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SHInDAIwA OwnER’S/OPERATOR'S MAnUAL AH254 ARTICULATED HEDGE TRIMMER wARnInG! Always wear eye and ear protection when operating this machine! To minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others, read this manual and familiarize yourself with its contents. X7502872303 02/13...
These procedures are guidelines for safe operation under most conditions, and are not intended to replace any safety rules and/or laws that may be in force in your area. If you have questions regarding your Shindaiwa hand-held power equipment, or if you do not understand something in this manual, contact Shindaiwa at the address printed on the back of this Manual.
10 M machine. In addition, always away from electrical sources wear eye and hearing protec- and power lines. tion. Shindaiwa recommends WARNING ! Surface can wearing a face shield as addi- be hot. Always wear gloves tional face and eye protection.
■ securely to prevent fuel spillage or Always use genuine Shindaiwa ■ damage to the machine. Keep the articulated hedge trim- parts and accessories when repair- mer as clean as possible.
Information Labels: Make sure all informa- tion labels are undamaged and readable. Immediately replace damaged or missing information labels. New labels are available from your local authorized Shindaiwa dealer. Operator Safety Always wear a hard hat This machine is designed...
Do not alter this machine Recoil or any of its components! starter Fuel Tank Specifications Model AH254 Engine Type 4-cycle, single cylinder, air cooled Engine Bore x Stroke 34 x 27 mm/1.3 x 1.1 in. Engine Displacement 24.5cc/1.5 cu. in.
Blade Guard Removal/Install nOTE: For normal cutting, Shindaiwa strongly recommends the blade guard be installed. In extreme conditions, such as commer- cial cutting, or when cutting thick and/or dense branches, efficiency may be increased by trimming without the blade guard.
Assembly (continued) Blade Guard Removal 1. Move stop switch to stop position. 2. Disconnect spark plug wire. WARNING! Hedge clipper blades are very sharp. Touching them may lead to severe personal injury. Use a socket and extension when removing locknuts in order to keep hands at a safe distance from sharp blades.
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Assembly (continued) Latch Lock Adjustment Lever wARnInG! Never run the engine when adjusting the cutter assembly. Make sure the latch lock and the latch release Latch Release return securely to the locked position Press the latch lock IMPORTAnT! 3. While holding the latch release 1.
Mixing Fuel wARnInG! Alternative fuels, such as E15 (15% ethanol), E-85 (85% ethanol) or any fuels not meeting Shindaiwa requirements are NOT approved for use in Shindaiwa gasoline engines. Use of alternative fuels may cause performance problems, loss of power, overheating, fuel vapor lock, and unintended machine operation, including, but not limited to, improper clutch engagement.
Mixing Instructions Storage - Fuel storage laws vary by locality. Contact 1. Fill an approved fuel container with half of the required your local government for the laws affecting your area. amount of gasoline. As a precaution, store fuel in an approved, airtight con- 2.
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Starting the Engine (continued) nOTE: The blade cover is used for transportation and storage. Remove blade cover before using the unit. 1. Slide the ignition switch to the “ON” position. Close choke 2. Set the throttle trigger to the “fast Throttle Lock idle”: a.
If a properly installed Use only authorized Shindaiwa parts and attachment vibrates, replace the attach- accessories with your Shindaiwa hedge wARnInG! ment with new one and re-check.
Operation wARnInG! Moving parts can amputate fingers or cause severe injuries. Keep hands, clothing and loose objects away from all openings. Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and make sure all moving parts have come to a complete stop before removing obstructions, clearing debris, or servicing unit. wARnInG! Engine exhaust IS HOT, and contains Carbon Monoxide (CO), a poison gas.
Air Filter This unit must never be operated with a faulty or missing The H4 engine that powers your Shindaiwa model is a hybrid spark arrester or muffler. Make sure the muffler is well 4-stroke engine. As a hybrid, the engine is lubricated by oil mixed secured and in good condition.
Maintenance (continued) 10-Hour maintenance (more frequently in dusty condi- Loosen tions) fasteners 1. Remove the air filter cover by loosen- ing the cover screw(s) and lifting. Prefilter 2. Remove and inspect the pre-filter. If the pre-filter is torn or otherwise damaged, replace it with a new one.
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Fuel filter element the fuel filter element. If it shows signs Fuel filter maintenance of contamination, replace with a genu- ine Shindaiwa replacement fuel filter nOTE: element. Federal EPA regulations require all model year 2012 and later gasoline powered engines produced for sale in the United States to be equipped with a special low permeation fuel supply hose between the carburetor and fuel tank.
It is highly the ”Specifications” section or an equivalent resistor type spark plug recommended that this is done by a Shindaiwa-trained service of the correct heat range. Set spark technician. plug electrode gap to 0.6 mm.
Maintenance (continued) Cutter blade adjustment 3. Working from the gearcase end, lock wARnInG! Locknut each bolt in place by firmly tighten- The cutter blades are ing its locknut while preventing the Guide Bar very sharp! Always wear gloves shoulder bolt from turning. when working around the cutter assembly.
This engine has been factory adjusted to maintain satisfactory starting, emission, and durability performance up to 1,100 feet above sea level (ASL) (96.0 kPa). To maintain proper engine operation and emission compliance above 1,100 feet ASL the carburetor may need to be adjusted by an authorized Shindaiwa service dealer. IMPORTAnT! If the engine is adjusted for operation above 1,100 feet ASL, the carburetor must be re-adjusted when operating the engine below 1,100 feet ASL, otherwise severe engine damage may result.
Adjust valves. Valve clearance too loose. ENGINE DOES NOT START What To Check Possible Cause Remedy Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer. Faulty recoil starter. Does the engine crank? Fluid in the crankcase. Internal damage. Tighten and re-test.
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89 or higher mixed with an air cooled engine oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FD classified oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio. Piston seizure. Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer. Faulty carburetor and/or diaphragm. Overheating condition. Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer.
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Adjust idle. Check Specifications page for correct Idle set too high. Engine will not idle idle speed. down. Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing Engine has an air leak. dealer. Adjust idle. Check Specifications page for correct idle Engine idle too high.
The owner shall demonstrate reasonable care and use, and follow preventative maintenance, storage, fuel and oil usage as pre- scribed in the operator’s manual. Should a product difficulty occur, you must, at your expense, deliver or ship your Shindaiwa unit to an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer for warranty repairs (within the applicable warranty period), and arrange for pick-up or return of your unit after the repairs have been made.
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89 octane or higher. Gasohol which contains a maximum 10% ethanol (grain alcohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl/tertiary/butyl/ether) is also approved. The prescribed mixing ratio of gasoline to oil is listed on the Shindaiwa oil label and covered in your operator’s manual.
Genuine Shindaiwa Parts and Assemblies for your Shindaiwa products are available only from an Authorized Shindaiwa Dealer. When you do need to buy parts always have the Model Number, Type and Serial Number of the unit with you. You can find these numbers on the engine. For future reference, write them in the space provided below.