MTD LT31CS, LT31C, LT31 manual

Operator’ s Manual IMPORT ANT : Read safety rules and instructions carefully befor e operating equipment. PRINTED IN U.S.A. PART NO. 769-01389 (12/04) L T31, L T31C 2-Cycle Petr ol T rimmers L T31CS T rimmer / Brushcutter[...]

2 INTRODUCTION T ABLE OF CONTENTS Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Rules for Safe Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Know Your Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Oil and Petrol Information . . . . . [...]

3 RULES FOR SAFE OPERA TION READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERA TING • Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the controls and proper use of the unit. • Do not operate this unit when tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. • Children and teens under the age of 15 must not use the unit, except for teens g[...]

4 • Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling the feul tank. Never remove the feul tank cap or add fuel when the engine is hot. Never operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in place. Loosen the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure in the tank. • Add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area where there are n[...]

5 • Do not attempt to touch or stop the blade when it is rotating. •A coasting blade can cause injury while it continues to spin after the engine is stopped or the throttle trigger is released. Maintain proper control until the blade has completely stopped rotating. • Do not run the unit at high speed when not cutting. • If you strike or be[...]

6 SAFETY AND INTERNA TIONAL SYMBOLS This operator's manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product. Read the operator's manual for complete safety, assembly, operating and maintenance and repair information. RULES FOR SAFE OPERA TION SYMBOL MEANING • WEAR HEAD PRO TECTION WARNING: Falli[...]

7 KNOW YOUR UNIT APPLICA TIONS As a trimmer: • Cutting grass and light weeds • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. Fuel Cap Throttle Control D-Handle Shaft Grip Primer Bulb Blue Choke Lever Air Filter/Muffler Cover Shaft Tube Starter Rope Grip Line Cutting Blade Muffler On/Off Stop Control Cutting Attachment T rimmer Model[...]

8 APPLICA TIONS As a trimmer: • Cutting grass and light weeds • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. Cutting Attachment Shield Fuel Cap Throttle Control D-Handle Cutting Attachment Shaft Grip Primer Bulb Air Filter/Muffler Cover Spark Plug On/Off Stop Control Shaft Housing Starter Rope Grip Line Cutting Blade Muffler Suppor[...]

9 KNOW YOUR UNIT APPLICA TIONS As a trimmer: • Cutting grass and light weeds • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. As a brushcutter: • Cutting weeds and light bush of up to 1/2 inch in diameter Cutting Attachment Shield Fuel Cap Throttle Control J-Handle Cutting Attachment Gear Housing Shaft Grip Primer Bulb Air Filter/M[...]

10 ASSEMBL Y INSTRUCTIONS L T31CS: J-handle 1. Place the J-handle between the top and middle clamp pieces (Fig. 3). (4) Screws Top Clamp J-Handle Middle Clamp Bottom Clamp Nuts 2. While holding the three pieces together, install the four (4) screws through the top clamp and into middle clamp. NOTE: The holes in the top and middle clamp will line up[...]

11 ASSEMBL Y INSTRUCTIONS INST ALL CUTTING A TT ACHMENT SHIELD Use the following instructions if the cutting attachment shield on your unit is not installed. Use only the instructions that apply to the type of shaft and shield that your unit is equipped with. L T31 1. Place the cutting attachment shield onto the shaft housing. Be sure the guard mou[...]

12 Install the cutting attachment shield when using the unit as a grass trimmer Install the cutting attachment shield on the shield mount by inserting the three (3) screws into the shield mount. Tighten securely with a flat blade screwdriver (Fig. 14). L T31CS ONL Y : REMOVE THE CUTTING AT T ACH MENT AND INST ALL THE CUTTING BLADE NOTE: To make cut[...]

13 BRUSHCUTTER ASSEMBL Y INSTRUCTIONS Cutting Attachment Locking Rod Slot Locking Rod Shaft Bushing Hole Locking Rod Slot Output Shaft Bushing Locking Rod Output Shaft 2. Hold the locking rod in place by grasping it next to the boom of the unit (Fig. 16). 3. While holding the locking rod, remove the cutting attachment by turning it clockwise off of[...]

14 Fig. 22 L T31CS ONL Y : REMOVE THE CUTTING BLADE AND INST ALL THE CUTTING AT T ACHMENT Remove the Cutting Blade 1. Align the shaft bushing hole with the locking rod slot and insert the locking rod into the bushing hole (Fig. 15). Fig. 20 9. Remove the locking rod from the locking rod slot. 1/4-1/2 turn Counterclockwise 6. Align the shaft bushing[...]

15 OIL AND PETROL INFORMA TION NOTE: Dispose of the old petrol/oil mix in accordance to Federal, State and Local regulations. OIL AND PETROL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS Old and/or improperly mixed fuel are the main reasons for the unit not running properly. Be sure to use fresh, clean unleaded petrol. Follow the instructions carefully for the proper petrol[...]

16 ST ARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS Operate this unit only in a well- ventilated outdoor area. Carbon monoxide exhaust fumes can be lethal in a confined area. W ARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Make sure you are in the starting position when pulling the starter rope (Fig. 26). To avoid serious injury, the operator and unit must be in a stable posi[...]

17 HOLDING THE TRIMMER Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 27). Check for the following: • The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing • With a slightly-bent right arm, the operator’s right hand is holding the shaft grip • The operator’s left arm is straight, the left hand holding the handle •[...]

18 Fig. 29 Fig. 30 DECORA TIVE TRIMMING Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around trees, posts, fences and more. Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting attachment is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 29). L T31CS ONL Y : USING THE CUTTING BLADE Before operating the unit with the cutting blade, stand in the operating[...]

19 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 your unit to any non-road engine repair establishment, indivi[...]

20 3. Remove spring from the inner reel (Fig. 32). 4. Use a clean cloth to clean the the inner reel, spring, shaft, and inner surface of the outer spool. 5. Check the indexing teeth on the inner reel and outer spool for wear (Fig. 33). If necessary, remove burrs or replace the reel and spool. MAINTENANCE AND REP AIR INSTRUCTIONS Fig. 38 Fig. 34 NOT[...]

21 NOTE: The spring must be assembled on the inner reel before reassembling the cutting attachment. 14. Hold the inner reel in place and install the bump knob by turning clockwise. Tighten securely. Spring Fig. 39 INST ALLING A PREWOUND REEL 1. Hold the outer spool with one hand and unscrew the bump knob counterclockwise (Fig. 31). Inspect the bolt[...]

22 Line Locking Hole Trimming Line Line Loading Hole Eyelet 5. Insert the line into the locking hole (Fig. 42). Do not push the line more than a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) into the line locking hole. The line will form a small loop (Fig. 42) when it is inserted correctly. 3. Pull old line out of the line loading and line locking holes (Fig. 41 and 42). 4. [...]

23 MAINTENANCE AND REP AIR INSTRUCTIONS 4. Hold the inner reel in place and install the bump knob, spring and foam seal. Press down and turn the bump knob clockwise. Grasp the ends and pull firmly to release the line from the holding slots in the inner reel (Fig. 46). Releasing the Inner Reel If the SpeedSpool ® does not release line correctly, pu[...]

24 MAINTENANCE AND REP AIR INSTRUCTIONS Fig. 55 Fig. 54 NOTE: SplitLine™ can only be used with the inner reel with the slotted holes. Single line can be used on either type of inner reel. Use Figure 54 to identify the inner reel you have. NOTE: Always use the correct line length when installing trimming line on the unit. The line may not release [...]

25 Fig. 59 Spring 13. Insert the ends of the line through the eyelets in the outer spool and place inner reel with spring inside the outer spool (Fig. 59). Push the inner reel and outer spool together. While holding the inner reel and outer spool, grasp the ends and pull firmly to release the line from the holding slots in the reel. NOTE: The sprin[...]

26 MAINTENANCE AND REP AIR INSTRUCTIONS Fig. 61 Fig. 62 Fig. 63 Fig. 64 6. Replace the air filter inside the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 61). NOTE: Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter/muffler cover assembly will VOID the warranty. Reinstalling the Air Filter/Muffler Cover 1. Place the air filter/muffler cover over the back o[...]

27 MAINTENANCE AND REP AIR INSTRUCTIONS CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT The idle speed of the engine is adjustable through the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 66). NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments. Check Fuel Mixture Old and/or improperly mixed fuel is usually the reason[...]

28 Adjust Idle Speed Screw If, after checking the fuel mixture 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 engin[...]

29 MAINTENANCE AND REP AIR INSTRUCTIONS 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 plastic housing or handle. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth. STORAGE • Never store a fueled un[...]

30 TROUBLESHOOTING CAUSE ACTION Cutting attachment bound with grass Stop the engine and clean cutting attachment Cutting attachment out of line Refill with new line Inner reel bound up Replace the inner reel Cutting head dirty Clean inner reel and outer spool Line welded Disassemble, remove the welded section and rewind Line twisted when refilled D[...]

31 SPECIFICA TIONS *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. ENGINE* Engine Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Coole[...]

32 NOTES[...]