Owner/Operator Manual 2-Cycle Trimmer • • • • Safety Assembly Operation Maintenance Models TB3000 – 25cc Straight Shaft ©2000 MTD SOUTHWEST INC FORM 182823 (12/00) (10209 rev. A) Printed in U.S.A.
Introduction THANK YOU Thank you for buying this quality product. This modern outdoor power tool will provide many hours of useful service. You will find it to be a great labor-saving device. This operator’s manual provides you with easy-to-understand operating instructions. Read the whole manual and follow all the instructions to keep your new outdoor power tool in top operating condition.
Service Information SERVICE INFORMATION Service on this unit both within and after the warranty period should be performed only by an authorized and approved service dealer. Dial: • 1-800-345-8746 for authorized service dealers in the United States Or • 1-800-668-1238 in Canada to obtain the listing of the authorized service dealer nearest you. DO NOT RETURN THE UNIT TO THE RETAILER. NOTE: PROOF OF PURCHASE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR WARRANTY SERVICE.
Section 1 Safety The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols, and their explanations, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for proper accident prevention measures. SYMBOL Failure to obey a safety warning will result in serious injury to yourself or to others.
Safety (continued) • Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Never remove the cap of the fuel tank, or add fuel, when the engine is hot. Never operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in place. Loosen the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure in the tank. • Add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated area outdoors where there are no sparks or flames. Slowly remove the fuel cap only after stopping engine. Do not smoke while fueling or mixing fuel.
Safety (continued) SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS This operator's manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product. Read the operator's manual for complete safety, assembly, operating and maintenance and repair information. SYMBOL MEANING • SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL Indicates danger, warning, or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.
Safety (continued) SYMBOL MEANING • SHARP BLADE WARNING: Sharp blade on cutting attachment shield. To prevent serious injury, do not touch line cutting blade. • CHOKE CONTROL A • START position. B • RUN position. WARNING: The operation of any power tool can cause foreign objects to be thrown into your eyes. This can lead to severe eye damage. Before commencing power tool operation, always wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked as meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards, and a full face shield when needed.
Section 2 Know Your Unit APPLICATIONS As a trimmer; • Cutting grass and light weeds. • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. With the optional brushcutter accessory kit; • Cutting weeds and light bush of up to 1/2 inch in diameter.
Section 3 Assembly Shaft Grip (4) Screws Shaft Housing Minimum 6 inches (15.24 cm) D-Handle Bottom Clamp (4) Nuts Fig. 3-1 On some units, the D-handle may be preinstalled and only require loosening the screws and adjusting the D-handle to the operator. Go to step 4 for adjusting the D-handle if preinstalled. INSTALLING AND ADJUSTING THE D-HANDLE 1. Remove the screws, nuts and bottom clamp piece that were installed on the D-handle for shipping. 2.
Section 4 Oil and Fuel If unavailable, use a good 2-cycle oil designed for air-cooled engines along with a fuel additive, such as STA-BIL® Gas Stabilizer or an equivalent. Add 0.8 oz. (23 ml) of fuel additive per gallon of fuel according to the instructions on the container. NEVER add fuel additives directly to the unit's fuel tank. + UNLEADED GAS 1 US. GALLON (3.8 LITERS) TROY-BILT 2 CYCLE OIL + 4.0 FL. OZ. (118 ml) MIXING RATIO - 32:1 Fig.
Section 5 Operation Start/ On (I) Avoid accidental starting. Be in the starting position whenever pulling the starting rope. To avoid serious personal injury, the operator and unit must be in a stable position while starting. STARTING INSTRUCTIONS Stop/ Off (O) On/Off Stop Control Fig. 5-1 Choke Lever Run (B) Start (A) Primer Bulb Fig. 5-2 Starter Rope Fig. 5-3 Throttle Control 1. Mix gas with oil. Fill fuel tank with fuel/oil mixture. See Section 4, Oil and Fuel. 2.
Operation (continued) NOTE: Always keep the trimming line fully extended. Line release becomes more difficult as cutting line becomes shorter. Each time the head is bumped, about 1 inch (25.4 mm) of trimming line is released. A blade in the cutting attachment shield will cut the line to the proper length if excess line is released. For best results, tap the Bump Head on bare ground or hard soil. If line release is attempted in tall grass, the engine may stall. Always keep the trimming line fully extended.
Operation (continued) DECORATIVE TRIMMING Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around trees, posts, fences, etc. Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting attachment is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 5-6). Fig. 5-6 Section 6 MAINTENANCE NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about these procedures take your unit to an authorized service dealer.
Maintenance (continued) LINE INSTALLATION This section covers both Membrane line and standard single line installation. Always use manufacturer’s 0.095 inch (2.41 mm) replacement line. Line other than specified may make the engine overheat or fail. Outer Spool Spring Inner Reel Bump Knob Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, chain, or rope, etc. These can break off and become a dangerous projectile. Bolt Fig. 6-1 There are two methods to replace the trimming line.
Maintenance (continued) Membrane Line Installation 8. Take approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) of new trimming line. Insert one end of the line through one of the two holes in the inner reel (Fig. 6-6). Pull the line through the inner reel until only about 4 inches is left out. 9. Insert the end of the line into the open hole in the inner reel and pull the line tight to make the loop as small as possible (Fig. 6-6). 10. Before winding, split the line back about 6 inches. 11.
Maintenance (continued) AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE Cleaning the Air Filter Carburetor/ Air Filter Cover To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your trimmer off and allow it to cool before you clean or do any maintenance on it. Tab Fig. 6-9 Air Filter Fig. 6-10 Clean and re-oil the air filter every 10 hours of operation. It is an important item to maintain. Not maintaining the air filter will VOID the warranty. 1.
Maintenance (continued) If after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter the engine still will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows. 1. Start the engine and let it run at a high idle for a minute to warm up. 2. Release the throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, insert a small phillips or flat blade screwdriver into the screw next to the air filter cover (Fig. 6-12).
Maintenance (continued) ACCESSORIES/REPLACEMENT PARTS LONG TERM STORAGE Spark Plug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181765 Spark Arrestor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182153 Replacement Line Cartridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49U5001L063 Inner Reel Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610636 Bump Head Knob Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180814 Fuel Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7 Troubleshooting ENGINE WILL NOT START CAUSE ACTION On/Off Stop Control is in STOP position Turn On/Off Stop Control to START Empty fuel tank Fill fuel tank with properly mixed fuel Primer bulb wasn't pressed enough Press primer bulb fully and slowly 5-7 times Engine flooded Use starting procedure with choke lever in the RUN position, Pg.
Section 8 Specifications ENGINE Engine Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Cooled, 2-Cycle Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 cu. in. (25cc) Clutch Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes 21
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR: The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD SOUTHWEST INC (“MTD”) with respect with new merchandise purchased and used in the United States, its possessions and territories. MTD warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of original purchase and will, at its option, repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective in material or workmanship.
