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                        SHINDAIWA OWNER’S/OPERATOR'S MANUAL
AH242 ARTICULATED 
HEDGE TRIMMER
WARNING!
Always wear eye and ear protection when operat-
ing this machine. To minimize the risk of injury, read this 
manual and familiarize yourself with its contents.
X7502801000
08/10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                    
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                        Introduction The Shindaiwa AH242 Articulated IMPORTANT! WARNING! Hedge Trimmer is designed and built to  The information contained in these  The engine exhaust from  deliver superior performance and reli- instructions describes units available  this product contains chemicals  ability without compromise to quality,  at the time of publication.  known to the State of California to  comfort, safety or durability.  cause cancer, birth defects or other  Shindaiwa's engines represent the lead- Echo, 
                    
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                        Be aware iof the dan- Always wear a hard hat to  This product conducts  ger of falling debris. reduce the risk of head inju- electricity. Keep the prod- ries during operation of this  uct and/or operator a mini- 33 ft machine. In addition, always  10 M mum distance of 33 feet (10  wear eye and hearing protec- meters) away from electrical  tion. Shindaiwa recommends  sources and power lines. WARNING ! Surface can  wearing a face shield as addi- be hot. Always wear gloves  tional face and eye prot
                    
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                        Operating Precautions WARNING! ■ Never transport the articulated  ■ When cutting a branch that is  hedge trimmer or leave it unat- ■ Never smoke or light fires near the  under tension, be alert for spring- tended with the engine running.  hedge trimmer. Keep the unit away  back so that you will not be struck  An engine that’s running could be  from excessive heat. Engine fuel is  by the moving branch. accidently accelerated causing the  very flammable and fire could lead  ■ If a cutter should bi
                    
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                        Safety (continued) Safety Equipment and Labels Cutter blade cover Cutter blade cover Hand guard Ignition  (STOP)  switch IMPORTANT! Throttle  interlock Caution, Danger, Warning, and Operation  Information Labels: Make sure all informa- tion labels are undamaged and readable.   Immediately replace damaged or missing  information labels. New labels are available  from your local authorized Shindaiwa dealer. Operator Safety Always wear a hard hat  ALWAYS clear your work area  This machine is design
                    
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                        Product Description Hedge Trimmer Cutter  Assembly Spark Plug Air Filter  Assembly Cutter  Assembly  Stop  Adjustment  Switch Lever Cutter Blade Cover Fuel  Tank Fuel Tank  Outer  Guard Tube Throttle Trigger Powerhead Assembly Handle WARNING! guard Using the illustration as a  Handle Do not alter this machine  guide, familiarize yourself with  or any of its components! the Shindaiwa AH242 articu- lated hedge trimmer and its  various components. Under- Latch Release Hedge Trimmer  standing your m
                    
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                        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 en- gine FAMILY). PRODUCT  EMISSION  DURABILITY (
                    
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                        Assembly (continued) Cutter Assembly Positions 270° Gearcase rotated to the storage/ The cutter assembly can be adjusted  transportation position to eleven different positions rang- ing from 120° to 270° from the outer 120° tube as shown. Always make sure the  latch lock is securely locked after each  Various blade  adjustment. positions  possible Adjusting for Storage or Transportation Adjusting for Storage or Transportation 1. With the engine off, install the blade  cover onto the blade.  2. U
                    
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                        Mixing Fuel  WARNING!  Alternative fuels, such as E15 (15% ethanol), E-85 (85% ethanol) or any fuels not meeting Shindaiwa  requirements are NOT approved for use in Shindaiwa gasoline engines.  Use of alternative fuels may cause  performance problems, loss of power, overheating, fuel vapor lock, and unintended machine operation, including,  but not limited to, improper clutch engagement.  Alternative fuels may also cause premature deterioration of fuel  lines, gaskets, carburetors and other engi
                    
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                        Mixing Instructions  After use  1. Fill an approved fuel container with half of the  • DO NOT store a unit with fuel in its tank. Leaks can  required amount of gasoline. occur. Return unused fuel to an approved fuel stor-  2. Add the proper amount of engine oil to gasoline. age container.  3. Close container and shake to mix oil with gaso- line. Storage - Fuel storage laws vary by locality. Contact   4. Add remaining gasoline,  close fuel container, and  your local government for the laws affect
                    
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                        Starting the Engine (continued) 1. Slide the ignition switch to the “I”  position. 2. Press the primer bulb until fuel can  ON be seen flowing in the transparent Primer Bulb return tube. IMPORTANT! The primer system only pushes fuel  through the carburetor. Repeatedly  pressing the primer bulb will not flood Return Tube the engine with fuel. Press the primer bulb 3. Set the choke lever to the CLOSED  Slide the ignition switch to the “ON” position position if engine is cold. 4. While holding the 
                    
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                        Starting the engine (continued) When the Engine Starts... ■ After the engine starts, allow the  ■ Advancing the throttle makes the cut- If the engine does not start engine to warm up at idle 2 or 3 min- ting attachment move faster; releas- ■ Repeat the appropriate starting pro- utes before operating the unit. ing the throttle permits the attach- cedure for a cold or warm engine. ment to stop moving. If the cutting  ■ If the engine does not continue to  ■ If the engine still fails to start,  atta
                    
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                        Operation Using the Hedge Trimmer Preparations Use lopping shears to cut out thick  branches first. Cutting Sequence If a radial cut is necessary, cut a little at  a time in several passes. Cutting Techniques Vertical Cut: Swing the blade up and down in an arc as  you move along the hedge. Use both sides  of the cutting blade. Cut without standing directly next to the  hedge, e.g. with a flower bed between  Vertical Cut Overhead Cut operator and hedge. Overhead Cut: Hold the shaft upright with a
                    
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                        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 PERFOR- MANCE 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. NOTE: Using non-stan
                    
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                        Maintenance (continued) Daily maintenance Prior to each work day, perform the  WARNING! Cooling  Cooling  following: fins Always wear gloves when  fins ■ Remove all dirt and debris from the working around the cutter assembly. engine, check the cooling fins and  air cleaner for clogging, and clean as  ■ Clean any debris or dirt from the  necessary. cutting attachment. ■ Carefully remove any accumulations  ■ Check for loose or missing screws  of dirt or debris from the muffler and  Cooling fins or
                    
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                        Maintenance (continued) Gearcase lubrication ■ Lubricate the cutter assembly  gearcase by pumping one or two  strokes of lithium-base grease into  the grease fitting (A) using a lever- type grease gun.  CAUTION! Over lubricating can cause the gear- case to operate sluggishly and can A cause grease to leak out. Gearcase  Lubricate cutter assembly and gearcase grease fitting  50-hour maintenance Every 50 hours of operation; more  frequnetly in dusty conditions: ■  Remove and clean the cylinder  Ho
                    
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                        Maintenance (continued) CAUTION! Do not remove the D-shaped shim  washer from the gearcase clamp!  The shim washer prevents damage  from overtightening the tube clamp  bolt. 3. Slide the gearcase out of the tube.  Using a grease gun, pump lithium- base grease (about 10 grams)  B into the grease fitting (B) on the  gearcase until you see old grease  Gearcase  being purged from the gearcase.  grease fitting Purged grease will be visible in the  Lubricate cutter assembly and gearcase outer tube cav
                    
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                        Maintenance (continued) Muffler and spark arrester maintenance Engine Cover Engine Cover  Screws Muffler Cover Muffler  Cover  Screw Muffler  screws Muffler  Screws Gasket Outlet Spark arrester  Muffler gasket Spark arrester  screen cover Muffler and spark arrester maintenance If the engine becomes sluggish and low 5. With a 4 mm hex wrench remove the  1. Remove the spark plug boot. three muffler bolts and the muffler. on power, check and clean the spark  2. With a 3 mm hex wrench remove  arrest
                    
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                        IMPORTANT!! If the engine is adjusted for operation above 1,100 feet ASL, the carburetor must be re-adjusted when operating the  engine below 1,100 feet ASL, otherwise severe engine damage may result. NOTE: Every unit is run at the factory and the carburetor is set in compliance with emission regulations. Carburetor adjustments,  other than idle speed, must be performed by an authorized Shindaiwa dealer. Adjusting Engine Idle Idle Speed Adjustment 1. Place the unit on the ground, then  The engin
                    
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                        Troubleshooting Guide ENGINE DOES NOT START OR HARD TO START Remedy Possible Cause What To Check Let cool completely and restart. Engine hot/heat soaked. Vaporlock. Refi ll with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane  Low fuel quality. Refi ll with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane of 89 or higher  of 89 or higher mixed with an air cooled engine oil that  mixed with an air cooled engine oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/ meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FD