Bosch EasyGrassCut 23 | 26

Safety Notes

Warning! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Make yourself familiar with the controls and the proper use of the product. Please keep the instructions safe for later use!

Explanation of symbols on the machine

• General hazard safety alert:

  ! General hazard safety alert.

• Read instruction manual:

  Read instruction manual.

• Bystander safety:

  Make sure that bystanders are not injured by foreign objects being thrown away.

• Safe distance warning:

  Warning: Keep a safe distance to the product when operating.

• Power off for adjustments:

  Switch off and remove plug from mains before adjusting, cleaning or if the cable is entangled and before leaving the garden product unattended for any period. Keep the supply flexible cord away from the cutting line.

• Not applicable:

  Not applicable.

• Eye and ear protection:

  Wear eye and ear protection.

General Safety Warnings for Trimmers

• Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this machine. Failure to follow the safety warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
• Save all safety warnings and instructions for future reference.

Work area safety

• Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate the machine in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Machines create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep children and bystanders away while operating the machine. Distractions can cause you to lose control over the machine. Never operate the machine while people, especially children or pets, are nearby.

Electrical safety

• The plug of the machine must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce the risk of electric shock.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
• Do not expose the machine to rain or wet conditions. Penetration of water in the machine increases the risk of an electric shock.
• Never use the cord for carrying, hanging up or unplugging the machine. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges and moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
• When operating a machine outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
• When operating the machine in damp environments is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD). The use of a residual current device (RCD) reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating the machine. Do not use a machine while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating the machine may result in serious personal injury.
• Wear safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Wearing safety equipment such as dusk mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
• Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery, picking up or carrying the machine. Carrying machines with your finger on the switch or plugging in machines that have the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove any adjusting key or spanner before turning the machine on. A spanner or a key left attached to a rotating part of the machine may result in personal injury.
• Avoid abnormal body posture. Provide for a secure stance and keep your balance at all times; never run. This enables better control of the machine in unexpected situations.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts. Always wear sturdy footwear and long trousers when operating the machine.
• If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
• Do not assume a false sense of security and disregard the safety regulations for machines, even if familiar with the machine through multiple use. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.

Use and Handling of the Machine

• Do not force the machine. Use the correct machine for your application. The correct machine will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
• Do not use the machine if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any machine 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 machine before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing machines. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the machine accidentally.
• Store idle machines out of the reach of children. Do not allow persons unfamiliar with the machine or these instructions to operate the machine. Trimmers are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
• Maintain trimmers with care. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the operation of the machine. Have damaged parts repaired before using the machine. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained machines.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
• Use the machine, accessories, application tools, etc. according to these instructions. Take the working conditions and the work to be performed into account. Use of machines for operations 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 machine in unexpected situations.

Service

• Have your machine serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This ensures that the safety of your machine is maintained.

Safety Warnings for Garden Tool Operation

• The operator must use the product in accordance with the regulations. The local conditions must be taken into account. When working, pay attention to other people, especially to children.
• Never allow children, persons with physical, sensory or mental limitations or a lack of experience and/or knowledge and/or people unfamiliar with these instructions to use the product. Local regulations may restrict the age of the operator.
• Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the product.

Application

• When working with the machine, always hold it firmly with both hands and provide for a secure stance. The garden tool is guided more secure with both hands.
• Always wait until the machine has come to a complete stop before placing it down.
• Never operate the machine with a defective protection guard/cover or without safety device. Ensure that these are properly mounted. Never use the garden tool when incomplete or after unauthorised changes.
• Never operate the machine if the cord is damaged or worn.
• Never replace non-metallic cutting elements with metal cutting elements.
• Never repair the garden tool yourself unless you are qualified to do so.
• Other persons and animals should remain or be kept a suitable distance away when using the garden tool. The operator is responsible for third parties in the work area.
• Wait until the cutting head has completely stopped before touching it. The cutting head continues to rotate after the trimmer is switched off; a rotating cutting head can cause injury.
• Work only in daylight or in good artificial light.
• Avoid operating the trimmer in bad weather conditions especially when there is a risk of lightning.
• Operating the trimmer in wet grass decreases the efficiency of performance.
• When transporting, switch the garden tool off and pull the mains plug.
• Always ensure a safe working position when working with the trimmer. Always keep your hands and feet at a safe distance from rotating parts.
• Take care when placing product on floor, as it may become a trip hazard.
• Remove the mains plug before replacing the spool.
• Inspect and maintain the trimmer regularly.
• Always wear gloves when cleaning product or replacing cutting means.
• Be careful of injuries from the blade used for cutting the cutting line. After feeding cutting line, always return the trimmer to a horizontal working position before switching on.
• Switch the garden tool off and remove the plug from the socket:
  • whenever you leave the machine unattended for any period of time
  • before replacing the cutting line
  • if the cable is tangled,
  • before cleaning or working on the trimmer
  • before storing the trimmer
• Store the product in a secure, dry place out of the reach of children. Do not place other objects on top of the product.

Electrical Safety

• Switch the machine off and pull the mains plug before actuating the manual-feed button. This button should only be used in the event of an obstruction of the cutting line.
• Warning! Switch the product off and pull the mains plug before any maintenance or cleaning. The same applies when the mains cable is damaged, cut or entangled.
• Your product is double insulated for safety and requires no earth connection. The operating voltage is 230 V AC, 50 Hz (for non-EU countries 220 V, 240 V as applicable). Contact your Bosch Service Centre for details. If in doubt contact a qualified electrician or the nearest Bosch Service Centre.
• For increased electrical safety use a Residual Current Device (RCD) with a tripping current of not more than 30 mA. Always check your RCD every time you use it.
• Keep the supply cables away from moving hazardous parts and avoid damage to the cables; this can lead to contact with live parts.
• The connections (plugs and sockets) should be kept dry and off the ground.
• The supply cables must be inspected for signs of damage at regular intervals and may only be used if in perfect condition.
• If the supply cable on the product is damaged, it must only be replaced by a Bosch Service Centre. Only use approved extension cables.
• Use only extension cords, cables, leads and cable reels that comply with EN 61242/IEC 61242 or IEC 60884-2-7 and are of type H05VV-F or H05RN-F.
• If you want to use an extension cable when operating your product, only the following cable dimensions should be used:
  • Nominal conductor area of 1.25 mm² or 1.5 mm²
  • Maximum length 30 m for a Cord Extension Set or maximum length of 60 m for a Cable Reel with Residual Current Device (RCD).
• Note: If an extension cable is used it must be earthed and connected through the plug to the earth cable of your supply network in accordance with prescribed safety regulations. If in doubt contact a qualified electrician or the nearest Bosch Service Centre.
• WARNING! Inadequate extension cables can be dangerous. Extension cable, plug and socket must be of watertight construction and intended for outdoor use.
• For products not sold in GB: WARNING: For your safety, it is required that the plug attached to the product is connected with the extension cord. The coupling of the extension cord must be protected against splash water, be made of rubber or coated with rubber. The extension cord must be used with a cable strain relief.
• Products sold in GB only: Your product is fitted with an BS 1363/A approved electric plug with internal fuse (ASTA approved to BS 1362). If the plug is not suitable for your socket outlets, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug fitted in its place by an authorised customer service agent. The replacement plug should have the same fuse rating as the original plug. The severed plug must be disposed of to avoid a possible shock hazard and should never be inserted into a mains socket elsewhere.
• Products that are only sold in AUS and NZ: Use a residual current device (RCD) with a nominal residual current of 30 mA or less.

Symbols

The following symbols are important for reading and understanding the original instructions. Please take note of the symbols and their meaning. The correct interpretation of the symbols will help you to use the product in a better and safer manner.

Intended Use

The garden tool is intended for domestic use, for trimming grass, weeds and nettles. It is designed for trimming grass growing on slopes, under obstacles and lawn edges that cannot be reached by the lawn mower. The garden tool is not designed for use as a brush cutter. The garden tool is not intended for commercial or industrial use.

Technical Data

The specifications apply to a rated voltage [U] of 230 V. These specifications may vary at different voltages and in country-specific models.

Mounting and Operation

Mounting the protection guard (see figure F)

Before mounting the protective guard, pull the plant-protection frame from the delivery position to the storage position. Position the protection guard (6) on the trimmer head and fasten it with the provided screw. Do not disassemble guard once connected. Then, pull the plant-protection frame to the working position.

Operation

• Pay attention to the mains voltage. The voltage of the power source must match the voltage specified on the rating plate of the machine.
• Caution: Switch the garden tool off and pull the mains plug before adjusting or cleaning.
• The cutting line continues to rotate for a few seconds after the trimmer is switched off. Allow the motor/cutting line to stop rotating before switching on again.
• Do not briefly switch off and on again several times in a row.
• Only use Bosch approved cutting elements. Cutting performance will vary with different cutting elements.

Switching On and Off (see figure G)

To switch on, firstly press the lock-off button (2). Then press the On/Off switch (3) and keep it pressed. To switch off, release the On/Off switch (3).

Dismounting the spool, winding up the cutting line and mounting the spool (see figures J to H)

Remove the mains plug before replacing the spool. Press both latches of the spool cover together and remove the spool cover (9). Afterwards, remove the empty spool (10). Cut off approx. 4.0 m line from the refill roll. Slide one end of the cutting line into the hole for line wind-up (11) in the spool and wind up the cutting line uniformly and tightly. Slide the other end of the cutting line through the hole for line guiding (12) in the trimmer head and mount the spool back into the trimmer head. Affix the spool by mounting the spool cover.

Line Feeding (see figure K)

Semi-automatic Line Feeding: The trimmer is equipped with a semi-automatic feeding system. The system feeds 10 mm of the line with every press of the on/off switch (3).

Manual Line Feeding

Press the line-feed button (13), and pull the cutting line out to the desired length.

Troubleshooting

After-Sales Service and Application Service

Our after-sales service responds to your questions concerning maintenance and repair of your product as well as spare parts. You can find explosion drawings and information on spare parts at: www.bosch-pt.com. The Bosch product use advice team will be happy to help you with any questions about our products and their accessories. In all correspondence and spare parts orders, please always include the 10-digit article number given on the nameplate of the product.

Great Britain

Robert Bosch Ltd. (B.S.C.) P.O. Box 98 Broadwater Park North Orbital Road Denham Uxbridge UB 9 5HJ At www.bosch-pt.co.uk you can order spare parts or arrange the collection of a product in need of servicing or repair. Tel. Service: (0344) 7360109 E-Mail: boschservicecentre@bosch.com

Disposal

The product, accessories and packaging should be sorted for environmental-friendly recycling. Do not dispose of products into household waste!

Only for EU countries:

According to the European Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and its implementation into national law, power tools that are no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Only for United Kingdom

According to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (2013/3113) (as amended), power tools that are no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.