ECHO 99944200615 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

Users of the ECHO 99944200615 risk injury to themselves and others if the unit is used improperly and/or safety precautions are not followed. An operator’s manual is provided and must be read and understood for proper and safe operation. Failure to do so could result in serious injury.

Refer to your Pro Attachment Series or Split Boom Operator’s Manual for correct engine fueling, starting and stopping instructions.

Throughout the manual and on the product itself, you will find safety alerts and informational messages with the following meanings:

DANGER: The safety alert symbol accompanied by the word “DANGER” calls attention to an act or condition which WILL lead to serious personal injury or death if not avoided.

WARNING: The safety alert symbol accompanied by the word “WARNING” calls attention to an act or condition which CAN lead to serious personal injury or death if not avoided.

CAUTION: The safety alert symbol accompanied by the word “CAUTION” calls attention to an act or condition which may lead to minor or moderate personal injury if not avoided.

NOTICE: This enclosed message provides information necessary for the protection of the unit.

CIRCLE AND SLASH SYMBOL: This symbol means the specific action shown is prohibited. Ignoring these prohibitions can result in serious or fatal injury.

Proper clothing and safety gear must be worn when operating the unit.

Eye Protection: Eye protection that meets ANSI Z87.1 or CE requirements must be worn whenever you operate the unit. For additional safety, a full-face shield may be worn over safety glasses or goggles to provide protection from sharp branches or flying debris.

Hand Protection: Wear sturdy, no-slip, rubber work gloves to improve your grip on the handles. Gloves also provide protection against cuts and scratches, cold environments, and reduce the transmission of machine vibration to your hands.

Hearing/Ear Protection: ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection whenever the unit is used.

Breathing Protection: Operators who are sensitive to dust or other common airborne allergens may need to wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling these materials. Ensure the mask does not impair your vision and replace it as needed.

Wear snug-fitting, durable clothing:

• Pants should have long legs, shirts should have long sleeves.

• DO NOT WEAR SHORTS.

• DO NOT WEAR TIES, SCARVES, JEWELRY, or clothing with loose or hanging items that could become entangled in moving parts or surrounding growth.

• Keep clothing buttoned or zipped, and keep shirt tails tucked in.

Wear sturdy work shoes with nonskid rubber soles:

• DO NOT WEAR OPEN TOED SHOES.

• DO NOT OPERATE UNIT BAREFOOTED.

Keep long hair away from the engine and air intake. Retain hair with a cap or net.

The components of this machine generate an electromagnetic field during operation, which may interfere with some pacemakers. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury, persons with pacemakers should consult with their physician and the pacemaker manufacturer before operating this machine. In the absence of such information, ECHO does not recommend the use of ECHO products by anyone who has a pacemaker.

It is believed that a condition called Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which affects the fingers, may be brought about by exposure to vibration and cold, causing tingling, burning, loss of color, and numbness. The following precautions are strongly recommended:

• Keep your body warm, especially the head, neck, feet, ankles, hands, and wrists.

• Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous arm exercises during frequent work breaks, and also by not smoking.

• Limit the hours of operation. Try to fill each day with jobs where operating the unit or other hand-held power equipment is not required.

• If you experience discomfort, redness, and swelling of the fingers followed by whitening and loss of feeling, consult your physician before further exposing yourself to cold and vibration.

Overusing the muscles and tendons of the fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness, and extreme pain. To reduce the risk of RSI/CTS, do the following:

• Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended, or twisted position. Try to maintain a straight wrist position. Also, when grasping, use your whole hand, not just the thumb and index finger.

• Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your hands.

• Reduce the speed and force with which you do the repetitive movement.

• Do exercises to strengthen the hand and arm muscles.

• Immediately stop using all power equipment and consult a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness, or pain in the fingers, hands, wrists, or arms.

All over head electrical conductors and communications wires can have electricity flow with high voltages. This unit is not insulated against electrical current. Never touch wires directly or indirectly, otherwise serious injury or death may result.

• Do not operate this product indoors or in inadequately ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains poisonous emissions.

• Provide all users of this equipment with the Operator’s Manual and Safety Manual.

• Spectators and fellow workers must be warned, and children and animals prevented from coming nearer than 15 m (50 ft.) while the unit is in use.

• Always hold the throttle handle and support handle with thumbs and fingers tightly encircling the handles.

• Maintain footing and balance at all times. Do not stand on slippery, uneven, or unstable surfaces. Do not work in odd positions or on ladders. Do not over reach.

• During operation, the drive shaft housing and attachment bearing housing may become very hot. Avoid contact during and immediately after operation.

• Use this attachment with ECHO approved models only.

• Check the unit for loose/missing nuts, bolts, and screws. Tighten and/or replace as needed.

• Inspect the shield for damage and ensure the cut-off knife is securely in place. Replace if damaged or missing.

• Check that the cutting attachment is firmly attached and in safe operating condition.

• Moving parts can amputate fingers or cause severe injuries. ALWAYS stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug, and make sure all moving parts have come to a complete stop before removing obstructions, clearing debris, or servicing the unit.

• DO NOT start or operate the unit unless all guards and protective covers are properly assembled.

• NEVER reach into any opening while the engine is running.

The ECHO 99944200615 trimmer attachment has the following main components:

1. LOWER DRIVE SHAFT ASSEMBLY: Includes the Debris Shield Assembly, Gear Housing assembly, Flexible Drive Cable, Rapid Loader™ Head and Safety Decal.

2. FLEXIBLE DRIVE CABLE: Cable end fits into the upper drive shaft coupler. It should be lubricated every 25 hours with POWER BLENDX™ grease.

3. PLASTIC DEBRIS SHIELD ASSEMBLY: Included in a plastic bag (co-pack). It MUST be installed on the unit before use. It mounts on the Gear Housing Assembly and helps protect the operator by deflecting debris.

4. RAPID LOADER™ HEAD: Contains replaceable nylon trimming lines.

After opening the carton, check for damaged or missing parts. The package should contain:

• PAS Curved Shaft Trimmer Attachment

• Operator’s Manual

• Warranty Card

• 12 pcs. 8 in. x .080 Pre-cut Nylon Line

• Shield Assembly

• Storage Hook Assembly

Do not perform assembly procedures with the engine running. You will need the PAS or SRM-SB Power Head with Shaft & Coupling.

1. Set the Power Head/Shaft Assembly on a level surface.

2. Pull the locator pin (A) out, and turn it counter-clockwise 1/4 turn to the lock-out position.

3. Remove the vinyl cap from the attachment drive shaft.

4. Remove the cardboard spacer, if necessary.

5. Carefully fit the attachment drive shaft assembly into the coupler (B) to the decal assembly line (C), making sure that the inner lower drive shaft engages the square upper drive shaft socket.

Note: Earlier model Power Heads may have shorter couplings. Short couplings fit flush to decal point (E). New couplings are 4-3/4 in. long and fit flush to line (C). The lower bearing housing and head assembly must be in line with the engine.

6. Rotate the locator pin (A) 1/4 turn clockwise to engage the lower shaft hole. Ensure the locator pin is fully engaged by twisting the lower drive shaft. The locator pin should snap flush in the coupler. Full engagement will prevent further shaft rotation.

7. Secure the lower shaft assembly to the coupler by tightening the clamping knob (D).

Wear gloves as the cutoff knife is sharp and the gearcase may be hot.

1. Remove wing nut (A), washer (B), and bolt (C).

2. Snap the shield over the bearing housing.

3. Install bolt (C), washer (B), and wing nut (A).

Installation:

1. Align the locating hole in the upper plate with the hole in the bearing housing and insert a 5 mm (3/16 in.) diameter locking tool (A).

2. Place the large washer (B) then the line head (C) on the threaded shaft, followed by the small metal washer (D) and locknut (E).

3. Install the 3/8-24 locknut using a 14.5 mm (9/16 in.) wrench. Turn the locknut clockwise and tighten securely.

NOTICE: Remember to remove the locking tool.

Removal:

To remove the line head, reverse the assembly instructions.

Regular scheduled maintenance will help your unit achieve trouble-free service. The following are the recommended maintenance intervals:

[1] Apply POWER BLENDX™ grease.

IMPORTANT – Time intervals shown are maximum. Actual use and your experience will determine the frequency of required maintenance.

This is a Level 1 maintenance task. You will need POWER BLENDX™ 8 oz. or Lithium Base Grease.

1. Remove the plastic shield.

2. Loosen the bearing housing locating screw (A), at the top of the housing, loosen mounting screw (B) and remove the gear case from the drive housing.

3. Pull the flexible drive shaft (C) from the drive housing, wipe it clean and recoat it with a thin coating [1/2 oz. (15 ml)] of grease.

4. Slide the flexible drive shaft back into the drive housing, being careful not to get dirt on the flexible drive shaft.

5. Install the bearing housing and shield.

This is a Level 1 maintenance task. You will need Pre-cut Nylon Line.

1. Shut the engine off. Lay the unit on the ground with the head assembly up.

2. Remove the old nylon line through the center recess of the head.

3. Insert a pre-cut 204 mm (8 in.) length of nylon cutting line (recommended sizes 2.4 mm [.095 in.] to 3.9 mm [.155 in.]) through the outside openings of the trimmer head. A minimum of 153mm (6 in.) of line should extend from each opening. 3.9mm [.155 in.] line is not recommended for trimmers under 28cc.

Note: Insert cutting line ends to the center of the head recess to ensure easy removal of used lines.

NOTICE: Nylon line can damage the plastic shield. When installing line segments, make sure the line does not curve upward toward the shield. Never wear line shorter than a 1-1/2 inch extension from the head, otherwise overspeeding and engine damage may result.

1. Insert the small end of the hook into the locating hole on the attachment shaft.

2. Slide the plastic cap onto the end of the attachment shaft.