Flex-Force Power System® 17in 60V MAX String Trimmer

The safety-alert symbol (Figure 2) shown in this manual and on the machine identifies important safety messages that you must follow to prevent accidents.

Figure 2

Safety-alert symbol

The safety-alert symbol appears above information that alerts you to unsafe actions or situations and is followed by the word DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

This manual uses two other words to highlight information. Important calls attention to special mechanical information and Note emphasizes general information worthy of special attention.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.

The term “machine” in all the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) machine or battery-operated (cordless) machine.

I. Work area safety

1. Keep work area clean and well lit.Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.

2. Do not operate machines in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust.Machines create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

3. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a machine.Distractions can cause you to lose control.

II. Electrical safety

1. Machine plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) machines.Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.

2. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators.There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.

3. Do not expose machines to rain or wet conditions.Water entering a machine will increase the risk of electric shock.

4. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the machine. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.

5. When operating a machine outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use.Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.

6. If operating a machine in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply.Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.

III. Personal safety

1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a machine. Do not use a machine while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.A moment of inattention while operating machines may result in serious personal injury.

2. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection.Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions reduces personal injuries.

3. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the OFF-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool.Carrying machines with your finger on the switch or energizing machines that have the switch on invites accidents.

4. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the machine on.A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the machine may result in personal injury.

5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.This enables better control of the machine in unexpected situations.

6. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts.Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

7. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used.Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.

8. Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles.A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.

IV. Machine use and care

1. Do not force the machine. Use the correct machine for your application.The correct machine will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

2. Do not use the machine if the switch does not turn it on and off.Any machine that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.

3. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the machine before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing machines.Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the machine accidentally.

4. Store idle machines out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the machine or these instructions to operate the machine. Machines are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

5. Maintain machines and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the machine’s operation. If damaged, have the machine repaired before use.Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained machines.

6. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

7. Use the machine, accessories, and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed.Use of the machine for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.

8. Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease.Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

V. Battery tool use and care

1. Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer.A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.

2. Use machines only with specifically designated battery packs.Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.

3. When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another.Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.

4. Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help.Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.

5. Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified.Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.

6. Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature.Exposure to fire or temperature above 130 °C (265 °F) may cause explosion.

7. Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions.Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

VI. Service

1. Have your machine serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts.This will ensure that the safety of the machine is maintained.

2. Never service damaged battery packs.Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

1. Do not use the machine in bad weather conditions, especially when there is a risk of lightning.This decreases the risk of being struck by lightning.

2. Thoroughly inspect the area for wildlife where the machine is to be used.Wildlife may be injured by the machine during operation.

3. Thoroughly inspect the area where the machine is to be used and remove all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects.Thrown objects can cause personal injury.

4. Before using the machine, always visually inspect to see that the cutter or blade and the cutter or blade assembly are not damaged.Damaged parts increase the risk of injury.

5. Follow instructions for changing accessories.Improperly tightened blade securing nuts or bolts may either damage the blade or result in it becoming detached.

6. The rated rotational speed of the blade must be at least equal to the maximum rotational speed marked on the machine.Blades running faster than their rated rotational speed can break and fly apart.

7. Wear eye, ear, head and hand protection.Adequate protective equipment will reduce personal injury by flying debris or accidental contact with the cutting line or blade.

8. While operating the machine, always wear non-slip and protective footwear. Do not operate the machine when barefoot or wearing open sandals.This reduces the chance of injury to the feet from contact with the moving cutters or lines.

9. While operating the machine, always wear safety footwear. Do not operate the machine when barefoot or wearing open sandals.This reduces the chance of injury to the feet from contact with a moving cutter, line or blade.

10. While operating the machine, always wear long trousers.Exposed skin increases the likelihood of injury from thrown objects.

11. Keep bystanders away while operating the machine.Thrown debris can result in serious personal injury.

12. Always use two hands when operating the machine.Holding the machine with both hands will avoid loss of control.

13. Hold the machine by the insulated gripping surfaces only, because the cutting line or blade may contact hidden wiring.Cutting line or blades contacting a "live" wire may make exposed metal parts of the machine "live" and could give the operator an electric shock.

14. Always keep proper footing and operate the machine only when standing on the ground.Slippery or unstable surfaces may cause a loss of balance or control of the machine.

15. Do not operate the machine on excessively steep slopes.This reduces the risk of loss of control, slipping and falling which may result in personal injury.

16. When working on slopes, always be sure of your footing, always work across the face of slopes, never up or down and exercise extreme caution when changing direction.This reduces the risk of loss of control, slipping and falling which may result in personal injury.

17. Keep all parts of the body away from the cutter, line or blade when the machine is operating. Before you start the machine, make sure the cutter, line or blade is not contacting anything.A moment of inattention while operating the machine may result in injury to yourself or others.

18. Do not operate the machine above waist height.This helps prevent unintended cutter or blade contact and enables better control of the machine in unexpected situations.

19. When cutting brush or saplings that are under tension, be alert for spring back.When the tension in the wood fibers is released, the brush or sapling may strike the operator and/or throw the machine out of control.

20. Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings.The slender material may catch the blade and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.

21. Maintain control of the machine and do not touch cutters, lines or blades and other hazardous moving parts while they are still in motion.This reduces the risk of injury from moving parts.

22. Carry the machine with the machine switched off and away from your body.Proper handling of the machine will reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with a moving trimmer cutter, line or blade.

23. Only use replacement cutters, lines, cutting heads and blades specified by the manufacturer.Incorrect replacement parts may increase the risk of breakage and injury.

SAVE THESE

INSTRUCTIONS

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Unfold the shaft (A of Figure 3).

2. Secure the shaft together at the coupler using the connector knob (B of Figure 3).

   

   Figure 3

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Separate the auxiliary handle from the handle bracket by unscrewing the handle-lock knob and removing the bolt (A of Figure 4).

   Important: The bolt may be wedged into the plastic of the handle; lightly tap the bottom of the bolt until it is free from the handle.

   

   Figure 4

2. Align the handle bracket with the auxiliary handle (B of Figure 4).

3. Slide the handle bracket into the slot on the auxiliary handle (C of Figure 4).

4. Secure the lower handle bracket to the auxiliary handle with the handle-lock knob and the previously removed bolt (D of Figure 4).

Parts needed for this procedure:

Secure the guard onto the base of the trimmer with the 2 screws.

Figure 5

A selection of Toro approved attachments and accessories is available for use with the machine to enhance and expand its capabilities. Contact your Authorized Service Dealer or authorized Toro distributor or go to www.Toro.com for a list of all approved attachments and accessories.

To ensure optimum performance and continued safety certification of the machine, use only genuine Toro replacement parts and accessories. Replacement parts and accessories made by other manufacturers could be dangerous.

1. Ensure that the vents on the trimmer are clear of any dust and debris.

2. Align the cavity in the battery pack with the tongue on the power head (Figure 8).

3. Push the battery pack into the power head until the battery locks into the latch (Figure 8).

   

   Figure 8

   1. Battery latch

4. To start the trimmer, pull back the lockout switch, then squeeze the variable-speed trigger (Figure 9).

   Note: Slide the speed range switch to change the speed of the trimmer.

   

   Figure 9

   1. Speed range switch
   2. Lockout switch
   3. Variable-speed trigger

To shut off the trimmer, release the trigger and the lockout switch.

Whenever you are not using the trimmer or are transporting the trimmer to or from the work area, remove the battery pack.

Press the battery latch to release the battery pack and slide the battery pack out of the machine (Figure 10).

Figure 10

1. Battery latch

1. Loosen the handle-lock knob on the bottom of the auxiliary handle.

2. Adjust the position of the auxiliary handle on the shaft until the trimmer can held in a neutral, comfortable position while operating.

3. Tighten the handle-lock knob to secure auxiliary handle in place.

1. Open the telescoping latch at the front of the handle.

2. Extend or retract the shaft until the trimmer can held in a neutral, comfortable position while operating.

3. Close the telescoping latch to secure the shaft.

   

   Figure 11

1. Run the tool at full throttle.

2. Tap the bump head on the ground to advance the line. The line advances each time the bump head is tapped.

   Important: Do not hold the bump head on the ground while running the trimmer.

   Note: The line trimming cut-off blade on the grass deflector cuts the line to the correct length.

   Note: If the line is worn too short, you may not be able to advance the line by tapping it on the ground. If so, release both the trigger and the lockout switch and refer to Advancing the Line Manually.

Figure 12

1. Bump head

Remove the battery pack from the trimmer, then push the bump head at the base of the spool retainer while pulling on the trimmer line to manually advance the line.

Important: If you are using the string trimmer with a 8.0 Ah or greater battery pack installed, install a shoulder harness (not included). Do not use the shoulder harness if you are powering the string trimmer with the backpack and backpack tether; use only the backpack harness.

Connect the clip on the shoulder harness to the attachment eye on top of the handle (Figure 13).

Figure 13

1. Strap adjuster
2. Pivot clip
3. Attachment eye
4. Shoulder pad
5. Quick-release buckle

The strap length is adjustable; slide the strap adjuster up to decrease the length of the strap, or down to increase the length of the strap (Figure 13).

If there you ever need to rapidly remove the harness, disconnect the quick-release buckle as follows:

1. Press in on the sides of the buckle (A of Figure 14).

2. Allow the buckle to disconnect (B of Figure 14).

Figure 14

Important: The battery pack is not fully charged when you purchase it. Before using the tool for the first time, place the battery pack in the charger and charge it until the LED display indicates the battery pack is fully charged. Read all safety precautions.

Important: Charge the battery pack only in temperatures that are within the appropriate range; refer to Specifications.

Note: At any time, press the battery-charge-indicator button on the battery pack to display the current charge (LED indicators).

1. Ensure that the vents and charging terminals on the battery pack and charger are clear of any dust and debris.

   

   Figure 15

   1. Battery-pack cavity
   2. Battery-pack terminals
   3. Battery-charge-indicator button
   4. LED indicators (current charge)
   5. Handle
   6. Charger LED indicator light
   7. Charger venting areas

2. Line up the cavity in the battery pack (Figure 15) with the tongue on the charger.

3. Slide the battery pack into the charger until it is fully seated (Figure 15).

4. To remove the battery pack, slide the battery backward out of the charger.

5. Refer to the following table to interpret the LED indicator light on the battery charger.

   Battery Charge Status

   Charger Symbol	Indicator Light	Indicates
   	Green blinking	Battery pack is charging
   	Green	Battery pack is charged
   	Red	Battery pack and/or battery charger is over or under the appropriate temperature range
   	Red blinking	Battery pack charging fault*
   	Off	No battery pack inserted

*Refer to for more information.

Important: The battery pack can be left on the charger for short periods between uses.If the battery pack will not be used for longer periods, remove the battery pack from the charger; refer to Before storage.

• Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut; this is the best cutting area.

• The string trimmer cuts when you move it from right to left. This prevents the trimmer from throwing debris at you.

• Use the tip of the cutting line to do the cutting; do not force the trimmer head into uncut grass.

• Wire and picket fences can cause the cutting line to wear rapidly and even break. Stone and brick walls, curbs, and wood can also cause the cutting line to wear rapidly.

• Avoid trees and shrubs. The cutting line can easily damage tree bark, wood moldings, siding, and fence posts.

Figure 16

1. Direction of rotation
2. Cutting line path

Use only 2.0 mm (0.080 inch) diameter monofilament cutting line or 2.4 mm (0.095 inch) diameter twisted monofilament cutting line from Toro.

1. Remove the battery pack from the trimmer.

2. Remove any existing line on the spool by repetitively pressing the bump head while pulling the line out equally from both sides of the bump head.

3. Cut a piece of line that is no longer than 7.3 m (24 ft).

   Important: Do not overload the spool.

   Important: Do not use any other gauge or type of line, as this could damage the trimmer.

4. Press and turn the bump head in the direction shown by the arrows (clockwise) on the bottom of the bump head until the marks on the side of the bump head align with the marks beneath the eyelets (Figure 17).

5. Insert 1 end of the line straight into the eyelet and push the line through until it comes out of the eyelet on the other side.

   

   Figure 17

   1. Cutting line
   2. Eyelet
   3. Eyelet alignment mark
   4. Bump head alignment mark

   Important: Do not disassemble the trimmer head.

6. Pull the line through the eyelets until there is an equal length of line on each side of the trimmer head.

7. Hold the string trimmer in place with one hand. With your other hand, turn the bottom of the trimmer head in the direction shown by the arrows (clockwise) on the bottom of the bump head to wind the line; leave about 152 mm (6 inches) extending beyond the eyelet on each side.

1. Remove the battery pack from the trimmer.

2. Insert a small-diameter tool (such as a screwdriver) through the motor housing and into the groove in the fan to secure the trimmer head so it does not freely rotate (Figure 18).

   Note: With the tool inserted in the hole, rotate the trimmer head until you feel the rod fall into the groove.

   

   Figure 18

3. With a tool securing the trimmer head, rotate the trimmer head counterclockwise to remove it from the threaded gearcase post (Figure 19).

   

   Figure 19

4. To install the new trimmer head, rotate it clockwise onto the gearcase post while securing the fan with a tool.