Section 5: Operating Y Our String Trimmermower; Starting Engine - MTD Series 200 Operator's Manual

SECTION 5: OPERATING Y OUR STRING TRIMMERMOWER
,_ WARNING: Read, understand, and follow _,_ WARNING: Do not attempt to bypass the
all instructions and warnings on the _ control lever. Doing so could result in
machine and in this manual before serious personal injury or death.
operating.
WARNING: Always wear the safety
glasses provided with this machine during
operation or while performing any adjust-
ments or repairs. Thrown objects which
ricochet can cause serious injury to the
eyes.
GasAndOil Fill-Up
Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in
the separate engine manual packed with your string
trimmer mower. Read instructions carefully.
,_ WARNING: Use extreme care when han-
dling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Never fuel machine indoors or while the
engine is hot or running. Extinguish ciga-
rettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of
ignition.
StartingEngine
• Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain
the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is
fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark
plug. See engine operator's manual.
• Before each use, remove any debris from the
engine's air intake screen on top of engine. Debris
can cause engine to overheat.
• Prime engine as instructed in the separate engine
manual packed with your unit.
• Your string trimmer mower is equipped with a
constant speed throttle, which is set at full throttle
for best performance.
• Stand behind the string trimmer mower and
squeeze the control lever against the upper handle.
• Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope
will pull slightly harder at this point). Let the rope
rewind slowly. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous,
full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter
handle, let the rope return to the starter slowly.
Repeat until engine starts.
UsingYourStringTrimmerMower
• The string trimmer mower is designed with a per-
manent off-set on the left side, in which the trimmer
line is off-set from the trimmer base. This allows the
operator to trim along a fence, landscaping, or a
house without having to make any adjustments to
the spindle assembly. Refer to Figure 3.
• If the weeds or grass are tall and thick, operate the
string trimmer mower at a slower walking speed.
• With the engine off and spark plug disconnected,
clean the underside of the trimmer before and after
each use to remove any grass or weed build up.
• If the trimmer lines become too short, approxi-
mately half the original length or worn, it will take
longer to complete the job. To change trimmer line
see THREADING TRIMMER LINE.
• Do not trim on excessively steep slopes. If a slope
is difficult to stand on, do not trim. Do not trim on
slopes when the ground is slippery or wet. Trim
across the face of a slope, not up and down.
• Avoid spindle assembly contact to concrete,
asphalt, or gravel.