Bauer 20115E-B, 57610 - 15 in. Electric String Trimmer Manual

Warning Symbols and Definitions

	This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
	Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
	Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
	Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE	Addresses practices not related to personal injury.

Important Safety Instructions

When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, including the following:

Power Cord Safety

To reduce the risk of electric shock, use only with an extension cord intended for outdoor use, such as an extension cord of cord type SW-a, SOW-a, StW-a, StOW-a, SJW-a, SJOW-a, SJtW-a. or SJtOW-a.

1. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuit(s) or outlet(s) to be used for the gardening appliance. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety.
2. Do not Abuse Cord - Do not carry appliance by cord or yank it to disconnect from receptacle. Keep cord from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
3. Use only three-wire outdoor extension cords that have three-prong grounding plugs and grounding receptacles that accept the appliance's plug.
4. This appliance should be grounded while in use to reduce the risk of electric shock to the operator. The appliance is equipped with a 3-conductor cord and 3-prong grounding plug to fit the proper grounding receptacle. The green or green and yellow conductor in the cord is the grounding wire. Do not connect the green or green and yellow wire to a live terminal.
   
   Your unit has a plug as illustrated above. The outlet used should look like the outlet illustrated above. Do not remove the grounding prong from the plug. if the plug will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
5. Extension Cord - Make sure your extension cord is in good condition. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating.

Extension cord Size

The following table shows the correct cord size to use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord.

Connecting Cords

To reduce the risk of the cords pulling apart during operation, do one of the following:

1. Make a knot as shown below then connect the cords:
   
2. Or, use a plug-receptacle retaining strap or connector designed to hold extension cords to appliance cords.

Personal Safety

1. Dress Properly - Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Use of rubber gloves and substantial footwear is recommended when working outdoors. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.
2. 
   Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavy-duty work gloves. Use face or dust mask if operation is dusty.
3. Avoid Unintentional Starting - Do not carry plugged-in appliance with finger on switch. Be sure switch is off when plugging in.
4. Do not Overreach - Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
5. Stay Alert - Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. Do not operate appliance when you are tired.
6. People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. In addition, people with pacemakers should:
   • Avoid operating alone.
   • Don't use with power switch locked on.
   • Properly maintain and inspect to avoid electrical shock.
   • Any power cord must be properly grounded. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should also be implemented – it prevents sustained electrical shock.
7. Keep hands and feet away from cutting area.
8. 
   Wear thick jeans and steel-toed work boots to help prevent injury caused by flying debris.

Vibration Hazard

This appliance vibrates during use. Repeated or long-term exposure to vibration may cause temporary or permanent physical injury, particularly to the hands, arms and shoulders. To reduce the risk of vibration-related injury:

1. Anyone using vibrating appliances regularly or for an extended period should first be examined by a doctor and then have regular medical check-ups to ensure medical problems are not being caused or worsened from use. Pregnant women or people who have impaired blood circulation to the hand, past hand injuries, nervous system disorders, diabetes, or Raynaud's Disease should not use this appliance. If you feel any symptoms related to vibration (such as tingling, numbness, and white or blue fingers), seek medical advice as soon as possible.
2. Do not smoke during use. Nicotine reduces the blood supply to the hands and fingers, increasing the risk of vibration-related injury.
3. Wear suitable gloves to reduce the vibration effects on the user.
4. Use appliances with the lowest vibration when there is a choice between different processes.
5. Include vibration-free periods each day of work.
6. Grip appliance as lightly as possible (while still keeping safe control of it). Let the appliance do the work.
7. To reduce vibration, maintain the appliance as explained in this manual. If any abnormal vibration occurs, stop use immediately.

General Safety

1. The spool will continue to rotate for a few seconds after use. Allow it to stop completely and unplug it before putting the appliance down, making any adjustments, or servicing the appliance.
2. Do not use in rain, snow, sprinklers, or wet grass. Do not rinse off the Trimmer.
3. Use only during daylight hours.
4. Carefully inspect the wire spool and guard before plugging in the Trimmer. Do not use Trimmer if any part is cracked or damaged.
5. Cover the Trimming Blade after every use.
6. Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
7. Maintain labels and nameplates on the appliance. These carry important safety information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
8. The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.

Specifications

Functions

Set Up Instructions

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.

Note: For additional information regarding the parts listed in the following pages, refer to the Assembly Diagram near the end of this manual.

Assembly

Install Safety Guard

1. 
   TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL CUTS: Cover Line Cutter with a blade cover before installing the Guard.
2. Remove Screw from bottom of Trimmer Head. See below.
   
3. Attach Safety Guard to Trimmer Head so that the Guard slides into the corresponding slots on the Head.
4. Turn Trimmer upside down and secure Safety Guard onto Trimmer Head with the Screw. See below.
   

Install Handle

1. Remove Handle Lock Knob from Handle.
2. Place Handle onto Handle Bracket.
3. Secure Handle to Bracket by placing Lock Knob and Lock Screw through Handle and Bracket.
   
4. To adjust Handle, manually move Handle forward or backward between 5 different locking positions.
   
5. To secure Handle, tighten Lock Knob. Make sure that Handle is in desired position before tightening fully.

Available Accessories/Attachments

Use of any accessory or attachment other than those listed below may increase the risk of serious injury.

Only replace the line on this appliance with the line material and diameter of line listed on the Specifications table. Other materials, such as wire, rope, or blades can damage the appliance and be forcefully and dangerously ejected from the appliance upon breaking.

Accessories and attachments are not available for this product.

Operating Instructions

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.

General Operation

Cord Hook

1. An extension cord (sold separately) will be required. Ensure that the extension cord is an outdoor type extension cord and that it is the correct design to accept this appliance's plug.
2. 
   TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY: the extension cord must remain secured to the appliance's plug.
3. Secure the extension cord using the cord hook as explained below.
   1. Make a loop in the extension cord, and press that cord loop through the hole in the handle.
   2. Hook that cord loop around the cord hook.
   3. Make sure the Trigger is released, then plug the cord into the connector.
      

Adjust Shaft Height

Adjust height as necessary by pressing down on Height Adjustment Lock, pulling Lower Shaft out to desired length, then releasing Lock to secure Shaft in place.

Adjust Trimmer Head Angle

Adjust head angle by pressing the Head Angle Button, moving Trimmer Head until desired angle is achieved, then releasing button. See below.

Rotate Shaft

Rotate Shaft by pulling up on Angle Lock, rotating Upper Shaft clockwise 180° and releasing Angle Lock. The Upper Shaft will click into place.

Trimmer Operation

1. Before operating the gardening appliance, put on ANSI-approved safety goggles and other safety gear. Safety goggles and other safety gear are sold separately.
   NOTICE: To prevent damage to tool or property, avoid contact with fences, trees, shrubs and the like.
2. Holding Trimmer with both hands, press Trigger.
3. DO NOT REST TRIMMER ON GROUND.
4. Do not force the Trimmer. Use the tip of the Line to do the cutting.
   
5. Release Trigger when done.
6. If an extension cord is used, ensure that it is an outdoor type extension cord and that it is the correct design to accept this appliance's plug.
   
   TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY: the extension cord must remain secured to the appliance's plug. Secure the extension cord by either using the knot method explained in the safety warning section, or by using a device designed specifically for retaining the extension cord (sold separately).
7. To prevent accidents, turn off the appliance and unplug it after use. Clean, then store the appliance indoors out of children's reach.

Edger Operation

1. Before operating the gardening appliance, put on ANSI-approved safety goggles and other safety gear. Safety goggles and other safety gear are sold separately.
   NOTICE: To prevent damage to tool or property, avoid contact with fences, trees, shrubs and the like.
2. If head is in horizontal position, pull up on the Angle Lock, rotate Upper Shaft clockwise 180° and release Angle Lock. The Upper Shaft will click into place.
3. Place Trimmer Head above the area to be edged.
   
4. Holding Trimmer with both hands, press Trigger.
5. Do not force the Trimmer. Use the tip of the Line to do the cutting.
6. Release Trigger when done.
7. If an extension cord is used, ensure that it is an outdoor type extension cord and that it is the correct design to accept this appliance's plug.
   
   TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY: the extension cord must remain secured to the appliance's plug. Secure the extension cord by either using the knot method explained in the safety warning section, or by using a device designed specifically for retaining the extension cord (sold separately).
8. To prevent accidents, turn off the appliance and unplug it after use. Clean, then store the appliance indoors out of children's reach.

Feeding Nylon Line

NOTICE: To prevent damage to trimmer, DO NOT BUMP SPOOL HOUSING ON GROUND. This string trimmer feeds Line automatically when stopping and restarting.

1. With Trimmer running, release Trigger and allow Trimmer to stop fully, then press Trigger to restart. Line will be fed out and cut to proper length by Line Cutter.
2. If Trimmer is not cutting correctly, Spool may be tangled. Remove Spool and rewind Line.
3. To manually feed Line, unplug the Power Cord, press the Line Outlet Button on Spool Housing, and pull out the Line slightly. Keep pushing the Button and pulling the Line out until the Line reaches the desired length.
   

Replacing Nylon Line

1. Press tabs on Spool Cover, remove Spool Cover, then remove Spool from Spool Housing.
   
2. Remove old line from Spool.
3. Clean interior of Spool Housing with soft cloth.
4. Insert end of Nylon Line (up to 16 feet) into Line Insertion Hole.
   
5. Wrap Line onto Spool in neat, straight rows, under tension, following arrow direction on top of Spool.
   
6. Leave approximately 4" of line unwound and insert it into the cleat at the top end of Spool. Then repeat for the lower end of Spool.
   
7. Insert Spool partway into Spool Housing, insert line ends through Line Outlet in housing, and pull line ends snug.
   
8. Insert Spool fully and replace Spool Cover.

Maintenance and Servicing

Procedures not specifically explained in this manual must be performed only by a qualified technician.

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL OPERATION: Make sure that the power Switch/trigger is in the off-position and unplug the tool from its electrical outlet before performing any procedure in this section.
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM TOOL FAILURE: Do not use damaged equipment. if abnormal noise or vibration occurs, have the problem corrected before further use.

Cleaning, Maintenance, and Lubrication

1. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the general condition of the tool. Check for:
   • loose hardware,
   • misalignment or binding of moving parts,
   • damaged cord/electrical wiring,
   • cracked or broken parts, and
   • any other condition that may affect its safe operation.
2. AFTER USE, clean external surfaces of the appliance with clean, moist cloth.
3. 
   TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY: If the supply cord of this appliance is damaged, it must be replaced only by a qualified service technician.
4. Do not store near fertilizer or other gardening chemicals. They may accelerate corrosion, making the tool unsafe.