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This instruction manual uses the following safety alert symbols and words to alert you to hazardous situations and your risk of personal injury or property damage.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
(Used without word) Indicates a safety related message.
NOTICE: Indicates a practice not related to personal injury which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.
This string trimmer is designed for household trimming and edging applications. The GH900 contains an automatic line feeding system which does not require the user to bump the trimmer to advance the line.
DO NOT use under wet conditions or in presence of flammable liquids or gases.
DO NOT let children come into contact with the tool.
Supervision is required when inexperienced operators use this tool.
DO wear appropriate safety glasses, closed toe shoes and long pants.
When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, including the following.
Do not remove guard.
The guard must be attached during use. Operating this trimmer without the guard will violate the product warranty.
When replacing the line, use only 0.065" (1.65 mm) diameter round line. Other diameters or shapes may degrade performance or cause damage to the trimmer. Do not use wire.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
To reduce the risk of personal injury due to a loose electrical connection between the appliance's plug and extension cord, firmly and fully attach the appliance plug to the extension cord. Periodically check the connection while operating to ensure it is fully attached. Do not use an extension cord that provides a loose connection. A loose connection may result in overheating, fire, and increases the risk of a burning.
Do not use appliance if the trigger switch does not turn the appliance on or off. Any appliance that cannot be controlled with the trigger switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
Never modify the power tool or any part of it. Damage or personal injury could result.
ALWAYS use safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses are NOT safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
Some dust contains chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, wear approved safety equipment such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.
Use of this tool can generate and/or disperse dust, which may cause serious and permanent respiratory or other injury. Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection.
Always wear proper personal hearing protection that conforms to ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) during use. Under some conditions and duration of use, noise from this product may contribute to hearing loss.
When not in use, place tool on its side on a stable surface where it will not cause a tripping or falling hazard. Some tools will stand upright but may be easily knocked over.
Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets
Volts | Total Length of Cord in Feet (meters) | ||||
120 V | 25 (7.6) | 50 (15.2) | 100 (30.5) | 150 (45.7) | |
240 V | 50 (15.2) | 100 (30.5) | 200 (61.0) | 300 (91.4) | |
Ampere Rating | American Wire gauge | ||||
More Than | Not More Than | ||||
0 | 6 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
6 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
10 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
12 | 16 | 14 | 12 | Not Recommended |
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.
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 cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. The table shows the correct 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. If the extension will be used outside, the cord must be suitable for outdoor work. The letters "WA" on the cord jacket indicate that the cord is suitable for outdoor use.
Servicing of Double Insulated Appliances
Your appliance is double‑insulated to give you added safety. In a double insulated appliance, two systems of insulation are provided instead of grounding. No grounding means is provided on a double insulated appliance, nor should a means for grounding be added to the appliance. Servicing a double insulated appliance requires extreme care and knowledge of the system and should be done only by qualified service personnel. Replacement parts for a double insulated appliance must be identical to the parts they replace. A double insulated appliance is marked with the words double insulated or "double insulation". The symbol (square within a square) may also be marked on the appliance.
Safety Rules and Instructions: Extension Cords
Double insulated appliances have 2‑wire cords and can be used with 2‑wire or 3‑wire extension cords. Only round jacketed extension cords should be used, and we recommend that they be listed by Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) (C.S.A. in Canada). If the extension will be used outside, the cord must be suitable for outdoor use. Any cord marked as outdoor can also be used for indoor work.
Before using an extension cord, inspect it for loose or exposed wires, damaged insulation, and defective fittings. Make any needed repairs or replace the cord if necessary.
Safety Rules and Instructions: Polarized Plug
To reduce the risk of electric shock, this appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This equipment must be used with a suitable polarized 2 wire or 3 wire extension cord. Polarized connections will fit together only one way. Make sure that the receptacle end of the extension cord has large and small blade slot widths. If the plug does not fit fully into the extension cord, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, obtain a suitable extension cord. If the extension cord does not fit fully into the outlet, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the appliance plug or extension cord in any way.
Motor
Be sure your power supply agrees with the nameplate marking. Voltage decrease of more than 10% will cause loss of power and overheating. These tools are factory tested; if this tool does not operate, check power supply.
The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The symbols and their definitions are as follows:
V | volts |
Hz | hertz |
min | minutes |
![]() | direct current |
![]() | Class I Construction (grounded) |
.../min | per minute |
BPM | beats per minute |
IPM | impacts per minute |
OPM | oscillations per minute |
RPM | revolutions per minute |
sfpm | surface feet per minute |
SPM | strokes per minute |
A | amperes |
W | watts |
Wh | watt hours |
Ah | amp hours |
![]() | alternating current |
![]() | alternating or direct current |
![]() | Class II Construction (double insulated) |
no | no load speed |
n | rated speed |
PSI | pounds per square inch |
![]() | earthing terminal |
safety alert symbol | |
![]() | visible radiation – do not stare into the light |
![]() | wear respiratory protection |
![]() | wear eye protection |
![]() | wear hearing protection |
![]() | read all documentation |
![]() | do not expose to rain |
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and disconnect it from power source before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories, when replacing line, or prior to cleaning. An accidental start‑up can cause injury.
For some models the auxiliary handle may need to be attached. If the model needs the auxiliary handle attached, please refer to these instructions.
NOTE: To adjust the auxiliary handle up or down, press in on the buttons and raise or lower the handle.
NOTE: The handle should be adjusted so that your front arm is straight when the tool is in the working position.
(Fig. E, F)
NEVER OPERATE the appliance without the guard properly installed. Damage or personal injury could result. The guard must always be properly installed on the appliance during use.
(Fig. A, G)
Adjust the length of the trimmer to obtain proper working positions.
An extension cord retainer is built into the main handle that prevents the cord from coming unplugged.
(Fig. A)
As manufactured, the cutting line is taped to the spool housing
.
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and disconnect it from power source before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories, when replacing line, or prior to cleaning. An accidental start‑up can cause injury.
Always use proper eye protection that conforms to ANSI Z87.1 (CAN/CSA Z94.3) while operating this appliance.
Before you begin trimming, only use the appropriate type of cutting line. Refer to Replacing Spool Assembly and Rewinding Spool from Bulk Line sections.
Inspect area to be trimmed and remove any wire, cord, or string‑like objects which could become entangled in the rotating line or spool. Be particularly careful to avoid any wire which might be bent outwardly into the path of the appliance, such as barbs at the base of a chain link fence.
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS use proper hand position as shown.
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, ALWAYS hold securely in anticipation of a sudden reaction.
Proper hand position requires one hand on the main handle and one hand on the auxiliary handle
.
(Fig. A)
Never attempt to lock the trigger in the on position.
(Fig. I, J)
(Fig. A, K)
Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments.
The trimmer can be used in trimming mode or edging mode to trim overhanging grass along lawn edges and flowerbeds.
(Fig. A, L)
When being used as an edger, stones, pieces of metal, pieces of line and other objects can be thrown out at high speed during use. The trimmer and guard are designed to reduce the hazard.
However, MAKE SURE that other persons and pets are at least 100' (30 m) away. Optimum cutting results are achieved on edges deeper than 2" (50 mm).
(Fig. A, I – L)
Your trimmer uses 0.065" (1.65 mm) diameter, round nylon line. As the line wears during use the automatic line feed system will advance new line from the spool housing. Each time it feeds line the end will be trimmed by the blade in the guard. You may hear a rattling sound and see small pieces of line exit from the guard when this occurs. Be sure to follow all instructions and wear appropriate safety glasses, closed toe shoes and long pants. When the trimmer is out of line the last few inches may exit the spool housing at once. Cutting line will wear faster and require more feeding if the cutting or edging is done along sidewalks or other abrasive surfaces or heavier weeds are being cut.
Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any assembly, adjustments or changing accessories. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the appliance accidentally.
From time to time, especially when cutting thick or stalky weeds, the line feeding hub may become clogged with sap or other material and the line will become jammed as a result. To clear the jam, follow the steps listed below.
To avoid appliance damage, if the cutting line protrudes beyond the trimming blade, cut it off so that it just reaches the blade.
(Fig. M–P)
The use of any accessory not recommended by BLACK+DECKER for use with this appliance could be hazardous.
Do not use any blades, or any accessory or attachment other than those recommended by BLACK+DECKER on this trimmer/ edger. Serious injury or product damage may result.
Reload nylon line (either bulk or prewound replacement spool) as shown in this manual.
USE ONLY BLACK+DECKER REPLACEMENT SPOOL AF-100 or 0.065" (1.65 mm) DIAMETER ROUND NYLON MONOFILAMENT LINE. Do not use serrated or larger diameter line or line with a shape other than round, as they will affect the way the line feeds and overload the motor and cause overheating. This line is available at your local dealer or authorized service center. Do not use wire.
NOTE: Make sure that cover is fully positioned. Listen for two audible clicks to ensure both release tabs are correctly located. Following prior instructions, power the appliance on. In a few seconds or less you'll hear the nylon line being cut automatically to the proper length.
NOTE: Other replacement parts (guards, spool caps, etc.) are available through authorized service centers. To find your local service location call: 1-800-544-6986 or visit www.blackanddecker.com.
Use Only 0.065" (1.65 mm) Diameter, Round Line
DO NOT use larger diameter line or line with a shape other than round.
NOTE: Hand wound spools from bulk line are likely to become tangled more frequently than BLACK+DECKER factory wound spools. For best results, factory wound spools are recommended.
To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, turn unit off and disconnect it from power source before making any adjustments or removing/installing attachments or accessories, when replacing line, or prior to cleaning. An accidental start‑up can cause injury.
Your BLACK+DECKER power tool has been designed to operate over a long period of time with a minimum of maintenance. Continuous satisfactory operation depends upon proper tool care and regular cleaning.
Blow dirt and dust out of all air vents with clean, dry air at least once a week. To minimize the risk of eye injury, always wear ANSI Z87.1 approved eye protection when performing this procedure.
Never use solvents or other harsh chemicals for cleaning the non‑metallic parts of the tool. These chemicals may weaken the plastic materials used in these parts. Use a cloth dampened only with water and mild soap. Never let any liquid get inside the tool; never immerse any part of the tool into a liquid.
Since accessories, other than those offered by BLACK+DECKER, have not been tested with this product, use of such accessories with this product could be hazardous. To reduce the risk of injury, only BLACK+DECKER recommended accessories should be used with this product.
Recommended accessories for use with your product are available at extra cost from your local dealer or authorized service center. If you need assistance in locating any accessory, please contact BLACK+DECKER. Call 1-800-544-6986.
(Fig. F, G)
Never operate appliance without guard firmly in place. Damage or personal injury could result.
Remove Current Guard
Assembling the New Guard
To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment (including brush inspection and replacement, when applicable) should be performed by a factory service center or an authorized service center. Always use identical replacement parts.
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Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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