Craftsman 138.74544 Operator's Manual

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Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut; this isthe best cutting area.The string trimmer cuts when passing the unit from leftto right. This will avoid throwing debris at the operator.Avoid cutting in the dangerous area shown in figure 8.Use the tip of the string to do the cutting; do not forcestring head into uncut grass.Wire and picket fences cause extra string wear, evenbreakage. Stone and brick walls, curbs, and wood maywear strings rapidly.Avoid trees and shrubs. Tree bark, wood moldings,siding, and fence posts can easily be damaged by thestrings.The boom can be extended or shortened for ease of use.Unplug the string trimmer.Unscrew telescoping boom coupler and slide to desiredposition.Tighten telescoping boom coupler.Unplug the string trimmer.Pull up edging coupler and turn handle endcounterclockwise.Release edging boom coupler when handle has beenrotated 180°.The rotating handle can be used in combination with theedger guide for edging sidewalks and walkways. To usethe edger guide, flip down from it’s stored position.CUTTING TIPSTHE CUTTING LINETELESCOPING BOOMROTATING REAR HANDLEEDGINGSee Figure 8, page ii.See Figure 7, page ii.See Figure 9, page ii.See Figure 11-13, page ii.THREE-POSITION PIVOTING HEADUnplug the string trimmer.Depress the pivot button and move the trimmer headup or down to one of the three positions indicated bythe notches.See Figure 10, page ii.DO NOT grasp the exposed cutting linewhen picking up or holding the trimmer.A single 0.065-inch round cutting line is pre-installed on thetrimmer. When the cutting line needs replacing, install anew pre-wound spool. Craftsman 71-85967.During operation, cutting lines shorten due to normal wear.For greater convenience and efficiency, your trimmer hasbeen equipped with a bump feed head that allows you tosimply bump the trimmer head to extend the cutting lineswhile the trimmer is operating. Cutting line will wear fasterand require more feeding if the cutting or edging is donealong sidewalks or other abrasive surfaces or heavierweeds are being cut.While the trimmer is on and spinning, gently bump thespool housing on a firm surface (hard ground orsidewalk). This should release additional cutting linefrom the spool.If no line is released, bump the trimmer head moresharply or try bumping it on a firmer surface.If there is no change in the cutting line length, un-plugthe trimmer’s pigtail power cord from the extensioncord. After the trimmer head stops rotating, gently pull atthe cutting lines manually. Once the lines are pulled out(extended), plug the trimmer’s pigtail power cord into theextension cord and resume cutting.If the cutting line still does not feed from the spool, thespool might be empty or the cutting line may be tangledor jammed on the spool. Un-plug the trimmer’s pigtailpower cord from the extension cord. After the trimmerhead stops rotating,remove the spool (see steps1through 3 in “Removing the Spool” on page 9).If the line is tangled or jammed, untangle and replacethe line. If the spool is empty, replace the spool.EXTENDING THE CUTTING LINETo avoid injury, ALWAYS turn off anddisconnect the trimmer from the power outlet BEFOREinstalling parts or cleaning the trimmer or making anyadjustments.