Homelite Expand-it UT15702A User manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Expand-it™
Brushcutter Attachment
UT15702A
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Your Expand-it™ Brushcutter Attachment has been engineered and manufactured to a high standard for dependability,
ease of operation, and operator safety. Properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.
Thank you again for buying an Expand-it™ Product.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator’s manual before
using this product.

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
n Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 2
n General Safety Rules .................................................................................................................................................... 3
n Specific Safety Rules.................................................................................................................................................... 3
n Symbols ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
n Features ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
n Assembly ................................................................................................................................................................... 5-7
n Operation ................................................................................................................................................................... 7-8
n Parts List....................................................................................................................................................................... 9
n Warranty...................................................................................................................................................................... 11
n Parts, Ordering, and Service....................................................................................................................................... 12
With the Expand-it™ Brushcutter Attachment you can create a professionally landscaped look for your yard. Safety,
performance, and dependability have been given top priority in the design of this brushcutter attachment making it easy
to maintain and operate.
INTRODUCTION

3
WARNING:
Read and understand all instructions. Failure to fol-
low all instructions listed below, may result in serious
personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
n Read these instructions and the instructions for
your power head thoroughly before using brush
cutter.
n Know your tool. Read and understand the operator's
manual and observe the warnings and instruction labels
affixed to the tool.
n Do not allow children or untrained individuals to use this unit.
n Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked to comply
with ANSI Z87.1 standards and hearing protection when
operating this unit.
n Wear heavy long pants, boots, and gloves. Do not wear
loose fitting clothing, short pants, jewelry of any kind, or
go barefoot.
n Secure long hair so it is above shoulder level to prevent
entanglement in any moving parts.
n Keep all bystanders, children, and pets at least 50 ft..
n Do not operate this unit when you are tired, ill, or under
the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
n Do not operate in poor lighting.
n Keep firm footing and balance. Do not overreach. Over-
reaching can result in loss of balance or exposure to hot
surfaces.
n Keep all parts of your body away from any moving part.
n When using the attachment on a power head with a
gasoline engine, do not touch areas around the muffler
or cylinder of the power head. These parts get hot from
operation. Failure to do so could result in possible serious
personal injury.
n Always stop the engine and remove the spark plug wire or
disconnect from power supply before making any adjust-
ments or repairs except for carburetor adjustments.
n Inspect unit before each use for loose fasteners, damaged
or missing parts. Correct before using the brushcutter
attachment. Failure to do so can cause serious injury.
n Use only original manufacturer’s replacement parts. Fail-
ure to do so may cause poor performance, possible injury,
and will void your warranty.
n Do not, under any circumstance, use any attachment or
accessory on this product, which was not provided with
the product, or identified as appropriate for use with this
product in the operator’s manual.
n Avoid dangerous environments. Do not use the attach-
ment in damp or wet locations. Do not use in rain.
n Use the right attachment. Do not use attachment for any
job except that for which it is intended.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
FOR BRUSHCUTTER AND BLADE USE
n After engine stops, keep rotating blade in thicker weeds or
pulpy stalks until it stops.
n Do not operate the brushcutter unless the brushcutter
guard is firmly secured in place and in good condition.
n Use heavy gloves when operating the brushcutter and
when installing or removing blades.
n Always stop the engine and remove the spark plug wire
before attempting to remove any obstruction caught or
jammed in the blade or before removing and installing the
blade.
n Do not attempt to touch or stop the blade when it is rotat-
ing.
n A coasting blade can cause injury while it continues to
spin after the engine is stopped or throttle trigger re-
leased. Maintain proper control until the blade has com-
pletely stopped rotating.
n Replace any blade that has been damaged. Always make
sure blade is installed correctly and securely fastened be-
fore each use. Failure to do so can cause serious injury.
n Use only the manufacturer's replacement TRI-ARC® blade
intended for use on this brushcutter. Do not use any other
blade. To install any other brand blade or cutting head to
this brushcutter can result in serious personal injury.
n The TRI-ARC® blade is suited for cutting thicker weeds or
pulpy stalks only. Do not use for any other purpose. Never
use the TRI-ARC® blade to cut woody brush.
n Exercise extreme caution when using the blade with this unit.
Blade thrust is the reaction that may occur when the spin-
ning blade contacts anything it cannot cut. This contact may
cause the blade to stop for an instant, and suddenly “thrust”
the unit away from the object that was hit. This reaction can
be violent enough to cause the operator to lose control of
the unit. Blade thrust can occur without warning if the blade
snags, stalls, or binds. This is more likely to occur in areas
where it is difficult to see the material being cut. For cutting
ease and safety, approach the weeds being cut from the right
to the left. In the event an unexpected object or woody stock
is encountered, this could minimize the blade thrust reaction.
n Never cut any material over 1/2 in. diameter.
n Always wear the shoulder harness when using the brush-
cutter and adjust to a comfortable operating position.
Maintain a firm grip on both handles while cutting with a
blade. Keep the blade away from body and below waist
level.
n Never use the brushcutter with the blade located 30 in. or
more above the ground level.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES

4
Some of the following symbols may be used on this tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpreta-
tion of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.
SYMBOL NAME EXPLANATION
Precautions that involve your safety.
To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and under-
stand operator's manual before using this product.
Always wear safety googles or safety glasses with
side shields and a full face shield, as well as hearing
protection when operating this product.
Always keep bystanders at least 50 ft. (15 m) away.
Danger of Ricochet.
Blade thrust is the reaction that may occur when the
spinning blade contacts anything it cannot cut.
50' 15m
SYMBOLS
Safety Alert Symbol
Read Your Operator’s Manual
Eye and Hearing Protection
Blade Thrust
Keep Bystanders Away
Ricochet
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, do not attempt to operate
this product until you read thoroughly and understand
completely the operator's manual. Save this operator's
manual and review frequently for continuing safe operation
and instructing others who may use this product.
SERVICE
Servicing requires extreme care and knowledge and
should be performed only by a qualified service tech-
nician. For service we suggest you return the product to
your nearest AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER for repair.
When servicing, use only identical replacement parts.
The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into your eyes, which
can result in severe eye damage. Before beginning power tool operation, always wear safety
goggles or safety glasses with side shields and a full face shield when needed. We recommend
Wide Vision Safety Mask for use over eyeglasses or standard safety glasses with side shields.
Always use eye protection which is marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
WARNING:
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING
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.
CAUTION: (Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that may result in
property damage.
The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product.

5
FEATURES
Fig. 1
DRIVE SHAFT
HOUSING
BLADE
BRUSHCUTTER
GUARD
KNOW YOUR BRUSHCUTTER ATTACHMENT
See Figure 1.
Before using this product, familiarize yourself with all operating features and safety rules.
ASSEMBLY
UNPACKING
This product has been shipped completely assembled.
n Carefully remove the items from the box. Make sure
that all items listed in the packing list are included.
n Inspect the product carefully to make sure no breakage
or damage occurred during shipping.
n Do not discard the packing material until you have
carefully inspected and satisfactorily operated the tool.
n If any parts are damaged or missing, please call
1-800-242-4672 for assistance.
PACKING LIST
Expand-it™ Brushcutter Attachment (Completely Assembled)
J-Handle
Shoulder Harness
Hardware Bag
Hanger Cap
Gear Head Locking Tool
Warranty Registration Card
Operator’s Manual
WARNING:
If any parts are missing do not operate this tool until
the missing parts are replaced. Failure to do so could
result in possible serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Do not attempt to modify this tool or create accessories not
recommended for use with this tool. Any such alteration
or modification is misuse and could result in a hazardous
condition leading to possible serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Do not connect to power head until assembly is
complete. Failure to comply could result in accidental
starting and possible serious personal injury.
GEAR
HEAD
END CAP
J-HANDLE
ASSEMBLY
HARNESS
ASSEMBLY

6
Fig. 3
BUTTON
HOLE
HANGER
CAP
SECONDARY
HOLE
KNOB
Fig. 2
COUPLER
BRUSHCUTTER ATTACHMENT
POWER HEAD
SHAFT
POSITIONING
HOLE
GUIDE
RECESS
BUTTON
ASSEMBLY
ATTACHING THE POWER HEAD TO THE
BRUSHCUTTER ATTACHMENT
See Figure 2.
WARNING:
Never attach or adjust any attachment while power head
is running. Failure to stop the engine can cause serious
personal injury.
NOTE: This attachment is a dedicated brushcutter.
The attachment connects to the power head by means of
a coupler device.
n Loosen the knob on the coupler of the power head shaft
and remove the end cap from the attachment.
n Push in the button located on the attachment shaft. Align
the button with the guide recess on the power head coupler
and slide the two shafts together. Rotate the attachment
shaft until the button locks into the positioning hole.
NOTE: If the button does not release completely in the
positioning hole, the shafts are not locked into place.
Slightly rotate from side to side until the button is locked
into place.
n Tighten the knob securely.
WARNING:
Be certain the knob is fully tightened before operating
equipment. Check it periodically for tightness during
use to avoid serious personal injury.
REMOVING THE ATTACHMENT FROM THE
POWER HEAD
To remove or change the attachment:
n Loosen the knob.
n Push in the button and twist the shafts to remove and
separate ends.
ATTACHING THE STORAGE HANGER
See Figure 3.
There are two ways to hang your attachment for storage.
n To use the hanger cap, push in the button and place
the hanger cap over end of the lower end attachment
shaft. Slightly rotate the cap from side to side until the
button locks into place.
n The secondary hole in the attachment shaft can be
used for hanging purposes as well.
ATTACHING THE “J” BARRIER HANDLE
See Figure 4.
A barrier handle must be used for ensuring the best con-
trol and maximizing operator safety when using a brush-
cutter.
n Hold the top and bottom clamp snugly in position on
the shaft housing so that handle will be located to the
operator's left.
n Insert the end of the handle between the clamps. Fig. 4
CLAMP
FLAT WASHER
LOCK WASHER
HEX NUT
J- HANDLE
BOLTS

7
n Align the bolt holes and push the long bolt (1/4-20
x 1-1/2 in.) through the handle side.
n Place short bolt (1/4-20 x 1 in.) through opposite side
of clamp. Install flat washer, lock washers and hex nuts
to hold the assembly in place.
n After assembly is complete, adjust the position of the
handle for best balance and comfort.
n Tighten first the long bolt and then the short bolt.
ATTACHING THE SHOULDER HARNESS
See Figure 5.
n Connect the latch on the shoulder harness to the
hanger.
n Adjust the strap to a comfortable position.
REPLACING THE TRI-ARC® BLADE
See Figures 6 - 7.
To Remove Blade
n Align the slot in the flanged washer with the slot in the
gear head.
n Place the gear head locking tool through the slot in the
flanged washer and gear head.
n Remove the blade nut by turning it clockwise (left-
handed threads).
n Remove the cupped washer and the blade
To Install Blade
n Place flanged washer over the gear shaft with the
hollow side toward the brushcutter guard.
n Center the blade on the flanged washer, making sure
the blade fits flat and the raised hub goes through the
hole in the blade.
n Install the cupped washer with the raised center away
from the blade.
n Place the blade nut onto the gear shaft.
n Insert the head locking tool through the flanged washer
and gear head.
n Install the blade nut by turning it counterclockwise (left-
handed threads).
n Tighten the blade nut and torque to 120 in.lb. minimum
(finger tight plus 1/2 turn).
ASSEMBLY
SHOULDER
HARNESS
SHOULDER
HARNESS
HANGER
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
GEAR HEAD
LOCKING TOOL
Fig. 7
BLADE NUT
CUPPED
WASHER
SLOT
FLANGED
WASHER
OPERATION
WARNING:
Do not allow familiarity with tools to make you careless.
Remember that a careless fraction of a second is
sufficient to inflict serious injury.
WARNING:
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side
shields when operating power tools. Failure to do so
could result in objects being thrown into your eyes
resulting in possible serious injury.
WARNING:
Do not use any attachments or accessories not
recommended by the manufacturer of this tool. The
use of attachments or accessories not recommended
can result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
To avoid burns from hot surfaces, never operate unit
with the bottom of the engine above waist level.
BLADE
GEAR SHAFT
BOLT
LOCK
WASHER
LOCK NUT

8
OPERATION
Fig. 8
OPERATING THE BRUSHCUTTER
See Figures 8 - 9.
Hold the brushcutter with your right hand on the rear handle
and your left hand on the “J” Barrier Handle. Keep a firm grip
with both hands while in operation. Brushcutter should be
held at a comfortable position with the trigger handle about
hip height. Maintain your grip and balance on both feet.
Position yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance
by the kickback reaction of the cutting blade.
Adjust the shoulder harness to position the brushcutter
at a comfortable operating position and to assure that the
shoulder harness will reduce the risk of operator contact
with the blade.
BLADE THRUST
Exercise extreme caution when using the blade with this
unit. Blade thrust is the reaction that may occur when
the spinning blade contacts anything it cannot cut. This
contact may cause the blade to stop for an instant, and
suddenly “thrust” the unit away from the object that was
hit. This reaction can be violent enough to cause the
operator to lose control of the unit. Blade thrust can occur
without warning if the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is
more likely to occur in areas where it is difficult to see the
material being cut. For cutting ease and safety, approach
the weeds being cut with the brushcutter, from the right to
the left. In the event an unexpected object or woody stock
is encountered, this practice could minimize the blade
thrust reaction.
TRI-ARC® BLADE
The TRI-ARC® blade is suited only for thicker weeds and
pulpy stalks. When the blade becomes dull, it can be
turned over to extend the life of the blade. Do not sharpen
the TRI-ARC® blade.
Use only TRI-ARC® blade, part number 06297, available at
your service center.
CUTTING TECHNIQUE - BLADE
WARNING:
Extreme care must be taken when using blades to
ensure safe operation. Read the safety information for
safe operation using the blade, refer to “Specific Safety
Rules for Brushcutter and Blade Use” earlier in this
manual.
n Always hold brushcutter on your right side with both
hands when operating. Use a firm grip on both
handles.
n Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position
yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by
the kickback reaction of the cutting blade.
n Inspect and clear the area of any hidden objects such
as glass, rocks, concrete, fencing, wire, wood, metal,
etc.
DIRECTION OF ROTATION
CUTTING AREA
Fig. 9
n Never use blades near sidewalks, fencing, posts,
buildings or other immovable objects.
n Never use a blade after hitting a hard object without
first inspecting it for damage. Do not use if any
damage is detected.
n The unit is used for cutting from the right to the left in a
broad sweeping action from side to side.
n Use only the TRI-ARC® blade. To install any other
brand blade or cutting head to this brushcutter can
result in serious personal injury.

9
PARTS LIST
Key Part
No. Number Description Qty.
1 04277 BLADE NUT, LEFT-HANDED THREADS.......................................................................... 1
2 04409 CUPPED WASHER.......................................................................................................... 1
3 06297 BLADE (TRI-ARC) ............................................................................................................ 1
4 04168A FLANGED WASHER ........................................................................................................ 1
5 88079 SCREW (#10-24 X 1/2 in. SLOTTED HEX HEAD)............................................................ 3
6 PS03538 BRUSHCUTTER GUARD................................................................................................. 1
7 983381007 SCREW (#1/4-20 X 1-1/4 in. HEX WASHER HEAD)........................................................ 1
8 983774003 SCREW (#10-24 X 5/8 in. HEX WASHER HEAD) ............................................................ 1
9 PA01364 GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY................................................................................................. 1
10 983643001 STRAIGHT SHAFT ASSEMBLY ....................................................................................... 1
11 984102001 WARNING LABEL............................................................................................................ 1
12 PS02155 STORAGE CAP................................................................................................................ 1
13 07255 HANGER BRACKET ........................................................................................................ 1
14 00063 HEAD LOCKING TOOL .................................................................................................. 1
15 UT15550A-39 BOLT ASSEMBLY (M6 X 25)............................................................................................ 1
16 UT15550A-38 BOLT ASSEMBLY (M6 X 40)............................................................................................ 1
17 UT15550A-40 J-HANDLE AND GRIP ..................................................................................................... 1
18 UT15550A-37 HANDLE BAR CLAMP..................................................................................................... 1
19 944701 SHOULDER HARNESS ................................................................................................... 1
983000605 OPERATOR’S MANUAL
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NOTES

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WARRANTY
LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT
Homelite Consumer Product, Inc. warrants to the original retail
purchaser that this Expand-it™ product is free from defect in
material and workmanship and agrees to repair or replace, at
Homelite Consumer Products, Inc.’s discretion, any defective
product free of charge within these time periods from the date of
purchase.
l One year for the following units: UT08110, UT20760, UT10901;
l Two years for all other Homelite products, if the product is used
for personal, family or household use;
l 90 days, if any of the above products are used for any other
purpose, such as commercial or rental.
This warranty extends to the original retail purchaser only and
commences on the date of the original retial purchase.
Any part of the Expand-it™ product manufactured or supplied by
HOMELITE and found in the reasonable judgment of HOMELITE to
be defective in material or workmanship will be repaired or replaced
by an authorized service dealer without charge for parts and labor.
The Expand-it™ product including any defective part must be
returned to an authorized service dealer within the warranty
period. The expense of delivering the Expand-it™ product to
the dealer for warranty work and the expense of returning it back
to the owner after repair or replacement will be paid for by the
owner. HOMELITE’S responsibility in respect to claims is limited
to making the required repairs or replacements and no claim of
breach of warranty shall be cause for cancellation or rescission of
the contract of sale of any Expand-it™ product. Proof of purchase
will be required by the dealer to substantiate any warranty claim. All
warranty work must be performed by an authorized service dealer.
This warranty is limited to ninety (90) days from the date of original
retail purchase for any Expand-it™ product that is used for rental or
commercial purposes, or any other income-producing purpose.
This warranty does not cover any Expand-it™ product that has
been subject to misuse, neglect, negligence, or accident, or that has
been operated in any way contrary to the operating instructions as
specified in the Expand-it™ operator’s manual. This warranty does
not apply to any damage to the Expand-it™ product that is the
result of improper maintenance or to any Expand-it™ product that
has been altered or modified so as to adversely affect the products
operation, performance or durability or that has been altered or
modified so as to change its intended use. The warranty does not
extend to repairs made necessary by normal wear or by the use of
parts or accessories which are either INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE
Expand-it™ product or adversely affect its operation, performance
or durability. In addition, this warranty does not cover:
A. Tune-ups – Spark Plugs, Carburetor Adjustments, Filters
B. Wear items – Bump Knobs, Outer Spools, Cutting Lines, Inner
Reels, Starter Pulley, Starter Ropes, Drive Belts
HOMELITE reserves the right to change or improve the design of
any Expand-it™ product without assuming any obligation to modify
any product previously manufactured.
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE
STATED WARRANTY PERIOD. ACCORDINGLY, ANY SUCH IMPLIED
WARRANTIES INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OTHERWISE, ARE DISCLAIMED IN
THEIR ENTIRETY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE APPROPRIATE
TWO-YEAR, ONE-YEAR, OR NINETY DAY WARRANTY PERIOD.
HOMELITE’S OBLIGATION UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS STRICTLY
AND EXCLUSIVELY LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT
OF DEFECTIVE PARTS AND HOMELITE DOES NOT ASSUME
OR AUTHORIZE ANYONE TO ASSUME FOR THEM ANY OTHER
OBLIGATION. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON
HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. HOMELITE ASSUMES
NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
OTHER DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NO LIMITED TO EXPENSE
OF RETURNING THE HOMELITE PRODUCT TO AN AUTHORIZED
SERVICE DEALER AND EXPENSE OF DELIVERING IT BACK TO
THE OWNER, MECHANIC’S TRAVEL TIME, TELEPHONE OR
TELEGRAM CHARGES, RENTAL OF A LIKE PRODUCT DURING
THE TIME WARRANTY SERVICE IS BEING PERFORMED,
TRAVEL, LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERLY,
LOSS OF REVENUE, LOSS OF USE OF THE PRODUCT, LOSS
OF TIME, OR INCONVENIENCE, SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR
EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
This warranty applies to all Expand-it™ products manufactured by
HOMELITE and sold in the United States and Canada.
To locate your nearest service dealer, dial 1-800-242-4672 or log on
to our website at www.homelite.com.

983000-605
10-04
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Expand-it™
Brushcutter Attachment
UT15702A
HOMELITE CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
1428 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson, SC 29625
Post Office Box 1207, Anderson, SC 29622
Phone [phone]
www.homelite.com
SERVICE
For parts or service, contact your nearest Expand-it™ authorized service center. Be sure to provide
all relevant information when you call or visit. For the location of the authorized service center nearest
you, please call 1-800-242-4672 or visit us online at www.homelite.com.
REPAIR PARTS
The model number of this tool is found on a plate or label attached to the housing. Please record
the serial number in the space provided below.
MODEL NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER
UT15702A