AL-KO BC 225 L Petrol Motor Scythe Instruction Manual

AL-KO BC 225 L Petrol Motor Scythe

Introduction

Read this documentation before starting up the machine. This is a precondition for safe working and flawless operation.

• Observe the safety warnings in this documentation and on the machine.
• This documentation is a permanent integral part of the product described and must be passed on to the new owner if the machine is sold.

Explanation of symbols

Caution! Following these safety warnings carefully can prevent personal injury and/or material damage.
Special instructions for greater ease of understand-ing and improved handling

Meaning of symbols on the machine

m.
| BC 225 L: Blades not permitted!

Intended use

This device is intended for trimming and mowing lawns on private premises. Using this device for any other or additional purpose is con-sidered contrary to its intended use.

Caution! The device must not be used commercially.

Safety instructions

• The machine may only be used in perfect technical con-dition.
• Only work when there is adequate daylight or artificial lighting
• The machine must not be operated with different cutting tools or attachments.
• Wear appropriate working clothes:
  • Long trousers, sturdy footwear, gloves
  • Safety helmet, safety goggles, ear defenders
• Always ensure stability when working.
• The machine must not be operated if the operator is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
• Always operate the machine with both hands.
• Keep the handles dry and clean.
• Keep body and clothing away from cutting parts.
• Keep third parties away from the danger area.
• Remove foreign bodies from the working area.
• Always keep the guard, string head and engine free of mowing debris
• When leaving the machine:
  • Switch off the engine.
  • Wait until the cutting parts have come to a standstill.
• Do not leave the machine unattended.
• Never allow children or untrained persons to operate or service the machine. There may be local regulations regarding minimum age requirements for operating the machine.
• Accident prevention regulations must be observed.
• The user is responsible for accidents involving other persons and their property.

Caution! During extended periods of use the vibrations can cause disorders of the blood vessels or nervous systems of the fingers, hands and wrists. You may experience parts of your body going numb, twinges, pains or changes in the skin. If such symptoms arise, please consult your doctor!

Safety and protective equipment

Caution! Safety and protective equipment must not be disabled – Risk of injury!.

Emergency Stop

In the event of an emergency, swith the ignition switch to “STOP”.

Specification

| BC 225 L| BC 225 B
---|---|---
Motor type| Air-cooled 2-stroke engine| Air-cooled 2-stroke engine
Cylinder capacity| 25 cm³| 25 cm³
Power:| 0,7 kW| 0,7 kW
Dry weight (EN ISO 11806)| 7,1 kg| 5,5 kg
Sound power level ISO 22868| 113 dB(A) K = 3,0 dB (A)| 109 dB(A) K = 3,0 dB (A)
Sound pressure level ISO 22868| 98,5 dB(A)| 105,5 dB(A)
Vibration ISO 22867| 6,2 m/s² K=1,5 m/s²| 3 m/s² K=1,5 m/s²
Cutting string width| 41 cm| 41 cm
Cutting string diameter| 2 mm| 2.4 mm
Cutting width, cutting blade| –| 25 cm
Grip| L-handle| “Bike” grip
Ignition| Electronic| Electronic
Spark plug| L8RTC| L8RTC
Drive train| Centrifugal clutch| Centrifugal clutch
Max. engine speed| 10,000 r.p.m.| 10,000 r.p.m.
Engine idle speed| 2,800 r.p.m.| 2,800 r.p.m.
Tool speed| 7,000 r.p.m.| 7,000 r.p.m.

Stone impact guard

Protects the operator from ejected objects. The integrated cutter shortens the cutting string to the permissible length.

BC 225 L assembly

Parts overview

Caution! The machine must not be operated before assembly work has been completed.

Mounting the L grip (BC 225 L)

1. Place the rubber sleeve over the support bar.
2. Screw together the lower half of the grip and the top half above the rubber sleeve using the four Allen screws.

Mounting the guard (BC 225 L)

Fix cover and mounting sleeve with the center hexa-gon socket screw on the stem and tighten.

1. Screw protection cover with the remaining two hexa-gon socket screws

Mounting the string head (BC 225 L)

1. Hold the driver disc with your hand.
2. Screw the string head onto the guide pin. Caution: Left-hand thread.

BC 225 B assembly

Parts overview

Caution! The machine must not be operated before assembly work has been completed.

„Bike“ grip

1. Place the rubber sleeve over the support bar.
2. Screw together the lower brace and the grip holder over the rubber sleeve using the four Allen screws.
3. Place the grip rod into the grip holder.
4. Fasten the upper brace onto the grip holder using the four Allen screws.

Mounting the cutting blade

1. Place the drive plate onto the guide pin on the drive shaft.
2. Place the cutting blade onto the drive plate so that the hole in the cutting blade is positioned precisely on the guide circle on the drive plate.
3. Push the flange onto the cutting blade so that the flat side faces the cutting blade.
4. Fit the fan washer.
5. Secure the clamping nut onto the guide pin. To do this, insert the Allen key into the relevant holes and tighten using the spark plug wrench provided. Cauti-on: left-hand thread!
6. Secure the nut with the cotter pin.

Mounting the guard

1. Fix protection cap with medium screw on the hand-lebar.
2. Protective cover with the remaining two hex screws and hex nuts tighten.

Mounting the string head

1. Place the drive plate onto the guide pin on the drive shaft.
2. To lock, insert the Allen key into the hole in the dri-ver disc.
3. Screw the string head onto the guide pin. Caution: left-hand thread!

Adjusting the shoulder strap

1. Push the shoulder strap over your left shoulder.
2. Hook the locking hooks into the eyelet (1-6).
3. Check the length of the shoulder strap by making a number of swinging movements without switching on the engine. The string head or cutting blade must move parallel to the ground.

Caution! Always use the shoulder strap when working with the device. Only hook up the shoulder strap once the engine is started and idling.

Fuel and consumables

Safety instructions

Warning! Petrol is highly flammable – Fire hazard!

• Ensure that no fuel leaks from the engine, tank or fuel lines.
• Only mix and store petrol in approved containers.
• Do not use any fuel mixture that has been stored for more than 90 days.
• Only refuel outdoors.
• Do not smoke while refuelling.
• Do not open the fuel cap while the engine is running or hot.
• Exchange the tank or fuel cap if damaged.
• Always keep the fuel cap firmly closed.
• Only empty the fuel tank outdoors.
• If petrol has spilled out:
  • Do not start the engine.
  • Avoid ignition attempts.
  • Clean the machine.
  • Allow leftover fuel to evaporate

Preparing a fuel mixture

Only use fuel in a ratio of 25:1.

1. Pour petrol and a branded 2-stroke oil into a suitable container in accordance with the table.
2. Mix both parts th oroughly.

Table of fuel mixing ratios

25 parts petrol: 1 part mixing oil

2-stroke mixing oil

| 1 l| 40 ml
3 l| 120 ml
5 l| 200 ml

Starting the BC 225 L and BC 225 B

Caution! Always carry out a visual inspection before starting up the machine.

• Before use, ensure that all screws, nuts and bolts on the device are securely fastened
• The machine must not be operated with loose, damaged or worn cutting equipment and/or fixing components
• Replace damaged or worn parts with genuine spa-re parts.
• Always operate the trimmer with the guard.
• Always observe the operating instructions provided by the manufacturer of the engine.
• Observe local regulations regarding operating times.

Starting the engine

Warning! Never run the engine indoors. Toxic fumes!

Before start-up, shorten the cutting string to 13 cm to avoid overloading the engine.

Choke settings

Note the following for a cold start of the BC 225 L and BC 225 B:

1. Place the strimmer flat on the ground away from any other objects.
2. Ensure that the cutting tool is not in contact with any objects or the ground.
3. Ensure that it is stable.
4. Hold the device with your left hand. With your right hand, grip the starter cord.
5. Do not stand or kneel on the support.
   Always pull the starter cord straight out. Never allow it to snap back abruptly.

Starting the BC 225 L

BC 225 L cold start

1. Set the ignition switch to the “Start” position.
2. Press and hold the throttle lock, press the throttle.
3. Set the choke to the “CHOKE” position.
4. Press the cold start membrane pump 10 times.
5. Pull out the starter cord 3 or 4 times until the engine starts up (ignites) audibly for a brief time.
6. Pull the cord briskly with uniform force.
7. Once the engine has started: set the choke to “RUN”.
8. Pull out the starter cord until the engine starts.
9. If the engine does not start, repeat steps 1 to 7.

BC 225 L warm start

1. Set the ignition switch to the “Start” position.
2. Set the choke to „RUN“. Pull the starter cord – the en-gine will start.

• Engine does not start:
  • Set the choke to the “RUN” position.
  • Pull the starter cord 5 times.
• If the engine still does not start:
  • Wait 5 minutes and then try again with the gas lever pressed down.

Refer to the “Troubleshooting” chapter.

Switch off the engine

1. Release the gas lever and let the engine idle.
2. Set the ignition switch to “STOP”.

Caution! The engine and cutting parts will continue to run-on after switching off – risk of injury!

Starting the BC 225 B

BC 225 B cold start

1. Set the ignition switch to the “Start” position.
2. Lock the gas lever:
3. Press and hold the throttle lock
4. Press and hold the throttle
5. Press and hold the „Lock off“ switch
6. Release the throttle The throttle runs at full throttle.
7. Release the „Lock off“ switch.
8. Set the choke to the “CHOKE” position.
9.  Press the cold start membrane pump 10 times.
10. Pull out the starter cord 2 or 3 times until the engine starts (ignites) audibly for a brief time. Pull the cord briskly with uniform force.
11. Once the engine has started: set the choke to “RUN”.
12. Pull out the starter cord until the engine starts.
13. If the engine does not start, repeat steps 1 to 7.

BC 225 B warm-start

1. Set the ignition switch to the “Start” position.
2. Set the choke to the „RUN“ position.
3. Pull the starter cord quickly a maximum of 6 times – the engine will start. Keep the gas lever pressed down fully until the engine runs smoothly.

• Engine does not start:
  • Set the choke to the “RUN” position.
  • Pull the starter cord 5 times.
• If the engine still does not start:
  • Wait 5 minutes and then try again with the gas lever pressed down.

Refer to the “Troubleshooting” chapter.

Switching off the BC 225 B engine

1. Release the throttle and allow the engine to idle.
2. Switch the ignition to „STOP“.
   Caution! The engine and cutting tools continue to run on after being switched off – risk of injury!

Instructions for use

Always let the engine run in the upper speed range during trimming and cutting.

Safety instructions

Caution! Observe the safety warnings in this documentation and on the machine.

• Persons who are not familiar with the trimmer should practise handling it with the engine switched off
• Wear appropriate working clothes
• Always ensure stability when working.
• Always operate the machine with both hands.
• Keep body and clothing away from cutting parts.
• Keep third parties away from the danger area.
• Never hold the string head higher than knee level when the device is in operation.
• Do not spray the unit with water and protect against rain and humidity.
• When mowing on sloping ground, always stand downhill of the cutting device.
• Never work on a slippery hillside or slope.
• Never use the device in the vicinity of highly flammable liquids or gases – Risk of fire and/or explosion!
• After contact with a foreign object:
  • Switch off the engine.
  • Examine the device for damage.

Lengthening the cutting string

1. Let the engine run at full throttle and tap the string head on the ground. The cutting string will be extended automatically.

The blade on the safety shield shortens the cutting string to the permissible length.

Cleaning the guard

1. Switch off the device.
2. Carefully remove mowing debris with a screwdriver or similar tool.

Clean the guard regularly to prevent the shaft tube from overheating.

Trimming

1. Examine the terrain and determine the desired cut-ting height.
2. Guide and hold the string head at the desired height.
3. Swing the device from side to side in a sweeping, scythe-like motion.
4. Always keep the string head parallel with the ground.

Close trimming

1. Hold the device so that it is tilted forward at a slight angle and moves just above the ground.
2. Always trim away from your body.

Trimming along fences and foundations

Caution! Do not come into contact with solid structures – Danger of recoil!

1. Move the unit slowly and carefully without allowing the cutting string to hit any obstacles.

Trimming around tree trunks

1. Guide the device slowly and carefully around tree trunks, ensuring that the cutting string does not touch the tree bark.
2. Mow from left to right around tree trunks.
3. Cut grass and weeds with the tip of the string and keep the string head tilted slightly forwards.

Trimming along stone walls, foundations and tree leads to increased string wear.

Mowing

1. Tilt the string head to the right at an angle of 30 degrees.
2. Move the handgrip to the desired position.
   Caution! Remove foreign objects from the working area. Risk of injury / damage to property from ejected foreign objects.

Mowing with the cutting blade

When mowing with the cutting blade, the cutting blade should be guided in a curving horizontal motion from one side to the other.
Caution!
Before using the cutting blade, observe the following ad-ditional instructions:

• Use the shoulder strap.
• Check the safety hood and cutting blade for correct installation.
• Wear protective clothing and eye protection.

Do not use weed cutter blades for cutting brush-wood and young trees!
Caution! Only use original cutting knives and accessories! Non-original parts can cause injuries and device mal-functions!

Avoiding recoil

Caution! Danger of recoil / risk of injury!
Do not use the cutting blade in the vicinity of fixed obstacles – Never use blunt cutters and avoid uncontrolled contact with foreign bodies. Otherwise there will be an increased risk of the equipment kickback, which could throw the machine around. As a result the operator could be make involuntary movements, which could lead to serious injuries.

Jamming

Dense vegetation, young trees or brushwood can jam the cutting blade and stop it turning.

• Avoid jamming by noting the direction in which the veg-etation leans and then cutting from the opposite side.
• If the cutting blade becomes entangled during cutting:
  • Switch off the engine immediately.
  • Hold up the device so that the cutting blade does not jump or break.
  • Push the caught material away

Maintenance and care

• Clean the device after every use with a brush and a dry cloth. Do not use cleaning agents or water.

Air filter

Caution!   Never operate the device without an air filter. Clean the air filter regularly. Exchange the filter if damaged.

1. Remove the star screw, take off the cover and take out the air filter.
2. Clean the air filter with soap and water. Do not use petrol!
3. Allow the air filter to dry.
4. Install the air filter in reverse sequence.

Fuel filter

Caution! Never operate the device without a fuel filter. Severe engine damage may result.

1. Completely remove the fuel cap.
2. Empty the remaining fuel into a suitable container.
3. Pull the filter out of the tank with a wire hook.
4. Remove the filter with a twisting motion.
5. Exchange the filter.
   Carburettor adjustment
   The carburettor is optimally adjusted at the factory.Spark plug (BC 225 L, Fig. 7) (BC 225 B, Fig. 4)
   Spark plug gap = 0.635 mm [0.025”].

References

• Startseite - AL-KO Unternehmensgruppe

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