SHINDAIWA OWNER’S/OPERATOR’S MANUAL T344 TRIMMER 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. Stay Alert WARNING! Never operate power equipment of any kind if you are tired or if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or any other substance that could affect your ability or judgement.
Safety Labels READ THE OPERATOR’ S M ANUAL WEAR HEARING AND ANSI Z8 7 .1 APPROVED EYE PROTECTION 50 FEET (15m) KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY AT LEAST 5 0 FEET (1 5 m) BEWARE OF THROWN OR RICOCHETED OBJECTS This label indicates the minimum distance between front handle and rear grip per ANSI B175.3. DO NOT OPERATE THIS M ACHINE WITH A BLADE Shindaiwa Inc. 19422-00028 IMPORTANT! Safety and Operation Information Labels: Make sure all information labels are undamaged and readable.
Be Aware of the Working Environment Make sure bystanders or observers outside the 15 meter (50 feet) “danger zone” wear eye protection. Avoid long-term operation in very hot or very cold weather. Reduce the risk of bystanders being struck by flying debris. Make sure no one is within 15 meters (50 feet)— that’s about 16 paces of an operating attachment. Stop immediately if a child, pet, or person comes within a 15 meter (50 feet)radius.
Specifications Engine Name Engine Type Dry Weight (Without guard and strap) Bore x Stroke Displacement Fuel/Oil Ratio Fuel Tank Capacity Carburetor Type Ignition Spark Plug** Spark Plug Gap Torque Air Cleaner Type Starting Method Stopping Method Transmission Type Engine Idle Speed Clutch Engagement Speed Wide Open Throttle Speed (W.O.T.) T344 4-cycle, single cylinder, air cooled 5.9 kg/13.0 lb. 38 x 30 mm (1.5 x 1.2 in.) 34 cc (2.1 cu. in.) 50:1 with *ISO-L-EGD or JASO FD class engine oil 700 ml (23.7 oz.
Cutting attachment shield CAUTION A Wear Gloves or personal injury may result: • Cutoff knife is sharp. • Gearcase and surrounding area may be hot. NOTE: The plastic shield is for use with the Nylon Line Head only. Install Metal Shield when using plastic or metal blades. 1. Remove plastic threaded shaft sleeve and adapter plate (C) from PTO shaft (A). 2. Place the shield on the bottom of the bearing housing flange. 3. Place shield plate (B) on shield, align holes.
Front handle installation Handle NOTE: Outer Tube Handle Label shows minimum spacing for front handle location. 1. Position front handle for comfortable operation and secure screws. Screw Adjust throttle lever free play The throttle lever free play should be approximately 4 - 6 mm (3/16” 1/4”). Make sure that the throttle lever operates smoothly without binding. If it becomes necessary to adjust the lever free play, follow the procedures and illustrations that follow.
Mixing Fuel (continued) Fuel Requirements Gasoline - Use 89 Octane [R+M/2] (mid grade or higher) gasoline known to be good quality. Gasoline may contain up to 10% Ethanol (grain alcohol) or 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether). Gasoline containing methanol (wood alcohol) is NOT approved. Hybrid 4TM Mixture Oil - Engine oil meeting ISO-L-EGD (ISO/CD 13738) and J.A.S.O. M345/FD standards must be used.
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.
Starting the Engine (continued) 3. Press the primer bulb until fuel can be seen flowing in the transparent return tube. Primer Bulb IMPORTANT! The primer system only pushes fuel through the carburetor. Repeatedly pressing the primer bulb will not flood the engine with fuel. Press primer bulb... 4. Set the choke lever to the CLOSED position if engine is cold. Close choke Set the choke lever to the CLOSED position 5. While holding the outer tube firmly with left hand.
Starting A Flooded Engine 1. Slide the ignition switch to the “I” (ON) position. 2. Open the choke, put the throttle lever in the full throttle position, then clear excess fuel from the combustion chamber by cranking the engine several times. 3. If the engine still fails to start or fire, refer to the troubleshooting flow chart at the end of this manual. Stopping the Engine Idle the engine briefly before stopping (about 2 minutes), then slide the ignition switch to the “O” (Engine OFF) position.
Operation (continued) WARNING! Operation of this equipment may create sparks that can start fires. This unit is equipped with a spark arrestor to prevent discharge of hot particles from the engine. Metal blade use also can create sparks if the blade strikes rocks, metal, or other hard objects. Contact local fire authorities for laws or regulations regarding fire prevention requirements.
Maintenance General maintenance 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 A Gear Housing 1. Clean all loose debris from gear box. 2. Remove plug (A) and check level of grease. Grease should fill gear case to bottom of grease plug hole. 3. Add grease if necessary using manual grease gun or squeeze-type tube. Do not use high pressure grease gun. DO NOT over-fill. 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.
Maintenance (continued) 135-Hour Maintenance ■■Combustion chamber should be decarbonized, and the valve clearance should be adjusted. It is highly recommended that this is done by a Shindaiwa-trained service technician. ■■Replace the spark plug annually: Use only the type recommended in the ”Specifications” section or an equivalent resistor type spark plug of the correct heat range. Set spark plug electrode gap to 0.6 mm. IMPORTANT! The valve clearance should be adjusted.
Maintenance (continued) Spark Arrester Screen 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 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. WARNING! Idle Ajustment Screw The cutting attachment must NEVER rotate at engine idle! If the idle speed cannot be adjusted by the procedure described here, return the unit to your Shindaiwa dealer for inspection. Idle Speed Adjustment 1.
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 and apply a light coating of oil to all metal surfaces. ■■Drain all the fuel from the carburetor and the fuel tank. To do so: 1. Prime the primer bulb until no more fuel is passing through. 2. Start and run the engine until it stops running. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the engine will no longer start.
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 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 01/01/2013 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.
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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.
