Bolens 550 User manual

-i 850

Operator's Manual

Edger

Models 550

551

IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark attester meeting

applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have

similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized

service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

Troy-Bilt LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019

PRINTED IN U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00566

(11/02)

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Content Page

Important Safe Operation Practices ................................................................... 3

Assembling The Edger ....................................................................................... 5

Know The Edger ................................................................................................. 6

Operating The Edger .......................................................................................... 7

Making Adjustments ........................................................................................... 8

Maintaining and Servicing The Edger ................................................................. 10

Off Season Storage ............................................................................................ 12

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 12

Parts List ............................................................................................................ 13

FINDINGMODELNUMBER

This Operator's Manual is an important part of your new edger. It will help you assemble, prepare and maintain the

unit for best performance. Please read and understand what it says.

Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate on the

equipment and copy the information from it in the space provided below. The information on the

model plate is very important if you need help from our Customer Support Department or an

authorized dealer.

You can locate the model number by looking on the surface of the base plate in the rear of the edger. A

sample model plate is explained below. For future reference, please copy the model number and the serial

number of the equipment in the space below.

(Model Number)

(Serial Number)

__. TROY-BILT LLC

P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136

www.boJens.com 330-558-7220

866-840-6483

Copy the model number here:

Copy the serial number here:

ENGINEINFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating,

specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer's Owner's/Operator's Manual packed

separately with your unit for more information.

CALLINGCUSTOMERSUPPORT

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation or

maintenance of this unit, please call the Customer Support Department.

Call 1-866-840-6483 or 1-330-558-7220 to reach a Customer Support representative. Please have

your unit's model number and serial number ready when you call. See previous section to locate this

information. You wilt be asked to enter the serial number in order to process your call.

SECTION1: IMPORTANTSAFEOPERATIONPRACTICES

WARNING: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT

FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF

AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING

TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT

IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL -- HEED ITS WARNING.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the

State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was builtto be operatedaccording tothe rulesfor safe operationinthis manual. As with

any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury.

If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourself or others.

TRAINING

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the

machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to

assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe

place for future and regular reference and for

ordering replacement parts.

2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper

operation. Know how to stop the machine and

disengage them quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate

this machine. Children 14 years old and over

should read and understand the operation

instructions and safety rules in this manual and

should be trained and supervised by a parent.

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without

proper instruction.

5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object

injury, keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets

at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in

operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

PREPARATION

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment

is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire,

bones, toys and other foreign objects which could

be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the

blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal

injury.

2. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles

during operation and while performing an

adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown

objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to

the eyes.

3. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-

fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover

the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are

recommended. Never operate this machine in bare

feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas)

shoes.

Never attempt to make any adjustments while the

engine is running, except where specifically

recommended in the operator's manual.

To avoid personal injury or property damage use

extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is

extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is

spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite.

Washer your skin and change clothes immediately.

a. Use only an approved gasoline container.

b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and

other sources of ignition.

c. Never fuel machine indoors.

d. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the

engine is hot or running.

e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes

before refueling.

f. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more

than V2inch below bottom of filler neck to

provide space for fuel expansion.

g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.

h. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine

and equipment. Move unit to another area.

Wait five minutes before starting the engine.

i. Never store the machine or fuel container

inside where there is an open flame, spark or

pilot light as on a water heater, space heater,

furnace,clothes dryer or other gas

appliances.

j. Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes

before storing.

OPERATION

1. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts.

Contact with the rotating blade can amputate hands

and feet.

2. The blade control handle is a safety device. Never

bypass its operation. Doing so, makes the machine

unsafe and may cause personal injury.

3. Never operate without blade guard, debris shield

and blade control handle in place and working.

4. Neveroperatewithdamagedsafetydevices.

Failuretodoso,canresultinpersonalinjury.

5. Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorly

ventilatedarea.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon

monoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

6. Donotoperatemachinewhileundertheinfluence

ofalcoholordrugs.

7. Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea

burn.Donottouch.

8. Neveroperatethismachinewithoutgoodvisibility

orlight.Alwaysbesureofyourfootingandkeepa

firmholdonthehandles.Walk,neverrun.

9. Donotoperatethismachineifithasbeendropped

ordamaged.Returnmachinetoyournearest

authorizedservicingdealerforexaminationand

repair.

10.Donotoperatethismachinewithadamagedor

excessivelyworncuttingblade.

11.Neverattempttoclearmaterialfromtheblade

guardwhiletheengineisrunning.Shuttheengine

off,disconnectthesparkplugwireandground

againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.

12.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto

edgeattoofastofarate.

13.Stayalertforunevensidewalks,terrainetc.Always

pushslowlyoverroughsurfaces.Donotusethis

machineongravelsurfaces.

14.Donotoperatemachineinrainorwetsoil

conditions.

15.Alwaysoperatemachinefrombehindthehandles

andpositionyourselfwherethedirectlineofsight

tocuttingbladeisblockedbyguards.

16.Alwaysstopenginewhenedgingortrimmingis

delayedorwhentransportingmachinefromone

locationtoanother.

17.Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.Stop

theengine,disconnectsparkplugwireandground

againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.

18.Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthis

machinebythemanufacturer.Failuretodoso,can

resultinpersonalinjury.

19.Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis

manual,usecareandgoodjudgment.Contactyour

dealerortelephone1-866-840-6483forassistanceand

thenameofyournearestservicingdealer.

MAINTENANCEANDSTORAGE

1. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their

proper operation regularly.

2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting,

disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against

the engine to prevent unintended starting.

3. Check bolts, and screws for proper tightness at

frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe

working condition. Also, visually inspect machine

for any damage.

4. Do not change the engine governor setting or over-

speed the engine. The governor controls the

maximum safe operating speed of the engine.

5. The blade, blade guard and debris shield are

subject to wear and damage. For your safety

protection, frequently check all components and

replace with original equipment manufacturer's

(O.E.M.) parts only. "Use of parts which do not

meet the original equipment specifications may

lead to improper performance and compromise

safetyr'

6. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as

necessary.

7. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for

gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

8. Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light

such as a water heater, furnace,clothes dryer etc.

9. Always refertothe operator's manual for proper

instructionson off-season storage.

4_ WARNING:YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings

and instructions in this manual and on the machine,

Figure 1

SECTION2: ASSEMBLINGYOUREDGER

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT

GASOLINE or OIL. After setting up the unit, service

engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the

separate engine manual packed with your unit.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the edger

is observed from the operating position.

Groundingthe Engine'sSparkPlug

• Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug

and ground against the engine.

PositioningtheEdgerHandles

• Remove and discard any packaging cardboard that

may be present between the upper handle and the

lower handle.

• Depress the blade control bail at the top of the

upper handle and pivot the upper handle upward

until it snaps into place.

• Tighten the wing knobs which are located on both

the left and right sides of the handle. See Figure 2.

jUpper Handle

Upper Handle

Rope Guide

_gKnob

Figure 3

IMPORTANT:Make certain that the engine's spark plug

wire isproperly grounded as instructed earlier in this

section before proceeding on tothe next step.

• Stand behind the unit and hold the blade control

bail against the upper handle and gently pull the

starter rope out of the engine.

,_ WARNING: The edger blade WILL rotate

when the starter rope is pulled.

NOTE: The starter rope will not puff out of the engine

unless the blade contro/ bail (refer to Figure 3) is

depressed against the upper handle.

• Slip the starter rope through the top of the rope

guide.

• Retighten the wing knob which secures the rope

guide to the upper handle.

Figure 2

AttachingtheStarterRope

• Locate the eyebolt found on the right side of the

upper handle.

• Loosen, but do NOT remove, the wing knob which

secures the rope guide to the upper handle. See

Figure 3.

SECTION3: KNOWTHEEDGER

Bail

Pull Rope /Recoil Starter

Blade Depth

Control Lever

(Transport Position Shown)

Curb Height

Adjustment Lever

(If Equipped) _Blade Adjustment

Lever (If Equipped)

NOTE: Wheel and blade styles vary by model. Yours may differ slightly.

\Spindle Belt Guard

Figure 4

WARNING: Be familiar with all controls

and their proper operation. Know how to

stop the machine and disengage them

quickly.

NOTE: Refer to the Engine Manual packed with your

edger for a detailed description of all engine-related

controls and components.

PullRope/RecoilStarter

The pull rope/recoil starter is used to start the engine.

Primer

The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor and

aid in starting the engine. Use it to start a cold engine,

but do not use it to restart a warm engine after a short

shutdown.

NOTE: Refer to the Engine Manual packed with your

edger for a detailed description of all engine-related

controls and components.

BladeControlBail

Located on the upper handle, the blade control bail

must be depressed against the upper handle in order to

operate the unit. Releasing the blade control stops the

BladeDepthControlLever

The blade depth control lever is located on the right

side of the upper handle. It is used to control the depth

of the cut. The further forward the blade depth control

lever is moved, the deeper into the soil the edger blade

will cut. See Figure 4.

BladeAdjustmentLever(if soequipped)

The blade adjustment lever, if so equipped, is located

on the front, left portion of the edger, behind the edger

blade. It is used to vary the angle of the edger blade

between one of three positions for edging, beveling, or

trenching. See Figure 4.

CurbHeightAdjustmentLever(if so

equipped)

The curb height adjustment lever, if so equipped, is

found on the rear portion of the edger.When placed in

an applicable notch, it aids in stabilizing the edger while

edging grass along a curb. See Figure 4.

IMPORTANT: Become familiar with all the controls

before operating the edger.

engine and the edger blade. See Figure 4.

SECTION4: OPERATINGTHEEDGER

The operation of any edger can result

in foreign objects being thrown into

the eyes, which can result in severe

eye damage. Always wear safety

glasses or eye shields. We

recommend wide vision safety mask

for over spectacles or standard

safety glasses

WARNING: Do not lower blade if blade is

over concrete, asphalt, rocks or the like. The

blade can strike the supporting surface,

resulting in personal injury or property

damage.

AddingGasolineAndOil

Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in

the Engine Manual packed with your edger. Read

instructions carefully.

WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, with

engine running or until the engine has been

allowed to cool for at least two minutes after

running.

StartingTheEngine

NOTE: Refer to the Engine Manual packed with your

edger for a detailed description of all engine-related

controls and components.

To start the edger's engine, proceed as follows:

•Attach the spark plug wire to the spark plug. Make

certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug

wire is fastened securely over the metal tip on the

spark plug.

• Move the blade depth control lever back to the

START position in the adjacent (top) notch.

• Depress the primer bulb three times, pausing two to

three seconds between each push. In cold weather

(below 50°F/19°C), it may be necessary to depress

the primer bulb four or five times.

IMPORTANT: Using the primer to restart a warm engine

after a short shutdown is usually not necessary. Doing

so may result in a flooded engine.

• Standing behind the unit, depress the blade control

bail and hold it against the upper handle with your

left hand.

WARNING: This control mechanism is a

_lb afety device. Never attempt to bypass its

operation.

• With your right hand, grasp the recoil starter handle

and slowly pull the rope outward until engine

reaches the start of its compression cycle (the rope

will pull slightly harder at this point).

• After slowly allowing the rope to recoil, pull the rope

with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keep a firm

grip on starter handle throughout the entire stroke.

• Allow the starter handle to slowly return to the

eyebolt.

NOTE: If the engine fails to start after three pulls,

depress the primer an additional two times before

pulling the starter rope again.

To begin edging, proceed as follows:

• Move the blade depth control lever to the left and

place it into any of the five lower notches. The

further forward the blade depth control lever is

moved, the deeper or lower the blade will cut into

the ground.

IMPORTANT: For best results, proceed slowly along the

path being edged, slowly moving the edger back and

forth through the cutting area.

StoppingTheEngine

To stop the edger's engine, proceed as follows:

• Release the blade control handle.

IMPORTANT: Make certain that the engine's spark plug

wire is properly grounded as instructed in SECTION 2:

Assembling The Edger before storing the edger for its

next use.

SECTION5: MAKINGADJUSTMENTS

BladeTiltAdjustment(modelsso

equipped)

NOTE: Edgerfeatures varybymodeL Alledgermodels

do NOT come equipped for blade tilt adjustment nor is

there a blade tilt kit available to modify your edger if it

was not purchased equipped to do so.

The angle of the edger blade can be adjusted by

placing the blade adjustment lever in one of three

positions for edging, beveling, or trenching. See Figure

Blade

Adjustment

Lever

Bevelir

Edging/Trenching

PositionShown

Figure 5

WARNING: Rotating cutting blade may

throw objects causing personal injury.

Keep area clear of bystanders and do not

operate without guards in place.

Beveling

Set the blade adjustment lever (refer to Figure 5) in the

first (left hand) or third (right hand) notch to place the

edger blade in position for beveling. See Figure 6.

Edging

Set the blade adjustment lever (refer to Figure 5) in the

center notch to place the edger blade in a 90° position

for edging. See Figure 7.

Edging/Trenching

Figure 7

Trenching(modelssoequipped)

NOTE: Edger features vary by model. All edger models

do NOT come equipped for trenching. If your edger was

not purchased equipped to do so, you may purchase

part no. 736-0366 (flat washer) and part no. 781-0748

(triplex edger blade) to utilize this feature.

WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire

and ground against the engine before

performing the following steps.

_ARNING: The edger blade is sharp. Wear

leather work gloves to protect your hands

when working around the edger blade.

•Working in front of the edger, with the rear wheels

backed up to a curb or the unit tilted back to keep it

from rolling backwards, grasp the spindle belt guard

with one hand and push towards the rear of the unit

to compress the spring and relieve the tension on

the drive belt.

• If it hasn't already freed itself, with your other hand,

carefully reach under the rear of the unit and

remove the belt from around the engine flywheel

pulley. See Figure 8.

Beveling Positions

Figure 6

Engine

Flywheel Pulley Belt Guard

Figure 8

Remove the spindle belt guard by removing the two

self tapping screws which secure it to the blade

plate assembly. See Figure 9.

\Blade Plate

Guard

Sheaves

Note: Wheel and blade styles vary by model.

Figure 9

Use two wrenches (one wrench to prevent the hex

bolt head from spinning and the other to unthread

the hex lock nut) to remove the hex lock nut and

bell washer that secure the edger blade, leaving the

dual edger blade in place. See Figure 10.

Hex Bolt Head Hex rock Nut

Note: Wheel styles vary by model.

Figure 10

Install the flat washer (part no. 736-0366) and the

triplex edger blade (part no. 781-0748) that are

packed separately in the box.

• Secure with the betl washer and the hex lock nut

removed earlier. See Figure 11.

Bell Washer

Figure 11

IMPORTANT:Use atorque wrench to tighten the hex

lock nut to between 37 foot-lbs, and 50 foot-lbs.

• Reinstall the spindle bett guard with the setf tapping

screws removed earlier.

• Grasp the spindle bett guard with one hand and

push towards the rear of the unit to compress the

spring, and with your other hand carefully place the

drive belt back onto the engine flywheel pulley.

IMPORTANT:Make certain that the drive belt is seated

correctly on the blade spindle and that itis riding

smoothly on the spindle sheaves and is not pinched

between them. Repeat the first three steps if the bett is

pinched.

• Set the blade adjustment lever (refer to Figure 5) in

the center notch to place the edger blade in a 90°

position (see Figure 7) and place the blade depth

control lever in the lowest position.

EdgingAlongACurb(modelsso

equipped)

NOTE: Edger features vary by modeL All edger models

do NOT come equipped to edge along a curb nor is

there a curb wheel kit available to modify your edger if it

was not purchased equipped to do so.

On models so equipped, the right, rear wheel of the

edger can be lowered into one of five positions to ease

the task of edging along a curb.

To adjust the height of the curb wheel, proceed as

follows:

• Releasethecurbheightadjustmentlevertolock

thewheelinposition.SeeFigure13.

• Lowertheright,rearwheelbymovingthecurb

heightadjustmentleverslightlytotheleft.See

Figure12.

Adjustment

Lever

(Normal Operating

Position) Figure 12

Pivot the right, rear wheel into an applicable

position in relation to the height of the curb to be

edged along.

wb Height Adjustment Lever

Figure 13

SECTION6: MAINTAINING& SERVICINGTHEEDGER

WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire

and ground against the engine before

performing any adjustment, repairs or

maintenance.

Lubrication

Engine

Refer to the Engine Manual packed with your edger for

a detailed description of all engine-related service

specifications.

Wheels

Lubricate the wheels and bearings at least once a

season with a light oil. Also if the wheels are removed

for any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and

the inner surface of the wheel with light oil.

PivotPoints

Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control bail,

blade depth control lever, and if applicable, the blade

adjustment lever, and curb height adjustment lever with

light oil at least once a season.

BearingBlock

The bearing block is equipped with a grease fitting.

Lubricate with a grease gun after every 25 hours or at

least once a season. See Figure 14.

Fitting

Figure 14

ReplacingtheEdgerBlade

_WARNING: The edger blade is sharp. Wear

leather work gloves to protect your hands

when working around the edger blade.

_IL WARNING: Disconnect the spark plug wire

and ground against engine before

performing the following steps.

This manual suits for next models

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