Operator’s Manual LT31CS 2-Cycle Petrol Trimmer/Brushcutter IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully before operating equipment. MTD SOUTHWEST 550 N. 54TH STREET, CHANDLER, ARIZONA 85226-2434 PRINTED IN U.S.A. PART NO.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Content Page Important Safe Operation Practices............................................................... 3 Know Your Trimmer ........................................................................................ 6 Assembling Your Trimmer............................................................................... 7 Operating Your Trimmer................................................................................ 11 Maintaining Your Trimmer ..................................
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES This Symbol Points Out Important Safety Information Which, If Not Followed, Could Endanger The Personal Safety And/or Property Of Yourself And Others. Read And Follow All Instructions In This Manual Before Attempting To Operate Your Cultivator. Failure To Comply With These Instructions May Result In Personal Injury. When You See This Symbol–Heed Its Warning. SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates danger, warning, or caution.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Wear heavy, long pants, boots and gloves. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, short pants, sandals or go barefoot. Secure hair above shoulder level. The cutting guard must always be in place while operating the unit as a trimmer. Do not operate unit without both trimming lines extended, and the proper line installed. Do not extend the trimming line beyond the length of the guard. This unit has a clutch.
SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL 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. SYMBOL SYMBOL MEANING MEANING • WEAR HEAD PROTECTION • SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL WARNING: Falling objects can cause severe head injury. Wear head protection when operating this unit. Indicates danger, warning, or caution.
SECTION 2: KNOW YOUR TRIMMER KNOW YOUR UNIT As a brushcutter: APPLICATIONS • As a trimmer: • • • Cutting weeds and light brush of up to 12.7mm (1/2-in.) in diameter Cutting grass and light weeds Edging Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc.
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLING YOUR TRIMMER Adjusting On some units, the J-handle may be pre-installed, requiring only screw loosening and J-handle adjustment tailored to the operator. Go to step 6 to adjust the J-handle if it is pre-installed. 6. Loosen the screws so that the J-handle can be easily moved in the clamp assembly. Do not remove the screws or nuts. 7. Slide the J-handle in or out until the arrow/white line on the decal touches the clamp assembly, Figure 2.
INSTALLING THE HARNESS REMOVING AND INSTALLING CUTTING HEAD GUARD WARNING: Always use the shoulder harness when using the cutting blade to avoid serious personal injury. NOTE: Remove the cutting head guard when using the unit as a brushcutter. WARNING: The cutting head guard should NOT be installed when operating the unit with a blade. Remove the cutting head guard before removing or installing the blade. 1. Push the strap through the centre of the buckle. 2.
Remove the Cutting Head Cutting Head WARNING: The gear housing gets hot with use and can result in injury to the operator. When the unit is turned off it remains hot for a short time. Do not touch the gear housing until it has cooled. 1. Align the shaft bushing hole with the locking rod slot and insert the locking rod into the shaft bushing hole, Figure 8. Shaft Bushing Hole Locking Rod Slot Output Shaft Locking Rod FIGURE 10 4. Place the cutting blade on the output shaft bushing, Figure 11. 5.
2. Hold the locking rod in place by grasping it next to the boom of the unit, Figure 14. 3. While holding the locking rod, loosen the nut on the blade by turning it clockwise with a 5/8 inch closed-end or socket wrench, Figure 14. 6. Align the shaft bushing hole with the locking rod slot and insert the locking rod into the bushing hole, Figure 8. 7. Put the blade retainer and nut on the output shaft. Make sure that the blade is installed correctly. 8.
SECTION 4: OPERATING YOUR TRIMMER Old and/or improperly mixed fuel are usually the main reasons for the unit not running properly. Be sure to use fresh, clean fuel and follow the instructions carefully for the proper fuel/oil mixture. RECOMMENDED OIL TYPE NOTE: Always use clean, fresh, unleaded petrol (gasoline) that is less than 60 days old. Use a high quality oil formulated for use in 2-cycle, air-cooled engines. RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE Alcohol-blended fuel absorbs moisture (water).
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS Stop/Off (O) On/Off Stop Control Start/On (I) WARNING: Operate this unit only in a well ventilated outdoor area. Carbon monoxide exhaust fumes can be lethal in a confined area. Throttle Lock-Out WARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Be in the starting position when pulling the starter rope, Figure 18. The operator and unit must be in a stable position while starting to avoid serious personal injury. Throttle Control FIGURE 16 1. Mix petrol (gasoline) with oil.
HOLDING THE TRIMMER For best results, tap the Bump Head™ on bare ground or hard soil. If line release is attempted in tall grass, the engine may stall. Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult as the cutting line becomes shorter. WARNING: Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. NOTE: Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position, Figure 19.
USING THE CUTTING BLADE WARNING: The blade continues to spin after the engine is turned off. The coasting blade can seriously cut you if accidentally touched. WARNING: Always wear eye, hearing, foot, body protection and the strap to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. • • WARNING: Do not use the cutting blade for edging or as an edger, severe personal injury to yourself or others can occur. • Before operating the unit with the cutting blade stand in the operating position, Figure 22.
SECTION 5: MAINTAINING YOUR TRIMMER NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about these procedures take your unit to an authorized service dealer. NOTE: Emission control device and system repair, maintenance or replacement may be performed by any non-road engine repair establishment, individual or authorized service dealer. In order to assure peak performance of your engine, inspection of the engine exhaust port may be necessary after 50 hours of operation.
NOTE: SplitLine™ can only be used with the inner reel containing the slotted holes. Single line can be used on either type of inner reel. Use Figure 27 to identify the inner reel you have. 9. Insert the end of the line into the open hole in the inner reel and pull the line tight to make the loop as small as possible, Figure 30. 10. Before winding, split the line back about 6 inches. NOTE: Always use the correct line length when installing trimming line on the unit.
Clean and re-oil the air filter every 10 hours of operation. It is an important item to maintain. Failure to maintain the air filter will VOID the warranty. INSTALLING A PREWOUND REEL 1. Hold the outer spool with one hand and unscrew the bump knob clockwise, Figure 15. Inspect the bolt inside the bump knob to make sure it moves freely. Replace the bump knob if damaged. 2. Remove the old inner reel from the outer spool, Figure 24. 3. Remove the spring from the old inner reel. 4.
Checking the fuel mixture, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine problems. If not and: CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT The idle speed of the engine is adjustable through the air filter/muffler cover, Figure 38. NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.
SPARK ARRESTOR MAINTENANCE Spark Arrestor 1. Remove air filter/muffler cover. Refer to Removing the Air Filter/Muffler Cover. Flatblade Screwdriver 2. Locate muffler front and the two (2) bolts securing it to the engine, Figure 40. Remove the two (2) bolts using a flatblade screwdriver or 5/16-inch socket or nut driver. Pull muffler off of the engine. 3. Turn muffler over to the back side and locate the exhaust gasket. Remove the muffler exhaust gasket from the muffler, Figure 40.
SECTION 6: OFF SEASON STORAGE CLEANING THE UNIT LONG TERM STORAGE If the unit will be stored for an extended time, 1. Drain all fuel from the fuel tank into a container. Do not use fuel that has been stored for more than 60 days. Dispose of the old fuel in accordance to 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 30 ml. (1 oz.
SECTION 7: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE ENGINE WILL NOT START CAUSE ACTION Empty fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fill fuel tank with properly mixed fuel Primer bulb wasn't pressed enough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Press primer bulb fully and slowly 5-7 times Engine flooded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Use starting procedure with choke lever in the RUN position. See page 12. Old or improperly mixed fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 8: SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE Engine Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Cooled, 2-Cycle Stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.75 mm (1.25 in.) Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 9: NOTES 23
SECTION 9: NOTES Cont... OPERATOR’S MANUAL PART NO.
