Advancing Lines; Cut Off Blade; Telescopic Shaft; Rotating Rear Handle - Craftsman 138.98981 Operator's Manual

THE CUTTING LiNE
_ WARNING: DO NOT grasp the exposed cutting line
when picking up or holding the trimmer.
A single 0.065-inch round cutting line is pre-installed on the
trimmer. When the cutting line needs replacing, install a
new pre-wound spool.
TELESCOPING SHAFT
See Figure 9, page ii.
The shaft can be extended or shortened for ease of use.
[] Unplug the string trimmer.
[] Unscrew telescoping shaft coupler and slide to desired
position.
[] Tighten telescoping shaft coupler.
ADVANCING LINES
See Figure 7, page ii.
CAUTION: The trimmer is equipped with an auto-feed head,
but it is not a "bump feed" head. Bumping the head to try to
advance the line will damage the trimmer and void the
warranty.
[] With the trimmer running, release the switch trigger.
[] Wait two seconds, and press the switch trigger.
NOTE: The line will extend approximately 1/4 in. with
each stop and start of the switch trigger until
the line reaches the length of the grass
deflector blade.
[] Resume trimming.
ADVANCING THE LINE MANUALLY
See Figure 7, page ii.
Disconnect the string trimmer from the power supply, then
push the line advancement button in while pulling on trimmer
line to manually advance.
CUT OFF BLADE
This trimmer is equipped with a line cut-off blade on the
grass deflector. For best cutting, advance line until it is
trimmed to length by the cut-off blade. Do not wait until line
is no longer visible to advance the line. Advance line when
trimming line diminishes. This will maintain best
performance and keep trimmer line long enough to
advance properly.
ROTATING REAR HANDLE
See Figure 1O, page ii.
[] Unplug the string trimmer.
[] Pull up edging coupler and turn handle end clockwise.
[] Release edging boom coupler when handle has been
rotated 180 °.
[] Plug in the string trimmer
EDGING
See Figure 11-12, page ii.
The rotating handle can be used in combination with the
edger guide for edging sidewalks and waJkways. To use
the edger guide, flip down from its stored position.
CUTTING TiPS
See Figure 8, page ii.
[] Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut; this is
the best cutting area.
[] The string trimmer cuts when passing the unit from left
to right. This will avoid throwing debris at the operator.
Avoid cutting in the hazardous area shown in figure 8.
[] Use the tip of the string to do the cutting; do not force
string head into uncut grass.
[] Wire and picket fences cause extra string wear, even
breakage. Stone and brick walls, curbs, and wood may
wear line rapidly.
[] Avoid trees and shrubs. Tree bark, wood bark
siding, and fence posts can easily be damaged by the
line.
9 - English