Grass Trimmer Operator's Manual MODELS GT-251E WARNING DANGER Read rules for safe operation and instructions carefully. ECHO provides an Operator's Manual and a Safety Manual. Both must be read and understood for proper and safe operation.
INTRODUCTION Welcome to the ECHO family. This ECHO product was designed and manufactured to provide long life and on-the-job dependability. Read and understand this manual and the SAFETY MANUAL you found in the same package. You will find both easy to use and full of helpful operations tips and SAFETY messages. THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL Read and understand this manual before operation. Keep it in a safe place for future reference.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL SAFETY MANUAL SAFETY SYMBOLS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION Throughout this manual and on the product itself, you will find safety alerts and helpful informational messages preceded by symbols or key words. The following is an explanation of those symbols and key words and what they mean to you. This symbol accompanied by the words WARNING and DANGER calls attention to an act or condition that can lead to serious personal injury to operator and bystanders.
Physical Condition Your judgment and physical dexterity may not be good: • if you are tired or sick, • if you are taking medication, • if you have taken alcohol or drugs. Operate unit only if you are physically and mentally well. Eye Protection Wear eye protection that meets ANSI Z87.1 or CE requirements whenever you operate the unit. Hand Protection Wear no-slip, heavy-duty work gloves to improve your grip on the handles. Gloves also reduce the transmission of machine vibration to your hands.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL Repetitive Stress Injuries -It is believed that overusing the muscles and tendons of the fingers, hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness, and extreme pain in those areas. Certain repetitive hand activities may put you at a high risk for developing a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). An extreme RSI condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), which could occur when your wrist swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs through the area.
EQUIPMENT WARNING DANGER Use only ECHO approved attachments. Serious injury may result from the use of a non approved attachment combination. ECHO, INC. will not be responsible for the failure of cutting devices, attachments or accessories which have not been tested and approved by ECHO. Read and comply with all safety instructions listed in this manual and safety manual. • Check unit for loose/missing nuts, bolts and screws. Tighten and/or replace as needed.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL 7 DESCRIPTION Locate these safety decals on your unit. Make sure the decals are legible and that you understand and follow the instructions on them. If a decal cannot be read, a new one can be ordered from your ECHO dealer. See PARTS ORDERING instructions for specific information.
1. POWER HEAD - Factory Assembled to the Drive Shaft assembly. Includes the Engine, Clutch, Fuel System, Ignition System and Recoil Starter. 2. GRIP - Rear (right hand) handle. 3. STOP SWITCH - "SLIDE SWITCH" mounted on top of the Throttle Trigger Housing. Move switch FORWARD to RUN, BACK to STOP. 4. FRONT HANDLE - The Front (loop) handle is factory assembled to the Drive Shaft assembly but must be repositioned for proper cutting attitude and operator comfort. 5.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL CONTENTS The ECHO product you purchased has been partially assembled for your convenience. Due to packaging restrictions, installation of the plastic debris shield, nylon line head, and positioning of the front handle are necessary. After opening the carton, check for damage. Immediately notify your retailer or ECHO Dealer of damaged or missing parts. Use the contents list to check for missing parts. * Some units may be factory pre-assembled.
ASSEMBLY Tools Required: Locking Tools (2), Wrench 17 x 14.5 (9/16 in.) Parts Required: Rapid LoaderTM Head, Large washer, Small washer, 3/8-24 Locknut, (2) Pre-cut Nylon Line 8 in. x .080 in., Plastic Shield Assembly WARNING DANGER Cut-off knife on debris shield has sharp edges. Avoid contact when installing or removing line head. B A PLASTIC SHIELD INSTALLATION C 1. Remove cardboard tube. 2. Remove wing nut (C), washer (B), and bolt (A). 3. Snap the shield over the bearing housing. 4.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL NYLON LINE INSTALLATION 1. Shut engine off. Lay unit on the ground with head assembly up. 2. Remove old nylon line through center recess of head. 3. Thread new lines through outside holes (A) in housing until ends meet in center of recess. NOTE Insert cutting line ends to center of head recess to insure easy removal of used lines. A FRONT (LOOP) HANDLE NOTE Label shows minimum spacing for front handle location. A NOTE Front handle is pre-installed.
OPERATION NOTICE: Use of unmixed, improperly mixed, or fuel older than 90 days, (stale fuel), may cause hard starting, poor performance, or severe engine damage and void the product warranty. Read and follow instructions in the Storage section of this manual. FUEL Fuel Requirements Gasoline - Use 89 Octane [R+M/2] (mid grade or higher) gasoline known to be good quality. Gasoline may contain up to 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether). Gasohol containing methyl (wood) alcohol is NOT approved.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL STARTING COLD ENGINE WARNING DANGER The attachment will operate immediately when the engine starts and could result in loss of control and possible serious injury. Keep movable parts of the attachment off the ground and away from objects that could become entangled or thrown. A 1. Stop Switch Move stop switch button (A) away from the STOP position. 2. Choke Move choke (B) to “Cold Start” ( ) Position. C 3.
STARTING WARM ENGINE The starting procedure is the same as Cold Start except DO NOT close the choke, and do not depress throttle trigger to wide open position. A WARNING DANGER The attachment should not move at idle, otherwise serious personal injury may result. NOTE If attachment moves, readjust carburetor according to “Carburetor Adjustment” instructions in this manual or see your ECHO Dealer. C 1. Stop Switch Move stop switch button (A) away from the STOP position. 2.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL 15 MAINTENANCE Your ECHO trimmer is designed to provide many hours of trouble free service. Regular scheduled maintenance will help your trimmer achieve that goal. If you are unsure or are not equipped with the necessary tools, you may want to take your unit to an ECHO Service Dealer for maintenance. To help you decide whether you want to DO-IT-YOURSELF or have the ECHO Dealer do it, each maintenance task has been graded.
AIR FILTER Level 1. Tools required: 25 or 50 mm (1 or 2 in.) Cleaning brush Parts required: 90008 REPOWERTM Air and Fuel Filter Kit 1. Close choke (Cold Start Position ( ). This prevents dirt from entering the carburetor throat when the air filter is removed. Brush accumulated dirt from the air filter area. 2. Remove the air filter cover. Lightly brush debris from filter. If filter is fuel soaked, deformed, or very dirty, replace it. 3.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL SPARK PLUG Level 2. Tools Required: T-Wrench, feeler gauge, soft metal brush Parts Required: REPOWERTM Tune-Up Kit P/N 90074C IMPORTANT Use only NGK BPM-8Y spark plug (BPMR-8Y in Canada) otherwise severe engine damage may occur. 1. Remove spark plug and check for fouling, worn and rounded center electrode. 2. Clean the plug or replace with a new one. DO NOT sand blast to clean. Remaining sand will damage engine. 3. Adjust spark plug gap by bending outer electrode. 4.
1. Remove spark plug lead (A). 2. Remove air filter cover (B). 3. Remove one (1) muffler cover screw and muffler cover (C). 4. Remove two (2) screw and engine cover (D). A B C IMPORTANT DO NOT use a metal scraper to remove dirt from the cylinder fins. 5. Use brush to remove dirt from the cylinder fins. 6. Remove grass and leaves from the grid between the recoil starter and fuel tank. 7. Assemble components in reverse order. D EXHAUST SYSTEM Spark Arrestor Screen Level 2.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL Cylinder Exhaust Port Level 3. IMPORTANT The cylinder exhaust port must be inspected and cleaned of excess carbon every 3 months or 90 hours of operation in order to maintain this engine within the emissions durability period. ECHO strongly recommends that you return your unit to your ECHO dealer for this important maintenance service.
Before Adjustment Check that: • Air filter is clean and properly installed. • Spark arrestor screen and muffler are free of carbon. • Rapid LoaderTM head with (2) new .080 x 8 in. lines is installed. Initial Adjustment 1. With engine off, turn HI speed screw (C) counterclockwise to stop. 2. Turn LO speed screw (B) midway between stops. 3. Turn idle screw (A) until tip of screw just touches throttle plate; then turn three (3) turns clockwise.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL LUBRICATION Level 1. Tools Required: 8 mm Open-end wrench, screwdriver, clean rag Parts Required: ECHO® LUBETM 8 oz. (P/N 91014) or Lithium Base Grease 1. Remove plastic shield. 2. Loosen bearing housing locating screw (A), at the top of the housing, remove mounting screw (B). 3. Pull the flexible drive shaft (C) from the housing, wipe clean and recoat with a thin coating 1/2 oz. (15 ml) of grease. 4.
TROUBLESHOOTING ENGINE PROBLEM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART Problem Engine cranks starts hard/ doesn't start Engine runs, but dies or does not accelerate properly Engine does not crank C h eck Status Fuel at carburetor No fuel at carburetor Fuel at cylinder C au se Remedy Fuel strainer clogged Fuel line clogged Carburetor Clean or replace Clean or replace See your Echo dealer No fuel at cylinder Carburetor See your Echo dealer Muffler wet with fuel Fuel Mixture too rich Open choke Clean/replac
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL 23 STORAGE Long Term Storage (over 30 days) WARNING DANGER During operation the muffler or catalytic muffler and surrounding cover become hot. Always keep exhaust area clear of flammable debris during transportation or when storing, otherwise serious property damage or personal injury may result. Do not store your unit for a prolonged period of time (30 days or longer) without performing protective storage maintenance which includes the following: 1.
SPECIFICATIONS MODEL ----------------------------------------------------- GT-251E Length ------------------------------------------------------- 1,510 mm (59.4 in.) Width -------------------------------------------------------- 315 mm (12.4 in.) Height ------------------------------------------------------- 545 mm (21.5 in.) Weight (dry) w/Cutter Head (GT251E) ----------------- 4.77 kg (10.5 lb.
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL NOTES 25
NOTES
GRASS TRIMMER OPERATOR'S MANUAL NOTES 27
SERVICING INFORMATION PARTS/SERIAL NUMBER Genuine ECHO Parts and ECHO REPOWER™ Parts and Assemblies for your ECHO products are available only from an Authorized ECHO Dealer. When you do need to buy parts always have the Model Number and Serial Number of the unit with you. You can find these numbers on the engine housing. For future reference, write them in the space provided below. Model No. _____________ SN.
