SHINDAIWA OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S MANUAL C344 BRUSHCUTTER WARNING! Minimize the risk of injury to yourself and others! Read this manual and familiarize yourself with the contents. Always wear eye and hearing protection when operating this unit.
Introduction The Shindaiwa H4 series of hand-held power equipment is designed and built to deliver superior performance and reliability without compromise to quality, comfort, safety or durability. Shindaiwa engines represent the leading edge of high-performance engine technology, delivering exceptionally high power with remarkably low displacement and weight.
Safety Work Safely Trimmers and brushcutters operate at very high speeds and can do serious damage or injury if they are misused or abused. Never allow a person without training or instruction to operate this unit! WARNING! Never make unauthorized attachment installations. WARNING! Stay Alert You must be physically and mentally fit to operate this unit safely.
Safety (continued) The Properly Equipped Operator Always wear eye protection such as goggles or safety glasses to shield against thrown objects. Wear hearing protection devices and a broad-brimmed hat or helmet. A helmet is required when using a blade-equipped brushcutter to clear small trees. Always wear a harness when operating the unit . It adds comfort and helps ensure safety by limiting movement fore and aft.
Product Description Throttle Lock Button Using the illustration as a guide, familiarize yourself with your machine and its various components. Understanding your machine helps ensure top performance, long service life and safer operation. Ignition Switch Throttle Interlock Throttle Trigger Hanger Outer Tube Grip Fuel Tank Handle Gearcase Shoulder Strap Cutting Attachment Shield WARNING! Hip Pad Do not make unauthorized modifications or alterations to any of these units or their components.
Emission Control (Exhaust & Evaporative) EPA 2010 and Later and/or C.A.R.B. TIER III The emission control system for the engine is EM/TWC (Engine Modification and 3-way Catalyst) and for the fuel tank the Control System is EVAP (Evaporative Emissions) or N (for nylon tank). Evaporative emission may be applicable to California models only. An Emission Control Label is located on the unit. (This is an EXAMPLE ONLY; information on label varies by engine FAMILY).
Assembly (continued) Throttle Linkage and Ignition Leads Adjust throttle trigger free play The throttle trigger free play should be approximately 4 - 6 mm (3/16” - 1/4”). Make sure that the throttle lever operates smoothly without binding. 4-6 mm (3/16”-1/4”) Throttle Free Play 1. Loosen the air cleaner cover knob(s) and remove the air cleaner cover. 2. Place throttle linkage (A) through adjustment fixture (B) and install wire end into large carburetor throttle swivel hole (C).
Assembly (continued) Install trimmer head Tools required: 4 mm hex key wrench (locking tool) Parts required: adapter plate, trimmer head D NOTE Use the 4 mm hexagonal wrench as a gear housing locking tool. 1. Assemble adapter plate (C) onto PTO shaft. 2. Align locking hole in adapter plate with notch in edge of gear housing and insert head locking tool (D). 3. Thread line head (E) onto shaft by turning it counter-clockwise until head is tight against adapter plate (C). 4. Remove locking tool (D).
Assembly (continued) 1. If installed remove nylon line head, adapter plate, shield plate, and plastic shield: a. Align locking hole in adapter plate with notch in edge of gear housing and insert head locking tool (A). b. Remove line head (B) by turning it clockwise until head is completely off of shaft. c. Remove locking tool. C A B d. Remove three screws holding shield plate (E) and plastic shield (C) to gear housing. e. Retain line head (B), adapter plate (D), shield plate, and plastic shield (C).
Assembly (continued) Install Blade Tools Required: Parts Required: 4 mm hex key wrench (locking tool), 17 mm wrench, Pliers Adapter plate w/25 mm diameter pilot, lower blade mounting plate, 10 mm hex nut w/L.H. thread, 2 mm x 25 mm cotter pin, blade w/25 mm arbor diameter. 1. Install adapter plate (D) on splined PTO shaft, pilot side down. Blade installation requires Upper Plate (D) with 25 mm pilot. 2. Install Blade (K) on adapter plate pilot.
Examples of 50:1 mixing quantities IMPORTANT! Shindaiwa Red ArmorTM engine oil may be mixed at 50:1 ratio for application in all Shindaiwa engines sold in the past, regardless of ratio specified in those manuals. IMPORTANT! Stored fuel ages. Do not mix more fuel than you expect to use in thirty (30) days, ninety (90) days when a fuel stabilizer is added. Use of unmixed, improperly mixed, or stale fuel, may cause hard starting, poor performance, or severe engine damage and void the product warranty.
Filling the fuel tank WARNING! Minimize the Risk of Fire ■■NEVER smoke or light fires near the engine. ■■ALWAYS stop the engine and allow it to cool before refueling. ■■ALWAYS Wipe all spilled fuel and move at least 3 meters (10 feet) from the fueling point and source before starting. ■■NEVER place flammable material close to the engine muffler. ■■NEVER operate the engine without the muffler and spark arrester screen in place and in good working condition. ■■FUEL IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.
NOTE After engine starts, move choke to OPEN position Starting the Engine (continued) 2. Slide the ignition switch to the “O” (STOP) position. the cutting attachment move faster; 3. Open the choke and fully depress the releasing the throttle permits the attachthrottle yourIfleft then ment tolever stop with moving. thehand, cutting pull the starter handle rapidly your attachment continues to movewith when right hand toreturns clear excess from the the engine to idle,fuel carburecombustion chamber.
Operation Shoulder strap WARNING! Always wear a shoulder strap or harness when operating this unit. Using a harness with a brushcutter allows you to maintain proper control of the unit and reduces fatigue during extended operation. 1. Hook the strap hook to the hanger on the outer tube. 2. Wear the shoulder strap so that the hook stays at your right hand side. 3. Adjust the length of the shoulder strap so that you can hold and operate the machine comfortably.
Using a blade WARNING! ■■Never use a blade for purposes ■■A blade-equipped unit must be Blade Thrust Brushcutter Handlebar “Blade thrust” is a sudden sideways or backward motion of the brushcutter. Such motion may occur when the blade jams or catches on an object such as a sapling tree or tree stump.
Maintenance General maintenancel WARNING! IMPORTANT! MAINTENANCE, REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR OF EMISSION CONTROL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS MAY BE PERFORMED BY ANY REPAIR ESTABLISHMENT OR INDIVIDUAL; HOWEVER, WARRANTY REPAIRS MUST BE PERFORMED BY A DEALER OR SERVICE CENTER AUTHORIZED BY ECHO, INC. THE USE OF PARTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIVALENT IN PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY TO AUTHORIZED PARTS MAY IMPAIR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM AND MAY HAVE A BEARING ON THE OUTCOME OF A WARRANTY CLAIM.
Maintenance (continued) 10-Hour maintenance (more frequently in dusty conditions) 1. Remove the air filter cover by loosening the cover screw(s) and lifting. 2. Remove and inspect the pre-filter. If the pre-filter is torn or otherwise damaged, replace it with a new one. 3. Clean the pre-filter with soap and water. Let dry before reinstalling. 4. Inspect the air filter element. If the element is damaged or distorted, replace it with a new one. 5.
Maintenance (continued) 50-hour maintenance Remove and replace the fuel filter element. ■■Use a hooked wire to extract the fuel filter from inside the fuel tank. Inspect the fuel filter element. If it shows signs of contamination, replace with a genuine Shindaiwa replacement fuel filter element. CAUTION! Make sure you do not pierce the fuel line with the end of the hooked wire. The line is delicate and can be damaged easily.
Maintenance (continued) Muffler and spark arrester maintenance If the engine becomes sluggish and low on power, check and clean the spark arrester screen. WARNING! Never operate the unit with a damage or missing muffler or spark arrester! Operating with a missing or damaged spark arrester is a fire hazard and could also damage your hearing. Engine Cover Engine Cover Screws 1. With a 3 mm hex wrench remove the engine cover screws and the engine cover. Muffler Muffler Gasket 2.
Maintenance (continued) Adjusting Engine Idle Idle Speed Adjustment The engine must return to idle speed whenever the throttle lever is released. Idle speed is adjustable, and must be set low enough to permit the engine clutch to disengage the cutting attachment. 1. Place the unit on the ground, then start the engine, and then allow it to idle 2-3 minutes until warm. 2. If the attachment rotates when the engine is at idle, reduce the idle speed by turning the idle adjustment screw counter-clockwise. 3.
Long Term Storage Whenever the unit will not be used for 30 days or longer, use the following procedures to prepare it for storage: ■■Clean external parts thoroughly. ■■Drain all the fuel from the fuel tank. IMPORTANT! Stored fuel ages. Do not mix more fuel than you expect to use in thirty (30) days, ninety (90) days when a fuel stabilizer is added. CAUTION! Gasoline stored in the carburetor for extended periods can cause hard starting and could also lead to increased service and maintenance cost.
Troubleshooting Guide ENGINE DOES NOT START OR HARD TO START Remedy Possible Cause What To Check Vaporlock. Valve adjustment. Engine hot/heat soaked. Let cool completely and restart. Low fuel quality. Refill with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane of 89 or higher mixed with an air cooled engine oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FD classified oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio. Valve clearance too tight. Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer.
Troubleshooting Guide (continued) LOW POWER OUTPUT What To Check Is the engine overheating? Engine is rough at all speeds. May also have black smoke and/or unburned fuel at the exhaust. Possible Cause Remedy Operator is overworking the unit. Use a lower throttle setting. Carburetor mixture is too lean. Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer. Improper fuel ratio.
Troubleshooting Guide (continued) ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS Symptom Poor acceleration. Engine stops abruptly. Possible Cause Clogged air filter. Clean the air filter. Clogged fuel filter. Replace the fuel filter. Lean fuel/air mixture. Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer. Idle speed set too low. Adjust idle. Check Specifications page for correct idle speed. Ignition switch turned off. Reset the switch and re-start. Fuel tank empty.
SHINDAIWA LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT FOR PRODUCT SOLD IN USA AND CANADA BEGINNING 01/01/2010 ECHO, INC’S RESPONSIBILITY ECHO Incorporated’s (ECHO, INC.) Limited Warranty, provides to the original purchaser that this Shindaiwa product is free from defects in material and workmanship. Under normal use and maintenance from date of purchase, ECHO, INC.
PURCHASED REPAIR PARTS AND ACCESSORIES • 90-day all applications ATTENTION ENGINE POWERED PRODUCT OWNERS This Shindaiwa engine powered product is a quality-engineered unit which has been manufactured to exact tolerances to provide superior performance. To help ensure the performance of the unit, it is required to use engine oil which meets the ISO-L-EGD Standard per ISO/CD 13738 and JASO M345/FD Standards.
ECHO INCORPORATED EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT FOR ECHO AND SHINDAIWA BRANDS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (C.A.R.B.) and ECHO Incorporated (ECHO Inc.) are pleased to explain the emission control system warranty on your 2010 and later equipment/small off-road engine (SORE). New equipment/SORE must be designed, built and equipped to meet stringent EPA and C.A.R.B. anti-smog standards. ECHO Inc.
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Servicing Information Parts/Serial Number Genuine Shindaiwa Parts and Assemblies for your Shindaiwa products are available only from an Authorized Shindaiwa Dealer. When you do need to buy parts always have the Model Number, Type and Serial Number of the unit with you. You can find these numbers on the engine. For future reference, write them in the space provided below. Model No. _____________ SN.