Troy-Bilt 258 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

22” String Trimmer

Mower

Model 258

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting
applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have
similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

TROY-BILT LLC P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO.

769-00009E.fm
(10/03)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices 3
Slope Gauge 6
Assembling Your String Trimmer 7
Know Your String Trimmer Mower 8
Operating Your String Trimmer Mower 9

Content Page

Making Adjustments 9
Maintaining Your String Trimmer 10
Trouble Shooting 13
Illustrated Parts List 14
Warranty 16

FINDING MODEL NUMBER

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

Before you start assembling your new equipment, p lease locate the model plate on th e
equipment and copy the information from it in the space pr ovided below. A sample model plate is
also given below. You can locate the model plate by standing at the operating position an d
looking down at the rear of the unit. This information will be necessary to use the
manufacturer’s web site and/or help from the Customer Suppor t Department or an authorized
service dealer.

Copy the model number here:

www.troybilt.com

TROY-BILT LLC
P. O. BOX

361131
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
330-558-7220
1-800-520-5520

Copy the serial number here:

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, opera tion or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit troybilt.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support button and you will
get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is immediately
available.

The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!

If you prefer to reach a Customer Support Representat ive, please call 1-800-520-5520.

The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!

Engine

Manual

The engine manufactur er is responsible for all engine-related issu es with regards to
performance, power-rating, specifica tions, warranty and service. Please re fer to the engine
manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your unit, for more
information.

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SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could

endanger the personal safety and/or property of your self and others. Read and follow all instructions in
this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failur e to comply with these instructions may
result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle

components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe oper ation in this

manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessne ss or error on the part of the operator can
result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and thro wing objects.
Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

General Operation

1. Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble this machine. Read ,
understand, and follow all instructions on t he
machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be
completely familiar with the controls and the proper
use of this machine before operating it. Keep thi s
manual in a safe place for future and regular
reference and for ordering replacement par ts.

2. This machine is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefor e, exercise
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to cut vegeta tion and
grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate
this machine. Children 14 years old and over
should read and understand the operation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by a n adult. Only
responsible individuals who are familiar with these
rules of safe operation should be allowed t o use
this machine.

4. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment
is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,
bones, toys, and other foreign objects which could
be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the
string trimmer mower in any direction which could
cause serious personal injury to the operato r or any
others allowed in the area. Plan your trimming
pattern to avoid discharge of material toward
building, walls, roads, sidewalks, bystanders and
the like. To help avoid trimmer line contact or a
thrown object injury, keep children, bystanders, and
helpers at least 75 feet from the string trimmer
mower while it is in operation. Stop the string
trimmer mower if anyone enters the area.

5. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles
during operation or while performing an adjustment
or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that
may be thrown from the machine in any direction.

6. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes a nd close­fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover
the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Never operate a unit in ba re feet,
sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)
shoes.

7. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotat ing
parts. Keep clear of discharge area at all times as
the rotating trimmer head and lines can cause
injury.

8. Never pull the string trimmer mower back toward
you while you are walking. If you must back the
string trimmer mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind, and then
follow these steps:

a. Step back from the string trimmer mower to

fully extend your arms.

b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure

footing.

c. Pull the string trimmer mower back slowly, no

more than half way toward you.

d. Repeat these steps as needed.

5. Do not operate the string trimmer mower while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

6. The trimmer head control handle is a safet y device.
Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so
makes the safety device inoperative and may result
in personal injury through contact with the rotating
head or lines. The trimmer head cont rol handle
must operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged position
when released.

7. Disengage the trimmer head before starting the
engine.

8. Never operate the string trimmer mower in wet
grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall
can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you
are losing your footing, release the trimmer head
control handle immediately and the trimmer head
will stop rotating within a few seconds.

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9. Trim or mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
Walk never run.

10. Stop the trimmer head when crossing gravel drives,
walks or roads.

11. If the equipment should start to vibrate abn ormally,
stop the engine and check immediately for the
cause. Vibration is generally a warning of troub le.

12. Shut the engine off and wait until the trimmer head
comes to a complete stop before replacing trimmer
line, making any adjustment or repairs. The trimmer
head continues to rotate for a f ew seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body
in the trimmer head area until you are sure the
blade has stopped rotating.

13. Never operate the string trimmer mower without
proper shields, guards, trimmer head control
handle or other safety protective devices in place
and working. Never operate the string trimmer
mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do
so, can result in personal injury.

14. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a
burn. Do not touch.

15. Only use parts and accessories made for this string
trimmer mower by the manufacturer. Failure to do
so, can result in personal injury.

16. If situations occur which are not covered in this
manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your
dealer for assistance. Telephone [phone]
for the name of your nearest dealer.

3. Do not trim or mow on wet grass. Unstable footing
could cause slipping.

Children

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the
string trimmer mower and the trimming or mowing activity.
They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the trimming or mowing area
and under the watchful care of a responsible adu lt
other than the operator.

2. Be alert and turn string trimmer mower off if a child
enters the area.

3. Before and while moving backwards, look behind
and down for small children.

4. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child who may run into the string
trimmer mower.

5. Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.

6. Never allow children under age 14 to operate a
string trimmer mower. Children 14 years of age and
over should read and understand the oper ation
instructions and safety rules in this manual and
should be trained and supervised by an adult.

Service

Slope Operation

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents
which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes
requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not
trim or mow it. For your safety, use the slope gauge included
as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating
this unit on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than
15 degrees, do not trim or mow it.

Do:

1. Trim or mow across the face of slopes; never up or
down. Exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.

2. Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps.
Tall grass can hide obstacles.

3. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are
losing your balance, release the trimmer head
control handle immediately, and the trimmer head
will stop rotating within a few seconds.

Do Not:

1. Do not trim or mow near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose footing or
balance.

2. Do not trim or mow slopes gre ater than 15 degrees
as shown on the slope gauge on page 6.

Safe Handling Of Gasoline:

To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can
occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes
which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes
immediately.

1. Use only an approved gasoline container.

2. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition.

3. Never fuel machine indoors because flammable
vapors will accumulate in the area.

4. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine
is running. Allow engine to cool at least two minu tes
before refueling.

5. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 1/2
inch below bottom of filler neck to provide space for
fuel expansion.

6. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

7. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting the engine.

8. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark, or pilo t light as
on a gas water heater, space heater, furna ce,
clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

9. To reduce fire hazard, keep the string trimmer
mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-

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