WARNING
When the engine is idling the cutting attachment must under no
circumstances rotate.
Air fi lter (Fig. 29)
The air fi lter must be cleaned from dust and dirt in order to avoid:
○ Carburetor malfunctions
○ Starting problems
○ Engine power reduction
○ Unnecessary wear on the engine parts
○ Abnormal fuel consumption
Clean the air fi lter daily or more often if working in exceptionally
dusty areas.
Cleaning the air fi lter
Open the air fi lter cover and the fi lter (29). Rinse it in warm soap
suds. Check that the fi lter is dry before reassembly. An air fi lter
that has been used for some time cannot be cleaned completely.
Therefore, it must regularly be replaced with a new one. A damaged
fi lter must always be replaced.
Fuel fi lter (Fig. 30)
Drain all fuel from fuel tank and pull fuel fi lter line from tank. Pull
fi lter element out of holder assembly and rinse element in warm
water with detergent.
Rinse thoroughly until all traces of detergent are eliminated.
Squeeze, do not wring, away excess water and allow element to air
dry.
NOTE
If element is hard due to excessive dirt buildup, replace it.
Spark plug (Fig. 31)
The spark plug condition is infl uenced by:
○ An incorrect carburetor setting
○ Wrong fuel mixture (too much oil in the gasoline)
○ A dirty air fi lter
○ Hard running conditions (such as cold weather)
These factors cause deposits on the spark plug electrodes, which
may result in malfunction and starting diffi culties. If the engine
is low on power, diffi cult to start or runs poorly at idling speed,
always check the spark plug fi rst. If the spark plug is dirty, clean it
and check the electrode gap. Re-adjust if necessary. The correct
gap is 0.6 mm. The spark plug should be replaced after about 100
operation hours or earlier if the electrodes are badly eroded.
NOTE
In some areas, local law requires using a resistor spark plug
to suppress ignition signals. If this machine was originally
equipped with resistor spark plug, use same type of spark plug
for replacement.
Angle transmission (Fig. 32)
Check angle transmission or angle gear for grease level about every
50 hours of operation by removing the grease fi ller plug on the side
of angle transmission.
If no grease can be seen on the fl anks of the gears, fi ll the
transmission with quality lithium based multipurpose grease up to
3/4. Do not completely fi ll the transmission.
Semi-auto cutting head
Nylon line replacement
(1) Remove the case (30) by fi rmly pushing inward the locking tabs
with your thumbs as shown in Fig. 33.
(2) After removing the case, take out the reel and discard the
remaining line.
(3) Fold the new nylon line unevenly in half as shown in picture.
Hook the U-shaped end of the nylon line into the groove (31) on
the center partition of the reel.
Wind both halves of the line on the reel in the same direction,
keeping each half of the line on its own side of the partition.
(Fig. 34)
(4) Push each line into the stopper holes (32), leaving the loose
ends approx. 10 cm in length. (Fig. 35)
(5) Insert both loose ends of the line through the cord guide (33)
when placing the reel in the case. (Fig. 36)
NOTE
When placing a reel in the case, try to line up the stopper holes
(32) with the cord guide (33) for easier line release later.
(6) Place the cover over the case so that the cap locking tabs (34)
on the case meet the long holes (35) on the cover. Then push
the case securely until it clicks into place. (Fig. 37)
(7) The initial cutting line length should be approx. 11–14 cm and
should be equal on both sides. (Fig. 38)
Blade (Fig. 39)
WARNING
Wear
protective
gloves
maintenance on the blade.
○ Use a sharp blade. A dull blade is more likely to snag and thrust.
Replace the fastening nut if it is damaged and hard to tighten.
○ When replacing blade, purchase one recommended by Hitachi,
with a 25.4 mm (one inch) fi tting hole.
○ In the case of a 3 tooth blade (36), it can be used on either side.
○ Use the correct blade for the type of work.
○ When replacing blades, use appropriate tools.
○ When cutting edges become dull, re-sharpen or fi le as shown
in the illustration. Incorrect sharpening may cause excessive
vibration.
○ Discard blades that are bent, warped, cracked, broken or
damaged in any way.
NOTE
When sharpening blade it is important to maintain an original
shape of radius at the base of the tooth to avoid cracking.
Maintenance schedule
Below you will fi nd some general maintenance instructions. For
further information please contact Hitachi Authorized Service
Centers.
Daily maintenance
○ Clean the exterior of the unit.
○ Check that the harness is undamaged.
○ Check the cutting attachment guard for damage or cracks.
Change the guard in case of impacts or cracks.
○ Check that the cutting attachment is properly centred, sharp,
and without cracks. An off -centre cutting attachment induces
heavy vibrations that may damage the unit.
○ Check that the cutting attachment nut is suffi ciently tightened.
○ Make sure that the blade transport guard is undamaged and
that it can be securely fi tted.
○ Check that nuts and screws are suffi ciently tightened.
○ Check that the unit is undamaged and free of defects.
Weekly maintenance
○ Check the starter, especially the cord and return spring.
○ Clean the exterior of the spark plug.
○ Remove it and check the electrode gap. Adjust it to 0.6 mm, or
change the spark plug.
○ Check that the angle gear is fi lled with grease up to 3/4.
○ Clean the air fi lter.
Monthly maintenance
○ Rinse the fuel tank with gasoline.
○ Clean the exterior of the carburetor and the space around it.
○ Clean the fan and the space around it.
English
when
handling
or
performing
13