Black & Decker LST400 Type 1 Manual - LST400 - Page 9

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: Always use proper eye protection that conforms to ANSI Z87.1 (CAN/CSA Z94.3) while operating this power trimmer. WARNING: Remove the battery before making any assembly, adjustments, or changing accessories. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the trimmer accidentally. CAUTION: Before you begin trimming, only use the appropriate type of cutting line. CAUTION: Inspect area to be trimmed and remove any wire, cord, or string-like objects which could become entangled in the rotating line or spool. Be particularly careful to avoid any wire which might be bent outwardly into the path of the trimmer, such as barbs at the base of a chain link fence. Switching on and off • To switch the trimmer on, pull the lock off button (13) (shown in inset, figure I) back toward the battery (2) and then squeeze the trigger switch (1). • To switch the trimmer off, release the trigger switch. OPERATING THE TRIMMER • With the unit on, angle unit and slowly swing the trimmer side to side as shown in figure I. • Maintain a cutting angle of 5° to 10° as shown in figure I1. Do not exceed 10° (figure I2). Cut with the tip of the line. To keep distance from hard surfaces use edge guide (7). • Maintain a minimum distance of 24 inches (609.6 mm) between the guard and your feet as shown in figure I1. To acheive this distance adjust the overall height of the trimmer as shown in figure H. CONVERT TO EDGING MODE CAUTION: The wheeled edge guide should only be used when in the edging mode. The trimmer can be used in trimming mode or edging mode to trim overhanging grass along lawn edges and flower beds. For edging, the trimmer head should be in the position shown in figure K. If it is not: • Remove the battery from the trimmer. • Press and hold the head-release button (14) as shown in figure J. • While holding the auxillary handle (3), rotate the head (6) counterclockwise. • Release the head-release button. Note: The metal shaft and housing will only rotate in one direction. • To return to trimming position, rotate the head clockwise back to its original position. • Release the head-release button. Note: The Auto Feed System may not operate correctly if wheeled edge guide is not used. Note: You will experience faster than normal cutting line wear if the edging wheel is positioned too far from the edge with the cutting line positioned over the sidewalk or abrasive surface. Edging WARNING: When being used as an Edger, stones, pieces of metal and other objects can be thrown out at high speed by the line. The trimmer and guard are designed to reduce the danger. However, MAKE SURE that other persons and pets are at least 100 feet (30m) away. Optimum cutting results are achieved on edges deeper than 2 inches (50 mm). • Do not use this trimmer to create trenches. • Using the edging wheel (7), guide the trimmer as shown in figure K. • Position the edging wheel on the edge of the sidewalk or abrasive surface so the cutting line is over the grass or dirt area to be edged. • To make a closer cut, slightly tilt the trimmer. Accelerator Switch & Runtime Extension Mode This string trimmer gives you the choice to operate at a more efficient speed to extend the runtime for larger jobs, or accelerate the trimmer speed for high-performance cutting (figure L). • To extend runtime, pull the runtime extender switch (4) back toward the battery (2) into position #1. This mode is best for larger projects that require more time to complete. • To accelerate the trimmer, push the runtime extender switch forward toward the trimmer head (6) into position #2. This mode is best to cut through heavier growth and for applications that need higher RPM. 9