MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING:
To prevent serious injury, never perform maintenance or repairs with unit
running. Always service and repair a cool unit. Disconnect the spark plug wire to ensure
that the unit cannot start.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Perform these required maintenance procedures at the frequency stated in the table. These
procedures should also be a part of any seasonal tune-up.
NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about
these procedures, take the unit to an MTD authorized service dealer.
NOTE: Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and system may be
performed by an MTD authorized service dealer.
NOTE: Please read the California/EPA statement that came with the unit for a complete listing of
terms and coverage for the emissions control devices, such as the spark arrestor, muffler,
carburetor, etc.
FREQUENCY
Every 10 hours (every 5 hours in vacuum mode) Clean and re-oil the air filter
Every 25 hours
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your trimmer off and allow it to
cool before you clean or service it.
WARNING:
Wear gloves to prevent injury when handling unit.
Cleaning the Air Filter
Failure to maintain your air filter properly can result in poor performance or
can cause permanent damage to your engine.
1. To open the air filter cover, push the locking tab on the right side of the
cover inward and pull the air filter cover slightly out and to the left (Fig.
17).
2. Remove the air filter (Fig. 18).
3. Wash the filter in detergent and water. Rinse the filter thoroughly and
allow it to dry.
4. Apply enough clean SAE 30 motor oil to lightly coat the filter.
5. Squeeze the filter to spread and remove excess oil.
6. Replace the filter (Fig. 18).
NOTE: If the unit is operated without the air filter, you will VOID the
warranty.
7. To reinstall the air filter cover, position the hooks on the left side of the
air filter cover into the slots at the left side of the back plate (Fig. 18).
8. Swing the cover to the right and press closed so the air filter cover tab
snaps into the slot on the back plate (Fig. 19).
IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT
WARNING:
This unit will need to be running during idle speed adjustment. Wear
protective clothing and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
Also, DO NOT set unit on any surface except a clean, hard area while starting or performing
any adjustments. Debris, such as gravel, sand, dust, grass, etc., could be thrown by the
blower tube and damage property or cause serious injury to bystanders or operator.
The idle speed of the engine is adjustable. An idle adjustment screw is
between the air filter cover and the engine starter housing (Fig. 20).
NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An
authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.
If, after checking the fuel and cleaning the air filter, the engine still will not
idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:
1. Start the engine and let it run at a high idle for a minute to warm up.
Refer to Starting/Stopping Instructions.
2. Release the throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If the engine stops,
insert a small Phillips in between the air filter cover and the engine cover (Fig. 20). Turn the idle speed
screw in, clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.
Checking the fuel, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine
problems. If not and all of the following are true:
• the engine will not idle
• the engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
• there is a loss of engine power
Have the carburetor adjusted by an authorized service dealer.
REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG
Use a replacement part number 753-06193. The correct spark gap is 0.025 in. (0.635 mm).
1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
2. Grasp the plug boot firmly and pull the cap from the spark plug.
3. Clean dirt from around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head by turning a
5/8 in. socket counterclockwise.
CAUTION:
Do not sand blast, scrape, or clean electrodes. Grit in the engine could
damage the cylinder.
4. Replace cracked, fouled or dirty spark plug. Set the spark gap at 0.025
in. (0.635 mm) using a feeler gauge (Fig. 21).
5. Install a correctly-gapped spark plug in the cylinder head. Turn the 5/8
in. socket clockwise until snug.
If using a torque wrench, torque to:
110-120 in.•lb. (12.3-13.5 N•m) Do not over tighten.
6. Reinstall the spark plug boot.
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
Check the spark plug condition and gap
Air Filter Cover
Slots
Back Plate
Air Filter Cover
Idle Adjustment
Screw
0.025 in.
(0.635 mm)
WARNING:
before you clean or do any maintenance on it.
CLEANING
Use a small brush to clean off the outside of the unit. Do not use strong detergents. Household cleaners
that contain aromatic oils such as pine and lemon, and solvents such as kerosene, can damage the
plastic housing or handle. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth.
STORAGE
• Never store a fueled unit where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.
• Allow the engine to cool before storing.
• Store the unit locked up to prevent unauthorized use or damage.
SEE
• Store the unit in a dry, well-ventilated area.
p. 5
• Store the unit out of the reach of children.
p. 5
Long Term Storage
1. Remove the fuel cap, tip the unit and drain the fuel into an approved container.
NOTE: Do not use fuel that has been stored for more than 30 days. Dispose of the old fuel/oil mix in
accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
2. Start the engine and allow it to run until it stalls. This ensures that all fuel has been drained from the
carburetor.
3. Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 5 drops of any high quality motor oil or
2-cycle oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug.
NOTE: Remove the spark plug and drain all of the oil from the cylinder before attempting to start the
unit after storage.
4. Thoroughly clean the unit and inspect it for any loose or damaged parts. Repair or replace damaged
parts and tighten loose screws, nuts or bolts. The unit is ready for storage.
Locking Tab
CAUSE
THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
Fig. 17
The fuel tank is empty
The primer bulb was not pressed enough
Slot
The engine is flooded
The fuel is old (over 30 days) and/or improperly mixed
The spark plug is fouled
Air Filter
THE ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE
Fig. 18
The air filter is plugged
The fuel is old (over 30 days) and/or improperly mixed
Locking Tab
Improper idle speed
THE ENGINE WILL NOT ACCELERATE
The fuel is old (over 30 days) and/or improperly mixed
The air filter is plugged
THE ENGINE LACKS POWER OR STALLS
Fig. 19
The fuel is old (over 30 days) and/or improperly mixed
The air filter is plugged
The spark plug is fouled
IF FURTHER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER.
Engine Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Cooled, 2-Cycle
Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 cc
Blower Velocity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 150 mph (240 kmh)
Blower Air Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 450 cfm (12.7 cmm)
Mulching Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 10:1
Spark Plug Gap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.025 in. (0.635 mm)
Fig. 20
Lubrication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuel/Oil Mixture
Fuel/Oil Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40:1
Fuel Tank Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 oz. (414 ml)
Vacuum Bag Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 bushel (35 l)
Approximate Weight (no fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 lbs. (5.44 kg)
All specifications are based on the latest product information available at the time of printing. We
*
reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Fig. 21
CLEANING AND STORAGE
To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your unit off and allow it to cool
TROUBLESHOOTING
SOLUTION
Fill the fuel tank with properly mixed fuel
Press the primer bulb fully and slowly 10 times
Move the choke lever to Position 3, hold down the
trigger and pull the starter rope
Drain the fuel tank and add fresh, properly mixed fuel
Clean, gap or replace the spark plug
Clean or replace the air filter
Drain the fuel tank and add fresh, properly mixed fuel
Adjust according to the Idle Speed Adjustment section
Drain the fuel tank and add fresh, properly mixed fuel
Clean or replace the air filter
Drain the fuel tank and add fresh, properly mixed fuel
Clean or replace the air filter
Clean, gap or replace the spark plug
SPECIFICATIONS*
5