MTD BOLENS BL150 Operator's Manual page 3

KNOW YOUR UNIT
APPLICATIONS
As a trimmer:
• Cutting grass and light weeds.
• Edging
• Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc.
Spark Plug Primer Bulb
Shaft Housing
Cutting Head Shield
Line Cutting
Blade
Cutting Head
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL CUTTING ATTACHMENT SHIELD
WARNING: To prevent serious personal injury, never operate the trimmer without the cutting attachment shield in place.
Use the following instructions if the cutting attachment shield on your unit is not installed. Use only the instructions that apply to the type of
shaft and shield that your unit is equipped with.
1. Place the cutting head shield onto the guard mount bracket, making sure to align the holes on the shield with the ones in the guard
mount bracket. (Fig. 1)
2. Take the 2 shield screws and screw each one into the
shield until finger tight.
3. Using an appropriate screw driver, tighten the screws
until the shield is firmly in place.
INSTALL AND ADJUST THE D-HANDLE
1. Push the D-handle down onto the shaft housing so that
the handle slants towards the shaft grip (Fig. 2). The
squared bolt hole in the handle is to the right.
2. Insert the shoulder bolt into the squared hole in the
handle and push through. On the left side of the handle,
place the washer on the bolt, then screw the wing nut
onto the bolt. Do not tighten until you make the handle adjustment.
3. Rotate the D-handle to place the grip above the top of the shaft housing. Place it a minimum of 6 inches (15.24 cm) from the end of
the shaft grip.
4. While holding the unit in the operating position (Fig. 6), position the D-handle to the location that provides you the best grip.
5. Tighten the wing nut until the D-handle is secure.
OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION
OIL AND FUEL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
Old and/or improperly mixed fuel are the main reasons for the unit not running properly. Be sure
to use fresh, clean unleaded fuel. Follow the instructions carefully for the proper fuel/oil mixture.
DEFINITION OF BLENDED FUELS
Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol, or MTBE
(ether). Alcohol-blended fuel absorbs water. As little as 1% water in the fuel can make fuel and oil
separate. It forms acids when stored. When using alcohol-blended fuel, use fresh fuel (less than
60 days old).
USING BLENDED FUELS
If you choose to use a blended fuel, or its use is unavoidable, follow recommended precautions:
• Always use the fresh fuel mix explained in your operator's manual
• Always agitate the fuel mix before fueling the unit
• Drain the tank and run the engine dry before storing the unit
USING FUEL ADDITIVES
The bottle of 2-cycle oil that came with your unit contains a fuel additive which will help inhibit
corrosion and minimize the formation of gum deposits. It is recommended that you use our 2-cycle oil with this unit.
If unavailable, use a good 2-cycle oil designed for air-cooled engines along with a fuel additive, such as STA-BIL
equivalent. Add 0.8 oz. (23 ml.) of fuel additive per gallon of fuel according to the instructions on the container. NEVER add fuel additives
directly to the unit's fuel tank.
CAUTION: For proper engine operation and maximum reliability, pay strict attention to the oil and fuel mixing instructions
on the 2-cycle oil container. Using improperly mixed fuel can severely damage the engine.
Thoroughly mix the proper ratio of 2-cycle engine oil with unleaded gasoline in a separate fuel can. Use a 40:1 fuel/oil ratio. Do not mix
them directly in the engine fuel tank. See the table below for specific gas and oil mixing ratios.
NOTE: One gallon (3.8 liters) of unleaded gasoline mixed with one 3.2 oz. (95 ml.) bottle of 2-cycle oil makes a 40:1 fuel/oil ratio.
WARNING:
Gasoline is extremely flammable. Ignited vapors may explode. Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling
the fuel tank. Do not smoke while filling the tank. Keep sparks and open flames at a distance from the area.
NOTE: Dispose of the old fuel/oil mix in accordance to Federal, State and Local regulations.
WARNING:
Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid injury from fuel spray. Never operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in
place.
WARNING:
Add fuel in a clean, well ventilated outdoor area. Wipe up any spilled fuel immediately. Avoid creating a
source of ignition for spilt fuel. Do not start the engine until fuel vapors dissipate.
Air Filter/Muffler
Cover
Fuel Cap
Blue Choke Lever
On/Off Control
Starter Rope Grip
Shaft Grip
Muffler
Throttle Control
D-Handle
Screw (2) Shaft Grip
Cutting
Guard
Head
Mount
Shield
Bracket
Minimum
6 inches
(15.24 cm)
Bolt
Fig. 1
UNLEADED GAS
1 GALLON US
(3.8 LITERS)
1 LITER
MIXING RATIO - 40:1
®
Gas Stabilizer or an
WARNING:
operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in place.
WARNING:
when pulling the starter rope (Fig. 10). To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit
must be in a stable position while starting.
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix gas with oil. Fill fuel tank with fuel/oil mixture. See Oil and Fuel Mixing Instructions.
2. Make sure the On/Off Control in the ON ( I ) position (Fig. 3).
3. Fully press and release the primer bulb 10 times, slowly. Some amount of fuel should be visible
in the primer bulb and fuel lines (Fig. 4). If you can't see fuel in the bulb, press and release the
bulb as many times as it takes before you can see fuel in it.
4. Place the blue choke lever in Position 1 (Fig. 4).
5. Crouch in the starting position (Fig. 5) and squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope
briskly 5 times.
NOTE: The unit uses EZ-Pull Version 3™, which significantly reduces the effort required to start the
engine.
6. Place the blue choke lever in Position 2.
7. While squeezing the throttle control, pull the starter rope briskly 3 to 5 times to start engine.
8. Keep the throttle squeezed and allow the engine to warm up for 30 to 60 seconds.
9. Continue to squeeze the throttle control, move the blue choke lever in Position 3 (Fig. 4) and
continue warming the engine for an additional 60 seconds. During this time the unit may be used.
NOTE: Unit is properly warmed up when engine accelerates without hesitation.
IF... The engine hesitates, return choke lever to Position 2 (Fig. 4) and continue warm up.
IF... The engine does not start, go back to step 3.
IF... The engine fails to start after a few attempts, place the blue choke lever in Position 3 and
squeeze the throttle control. Pull the starter rope briskly 3 to 8 times. The engine should
start. If not, repeat.
IF WARM... If the engine is already warm, make sure the On/Off control is in the ON position and
start the unit with the blue choke lever in Position 2. After the unit starts, move the blue
choke lever to Position 3.
STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Release your hand from the throttle control. Allow the engine to cool down by idling.
2. Press and hold On/Off Control in the OFF (O) position until engine comes to a complete stop (Fig. 3).
HOLDING THE TRIMMER
WARNING:
Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 6). Check for the following:
• The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing
• With a slightly-bent right arm, the operator's hand is holding the shaft grip
• The operator's left arm is straight, the left hand holding the D-handle
• The unit is at waist level
• The cutting head is parallel to the ground and easily contacts the grass without the need to
bend over
ADJUSTING TRIMMING LINE LENGTH
CAUTION:
length will make the unit overheat. This may lead to serious personal injury or damage
to the unit.
The Bump Head™ cutting head allows you to release trimming line without stopping the engine. To
release more line, lightly tap the cutting head on the ground (Fig. 7) while operating the trimmer at
high speed.
NOTE: Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult when
the cutting line gets shorter.
Each time the head is bumped, about 1 inch (25.4 mm) of trimming line releases. A blade in the
cutting head shield will cut the line to the proper length if any excess line is released.
For best results, tap the bump knob on bare ground or hard soil. If you attempt a line release in tall
grass, the engine may stall. Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes
more difficult when the cutting line gets shorter.
NOTE: Do not rest the Bump Head™ on the ground while the unit is running.
Some line breakage will occur from:
• Entanglement with foreign matter
• Normal line fatigue
• Attempting to cut thick, stalky weeds
• Forcing the line into objects such as walls or fence posts
TIPS FOR BEST TRIMMING RESULTS
• Keep the cutting head parallel to the ground.
• Do not force the cutting head. Allow the tip of the line to do the cutting, especially along walls. Cutting with more than the tip will
Shaft D-Handle
Housing reduce cutting efficiency and may overload the engine.
• Cut grass over 8 inches (200 mm) by working from top to bottom in small increments to avoid premature line wear or engine drag.
• Cut from right to left whenever possible. Cutting to the left improves the unit's cutting efficiency. Clippings are thrown away from the operator.
Tighten
• Slowly move the trimmer into and out of the cutting area at the desired height. Move either in a forward-backward or side-to-side motion.
Cutting shorter lengths produces the best results.
Wing
• Trim only when grass and weeds are dry.
Nut
• The life of your cutting line is dependent upon:
Washer
• Following the trimming techniques
• What vegetation is being cut
• Where vegetation is cut
Fig. 2
For example, the line will wear faster when trimming against a foundation wall as opposed to
trimming around a tree.
DECORATIVE TRIMMING
Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around trees, posts, fences and more.
Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting head is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 8).
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
WARNING:
unit. Disconnect the spark plug wire to ensure that the unit cannot start.
Perform these required maintenance procedures at the frequency stated in the table. These procedures should also be a part of any
seasonal tune-up.
2 CYCLE OIL
NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about these procedures take your unit to any
non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer.
3.2 FL. OZ.
NOTE: Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system may be performed by any non-road engine repair
(95 ml)
establishment, individual or authorized service dealer.
In order to assure peak performance of your engine, inspection of the engine exhaust port may be necessary after 50 hours of operation. If you
25 ml
notice lost RPM, poor performance or general lack of acceleration, this service may be required. If you feel your engine is in need of this inspection,
refer service to any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer for repair. DO NOT attempt to perform this process
yourself as engine damage may result from contaminants involved in the cleaning process for the port.
FREQUENCY
Before starting engine
Every 10 hours
Every 25 hours
Every 50 hours
LINE INSTALLATION
WARNING:
and become dangerous projectiles.
This section covers both SplitLine™ and standard single line installation.
Always use original equipment manufacturer 0.080 in. (2.03 mm) replacement line. Line other than
the specified may make the engine overheat or fail.
There are two methods to replace the trimming line:
• Wind the inner reel with new line
• Install a prewound inner reel
Removing the Existing Inner Reel
1. Hold the outer spool with one hand and unscrew the Bump Knob™ counterclockwise (Fig. 9).
Inspect the bolt inside the Bump Knob to make sure it moves freely. Replace the Bump Knob if
damaged.
2. Remove the inner reel from the outer spool (Fig. 10).
3. Remove spring from the inner reel (Fig. 10).
4. Use a clean cloth to clean the the inner reel, spring, shaft, and inner surface of the outer spool.
5. Check the indexing teeth on the inner reel and outer spool for wear (Fig. 11). If necessary,
remove burrs or replace the reel and spool.
NOTE: Always use the correct line length when installing trimming line on the unit. The line may not
release properly if the line is too long.
STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS
Remove fuel cap slowly to avoid injury from fuel spray. Never
Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the starting position
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit.
Do not remove or alter the line cutting blade assembly. Excessive line
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs with unit running. Always service and repair a cool
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
Fill fuel tank with fresh fuel
Clean and re-oil air filter
Check and clean spark arrestor
Check spark plug condition and gap
Inspect exhaust port and spark arrestor screen for clogging or obstruction to assure
maximum performance levels.
Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, chain or rope. These can break off
Off (O)
On/Off Stop
Control
On (I)
Fig. 3
Position 1 Position 3
Position 2
Blue Choke
Lever
Primer Bulb
Fig. 4
Starting Position
Starter
Rope
Throttle Control
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
SEE
p. 3
p. 4
p. 4
p. 4
p. 4
Bump Knob™
Bolt
Fig. 9
Outer Spool
Spring
Inner Reel
Fig. 10
3