milwaukee 2828-20 M18 Brushless String Trimmer User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: Milwaukee

Table of Contents

Milwaukee 2828-20 M18 Brushless String Trimmer
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR STRING TRIMMERS
SYMBOLOGY
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Milwaukee 2828-20 M18 Brushless String Trimmer

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE USE WORK AREA SAFETY

Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo-spheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
Keep children and bystanders away while operat-ing a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near children. Store idle power tools out of the reach of chil-dren and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Do not use the tool near anything that is burning or smoking such as cigarettes, matches, or hot ashes.
To reduce the risk of health hazards from vapors or dust, do not use tool near tool toxic, carcino-genic or other hazardous materials such as as-bestos, arsenic, barium, beryllium, lead, pesticides or other health-endangering materials.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Do not expose power tools to rain or wet condi-tions. Do not immerse in water or spray with a hose. Do not clean with a pressure washer. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock. Store tool indoors.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
Always wear eye protection. Use of this tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into eyes, which can result in eye damage.
Wear a face or dust mask when working in dust situations. Dust particles can harm your lungs.
Use personal protective equipment. Protective equipment such as hearing protection, protective clothing, and non-skid safety shoes used for ap-propriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
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.
Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-ance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
Use the power tool, accessories, etc. in ac-cordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for opera-tions different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
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.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 power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.

POWER TOOL USE AND CARE

Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
Use tool only as described in this manual. Use only manufacturer’s recommended attachments.
Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Do not store the power tool on or near to fertilizers or chemicals.
Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
Use the power tool, accessories, etc. in ac-cordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for opera-tions different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
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.

BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE

Remove the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing ac-cessories, storing, or any time the power tool is not in use. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
Turn off power tool before removing battery pack.
Do not handle battery pack, tool, or charger (including charger plug and terminals) with wet hands.
Before using the battery pack or charger read the operator’s manuals, and any labels on the battery pack, charger and tool.
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.
Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
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.
Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact ac-cidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
Do not use a battery pack or tool that is dam-aged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or tem-perature above 265°F (130°C) may cause explosion.
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.

SERVICE

Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR STRING TRIMMERS

Keep bystanders at least 50′ away during use. Objects may be thrown or ricochet in all directions.
Brace for unexpected movement when contact is made with a hard object. Loss of control could result in serious injury.
Do not use blades, brush cutting wheels, accessories, or attachment other than those recommended by MILWAUKEE. Serious injury or product damage may occur.
Do not operate the tool without the coupler in place. The coupler must be secured properly when trimming. Operating the trimmer without the coupler will cause serious injury.
Do not operate the tool without the guard in place. The guard must be attached properly when trimming. Operating the trimmer without the guard will cause serious injury.
Do not use tool with a damaged trimmer head. Cracked or broken pieces can be thrown.
Do not operate the tool without the front handle in place. The front handle must be attached properly for use when trimming. Using one hand could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
Carry the trimmer by the front handle. Proper handling of the trimmer will prevent injury.
Use both hands when operating the trimmer. Maintain a firm grip. Using one hand could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
Inspect the area before using the tool. Remove all debris and hard objects such as rocks, glass, wire, etc. that can ricochet, be thrown, or otherwise cause injury or damage during operation.
Keep face, hands and feet clear of rotating line at all times. Rotating line can cause severe lacerations.
Thrown objects may ricochet off of hard surfaces, such as walls, trees, and rocks and cause injury. When possible, do trimming by hand in closed in areas.
When replacing the line, use only .080″ or .095″ spiral (2 mm or 2.4 mm) diameter line. Any other size can degrade performance or cause damage to the trimmer.
Use care when trimming around decorative plants and other obstacles. Rotating line will cut/damage many materials.
Always turn off the tool between cuts or when transporting from one location to another. Do not carry tool with finger on the trigger. Accidental starting can cause serious personal injury.
Do not use tool as an edger. Do not tilt tool to create a right angle to the ground. Keep trimmer head and line parallel to the ground. Guard cannot protect against flying debris in this orientation.
Always use common sense and be cautious when using tools. It is not possible to anticipate every situation that could result in a dangerous outcome. Do not use this tool if you do not understand these operating instructions or you feel the work is beyond your capability; contact Milwaukee Tool or a trained professional for additional information or training.
Maintain labels and nameplates. These carry important information. If unreadable or missing, contact a MILWAUKEE service facility for a free replacement.
WARNING Some dustsawing, grinding, created by drilling, power and othersanding, construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
lead from lead-based paint
crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and
arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to

SYMBOLOGY

Volts
Direct Current
RPM
Safety Alert Symbol
Always wear eye protection and hearing protection.
Always wear gloves and personal protective equipment.
Always wear protective clothing and footwear
Keep bystanders 50′ away during use.
Objects may be thrown or ricochet in all directions.
Do not use in rain or wet locations.
Do not use blades or brush cutting wheels.
US UL Listing for Canada and U.S.

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

milwaukee 2828-20 M18 -Brushless -String-
Trimmer-FIG 2

Trimmer pole
Coupler
Front handle
Speed control button
Lock-off lever
Handle
Trigger
Trimmer head
Guard
Line blade
Spool tab
Line
Spool housing

WARNING Do not operate the tool without the guard in place. The guard must be attached properly when trimming. Operating the trimmer without the guard will cause serious injury.
Installing the Coupler
The tool is shipped folded in half and must be unhinged and secured before use. After initial assembly, keep coupler secured at all times.

Using the hinge side, unfold the coupler; lin-ing up the front and rear pole sections.
Using the included key, secure the coupler with the three bolts.

Installing the Guard

The guard is shipped uninstalled and must be installed before use.

Line up the guard brack- et with the holes in the guard.
Insert four screws through the guard and into the bracket.
Tighten the screws securely using the in-cluded key.

WARNING Do not operate the tool without the front handle in place. The front handle must be attached properly for use when trimming. Using one hand could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
Installing the Front Handle
The front handle is shipped uninstalled and must be installed before use.

Place the two nuts into the front handle detents.
Insert one bracket into the handle.
Alight the front handle with the top of the warning sticker, just above the “Place Handle Here” marking.
Wrap the other bracket around the back of the shaft.
Insert the two screws through the lower bracket and into the side handle.
Tighten the screws securely using the included key.

Adjusting the Cutting Diameter

To change the cutting diameter from 14″ to 16″:

Remove the battery pack.
Remove the two screws holding the line cut-off blade.
Rotate the blade 180° and reinstall the screws. Tighten securely.
WARNING Rechspecified arge for onlthe y withbattery th . e chFor argspeer-cific charging instructions, read the operator’s manual supplied with your charger and battery.

Removing/Inserting the Battery
To remove the battery, push in the release buttons and pull the battery pack away from the tool.

WARNING Always remove battery pack before To insert the battery, slide the pack into the body of the tool. Make sure it latches securely into place.
WARNING Do not use blades, brush cutting wheels, accessories, or attach- ment other than those recommended by MILWAUKEE. Serious injury or product damage may occur.
Replacing the Cutting Line
Use only MILWAUKEE trimmer line (see Specifica-tions). Replace the cutting line with either 20′ of .095 spiral line or 25′ of .080 spiral line. Note, when used near abrasive surfaces or in dense growth, the cutting line will wear faster.

Remove the battery pack.
Clean any grass or debris from the trimmer head.
Measure out 20′ of .095 spiral line or 25′ of .080 spiral line. CAUTION: When replacing the line, use only MILWAUKEE .080″ or .095″ (2 mm or 2.4 mm) diameter spiral line. Any other line can degrade performance or cause damage to the trimmer.
Rotate the cap to align the red indi-cators on the cap with the red indi-cators above the eyelets.
Insert the line through either eyelet and push through the head so an equal amount of line extends from each eyelet.
Begin winding the line by rotating the cap in the direction of the arrows. Continue twisting until 4″ to 6″ of line extends from the eyelets.
Check that the exposed line extends no further than the line blade. If the exposed line is too long, continue winding the cap or trim before use.
Under normal operation, the remaining string should be thrown from the spinning head during use. If any string remains in the head, or to remove a length of string to replace with a different type, turn the trimmer head over and press the release tabs. Pull the cover away from the head (2). Discard any short line rem-nants. Snap the cover back onto the trimmer head.

Selecting the Speed

Use the speed control button to select Low or High speeds. Use low speed for larger jobs where extended battery life is needed. Use high speed for dense growth applica-tions.

OPERATION

WARNING To reduce the riwear proper eye protection markedsk of injury, always to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
Do not operate the tool without the guard in place. The guard must be attached properly when trim-ming. Operating the trimmer without the guard will cause serious injury.
Use both hands when operating the trimmer. Maintain a firm grip. Using one hand could cause loss of control and result in serious injury. Inspect the area before use. Remove all debris and hard objects such as rocks, glass, wire, etc. that can ricochet, be thrown, or otherwise cause injury or damage during operation.
Trimming

Grasp the trigger handle with your right hand and the front handle with your left hand to properly align yourself behind the guard and away from the direction of cut.
To start the trimmer, squeeze the lock-off lever and pull the trigger.
To vary the speed, increase or decrease the pres-sure on the trigger. The further the trigger is pulled, the greater the speed up to the maximum set by the speed control button.
Allow the trimmer to angle down, keeping at least 12″ between the trimmer head and any body part. Hold the trimmer just above the ground and swing the head side to side.
NOTE: The trimmer will cut best when moved across the ground in the direction of the arrow on the guard.
WARNING! Do not use tool as an edger. Do not tilt tool to create a right angle to the ground. Keep trimmer head and line parallel to the ground. Guard cannot protect against flying debris in this orientation.
To feed out the line, bump it against the ground gently while running a normal speed. NOTE: When used near abrasive surfaces or in dense growth, the cutting line will wear faster and require “bump-ing” more often.
To stop the trimmer, release the trigger. Make sure the tool comes to a complete stop before laying the tool down.

Cutting Tips

Allow the ends of the line to do the cutting.
Contact between the line and solid objects will cause extra line wear and breakage.
Do not drag the spool cover along the ground or bump it too hard. Only bump spool on the ground. Do not bump against rocks, driveways, etc.
Make multiple passes in long growth.
Avoid ornamental trees, shrubs, and plantings. Avoid contact with siding, fence posts, etc. They can all be damaged by the trimmer.

MAINTENANCE

WARNING To reduce the risk of injury, always unplug the charger and remove the battery pack from the charger or tool before performing any maintenance. Never disassemble the tool, battery pack or charger. Contact a MILWAUKEE service facility for ALL repairs.

Maintaining Tool
Keep your tool, battery pack and charger in good repair by adopting a regular maintenance program. Inspect your tool for issues such as undue noise, misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, or any other condition that may affect the tool operation. Return the tool, battery pack, and charger to a MILWAUKEE service facility for repair. After six months to one year, depending on use, return the tool, battery pack and charger to a MILWAUKEE service facility for inspection. If the tool does not start or operate at full power with a fully charged battery pack, clean the contacts on the battery pack. If the tool still does not work prop-erly, return the tool, charger and battery pack, to a MILWAUKEE service facility for repairs.

Maintaining Line
Store extra line in a sealed plastic bag with a table-spoon of water to avoid drying or cracking. Periodi-cally sharpen the line cutter to ensure the line does not extend too long from the spool, which can cause motor overload.

WARNING To reduce the risk of personal in- jury and damage, never immerse your tool, battery pack or charger in liquid or allow a liquid to flow inside them.
Cleaning
Clean dust and debris from vents. Keep handles clean, dry and free of oil or grease. Use only mild soap and a damp cloth to clean, since certain clean-ing agents and solvents are harmful to plastics and other insulated parts. Some of these include gasoline, turpentine, lacquer thinner, paint thinner, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia and household deter-gents containing ammonia. Never use flammable or combustible solvents around tools.
Repairs
For repairs, return the tool, battery pack and charger to the nearest authorized service center.