DR TRIMMER/MOWER Safety & Operating Instructions Models: SPRINT, PRO, and COMMERCIAL COUNTRY HOME PRODUCTS, INC. www.dr-owner.com $5.
Congratulations on your purchase of a new DR TRIMMER/MOWER We have done our utmost to ensure that your DR will be one of the most trouble-free and satisfying pieces of equipment you’ve ever owned. Please let us know if you have any questions or problems. We want to answer or correct them quickly. (When you do call or write, please have your serial number and/or order number handy; it will speed things up.) We also hope to hear from you about how you like your new machine.
Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introducing the DR Trimmer/Mower ........................................................... 1 About This Manual.....................................................................................................................1 Chapter 2: Safety Considerations.................................................................................... 3 Preparing to Use the DR TRIMMER/MOWER..........................................................................
iv ® ™ DR TRIMMER/MOWER Safety & Operating Instructions
Chapter 1: Introducing the DR TRIMMER/MOWER Thank you for the purchase of your new DR TRIMMER/MOWER . Over 500,000 people have chosen the DR TRIMMER/MOWER since 1987 to help make property care faster and easier than ever before. This manual is shipped with DR TRIMMER/MOWER SPRINT , PRO, and COMMERCIAL models. It will help you set up and safely operate your new DR TRIMMER/MOWER .
Conventions used in this manual WARNING! The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle alerts you to essential operating, safety, and maintenance (servicing) Important! This information is important in the proper use of your machine. Failure to follow this instruction could result in injury to you or damage to your trimmer. Tip: This is a helpful hint to guide you in getting the most out of your trimmer.
Chapter 2: Safety Considerations Taking the time to read and observe all safety instructions will ensure many years of productive use from your DR TRIMMER/MOWER and help you avoid injury. Please take a few moments to read the following guidelines for safely operating your new machine. Preparing to Use the DR TRIMMER/MOWER ■ Read these Safety and Operating Instructions and the engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual before you use the DR TRIMMER/MOWER .
To avoid injury, keep your hand and feet away from the spinning cords. (#136491) Yet another warning notice for your safety. (#148221; PRO and COMMERCIAL models only) ) In the parallel trimming action (PTA mode, the trimmer’s wheels stay straight while the trimmer head tilts , causing the cords to extend beyond the wheelbase. (#153071) The bail bar is an important safety feature: release it to immediately stop the engine.
Protecting Yourself ■ Always wear the protective goggles while mowing to protect your eyes from possible thrown objects. Goggles are provided with your DR TRIMMER/MOWER . Wear shoes with non-slip treads when using your DR TRIMMER/MOWER . If you have safety shoes, we recommend wearing them. Do not use the machine while barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear long pants while trimming or mowing. Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry which might be caught on the mower’s moving parts.
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Be cautious when using your DR TRIMMER/MOWER around fencing, wires, ropes, and hoses. It is possible that these and other debris can become wound around the line plates of the machine, potentially damaging the bearings or injuring you. Use the machine only in daylight or good artificial light. Never operate the machine with a damaged shield or without the shield in place. Do not operate the machine when under the influence of alcohol or medication.
Chapter 3: Setting Up Your DR TRIMMER/MOWER This chapter outlines a few simple steps you will need to follow to set up your new machine before you use it. It may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the controls and features on your trimmer by reviewing the picture in the next section before beginning the steps outlined in this chapter. DR TRIMMER/MOWER Package Checklist Country Home Products ships the following items with your new machine.
DR TRIMMER/MOWER Controls and Features Note: The model shown in Figure 1 may look slightly different from your machine.
Connecting the Battery Wire (Electric-Starting Models Only) We ship all electric-starting trimmers with the negative terminal battery wire disconnected. This prevents the battery from discharging during shipment. Before using your trimmer, you must connect the battery wire. 1. Connect the wire by pushing the plastic connector onto the negative (–) terminal as shown in Figure 2.
Adding Oil and Gasoline WARNING! You must add oil before starting the engine. This machine is shipped without oil. Traces of oil may be in the reservoir from factory testing, but you must add oil before starting the engine. Fill the reservoir slowly checking the dipstick frequently to avoid overfilling. Use approximately 15 ounces of SAE 30 high detergent oil. Important! To get an accurate reading when checking the oil level: ⇒ The machine should be on a level surface.
Adjusting the Handlebar WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. It is important to find a handlebar height that allows the Mow-Ball Support to glide along the ground and remain balanced so you don’t have having to push down or pull up on the handlebar. At the proper height, your hands should rest at a comfortable level and the front end of the trimmer should roll easily on the Mow-Ball Support as shown in Figure 13 on page 20.
Adjusting the PTA Lever WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. It is easy to adjust the PTA feature. If you’ve moved the handlebar up or down, the PTA (Parallel Trimming Action) lever may need to be adjusted. When the PTA feature is properly engaged there should be just a little slack in the cable. For more information on PTA , please read the section called Using PTA (Parallel Trimming Action) on page 15. 1.
Chapter 4: Operating Your DR TRIMMER/MOWER This chapter covers the procedures for starting and stopping your new DR TRIMMER/ MOWER and discusses basic operation features. You may find it helpful to review the DR TRIMMER/MOWER Controls and Features picture (Figure 1) on page 8 before reading this chapter. Electric-Starting Note: Use the following steps with electric-starting models only. 1.
Stopping the Engine Note: If you have an electric-starting model, please note that the key does not stop the engine. You must follow these instructions for both electric and manual-starting models. 1. Move the throttle lever back to the STOP position. 2. The key has a pressure lock that prevents it from vibrating loose during operation. If you wish to remove the key, push it in and then quickly and firmly pull it out.
Using PTA (Parallel Trimming Action) Your trimmer’s PTA feature moves the machine in a straight line while the trimmer head is both pivoted and tilted to the left for better access to fence lines and other obstacles. PTA allows you to trim in difficult areas without having to pull the machine back and forth. The following two sections explain how to engage PTA and how to return your trimmer to .
Engaging the PTA 1. Pull the PTA lever (Figure 7) against the handlebar and hold it there. This unlocks the axle (Figure 8). 2. Push down on the handlebar to tip the nose of the machine a few inches off the ground. Balancing the weight of the machine on the wheels makes it easier to pivot the front of the trimmer to the left. 3.
Your Machine’s Cutting Cords WARNING! Always turn the engine off when installing or changing cutting cords. Important! Running the trimmer with only one cord installed, or cords installed at other than 180 degrees can cause excessive vibration and may damage the machine. The following figures (Figures 9 and 10) illustrate how the cords are installed on the line plates. These figures show the line plates from a cross section point of view.
Installing Cords The standard cord installation method is shown in Figures 11–13. Your trimmer is shipped from the factory with the cords installed in this manner. Important! When using PTA (Parallel Trimming Action), install the cutting cords in one of the bottom four line plates. Installing the cutting cords on the upper line plates can cause the cord to hit the wheel.
Cord Tips : We ship two thicknesses of cutting cord with your DR TRIMMER/MOWER heavy-duty (130 mil) and extra heavy-duty (155 mil). Because conditions and vegetation vary so much, you should experiment with cord weights (diameters) to discover what works best for your particular mowing and trimming situations. Here are a few things to keep in mind: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ If you buy cutting cord in rolls, cut it in 23″ lengths. Cord life depends on trimming conditions.
Adjusting the Cutting Height Important! When using the PTA feature, install the cutting cords in one of the four bottom line plates only. Adjusting the cutting height is easy. Cutting heights range, in ½ inch increments, from 1½ inches when using the bottom line plate, to approximately 4 inches when using the top line plate (Figure 14). 1. Install the cutting cords in the line plate that gives you the desired cutting height.
Obstacle Tips Dealing with obstacles in the terrain is easy with your new DR TRIMMER/MOWER . The following section explains how to approach most common obstacles. WARNING! The trimmer engine's power can easily throw stones, sticks and other debris at great velocity, which could cause personal injury or property damage. DO NOT run the machine over gravel driveways or over loose stones or mulch with the trimmer head Tip: The DR TRIMMER/MOWER discharges cut material to the right.
Heavy Growth Take your time in heavy growth. Be sure to keep uncut material to your left, maintaining a clear discharge area to your right (Figure 17). If the machine can’t do it all in one pass, overlap half of the cutting swath. If the grass is very thick and heavy, try raising the trimmer head off the ground a few inches by pushing down on the handlebar. Cut the material at this height, and then make a second pass with the Mow-Ball Support on the ground.
Wet Conditions Because there is no housing to restrict the flow of cut material, you can also use your DR TRIMMER/ ™ MOWER to mow wet or heavy growth. The DR can be used in damp conditions— after a rain or in the early morning dew—without clogging or stalling. You can also mow wet areas such as ditches and around ponds (Figure 18).
Chapter 5: Maintaining the DR TRIMMER/MOWER TRIMMER/MOWER This chapter covers regular maintenance procedures that will ensure the best performance and long life of your machine. For engine maintenance, please refer to the engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual that came with your trimmer. Important! You should change the air filters and oil in your DR TRIMMER/MOWER more frequently than is recommended in your engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual.
Battery Care (For Electric-Starting Models Only) Proper care can extend the life of a battery. Follow these recommendations to ensure your battery’s best performance and long life: ■ ■ ■ Do not continue to crank the engine with a low battery. Try to keep the battery at full charge to maximize its life. If the machine is not used, you should charge the battery every thirty to sixty days. See the next section for information on how to charge a battery.
Removing and Reinstalling the Mow-Ball Support Assembly WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Tools needed: You will need a #3 Phillips head screwdriver with at least a 6″ shank. or the head locking tool that comes with your trimmer. 1. Insert the screwdriver or head locking tool into the hole in the frame, then rotate the Mow-Ball Support until the screwdriver fits into a second hole in the shaft, locking it into place (Figure 19).
Reassembling the Mow-Ball Support Assembly WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Important: Improper installation can cause damage to your machine’s bearings. Following these directions carefully will protect your machine from damage. Reassemble the components in the order shown in Figure 21 1. Position the backup plate with the curve facing up. (Figure 21) 2.
Removing the Stone Guard Flap WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Note: We turned the trimmer on its side to take the photos in this section. To do so, we removed gas and oil from the machine. You can access the underside of the trimmer without having to drain gas and oil by tilting back on its handlebar. 3 Tools needed: You will need a ⁄8″ wrench or socket to perform these steps. 1.
Removing and Replacing the Belt WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Important! Use only DR belts on your machine. Do not use hardware store variety belts. Tools needed: You will need the tools listed below. 9 ■ ⁄16″ wrench or socket 3 ■ ⁄16″ Allen wrench ■ DR belt (Part Number – 114431) 1. Remove the Mow-Ball Support assembly. (See “Removing and Reinstalling the Mow-Ball Assembly” on page 26.) 2. Remove the stone guard flap.
Adjusting the Belt Tension Through the Trimmer Control Cable WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Important! Before making any adjustments to the trimmer control cable, check that the belt is mounted on the correct side of the idler pulleys (see Figure 24), and is not frayed, worn or stretched. Tools needed: You will need two ½″ open-end or adjustable wrenches.
To decrease the tension on the belt: 1. Repeat the steps for increasing the tension on the belt, but instead loosen the lower nut and tighten the upper nut. Note: To check your adjustment, measure the spring with the bail bar disengaged. Then measure it with the bail bar engaged. There should be a ¼″ extension in the spring when the bail bar is engaged (Figure 28). Adjust the nuts on the bracket as needed to get the correct measurements.
Removing the Wheels WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Tools needed: You will need a ⁄8″ wrench or socket. 1. Loosen and remove the lock nut (Figure 29). 5 2. Slide the wheel off the axle.
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting and Warranty Most problems are easy to fix. Consult the troubleshooting table for common problems and their solutions. If you continue to experience problems call Country Home Products, Inc. for support. Troubleshooting Table WARNING! Before performing any maintenance procedure, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE The engine won’t start manually. ⇒ Are you priming? Push the primer bulb 3 to 5 times, releasing completely each time.
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE The engine lacks power or is not running smoothly. ⇒ Are you using fresh, clean gas? If it’s old, change it. Use a fuel stabilizer if you keep gas longer than two weeks or so. ⇒ Does your engine have the right amount of clean oil? If it’s dirty, change it following the procedure in the engine manufacturer’s owner’s manual. ⇒ Is the spark plug clean? If it’s fouled or cracked, change it.
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE The cutting cords are pulling out. ⇒ Are you moving too fast into tough, woody growth? If so, cords may wrap on stalks and pull out. Check the operating tips in the section on breaking cords above. ⇒ Are you trying to cut material too heavy for the cord? Your trimmer is designed to cut green material up to about the thickness of a pencil. For very heavy material, you may need the BEAVER BLADE attachment.
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Notes DR® TRIMMER/MOWER™ Safety & Operating Instructions 37
Notes 38 ® ™ DR TRIMMER/MOWER Safety & Operating Instructions
1-Year Limited Warranty Terms and Conditions The DR TRIMMER/MOWER™ is warranted for one (1) year against defects in materials or workmanship when put to ordinary and normal consumer use; ninety (90) days for any other use. The engine is warranted separately by the engine manufacturer. For the purposes of all the above warranties, “ordinary and normal consumer use” refers to non-commercial residential use and does not include misuse, accidents or damage due to inadequate maintenance.
Daily Checklist for the DR® TRIMMER/MOWER ® To help maintain your DR for optimum performance, we recommend you follow this checklist each time you use your machine. [] [] GAS: Fill the gas tank with clean, fresh, unleaded gas. [] [] SPARK PLUG: Clean the spark plug and replace if needed. [] ENGINE AIR COOLING SYSTEM: It is very important to keep the engine clean of debris. Remove grass and other built-up materials from the air intake screen before, during and after you mow.
