Weed Eater Needie 507 User manual

WEED EATER
WEED EATER
TRADEMARK
NEEDIE® model 507
16" trimmer/edger
4(1
PROTECTED UNDER ONE OR MORE
OF THE FOLLOWING U.S. PATENTS:
3626066 , 3708967 , 3859776 '
OTHER U.S. ANO FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING
Owner’s Manual
This Product is Listed by
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC.
and Bears the Mark:

NOTICE
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS VERY IMPORTANT INFOR¬
MATION REGARDING SAFETY, ASSEMBLY, OPERA¬
TION, AND CARE OF YOUR WEED EATER TRIMMER.
PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATING.
WEED EATER, INC. RO. Box 37287, Houston, Texas 77036
©Copyright 1976 Weed Eater, Inc.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Use only those accessories and attachments that come
packed with the unit. The use of any other accessory or
attachment may create a potential hazard.
2. Use only identical replacement parts when servicing
the unit. These parts are available from your Weed
Eater dealer. Repair or replace damaged electrical
cord.
3. Avoid dangerous environments. Do not use the unit in
damp or wet locations.
4. Do not use in the rain.
5. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry
that could be caught in the moving parts of the unit. It is
recommended that the operator wear safety goggles,
rubber gloves and footwear when working outdoors.
6. Keep children away. Onlookers should be kept at a
safe distance from the work area, at least 30 feet.
7. Do not use this unit for any jobs other than those for
which it is intended.
8. WARNING. To prevent shock hazard, use only an ex¬
tension cord suitable for outdoor use. When selecting
an extension cord, it is recommended that a minimum
No. 16-gauge wire be used up to 100 feet and a No. 14-
gauge wire be used for distances greater than 100
feet.
9. To prevent disconnection of the unit’s power cord
from the extension cord during operation, join the two
together as shown in the operation instructions.
10. Avoid unintentional starting. Do not carry aplugged-in
unit with your finger on the switch.
11. Do not abuse the electrical cord. Never carry the unit by
the cord or yank the cord when disconnecting it from
the receptacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil and
sharp edges.
12. Do not force the unit. It will do the job-better and safer at
the rate for which it is designed to be used.
13. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at
all times.
14. Always cut to the left side of the unit so that trimmings
and debris will be thrown away from you.
15. Inspect the area to be cut and remove all debris that
could become entangled in the cutting head. Also re¬
move any objects that the unit may sling during cutting.
16. Disconnect the unit from the power supply when not in
use, before servicing or when changing accessories,
such as the spool.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS CONTINUED
17. When not in use, store the unit indoors in a high, dry or
locked place and out of the reach of children.
18. Maintain the unit with care. Always keep the cutting
line clipped to the proper length for best and safest per¬
formance. Follow instructions for changing accessories
carefully.
19. Keep hands and feet clear of the rotating head while
unit is in use.
20. Never submerge in water or douse unit to clean it.

POINTS OF INTEREST
The patented WEED EATER idea of cutting grass with fishing line is
revolutionary and has generated many questions from users of our prod¬
ucts. We have answered several of the most common questions here.
Should you have a question that is not answered here or elsewhere in this
manual, please write Customer Service Department, Weed Eater, Inc.,
P.O. Box 37287, Houston, Texas 77037.
How long will the cutting line last?
The life of the cutting line depends upon the type of surface against which
you are cutting. The line is specially-treated for longer wear, but obviously
it will wear faster when you are cutting against rocks, bricks, concrete,
etc., than it will against wooden fences or trees.
Why doesn’t my unit have a ground wire?
Unlike many electrical appliances that have the three-pronged plug with
a grounding wire, Weed Eater products are double-insulated for in¬
creased safety and do not require the grounding wire. Always use an
extension cord of the proper wire gauge as outlined in Item 8 of the
“Safety Precautions.”
What would happen if I allowed the cutting line to exceed the recom¬
mended length?
If the unit is run for any length of time with the line extended beyond the
recommended length, motor damage will occur.
Can regular fishing line be used?
Regular fishing line does not go through the special processing that
, Weed Eater monofilament does. It would give poor cutting performance
and wear out very quickly.
Can piano wire or some other light wire be used?
DEFINITELY NOT. When such wire becomes hot, it may break off and
become a deadly projectile.
Why does the line pull out by itself?
The line will pull out by itself if it is wound improperly on the spool. Check
to be certain that the line is wound in the direction of the arrow on the
spool. A worn spool may also cause the line to pull out by itself. Therefore,
the spool should be checked regularly and replaced if necessary.
Will the cutting line scar a tree or wooden fence?
Whether or not the line will scar an object depends upon a number of
variables including the toughness of the tree bark or the fence. The
operator's cutting technique is important to prevent scarring. Realize tha^
only the very tip of the cutting line does the actual cutting. Absolutely no
advantage is gained by forcing the unit into the work.
3

POINTS OF INTEREST CONTINUED
Will I be cut if the line hits me?
Extensive testing has proved that Weed Eater line is far safer than con¬
ventional metal blades. Should the line strike you, it probably would not
cut through your clothing. Should the cutting line come in contact with
your skin, it is possible that the skin could be broken. When operating
any Weed Eater unit, you should be farhiliar with the safety precautions in
the front of this manual and practice good common sense normally
associated with the use of any cutting tool.
What is the purpose of the metal line savers?
The monofilament line generates heat against the rotating head during
operation and could “weld” to the exits. This'“welding” would cause
the cutting line to bre'ak frequently and also cause excessive wear at
the head exits. The metal line savers are designed to dissipate this heat
and thus prevent the “welding” effect.

ASSEMBLY
You should familiarize yourself with the various parts of your Weed Eater
trimmer prior to assembly and operation. -
NOTE: Carefully inspect your trimmer for possible shipping damage.
Power Cord Pigtail I
Handle ■ C
Switch
Upper Handle Tube
Assist Handle
Tube Locking Screws (2)
Lower Handle Tube
Air Vents
Motor Housing
Maximum Line Length Indicator
Rotating Head
Cutting Line
Ball Lock
Spool
Metal Line Savers (3)
Guard
N M
FIGURE 1
1. Insert wiring harness through the slot in the assist handle (Figure 1)
and slide it onto the upper handle tube. Insert bolt in assist handle
and tighten with wing nut.
NOTE: The grip notches on the assist handle should face toward the
motor housing.
5

ASSEMBLY CONTINUED
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

OPERATION
FIGURE 8 FIGURE 9
1. Before operating the unit, be sure the cutting line is the proper length.
A. Hold the rotating head securely with one hand.
B. Pull the cutting line up and to the left (counterclockwise) to the
next exit in the head. Figure 6
C. Holding the line tight, clip off the excess line at the point indicated
on the motor housing. Figure 7
NOTE: When guard is in place, your line should not extend beyond the
outside edge of the guard.
CAUTION: Always maintain proper line length to prevent permanent,
damage to the motor.
2. The power cord pigtail may be secured to your extension cord by
tying the two together. Figures 8 and 9
7

OPERATION CONTINUED
FIGURE 12
3. When it becomes necessary to remove or rewind the tine spool, the
following procedure should be used.
A. Hold the rotating head securely with one hand. With the other
hand, turn the ball lock to the left (counterclockwise) and remove.
Figure 10
B. The hub containing the spool should simply lift off the drive adap¬
ter. If you have difficulty removing the hub from the drive adapter,
replace the ball lock as illustrated in Figure 11 and lift the hub.
C. Push out the spool by applying pressure with your fingers through
the two holes located on top of the hub. Figure 12
D. To rewind the spool, insert the end of the line in the hole located-
within the spoof and wind in the direction indicated by the arrow
on the spool (clockwise).
NOTE: The spool may be rewound with line many times. However, some
wear is to be expected and therefore the spool should be replaced
periodically. Extra cutting line and spools are available from your Weed
Eater dealer.
E. To replace the spool, insert it in the hub on the drive adapter and
tighten the ball lock.
8

OPERATION CONTINUED
NOTE: Spool ridges must align with the exits in the head.
4. Before trimming, inspect your cutting area for wires, cord or other
debris that could get tangled in the rotating head.
5. Protective eyewear should be worn to prevent the possibility of dust
or clippings being blown into your eyes. Weed Eater safety goggles
are available from your dealer.
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FIGURE 15
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FIGURE 16
6. TRIMMING: Always cut to the left side of the unit, using a 30-degree
tilt. Figure 13. Cutting to the left will cause clippings to be thrown
forward, away from you. If you cut to the right side, clippings will be
thrown back toward you. The correct trimming position is illustrated in
Figure 14.
7. MOWING: Needie is ideal for use in areas conventional lawn mowers
can not reach. The proper position for mowing is shown in Figure 15.
In this position the cutting line is parallel to the ground. With practice,
this technique will produce as neat a job as a lawn mower. Figure 16.

OPERATION CONTINUED
FIGURE 19 FIGURE 20
8. EDGING: By adjusting the assist handle to the position shown in
Figure 17 your Needie will produce the results illustrated in Figure 18.
9. SCALPING: A variation of the trimming technique used to remove all
vegetation from around meters, poles, trees, etc. Figure 19.
10. S WEEPING: For a fast clean-up you can use your unit to sweep
clippings from walks and driveways. Move the unit in a sweeping
motion, parallel to the pavement, blowing debris ahead of you as
shown in Figure 20.
10

OPERATION CONTINUED
11. Always remember the tip of the line does the cutting. You will achieve
better results and reduce excessive line wear by not crowding the
head into the cutting area. Do not force the unit. The Needie will trim
best at its own pace. The correct and incorrect technique is shown in
Figures 21 and 22.
11

OPERATION CONTINUED
“Practice makes perfect” is the case with all Weed Eater products, includ¬
ing Needie. The longer you work with it the better you will become at
obtaining the results illustrated below.
(BEFORE) (AFTER)
Don’t be overly conservative about using up your cutting line. When cut¬
ting efficiency seems to be lessening, check the line. If it is frayed, clip it
off. In the long run, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time.
MAINTENANCE
Your Weed Eater trimmer has been designed to give dependable service
with a minimum of maintenance.
1. Weed Eater units are equipped with permanently lubricated bearings
and therefore, never need oiling.
2. Remove the spool periodically to clean cutting debris from the
rotating head.
3. Before operating, always check the unit for possible damage.
4. Keep the air vents free of clippings which may restrict proper
ventilation.
5. Grass stains may be removed with a mild detergent solution and
sponge.
CAUTION: Never use a petroleum based solvent or cleaner. Never sub¬
merse or douse with water or other liquid.
12

NEEDIE® MODEL 507
Motor Housing, Handle, Tubes & Head Assembly
ITEM
P/N
DESCRIPTION
QTY.
1
5079
Assist Handle
1
2
5029
Scr^v, Pan Head, 8-18x %"
Screw, Pan Head, 8-18 x 1"
5
3
5077
6
4
5162
Handle Set (offered as set only)
1
5
5078
Tube, Upper
1
6
5080 Tube, Lower
1
7
5036 Washer, Lock
2
8
5101
Screw, Hex Head
2
9
5156
Needie Housing (offered as set only) 1
10 5051
Drive Adapter
1
11
5355
Needie Body
1
12
5357
Line Saver
3
13
5356
Spool, Empty
, 1
14
5050 Ball Lock
1
Replacement spool (Part number 1049) is available from your
Weed Eater dealer.
13

NEEDIE® MODEL 507
Harness Breakdown & Motor Assembly
PARTS LIST
ITEM
P/N DESCRIPTION
QTY.
1
5028 Plug, Pigtail
1
2
5096 Rectifier, Diode
1
3 5084
Sleeve (insulator)
1
4
5030 Switch
1 ■
5
5083
Harness 1
6
5082
Harness Assembly (complete)
1
7
5441
Brush Kit
1
8
5090
Insulator
1
‘9
5092
End Bell, Brush (End bells offered
as set only)
1
10
5075
Bearing, Self Align
2
11
5098 Felt Oiler Washer
2
12
5097 Retainer, Bearing
2
13
5100 Washer, Thrust
as needed
14
5135
Retaining Ring
1
15
5089 Armature
1
16
5091
Field Assembly
1
*17
5092
End Bell, Output (offered
as set only)
1
18
5099
Screw, Pan Hd., 10x32x316" 2
19
5086
Shaft Insulator
1
20
5088
Motor Assembly (complete)
1
*
5092
End Bell Set (without bearings)
*
5161 End Bell Set (complete)
14