.

Keep away from the rotating trim-

mer line or blade at all times, and

never lift a moving attachment

above waist-high.

Wear appropriate footwear (non-skid boots or shoes): do not wear opentoed shoes or sandals. Never operate

the unit while barefoot!

Keep a proper footing

and do not over-

reach—maintain

your balance at all

times during opera-

tion.

Always make sure

the appropriate

cutting attachment

shield is correctly

installed and in good

condition.

Figure 1

n ALWAYS wear eye protection to

shield against thrown objects.

NEVER operate the engine

when transporting the unit.

NEVER operate the engine

indoors! Make sure there is always good ventilation. Fumes from engine exhaust can cause serious injury or death.

ALWAYS clear your work area

of trash or hidden debris that could be thrown back at you or toward a bystander.

n ALWAYS use the proper cutting

tool for the job.

ALWAYS stop the engine im-

mediately if it suddenly begins to vibrate or shake. Inspect for broken, missing or improperly installed parts or attachments.

WARNING! Minimize the Risk of Fire

n NEVER smoke or light res near

the engine.

n ALWAYS stop the engine and

allow it to cool before refueling.

Avoid overlling and wipe off any

fuel that may have spilled.

n ALWAYS inspect the unit for fuel

leaks before each use. During

each rell, check that no fuel

leaks from around the fuel cap and/or fuel tank. If fuel leaks are evident, stop using the unit immediately. Fuel leaks must be repaired before using the unit.

ALWAYS move the unit to a place

well away from a fuel storage

area or other readily ammable

materials before starting the engine.

n NEVER place ammable material

close to the engine mufer.

n NEVER operate the engine with-

out the spark arrester screen in place.

WARNING!

WARNING! Use Good Judgment

n NEVER extend trimming line be-

yond the length specied for your

unit.

ALWAYS keep the unit as clean

as practical. Keep it free of loose vegetation, mud, etc.

ALWAYS hold the unit rmly with

both hands when cutting or trimming, and maintain control at all times.

ALWAYS keep the handles clean.

n ALWAYS disconnect the spark

plug wire before performing any maintenance work.

ALWAYS, if a saw blade should

bind fast in a cut, shut off the engine immediately. Push the branch or tree to ease the bind and free the blade.

Safety Labels

Figure 3

IMPORTANT!

Safety and Operation Information Labels: Make sure all information labels are undamaged and readable. Immediately replace damaged or missing information labels. New labels are available from your local authorized Shindaiwa dealer.

T261

This label indicates the minimum

distance between front handle and

rear grip per ANSI B175.3.

Be Aware of the Working Environment

Avoid long-term operation

in very hot or very cold

weather.

Make sure bystanders or observers

outside the 50-foot “danger zone”

wear eye protection.

Be extremely

careful of slip-

pery terrain,

especially during

rainy weather.

Always make sure the

appropriate cutting

attachment shield is

correctly installed.If contact is made with a hard object,

stop the engine and inspect the cutting

attachment for damage.

When operating in rocky terrain or near electric

wires or fences, use extreme caution to avoid con-

tacting such items with the cutting attachment.

Be constantly alert for objects and debris that could be thrown either from the rotating cutting attachment or bounced from a

hard surface.

Reduce the risk of

bystanders being struck

by ﬂying debris. Make sure no one is within 50 feet (15 meters)—that’s

about 16 paces—of an operating attachment.

Figure 2

FEET

T261X

Product Description

Using the accompanying illustrations as a guide, familiarize yourself with this unit and its various components. See Figure 4. Understanding your unit helps ensure top performance, long service life, and safer operation.

Figure 4

Specications

T261 dry weight (less attachments) ...................12.8 lb./5.8 kg

T261X dry weight (less attachments) .................13.1 lb./5.9 kg

Engine model ...................................................Shindaiwa S260C

Engine type ......... 2-cycle, catylist, vertical-cylinder , air cooled

Bore x stroke ............................................ 1.3x1.2 in./32x30 mm

Displacement ................................................... 1.5 cu. in./24.1 cc

Maximum power ................1.2 HP/0.9 kW @ 7500 rpm (min

-1

)

Fuel/oil ratio ......................... 50:1 with ISO-L-EGD or JASO FC

class 2-cycle mixing oil*

Carburetor type .................................. TK DPN, diaphragm-type

Fuel tank capacity ...............................................24.3 oz./720 ml

Ignition .................... One-piece electronic transistor-controlled

Speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice.

* meets or exceeds these speciﬁcations and is recommended for all Shindaiwa products.

WARNING!

Do not make unauthorized modications or alterations to any of these units or their components.

T261X TRIMMER

Outer Tube

Trimmer

Head

Grip

Cutting

Attachment Shield

Gearcase

Handle

Throttle

Trigger

Throttle

Interlock

Ignition

Switch

Fuel

Tank

Barrier

Bar

T261 TRIMMER

Outer Tube

Trimmer

Head

Grip

Cutting

Attachment Shield

Gearcase

Handle

Throttle Trigger

Throttle

Interlock

Ignition

Switch

Fuel

Tank

Spark plug ........................................................... Champion CJ8Y

Air cleaner type ...........Non-reversible heavy-duty ﬁlter element

Starting method ....................................................................Recoil

Stopping method .........................................................Slide switch

Transmission type ......................................Automatic, centrifugal

clutch w/bevel gear

EPA Emission Compliance Period** .........................Category A

** The EPA emission compliance referred to on the emission compliance label located on the engine, indicates the number of operating hours for which the engine has been shown to meet Federal emission requirements. Category C = 50 hours (Moderate), B = 125 hours (Intermediate) and A = 300 hours (Extended).

Spark Plug

26104

26103

26101

26102

3/16-1/4 inch (4-6 mm)

Throttle Freeplay

Adjust Throttle Lever Free Play

1. Loosen the throttle cable lock nut and rotate the cable adjuster in or out to achive proper free play of 3/16-1/4 inch(4-6 mm). See Figure 8.

2. Retighten the locknut.

Assembly and Adjustments

Figure 8

Figure 5

Handle

Outer Tube

Handle

Handle Positioning Label

4 Socket-head Cap-

screws

The throttle lever free play should be approxiamtely 3/16-1/4 inch(4-6 mm). See Figure 7. Make sure that the throttle lever operates smoothly without binding. If it becomes necessary to adjust the lever freeplay, follow the procedures and illustrations that follow.

Figure 7

Handle

Outer

Tube

Figure 6

4 Socket-head Cap-

screws

Barrier

Bar

Barrier

Bar

This unit comes fully assembled with the exception of the cutting attachment shield and cutting attachment.

Prior to Assembly

Before assembling, make sure you have all the components required for a complete unit and inspect unit and components for any damage.

IMPORTANT!

The terms “left”, “left-hand”, and “LH”; “right”, “right-hand”, and “RH”; “front” and “rear” refer to directions as viewed by the operator during normal operation.

Engine and shaft assembly

n Cutting attachment shield

n Cutting attachment

n Kit containing cutting attachment

shield mounting bracket and hardware, this owner's/operator's manual and tool kit for routine maintenance. Tool kits vary by model and may include a hex wrench set, a spark plug/screwdriver combination wrench, and a spanner.

Throttle Cable

Adjuster

Lock Nut

1. The handle is attached to the outer tube at the factory and positioned in an off-set position. See Figure 5.

2. Loosen the 4 socket-head cap screws on the handle and rotate the handle until the barrier bar is positioned horizontally on the left side of the unit. See Figure 6.

3. Position the handle forward of the Handle Positioning Label at the best position for operator comfort (usually about 10 inches ahead of the throttle housing).

4. Secure the handle by alternately tightening the four socket-head cap screws in a diagonal or “criss-cross” fashion.

26107

26106

26105

Figure 9

Cutting Attach-

ment Shield

Outer

Tube

Socket-

Head Cap

Screw

Bracket

Shim

Clamp Screw

Shim

Retaining

Nut

Cutting

Attachment

Mounting

Plate

Line Cutter

Figure 9A

Hex

Screws

Nuts

Install the Cutting Attachment Shield

1. Insert the cutting attachment shield

between the outer tube and the cutting attachment mounting plate. See Figure

WARNING!

NEVER operate the unit

without the cutting attachment shield installed and tightly secured!

CAUTION!

Make sure the clamp screw and retaining nut are securely tightened before tightening the four sockethead cap screws.

NOTE:

It may be necessary to loosen the retaining nut and clamp screw to adjust cutting attachment shield mounting plate.

2. Fit the two shims and the bracket over the outer tube and loosely install the four socket-head screws. See Figure 9.

WARNING!

The line cutter is very sharp. Wear gloves to

protect your hands when handling.

To Change Position of Line Cutter

1. Remove the 2 hex screws with a 4mm hex wrench. See Figure 9A.

NOTE:

Be careful to not lose the 2 nuts in the cutting attachment shield, they are not captured.

The line cutter can be positioned in 2 positions to obtain different line length for cutting.

Install the Trimmer Head

1. Turn the trimmer over so that the gearcase output shaft faces UP.

2. Remove and discard the black plastic retaining plug from the output shaft. See Figure 10.

3. Rotate the holder until the hole in the holder aligns with the notch on the gearcase. Use the long end of the hex wrench to lock the holder and output shaft. See Figure 10.

4. While holding the hex wrench, thread the trimmer head onto the output shaft, turning counter-clockwise. Using hand pressure only, tighten the trimmer head ﬁrmly on the output shaft.

IMPORTANT!

The trimmer head has a left-hand thread. For removal turn the trimmer head clockwise.

5. Remove the hex wrench.

6. Adjust the trimmer line length to reach no further than the line cutter on the cutting attachment shield. Trim to the correct length if necessary.

Assembly: Trimmer Head

Figure 10

WARNING!

A standard grass trimmer

with a loop handle should NEVER be operated with bladetype attachments. For blade use the

trimmer must be tted with a bicycle-

type handlebar or a loop handle with a barrier bar that is located in front of the operator to reduce the risk of the operator coming in contact with the cutting attachment (per ANSI B175.3). When using a blade, the unit must also be equipped with a harness or strap.

The unit should now be

completely assembled and ready

for use with a trimmer head.

Holder

Output

shaft

Retaining

Plug

26108

Figure 11

Hex Wrench

Assembly: Cutting Attachment Shield

3. Tighten the four socket-head cap screws to secure the cutting attachment shield.

2. Rotate line cutter. See Figure 9A.

3. Reinstall the two hex screws and tighten them securely.

To install a trimmer head onto a T261X, ﬁrst remove the shaft bolt, bolt guard and safety clip (see the next page).

26112

26109

Turn the T261X upside down so the gearcase output shaft is facing UP and remove the shaft bolt, bolt guard and holder B from the gearcase shaft.

1. Align the hole in blade holder A with the matching hole in the gearcase ﬂange and then temporarily lock the output shaft by inserting a hex wrench through both holes. See Figure 12.

2. Slide the safety clip off-center. See Figure 13.

3. Fit the blade over the safety clip and then center it over the ﬂange on holder A. See Figure 14.

Mount the Cutting Blade.

23110

Slide the safety clip off-center

Center the Safety

Clip

Assembly: Blade T261X

Shaft Bolt

Bolt Guard

Holder B

Gear Shaft

Holder A

Hex Wrench

Figure 12

23113

Blade

Hex Wrench

NOTE:

When installing certain blades, it may be necessary to temporarily remove the safety clip.

CAUTION!

Install the blade so its printed surface is visible to the operator when the brushcutter is in the normal operating position.

WARNING!

The blade must t at against the holder ange.

The blade mounting hole must be centered over the raised boss on blade holder A.

WARNING!

Never operate the T261X without the safety clip in place!

4. Lock the blade in place by centering the safety clip on the output shaft. See Figure 14.

IMPORTANT!

The machined recess in holder B must completely surround the safety clip, and

both holders must be at against the

surface of the blade.

5. Install blade holder B on the output shaft. See Figure 15. The recess in the holder must completely cover the safety clip, and must ﬁt tightly against the blade.

6. Install the bolt guard and then the blade retaining bolt. Using the combination spark plug wrench/screwdriver, tighten the bolt ﬁrmly in a counterclockwise direction.

7. Remove the hex wrench.

Blade Holder B

Tighten the assembly (blade

not shown for clarity)

Figure 15

Safety Clip

Safety

Clip

Output

Shaft

Figure 13

Figure 14

Output

Shaft

The T261X should now be

completely assembled and

ready for use with a blade.

26111

Slip the Saw Blade In

Place

26121

26117

IMPORTANT!

Mix only enough fuel for your immediate needs! If fuel must be stored longer than 30 days and oil with fuel stabilizer

is not used, it should rst be treated with

a fuel stabilizer such as StaBil™.

Starting the Engine

4. While holding the outer tube ﬁrmly with left hand, use your other hand to slowly pull the recoil starter handle until resistance is felt, then pull quickly to start the engine.

1. Slide the ignition switch to the “I” position (engine ON).

2. Press the primer bulb until fuel can be seen ﬂowing in the transparent return tube.

3. Set the choke lever to the CLOSED position if engine is cold.

Make sure the cutting

attachment

is clear of

obstructions!

IMPORTANT!

Engine ignition is controlled by a two position switch mounted on the throttle housing labeled, "I" for ON or START and "O" for OFF or STOP.

Figure 16

Figure 18

Figure 19

Closed

IMPORTANT!

The primer system only pushes fuel through the carburetor. Repeatedly

pressing the primer bulb will not ood the

engine with fuel.

CAUTION!

Do not pull the recoil starter to the end of the rope travel. Pulling the recoil starter to the end of the rope travel can damage the starter.

Mixing Fuel

1. Place the trimmer on a ﬂat, level surface.

2. Clear any dirt or other debris from around the fuel ﬁller cap.

3. Remove the fuel cap, and ﬁll the tank with clean, fresh fuel.

4. Reinstall the fuel ﬁller cap and tighten ﬁrmly.

Filling the Fuel Tank

WARNING! Minimize the risk of

re!

n STOP engine before refueling. n ALWAYS allow the engine to cool

before refueling!

n Wipe all spilled fuel and move the

engine at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the fueling point and source before restarting!

n NEVER start or operate this

unit if there is a fuel leak.

CAUTION!

This engine is designed to operate on a 50:1 mixture consisting of unleaded gasoline and ISO-L-EGD or JASO FC class 2-cycle mixing oil only. Use of non-approved mixing oils can lead to excessive carbon deposits.

CAUTION!

Some types of gasoline contain alcohol as an oxygenate. Oxygenated gasoline may cause increased operating temperatures. Under certain conditions, alcohol-based gasoline may also reduce the lubricating qualities of some 2-cycle mixing oils. Never use any type of gasoline containing more than 10% alcohol by volume! Generic oils and some outboard oils may not be intended for use in high-performance C4 engines, and should never be used in your Shindaiwa engine.

n Use only fresh, clean unleaded gasoline

with a pump octane of 87 or higher.

n Mix all fuel with a 2-cycle

air-cooled mixing oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FC classiﬁed oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.

Examples of 50:1 mixing quantities

n 1 gallon of gasoline to 2.6 oz. mixing oil

n 5 liters of gasoline to 100 ml. mixing oil

Oil is a registered JASO FC classiﬁed oil and also meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD performance requirements. Shindaiwa One is recommended for use in all Shindaiwa low emissions engines. Shindaiwa One also includes a fuel stabilizer.

Primer

Bulb

Return Tube

Figure 17

26116

26120

n NEVER start or operate this

unit if the carburetor, fuel lines, fuel tank and/or fuel tank cap are damaged.

n NEVER smoke or light any res near

the engine or fuel source!

n NEVER place any ammable

material near the engine mufer!

n NEVER operate the engine without

the mufer and spark arrester in good

working condition.

26123

26121

26122

Starting the Engine (continued)

WARNING!

Never start the engine from the operating position.

WARNING!

The cutting attachment may rotate when the engine is started!

When the Engine Starts

n After the engine starts, allow the

engine to warm up at idle 2 or 3 minutes before operating the unit.

n After the engine is warm, pick up the

unit and clip on the shoulder strap if so equipped. See page 11.

n Advancing the throttle makes the cut-

ting attachment turn faster; releasing the throttle permits the attachment to stop turning. If the cutting attachment continues to rotate when the engine returns to idle, carburetor idle speed should be adjusted (see "Adjusting Engine Idle" below).

IMPORTANT!

If the engine fails to start after several attempts with the choke in the closed

position, the engine may be ooded with fuel. If ooding is suspected,

move the choke lever to the open position and repeatedly pull the recoil starter to remove excess fuel and start the engine. If the engine still fails to start, refer to the troubleshooting section of this manual.

5. When the engine starts, slowly move the choke lever to the "OPEN" position. See Figure 20. (If the engine stops after the initial start, close the choke and restart.)

Figure 20

Open

Idle the engine brieﬂy before stopping (about 2 minutes), then slide the ignition

switch to the “O” (Engine OFF) position.

Stopping the Engine

Adjusting Engine Idle

Figure 21

Figure 22

Idle Adjusting

Screw

OFF

The engine must return to idle speed whenever the throttle lever is released. Idle speed is adjustable, and must be set low enough to permit the engine clutch to disengage the cutting attachment.

WARNING!

The cutting attachment must

NEVER rotate at engine idle! If the idle speed cannot be adjusted by the procedure described here, return the trimmer to your Shindaiwa dealer for inspection.

2. If the attachment rotates when the engine is at idle, reduce the idle speed by turning the idle adjustment screw counter-clockwise. See Figure 22.

3. If a tachometer is available, the engine idle speed should be ﬁnal adjusted to 2,750 (±250) rpm (min

-1

4. Carburetor fuel mixture adjustments are preset at factory and cannot be serviced in the ﬁeld.

Idle Speed Adjustment

1. Place the trimmer on the ground, then start the engine, and allow it to idle 2-3 minutes until warm.

Hold the trimmer so the trimmer head is angled slightly into the area to be cut. To ensure maximum trimmer-line service life, cut only with the tip of the trimmer line. Cut grass by swinging the trimmer from left to right. Keep the trimmer head horizontal. See Figure 24.

Edging

Tilt the handle about 100° to the left (from horizontal) and move forward, holding the trimmer vertically as shown in Figure 25.

Your Shindaiwa unit may be equipped with one of several Shindaiwa trimmer head models, each with features for speciﬁc applications and/or operational requirements.

NOTE:

For proper operation, always refer to the instructions accompanying the trimmer head being used. Available trimmer head styles include:

n Semi-automatic. Trimmer line is

indexed when the operator taps the trimmer head on the ground during operation.

n Manual. The operator indexes line

manually with the grass trimmer stopped.

n Fixed. The operator must stop the unit

and add new lengths of trimmer line manually.

n Flail. This device, designed for clear-

ing weeds and light brush, features three nylon blades attached to the head by pivots.

NOTE:

Additional hardware may be required to mount the Fixed Line or the Flail type trimmer heads.

26125

Cutting Grass—Units Equipped with a Trimmer Head

CAUTION!

Operation at low RPM can lead to premature clutch failure.

Trimming and Mowing Grass

Checking Unit Condition

Shoulder Strap

Adjust the shoulder strap so the shoulder pad rests comfortably on the off-side shoulder and the cutting path of the cutting attachment is parallel to the ground. Make sure all hooks and adjustment devices are secure.

Figure 23

CAUTION!

Operation of trimmer without a cutting attachment shield and using excessive line length can lead to premature clutch failure.

CAUTION!

Do not push the rotating line into trees, wire fences or any material that could tangle or break line ends.

Engine Operating Speeds

Operate the unit at full throttle while cutting grass.

NOTE:

Although a shoulder strap accessory is not required for use with a grass trimmer, a shoulder strap can increase operator comfort during extended periods of operation. See Figure 23.

WARNING!

Always wear a shoulder

strap when operating this unit with a blade. A shoulder strap is also recommended when using trimmer line.

NOTE:

Using a shoulder strap when operating this unit with a blade allows you to maintain proper control of the unit and reduces fatigue during extended operation.

WARNING!

A cutting attachment shield

or other protective device is no guarantee of protection against ricochet. YOU MUST ALWAYS GUARD AGAINST FLYING DEBRIS!

Figure 24

ALWAYS make sure the cutting attachment is

properly installed and ﬁrmly tightened before operation.

NEVER use a cracked or warped cutting attachment: replace it with a serviceable one

ALWAYS make sure the cutting attachment ﬁts properly into the appropriate attachment holder. If a properly installed attachment vibrates, replace the attachment with new one and re-check.

Use only authorized Shindaiwa parts and accessories with your Shindaiwa trimmer. Do not make modiﬁcations to this unit without written approval from Shindaiwa, Inc.

ALWAYS stop the engine immediately and check for damage if you strike a foreign object or if the unit becomes tangled. Do not operate with broken or damaged equipment.

NEVER allow the engine to run at high RPM without a load. Doing so could damage the engine.

NEVER operate a unit with worn or damaged fasteners or attachment holders.

NEVER operate the unit with the cutting attachment shield or other protective devices removed!

T261

T261X Operating With A Blade

26128

Ten

O’Clock

Seven

O’Clock

OK To Cut

Blade

Rotation

Five

O’Clock

26127

WARNING!

n Before working with a blade- equipped unit, always inspect and clean the area of objects that could interfere with or damage the blade.

n Never use a blade near sidewalks,

fence posts, buildings or other objects that could cause injury or damage.

n Never use a blade for purposes

other than those for which it was designed.

n Whenever you strike a hard object

with a blade, always stop the brushcutter and carefully inspect the blade for damage. NEVER

OPERATE THE BRUSHCUTTER WITH A DAMAGED BLADE!

n A blade-equipped unit must be

equipped with a bicycle-type handlebar or barrier bar as well as a harness or shoulder strap.

n Always make sure the cutting

attachment shield is properly installed before operating this unit.

Using a Blade T261X

Blade Thrust

‘Blade thrust’ is a sudden sideways or backward motion of the brushcutter. Such motion may occur when the blade jams or catches on an object 18568980 such as a sapling tree or tree stump. BE CONSTANTLY ALERT FOR BLADE THRUST AND GUARD AGAINST ITS EFFECTS!

Brushcutter Handlebar

A brushcutter handlebar or barrier bar helps prevent the operator from moving forward, or the unit moving rearward, thus preventing inadvertent bodily contact with the blade. ALWAYS KEEP THE HANDLEBAR OR BARRIER BAR SECURELY IN PLACE ON THE UNIT!

Brushcutter Shoulder Strap

A shoulder strap provides additional protection against blade thrust. In addition, a shoulder strap gives signiﬁcant support and comfort to help ensure safe and efﬁcient operation. When operating a T261X with a blade, make sure both the handle and shoulder strap are adjusted to the size of the operator using the unit.

Engine Operating Speeds

Operate the unit at full throttle while cutting. Best fuel efﬁciency is obtained by releasing the throttle when swinging back after a cut.

n To prevent possible engine dam-

age, do not allow the brushcutter to run at high speeds without a load.

n Avoid operating the engine at low

speeds. Doing so can lead to rapid clutch wear. In addition, slow-speed operation tends to cause grass and debris to wrap around the cutting head.

The blade rotates counter-clockwise. For best performance and to minimize being stuck by debris, move the blade from right to left while advancing on your work.

Position the blade so cuts are made between the blade’s 7 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions (as viewed from above). DO NOT cut between the 10 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions. See Figure 26.

WARNING!

When cutting wood with a saw, feed the blade slowly

— never strike or “slam” a spinning

blade against the wood.

WARNING!

DO NOT use 2-tooth or

non-Shindaiwa approved 4tooth cutting blades with Shindaiwa trimmers and brushcutters.

Vertical Cuts

Hold the brushcutter with the blade at a 90° angle to the ground so the blade’s bottom edge rotates toward the operator. Move the blade from top to bottom through the cut, and cut only with the bottom edge of the blade. See Figure 27.

Figure 26

Cut on the left side of the blade. KEEP

YOUR BODY OUT-

SIDE THE PATH OF

BLADE ROTATION

Figure 27

WARNING!

When making vertical cuts, never allow the blade to exceed waist height.

26129

IMPORTANT!

MAINTENANCE, REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS MAY BE PERFORMED BY ANY REPAIR ESTABLISHMENT OR INDIVIDUAL; HOWEVER, WARRANTY REPAIRS MUST BE PERFORMED BY A DEALER OR SERVICE CENTER AUTHORIZED BY SHINDAIWA CORPORATION THE USE OF PARTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIVALENT IN PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY TO AUTHORIZED PARTS MAY IMPAIR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND MAY HAVE A BEARING ON THE OUTCOME OF A WARRANTY CLAIM.

General Maintenance

WARNING!

Before performing any

maintenance, repair or cleaning work on the unit, make sure the engine and cutting attachment are completely stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire before performing service or maintnenance work.

Mufer

This unit must never be operated with a faulty or missing spark arrester or mufﬂer. Make sure the mufﬂer is well secured and in good condition. A worn or damaged mufﬂer is a ﬁre hazard and may also cause hearing loss.

Spark Plug

Keep the spark plug and wire connections tight and clean.

Fasteners

Make sure nuts, bolts, and screws (except carburetor adjusting screws) are tight.

Daily Maintenance

NOTE:

Using non-standard replacement parts could invalidate your Shindaiwa warranty.

n Remove dirt or debris from the

engine, check the cooling ns and

air cleaner for clogging and clean them as necessary.

10-Hour Maintenance

Unscrew

Fastener

Remove and clean

or replace

the element

Every 10 hours of operation (more frequently in dusty or dirty conditions): Remove the air cleaner element. See Figure 28. Clean or replace as necessary. To clean element: wash it thoroughly in soap and water. Let it dry before reinstalling the element.

CAUTION!

Do not operate the unit if the air cleaner or element is damaged, or if the element is wet.

Figure 28

n Carefully remove any accumulation

of dirt or debris from the mufer or

the fuel tank. Dirt build-up in these areas could cause the engine overheating, induce premature wear, or

create a re hazard.

Check for loose or missing screws

or components. Make sure the cutting attachment is securely fastened.

n Check the entire unit for leaking

fuel or grease.

Blades

Keep blades sharp and check blade condition frequently. If a blade’s performance changes suddenly, stop the engine and check the blade for cracks or other damage. Replace a damaged blade IMMEDIATELY!

WARNING!

Never repair a damaged blade

by welding, straightening, or by modifying its shape. An altered blade may break during operation, resulting in serious personal injury.

n DO NOT use 2-tooth or NON-

Shindaiwa approved 4-tooth cutting blades on Shindaiwa trimmers or brushcutters.

n Blades are not interchangeable

between Shindaiwa edgers and trimmer/brushcutter models. Operating any unit with a blade or attachment not approved for that unit can be hazardous and may cause serious injury.

WARNING!

Non-standard parts may

not operate properly with your unit and may cause damage and lead to personal injury.

Prior to each work day, perform the following:

50-Hour Maintenance

Every 50 hours of operation (more frequently in dusty or dirty conditions)

n Remove and clean the cylinder

cover and clean grass and dirt from

the cylinder ns.

n Remove the cutting attachment,

cutting attachment holder and gear

shaft collar. Remove the ller plug

from the side of the gearcase and press new grease into the gearcase until old grease is pushed out. Use only lithium-base grease such as Shindaiwa Gear Case Lubricant or equivalent. See Figure 30.

Lubricate main shaft splines.

n Use a hooked wire to extract the

fuel lter from inside the fuel tank. See Figure 31.

Old

Grease

New

Grease

Gear Shaft

Collar

Filter Element

Hooked

Wire

Figure 30

Figure 31

CAUTION!

Make sure you do not pierce the fuel line with the end of the hooked wire. The line is delicate and can be damaged easily.

Every 10 to 15 hours of operation: Remove and clean the spark plug. Adjust the spark plug electrode gap to 0.024 inch (0.6 mm). If the spark plug must be replaced, use only an champion CJ8Y or equivalent type spark plug of the correct heat range. See Figure 29.

CAUTION!

Before removing the spark plug, clean the area around the plug to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the engine’s internal parts.

Clean the spark plug and check the gap at

the electrode.

10/15-Hour Maintenance

0.024 inch (0.6 mm)

Figure 29

n Remove and replace the lter ele-

ment. Before reinstalling the new

lter element, inspect the condition

of all the fuel system components (fuel pick-up line, fuel return line, tank vent line, tank vent, fuel cap and fuel tank). If damage, splitting or deterioration is noted, the unit should be removed from service until it can be inspected or repaired by a Shindaiwa-trained service technician.

26134

135-Hour Maintenace

Every 135 hours of operation,

remove and clean the mufﬂer.

Forward

Mufﬂer

Shield

Lower Mufﬂer

Screw

Mufﬂer

5 mm Mufﬂer

Screws

Rear Mufﬂer

Shield

Spark Ar-

rester Screen

Rear Mufﬂer Shield Screw

Long Term Storage

n Remove the spark plug and pour

about 1/4 ounce of 2-cycle mixing oil into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. Slowly pull the recoil starter 2 or 3 times so oil will evenly coat the interior of the engine. Reinstall the spark plug.

Before storing the unit, repair or

replace any worn or damaged parts.

n Remove the air cleaner element from

the carburetor and clean it thoroughly with soap and water. Let dry and reassemble the element.

n Store the unit in a clean,

dust-free area.

Whenever the unit will not be used for 30 days or longer, use the following procedures to prepare it for storage:

n Clean external parts thoroughly. n Drain all the fuel from the fuel tank.

IMPORTANT!

All stored fuels should be stabilized with a fuel stabilizer such as STA-BIL™, if oil with fuel stabilizer is not used

1. Prime the primer bulb until no more fuel is passing through.

2. Start and run the engine until it stops running.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the engine will no longer start.

Blade Sharpening

When the cutting edges of the blade become dull, they can be resharpened with a few strokes of a ﬁle.

In order to keep the blade in balance, all cutting edges must be sharpened equally.

Shindaiwa Tornado® Blade

To sharpen the cutters on a Shindaiwa Tornado Blade, use a 7/32-inch round ﬁle. File the leading edge of each tooth to a razor edge. The top plate of each tooth should angle back 30°.

WARNING!

Sharpen only the cutting

teeth of a blade. DO NOT alter the contour of the blade in any way.

Multiple-tooth Circular Blade

Use a round ﬁle to maintain a radius of

0.04 to 0.06" (1 to 1.5 mm) at the base of each tooth. Cutting edges must be offset equally on each side.

Round

File

30°

Round

File

Figure 34

Figure 33

n Remove the remaining fuel from

the fuel lines and carburetor.

Mufﬂer Gasket

CAUTION!

Gasoline stored in the carburetor for extended periods can cause hard starting and could also lead to increased service and maintenance.

WARNING!

Never operate the machine with a damaged

or missing mufer or spark arrester!

Operating with missing or dam-

aged exhaust components is a re

hazard and could also damage your hearing.

1. Remove the spark plug boot.

2. Remove the two 4 mm engine cover screws (located at the top of the recoil housing).

3. Loosen the 5 mm engine top cover screw (the screw is captive) and lift the cover from the engine.

4. Remove the two 5 mm mufﬂer screws. Remove the lower mufﬂer screw, then lift the mufﬂer assembly from the engine.

5. Remove the rear mufﬂer shield socket head screw and, while noting the orientation of parts, separate the mufﬂer shield. See Figure 32.

6. Remove the spark arrester screen and clean with a stiff bristle br ush.

7. Gently tap the mufﬂer on a wood surface to dislodge any loose carbon.

8. Inspect the cylinder exhaust port for carbon buildup.

IMPORTANT!

If you note excessive carbon buildup, consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

9. Reassemble the mufﬂer in the reverse order of disassembly.

Figure 32

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