Black & Decker LST136 User manual

1
36V LITHIUM TRIMMER / EDGER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
KEY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:
• The guard must be installed before trimming or edging - if
not, the motor will overheat (page 8).
• When replacing the line, use only .065 inch diameter
ROUND line (B&D Model #AF-100 is recommended) -
otherwise the tool will not function properly (page 11).
• Do not bump the feed head against the ground - it will
disrupt the feed mechanism.
Model # LST136
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
VEA EL ESPAÑOL EN LA CONTRAPORTADA.
POUR LE FRANÇAIS, VOIR LA COUVERTURE ARRIÈRE.
INSTRUCTIVO DE OPERACIÓN, CENTROS DE SERVICIO Y
PÓLIZA DE GARANTÍA. ADVERTENCIA: LÉASE ESTE
INSTRUCTIVO ANTES DE USAR EL PRODUCTO.
Thank you for choosing Black & Decker! Go
to www.BlackandDecker.com/NewOwner
to register your new product.
Model Number LST136
PLEASE READ BEFORE RETURNING
THIS PRODUCT FOR ANY REASON:
If you have a question or experience a problem with your
Black & Decker purchase, go to
WWW.BLACKANDDECKER.COM/INSTANTANSWERS
for instant answers 24 hours a day.
If you canʼt find the answer or do not have access to the internet,
call 1-800-544-6986 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Mon. - Fri
to speak with an agent.
Please have the catalog number available when you call.

SAFETY GUIDELINES - DEFINITIONS
It is important for you to read and understand this manual. The
information it contains relates to protecting YOUR SAFETY and
PREVENTING PROBLEMS. The symbols below are used to help
you recognize this information.
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.
NOTICE: Used without the safety alert symbol indicates a
potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
property damage.
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety Guidelines - Definitions.................................................2
Important Safety Warnings and Instructions ............................2
Components.............................................................................4
Important Safety Instructions for Battery Chargers..................4
Important Safety Instructions for Battery Packs.......................5
Assembly / Adjustment ............................................................8
Operating Instructions..............................................................9
Replacement Accessories .......................................................10
Maintenance ............................................................................12
Troubleshooting .......................................................................12
Service Information ..................................................................13
Full Two-Year ome Use Warranty..........................................14
WARNING: When using electric gardening appliances, basic
safety precautions should always be followed to reduce risk of fire,
electric shock, and personal injury, including the following.
Read All Instructions
•ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION – Wear safety spectacles
or goggles at all times when this tool is plugged in.
•GUARD – Do not use this tool without guard attached.
•DRESS PROPERLY – Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
They can be caught in moving parts. Rubber gloves and
substantial rubber soled footwear are recommended when
working outdoors. Donʼt operate the tool when barefoot or
wearing open sandals. Wear long pants to protect your legs.
Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.
•NYLON LINE – Keep face, hands and feet clear of rotating nylon
line at all times.
•THE ROTATING LINE PERFORMS A CUTTING FUNCTION –
Use care when trimming around screens and desirable plantings.
•KEEP ALL BYSTANDERS AWAY – at a safe distance from
work area, especially children.
•IMPORTANT WARNING – When being used as an Edger,
stones, pieces of metal and other objects can be thrown out at
high speed by the line. The tool and guard are designed to
reduce the danger. owever, the following special precautions
should be taken:
•MAKE SURE that other persons and pets are at least 100 feet
(30m) away.
•TO REDUCE THE RISK of rebound (ricochet) injury, work going
away from any nearby solid object such as wall, steps, large
stone, tree, etc. Use great care when working close to solid
objects and where necessary, do edging or trimming by hand.
•AVOID ACCIDENTALLY STARTING – Donʼt carry plugged-in
tool with finger on trigger.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS
AND INSTRUCTIONS

3
•DO NOT FORCE THE TOOL – at a rate faster than the rate at
which it is able to cut effectively.
•USE THE RIGHT TOOL – Do not use this tool for any job except
that for which it is intended.
•DONʼT OVERREACH – Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
•DAMAGE TO UNIT – If you strike or become entangled with a
foreign object, stop tool immediately, unplug, check for damage
and have any damage repaired before further operation is
attempted. Do not operate with a broken hub or spool.
•DISCONNECT TOOL – when not in use, when replacing line, or
prior to cleaning.
•AVOID DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS – Do
not use electric tools in damp or wet locations. Follow all
instructions in this Instruction Manual for proper operation of your
tool. Donʼt use the tool in the rain.
•DO NOT OPERATE portable electric tools in gaseous or
explosive atmospheres. Motors in these tools normally spark, and
the sparks might ignite fumes.
•STORE IDLE TOOLS INDOORS – When not in use, tools
should be stored indoors in a dry, locked-up place out of reach of
children.
•STAY ALERT – Watch what you are doing. Use common sense.
Do not operate tool when you are tired.
•MAINTAIN APPLIANCES WITH CARE – Follow instructions in
maintenance section. Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil
and grease.
•CHECK DAMAGED PARTS – Before further use of the
appliance, a guard or other part that is damaged should be
carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and
perform its intended function. Check for alignment of moving
parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and
any other condition that may affect its operation. A guard or other
part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by
an authorized service center unless otherwise indicated
elsewhere in this manual.
• DO NOT immerse tool in water or squirt it with a hose. DO NOT
allow any liquid to get inside it.
• DO NOT store the tool on or adjacent to fertilizers or chemicals.
• DO NOT clean with a pressure washer.
• Keep guards in place and in working order.
• Keep hands and feet away from cutting area.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
The label on your tool may include the following symbols. The
symbols and their definitions are as follows:
V ..............volts A ................amperes
z ............hertz W................watts
min............minutes ..............alternating current
..........direct current no ..............no load speed
..............Class II Construction ............earthing terminal
............safety alert symbol .../min ......revolutions or
reciprocations per minute
WARNING: Some dust created by this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of
these chemicals are:
• compounds in f rtiliz rs
• compounds in ins cticid s, h rbicid s and p sticid s
• ars nic and chromium from ch mically tr at d lumb r
To r duc your xposur to th s ch micals, w ar approv d saf ty
quipm nt such as dust masks that ar sp cially d sign d to filt r out
microscopic particl s.

4
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS: This manual contains important
safety instructions for battery chargers.
• Before using charger, read all instructions and cautionary markings
on charger, battery pack, and product using battery pack.
WARNING: Shock hazard. Do not allow any liquid to get
inside charger.
CAUTION: Burn hazard. To reduce the risk of injury, charge
only designated Black & Decker batteries. Other types of batteries
may burst causing personal injury and damage.
CAUTION: Under certain conditions, with the charger plugged
in to the power supply, the charger can be shorted by foreign
material. Foreign materials of a conductive nature such as, but not
limited to, steel wool, aluminum foil, or any buildup of metallic
particles should be kept away from charger cavities. Always unplug
the charger from the power supply when there is no battery pack in
the cavity. Unplug charger before attempting to clean.
WARNING:
•DO NOT attempt to charge the battery pack with any chargers
other than the ones in this manual. Th charg r and batt ry
pack ar sp cifically d sign d to work tog th r.
•These chargers are not intended for any uses other than
charging designated Black & Decker rechargeable batteries.
Any oth r us s may r sult in risk of fir , l ctric shock or
l ctrocution.
•Do not expose charger to rain or snow.
•Pull by plug rather than cord when disconnecting charger.
This will r duc risk of damag to l ctric plug and cord.
•Make sure that cord is located so that it will not be stepped
on, tripped over, or otherwise subjected to damage or stress.
•Do not use an extension cord unless it is absolutely
1. On/Off Switch
2. Handle
3. Lock Off Button
4. Battery
5. Charge Indicator
6. Power Command
7. Auxillary Handle
8. Height Adjust
Locking Clamp
9. Trimmer Head
10. Edge Guide
11. Guard
12. Spool Housing
8
7
4
3
COMPONENTS
2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
FOR BATTERY CHARGERS
10
1
11
12
9
5
6

necessary. Us of improp r xt nsion cord could r sult in risk of
fir , l ctric shock, or l ctrocution.
•An extension cord must have adequate wire size (AWG or
American Wire Gauge) for safety. Th small r th gaug numb r
of th wir , th gr at r th capacity of th cabl , that is 16 gaug
has mor capacity than 18 gaug . Wh n using mor than on
xt nsion to mak up th total l ngth, b sur ach individual
xt nsion contains at l ast th minimum wir siz .
Recommended Minimum Wire Size for Extension Cords
•Do not place any object on top of charger or place the charger
on a soft surface that might block the ventilation slots and
result in excessive internal heat. Place the charger in a
position away from any heat source. Th charg r is v ntilat d
through slots in th top and th bottom of th housing.
•Do not mount charger on wall or permanently affix charger to
any surface. Th charg r is int nd d to us on a flat, stabl
surfac (i. ., tabl top, b nch top).
•Do not operate charger with damaged cord or plug — hav
th m r plac d imm diat ly.
•Do not operate charger if it has received a sharp blow, been
dropped, or otherwise damaged in any way. Tak it to an
authoriz d s rvic c nt r.
•Do not disassemble charger; tak it to an authoriz d s rvic
5
c nt r wh n s rvic or r pair is r quir d. Incorr ct r ass mbly
may r sult in a risk of l ctric shock, l ctrocution or fir .
•Disconnect the charger from the outlet before attempting any
cleaning. This will r duc th risk of l ctric shock. R moving th
batt ry pack will not r duc this risk.
•NEVER attempt to connect 2 chargers together.
•The charger is designed to operate on standard household
electrical power (120 Volts). Do not attempt to use it on any
other voltage.
SAVE THESE I STRUCTIO S
WARNING: For saf op ration, r ad this manual and manuals
originally suppli d with tool b for using th charg r.
The battery pack is not fully charged out of the carton. Before using
the battery pack and charger, read the safety instructions below.
Then follow charging procedures outlined.
READ ALL I STRUCTIO S
•Do not incinerate the battery pack even if it is severely
damaged or is completely worn out. Th batt ry pack can
xplod in a fir . Toxic fum s and mat rials ar cr at d wh n
batt ry packs ar burn d.
•Do not charge or use battery in explosive atmospheres, such
as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Ins rting
or r moving th batt ry from th charg r may ignit th dust or fum s.
•If battery contents come into contact with the skin,
immediately wash area with mild soap and water. If batt ry liquid
g ts into th y , rins wat r ov r th op n y for 15 minut s or
until irritation c as s. If m dical att ntion is n d d, th batt ry
l ctrolyt for Li-ion batt ri s is compos d of a mixtur of liquid
organic carbonat s and lithium salts.
•Contents of opened battery cells may cause respiratory
Minimum Gauge for Cord ets
Volts Total Length of Cord in Feet
120V 0-25 26-50 51-100 101-150
240V 0-50 51-100 101-200 201-300
Ampere Rating
Mor Not mor Am rican Wir Gaug
Than Than
0-6 18 16 16 14
6-10 18 16 14 12
10 - 12 16 16 14 12
12 - 16 14 12 Not R comm nd d
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
FOR BATTERY PACKS

6
irritation. Provid fr sh air. If symptoms p rsist, s k m dical
att ntion.
WARNING: Burn hazard. Batt ry liquid may b flammabl if
xpos d to spark or flam .
•Charg th batt ry packs only in Black & Decker charg rs.
•DO NOT splash or immerse in water or other liquids. This may
caus pr matur c ll failur .
•Do not store or use the tool and battery pack in locations where
the temperature may reach or exceed 105°F (40˚C) (such as
outside sheds or metal buildings in summer).
WARNING: N v r att mpt to op n th batt ry pack for any
r ason. If batt ry pack cas is crack d or damag d, do not ins rt into
charg r. Do not crush, drop or damag batt ry pack. Do not us a
batt ry pack or charg r that has r c iv d a sharp blow, b n
dropp d, run ov r or damag d in any way (i. ., pi rc d with a nail,
hit with a hamm r, st pp d on). Damag d batt ry packs should b
r turn d to s rvic c nt r for r cycling.
WARNING: Fire hazard. Do not store or carry battery so
that metal objects can contact exposed battery terminals. For
xampl , do not plac batt ry in aprons, pock ts, tool box s, product
kit box s, draw rs, tc., with loos nails, scr ws, k ys, tc.
Transporting batteries can possibly cause fires if the battery
terminals inadvertently come in contact with conductive
materials such as keys, coins, hand tools and the like. Th US
D partm nt of Transportation Hazardous Mat rial R gulations (HMR)
actually prohibit transporting batt ri s in comm rc or on airplan s
(i. ., pack d in suitcas s and carry-on luggag ) UNLESS th y ar
prop rly prot ct d from short circuits. So wh n transporting individual
batt ri s, mak sur that th batt ry t rminals ar prot ct d and w ll
insulat d from mat rials that could contact th m and caus a short
circuit. NOTE: Batteries should not be put in checked baggage.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The best storage place is one that is cool and dry away from
direct sunlight and excess heat or cold.
2. Long storage will not harm the battery pack or charger.
CHARGING PROCEDURE
The standard charger provided will charge a fully depleted battery in
about 2 hours.
1. Plug the charger into an appropriate outlet before inserting the
battery pack.
2. Insert the battery pack into the charger
as shown in figure A.
3. The green LED will flash
indicating that the battery is being
charged.
4. The completion of charge is
indicated by the green LED
remaining on continuously. The pack
is fully charged and may be used at
this time or left on the charger.
Recharge discharged batteries as soon
as possible after use or battery life may be greatly diminished.
CHARGER DIAGNOSTICS
This charger is designed to detect certain problems that can arise
with the battery packs or the power source. Problems are indicated
by one LED flashing in different patterns.
BAD BATTERY
The charger can detect a weak or damaged battery. The red
LED flashes in the pattern indicated on the label. If you see
this bad battery blink pattern, do not continue to charge the
battery. Return it to a service center or a collection site for
recycling.
HOT/COLD PACK DELAY
When the charger detects a battery that is excessively hot or
excessively cold, it automatically starts a ot/Cold Pack
Delay, suspending charging until the battery has normalized.
After this happens, the charger automatically switches to the
Pack Charging mode. This feature ensures maximum battery
life. The red LED flashes in the pattern indicated on the label
when the hot / cold pack delay is detected.
A

7
LEAVING THE BATTERY IN THE CHARGER
The charger and battery pack can be left connected with the green
LED glowing indefinitely. The charger will keep the battery pack
fresh and fully charged.
IMPORTANT CHARGING NOTES
1. Longest life and best performance can be obtained if the battery
pack is charged when the air temperature is between 60°F and
80°F (16°- 27°C). DO NOT charge the battery pack in an air
temperature below +40°F (+4.5°C), or above +105°F (+40.5°C).
This is important and will prevent serious damage to the battery
pack.
2. The charger and battery pack may become warm to touch while
charging. This is a normal condition, and does not indicate a
problem. To facilitate the cooling of the battery pack after use, avoid
placing the charger or battery pack in a warm environment such as
in a metal shed, or an uninsulated trailer.
3. If the battery pack does not charge properly:
a. Check current at receptacle by plugging in a lamp or other
appliance
b. Check to see if receptacle is connected to a light switch
which turns power off when you turn out the lights.
c. Move charger and battery pack to a location where the
surrounding air temperature is approximately 60°F - 80°F
(16° - 27°C).
d. If charging problems persist, take the tool, battery pack and
charger to your local service center.
4. The battery pack should be recharged when it fails to produce
sufficient power on jobs which were easily done previously. DO NOT
CONTINUE to use under these conditions. Follow the charging
procedure. You may also charge a partially used pack whenever
you desire with no adverse affect on the battery pack.
5. Foreign materials of a conductive nature such as, but not limited
to, steel wool, aluminum foil, or any buildup of metallic particles
should be kept away from charger cavities. Always unplug the
charger from the power supply when there is no battery pack in the
cavity. Unplug charger before attempting to clean.
6. Do not freeze or immerse charger in water or any other liquid.
WARNING: Shock hazard. Do not allow any liquid to get
inside charger. N v r att mpt to op n th batt ry pack for any
r ason. If th plastic housing of th batt ry pack br aks or cracks,
r turn to a s rvic c nt r for r cycling.
STATE OF CHARGE INDICATOR (FIGURE B)
The battery is equipped with a state of charge indicator. This can be
used to display the current level of charge in the battery during use
and during charging.
Checking state of charge during
use:
• Press the state of charge indicator
button (B1).
• The four LEDʼs (B2) will illuminate
indicating the percent of charge in
the battery. See chart in figure B.
INSTALLING AND REMOVING THE BATTERY PACK
WARNING: Mak c rtain th lock-off button is ngag d to
pr v nt switch actuation b for r moving or installing batt ry.
TO INSTALL BATTERY PACK:
Insert battery pack into tool until
fully seated and an audible click is
heard (figure C). Make sure
battery pack is fully seated and fully
latched into position.
TO REMOVE BATTERY PACK:
Depress the battery release button
in the back of the battery pack and
pull battery pack out of tool.
C
B
B2
B1

8
WARNING: Before assembly, make sure that the tool is
switched off and the battery has been removed.
ASSEMBLY TOOLS REQUIRED ( OT SUPPLIED):
- Phillips Screwdriver
WARNING: Remove the
battery before attempting to
attach any of the following
components.
ATTACHING THE GUARD
(FIGURES D AND E)
WARNING: NEVER
OPERATE TOOL
WIT OUT GUARD FIRMLY
IN PLACE. The guard must
always be properly attached
on the tool to protect the user.
• Remove the screw from
the guard.
• Keeping the guard square
to the trimmer head slide it
into place until the retaining
tab clicks into place (Ensure
that the guide rails (D1) on
the guard (D2) are correctly
aligned with the guide rails
(D3) on the trimmer head
(D4) (figure D).
• Secure the guard with the
screw (E1) (figure E).
ATTACHING THE AUXILLARY HANDLE (FIGURES F AND G)
• Push the auxillary handle
(F1) onto the tube (F2).
Align the tab (F3) with the
slot in the tube.
• Lift the locking bar (G1)
into position.
• Close the auxillary handle
locking clamp (G2).
NOTE: If the auxillary
handle slackens over time it
can be re-tightened by
turning the locking bar (G1)
further into the handle
locking clamp (G2).
D
D2
D1
D3
D4
E
E1
F
F1
F2
F3
G
G1 G2
ASSEMBLY & AD USTMENT

9
AD USTING THE HEIGHT OF THE TOOL (FIGURE H)
• This tool has a telescopic
mechanism, allowing you to
set it to a comfortable
height.
To adjust the height setting:
• Release the height adjust
locking clamp (H1).
• Gently pull the tube (H2)
up or down to the desired
height.
• Close the height adjust
locking clamp (H1).
RELEASING THE CUTTING LINE
In transit, the cutting line is taped to the spool housing.
• Remove the tape holding the cutting line to the spool housing.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: Always use proper eye protection that conforms
to ANSI Z87.1 (CAN/CSA Z94.3) while operating this power tool.
CAUTION: Inspect area to be trimmed and remove any wire,
cord, or string-like objects which could become entangled in the
rotating line or spool. Be particularly careful to avoid any wire which
might be bent outwardly into the path of the tool, such as barbs at the
base of a chain link fence.
SETTING THE TOOL TO TRIMMING OR EDGING MODE
(FIGURE I, AND K)
• The tool can be used in trimming mode as shown in figure I or in
edging mode to trim overhanging grass along lawn edges and flower
beds as shown in figure K.
TRIMMI G MODE
For trimming, the trimmer
head should be in the position
shown in figure I. If it is not:
• Remove the battery from the
tool.
• Press and hold the head
release button (I1).
• While holding the auxillary
handle, rotate the head
clockwise.
• Release the head release
button.
• Lift the edge guide ( 1) into
the closed position.
Note: The head will only rotate
in one direction.
CAUTION: Wire edge
guide should only be used
when in the edging mode.
Keep wire edge guide in the
retracted position when in the
trimming mode.
EDGI G MODE (FIGURE K)
For edging, the trimmer head
should be in the position
shown in figure K. If it is not:
• Remove the battery from the
tool.
• Press and hold the head
release button (K1).
H
H1
H2
I
K
I1
K2
J
J1
K1

10
• While holding the auxillary handle, rotate the head counterclockwise.
• Release the head release button.
• Drop the edge guide (K2) in to the open position. Ensure that the
edging guide is all the way down, an audible click will be heard.
Note: The head will only rotate in one direction.
Note: The Auto Feed System may not operate correctly if edge guide
is not used.
SWITCHING ON AND OFF
• To switch the tool on, press
in and hold the lock off button
(L1) then squeeze the trigger
lever (L2). Once the tool is
running you may release the
lock off button (L1).
• To switch the tool off,
release the trigger lever.
WARNING: Never
attempt to lock the trigger
lever in the on position.
POWER COMMAND -
MAX POWER / MAX RUNTIME
The max power / max runtime
feature (M1) is located on the
tool handle. It allows you to
optimize the tools
performance and boost the
power as needed.
•To choos max pow r to
tackl thick w ds, rotat dial
to s tting 6.
•To choos max runtim to
incr as batt ry lif rotat dial
to s tting 1.
•For a combination of both, rotat dial to s tting from 2 to 5.
TRIMMI G
• old the tool as shown in
figure N.
• Gently swing the trimmer
from side to side.
• When cutting long grass,
work in stages from the top.
Take small cuts.
• Keep the tool away from
hard objects and delicate
plants.
• Cutting line will wear faster
and require more feeding if
the cutting is done along
pavements or other abrasive
surfaces or heavier weeds
are being cut.
• If the tool starts running slowly, reduce the load.
EDGI G
Optimum cutting results are
achieved on edges deeper
than 2 inches (50 mm).
• Do not use the tool to
create edges or trenches.
• Guide the tool as shown in
figure O.
• To make a closer cut,
slightly tilt the tool.
L
L1
L2
MM1
N
O