Muffler Maintenance; Cutter Blade Adjustment - Shindaiwa HT230 Owner's/Operator's Manual

Muffler Maintenance

Seasonally (or whenever you
experience hard starting or poor
performance):
WARNING!
Never operate this machine
with a damaged or missing
muffler or spark arrester!
Operating with missing or damaged
exhaust components is a fire hazard,
and may also damage your hearing.
n Hard starting or a gradual loss of
performance can be caused by carbon
deposits lodged in the muffler's spark
arrester screen. Remove the spark
arrester screw and remove the screen
from the muffler with the point of a
small pliers. Thoroughly clean the
screen with a stiff bristle brush. A
damaged or otherwise unserviceable
screen must be replaced. Reinstall by
gently tapping the screen into place and
retightening the screw.

Cutter Blade Adjustment

Cutter performance of this unit depends in
great measure on cutter blade clearance.
Properly adjusted blades will oscillate
freely yet help prevent binding of cut
material between blades. Adjust blades as
follows:
1. Loosen all blade locknuts at least one
full turn.
2. Tighten each blade shoulder bolt
firmly, and then loosen the shoulder
bolts 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
3. Working from the gearcase end, lock
each bolt in place by firmly tightening
its locknut while preventing the
shoulder bolt from turning.
When shoulder bolt adjustment is correct,
there should be a gap of 0.25–0.50 mm
between the cutter blades and the flat
washers, and the flat washer beneath each
bolt head should turn freely.
Arrester Screen
Guide Bar
Cutter Blades
Shoulder
Bolt
WARNING!
The cutter blades are very
sharp! Always wear gloves when
working around the cutter assembly!
n If carbon accumulations in the muffler
Muffler
or cylinder are severe or if you do not
notice an improvement in performance
after servicing, return the trimmer to
your Shindaiwa dealer for inspection.
Arrester
Screw
CAUTION!
Locknut
Operating the hedge trimmer with worn
or improperly adjusted cutters will re-
duce cutter performance and may also
damage this unit.
Washer
(should turn
freely)
15