GARDENA SmallCut Li-23R Battery Trimmer

Important Safety Instructions

General Safety Precautions

• Read the manual carefully and save it for future reference.
• Symbols on the product:
• [i] Read the operating instructions.
• [people-warning] Keep other persons away.
• [ear-protection] Always wear approved hearing protection.
• [eye-protection] Always wear approved eye protection.
• [no-rain] Do not expose the appliance to rain.
• For the battery charger:
• Pull the plug directly from the mains if the cord is damaged or cut.

General Safety Instructions

Electrical Safety

• DANGER! Electric Shock! Risk of injury from electric shock.
• The product must be powered via a residual current device (RCD) with a rated residual current of not more than 30 mA.
• Avoid abnormal body posture and always maintain balance so that you are always safe on slopes. Walk, do not run.
• Do not touch any moving dangerous parts before the machine has been disconnected from the mains connection and the moving dangerous parts have come to a complete stop.
• Always wear sturdy shoes and long trousers when using the machine.

Intended Use:

• The GARDENA trimmer is intended for trimming and cutting lawns and grass areas in private gardens and hobby gardens.
• The product is not designed for continuous use.
• DANGER! Bodily Injury! Do not use the product for cutting hedges, for shredding material, or for composting.

Safe Operation

• Training:
• Read the instructions carefully. Familiarize yourself with the controls and the correct use of the machine.
• Never allow persons or children who are not familiar with these instructions to use the machine. Locally applicable regulations may restrict the age of the user.
• Note that the user is responsible for accidents or dangers that happen to other persons or their property.
• Preparation:
• Check the connection and extension cable for signs of damage or aging before use. If the cable is damaged during use, it must be disconnected from the mains immediately. DO NOT TOUCH THE CABLE BEFORE IT IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE MAINS. Do not use the machine if the cable is damaged or worn.
• Visually inspect the machine before use for damaged, missing, or incorrectly fitted safety devices or guards.
• Never use the machine if people, especially children, or pets are nearby.
• Operation:
• Keep the connection and extension cable away from the cutting device.
• Always wear eye protection and sturdy shoes when operating the machine.
• Avoid using the machine in bad weather, especially when there is a risk of lightning.
• Only use the machine in daylight or good artificial lighting.
• Never use the machine with a damaged guard or safety device, or without a guard or safety devices.
• Only switch on the motor when hands and feet are out of reach of the cutting device.
• Always disconnect the machine from the power supply (i.e., unplug the plug from the mains, remove the safety device or the removable battery)
  • whenever the machine is left unattended;
  • before removing a blockage;
  • before checking, cleaning, or working on the machine;
  • after hitting a foreign object;
  • whenever the machine starts to vibrate abnormally.
• Be aware of injuries to feet and hands from the cutting device.
• Always ensure that the ventilation openings are kept free of foreign objects.

Battery Safety

• DANGER! Fire Hazard!
• The battery product to be charged must be placed on a non-combustible, heat-resistant, and non-conductive surface during charging.
• The battery must not be charged unattended.
• Keep corrosive, flammable, and easily combustible objects away from the battery charger and the battery product.
• The battery charger and the battery product must not be covered during charging.
• Immediately disconnect the battery charger from the power supply in case of smoke or fire.
• Only use GARDENA original battery chargers to charge the battery. Using other battery chargers can lead to irreparable damage to the battery and even fire.
• Do not use GARDENA battery chargers to charge batteries from other manufacturers, as GARDENA cannot guarantee their compatibility, and there could be a risk of fire and explosion.
• Do not charge non-rechargeable batteries.
• DANGER! Explosion Hazard!
• Protect battery products from heat and fire. Do not place battery products on heating elements and do not expose them to strong sunlight for extended periods.
• Do not use them in explosive atmospheres, e.g., near flammable liquids (vapors), flammable gases, or dust accumulations. Sparks can be generated when batteries are used. This can ignite the mixtures.
• Only charge and use the battery product at ambient temperatures between 0 °C and 40 °C. Allow the battery to cool down if it has been used for a longer period.
• Periodically check the charging cable for signs of damage or aging (brittleness). Only use the cable when it is in perfect condition.
• Never store or transport the battery product at temperatures above 45 °C or in direct sunlight. It is ideal to store the battery product at temperatures below 25 °C to keep self-discharge low.
• Do not expose the accu-product to rain, water (do not immerse), or moisture. If water penetrates the battery product, the risk of electric shock increases.
• If the battery is not used for a longer period (winter), charge the battery fully to prevent deep discharge.
• Do not store the battery product in areas where electrostatic discharge occurs.

Electrical Safety

• DANGER! Cardiac Arrest! This product generates an electromagnetic field during operation. This field may, under certain circumstances, affect the functioning of active or passive medical implants. To exclude the risk of situations that could cause serious or fatal injury, persons with a medical implant should consult a doctor and the implant manufacturer before using this product.
• Only use the Accu-product between 0 and 40 °C.
• Carefully inspect the area where the product is to be used and remove all cables and foreign objects.
• Before use and after a strong impact, the product must be checked for signs of wear or damage. If necessary, corresponding repairs must be carried out.
• If the product has a defect and can no longer be switched off, place the product on a solid surface, keep it under supervision, and wait until the battery is empty. Send the defective product to GARDENA service.
• Never attempt to work with an incomplete product or a product that has undergone unauthorized modifications.
• Switch off the product if it starts to vibrate abnormally. Strong vibrations can cause damage.
• Do not use the product near water.
• Do not operate near swimming pools or garden ponds.

Personal Safety

• DANGER! Suffocation Hazard! Small parts can be easily swallowed. Plastic bags pose a suffocation hazard to small children. Keep small children away during assembly.
• DANGER! Bodily Injury! If the appliance switches off due to a depleted battery (charge indicator flashes green), the battery may recover after some time. The appliance is then ready for operation again.
• Wear personal protective equipment.
• Wear gloves for cleaning the cutting device.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Protective equipment such as gloves, non-slip safety shoes, or hearing protection, which are used for appropriate situations, reduces bodily injury.
• Be careful when adjusting the product to prevent fingers from being pinched between moving and fixed parts of the machine.
• Do not use water or chemical agents to clean the guard or other parts of the trimmer.
• Ensure all nuts and screws are tightened to ensure the product is in a safe working condition.
• Do not disassemble the product beyond the status it had at delivery.
• Warning! When wearing hearing protection and due to the noise generated by the product, the user may not notice approaching persons. Be particularly attentive to the danger to other people during use and transport.
• Be attentive, observe what you are doing, and use common sense when operating a power tool.
• Do not use power tools if you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.
• A moment of inattention when operating a power tool can lead to serious injury.

Assembly

DANGER! Bodily Injury! Risk of cuts if the product starts unintentionally.

• Wait until the plastic blade has stopped and remove the battery before assembling the product.

Mounting the auxiliary handle [Fig. A1]:

• Slide the auxiliary handle onto the upper part of the handle ② until it clicks into place.
• The scope of delivery includes 5 plastic blades ③. Four of these are spare plastic blades in the magazine 10.
• To mount the plastic blade in the blade holder, see 6. TROUBLESHOOTING "Replacing the plastic blade".

Mounting the guard [Fig. A2/A3]:

• DANGER! The trimmer must only be used when the guard is mounted.
• 1. Attach the guard ④ to the trimmer head ⑤. Pass the plastic blade through the opening in the guard 4.
• 2. Rotate the guard ④ until it can be pushed on completely (arrows are opposite each other).
• 3. Rotate the guard ④ counterclockwise until it clicks into place.

Handling

DANGER! Bodily Injury! Risk of cuts if the product starts unintentionally.

• Wait until the plastic blade has stopped before transporting the product.

Charging the battery [Fig. O1]:

• DANGER! Overvoltage damages the battery and the charger.
• Ensure you use the correct mains voltage.
• The battery must be fully charged before first use.
• The lithium-ion battery can be charged regardless of the charge status, and charging can be interrupted at any time without damaging the battery (no memory effect).
• 1. Connect the charger to a mains socket. The Power-LED lights up red.
• 2. Connect the battery charging cable to the charging socket .
• When the charge indicator on the charging socket flashes green, the battery is charging.
• When the charge indicator on the charging socket lights green, the battery is fully charged (charging time, see 7. TECHNICAL DATA).
• 3. Periodically check the charging status during charging.
• 4. When the battery is fully charged, disconnect the battery charging cable from the charging socket .
• 5. Disconnect the charger from the socket.

Working Position [Fig. O2]:

• Hold the product by the auxiliary handle and the main handle ② so that the trimmer head ⑤ is tilted slightly forward.
• Avoid contact between the plastic blade and hard objects (walls, stones, fences, etc.) to prevent the plastic blade or blade holder from wearing out or breaking.

Starting the Trimmer [Fig. O3]:

• DANGER! Bodily Injury! Risk of injury if the product does not stop when the trigger is released.
• Do not bypass safety devices or the on/off switch. For example, do not tie the trigger to the handle.
• Starting:
• The product is equipped with a safety device with a double switch (trigger with lockout) which prevents unintentional starting of the product.
• 1. Hold the auxiliary handle with one hand.
• 2. Hold the main handle ② with the other hand, push the lockout forward and pull the trigger ⑦. The trimmer starts.
• 3. Release the lockout again.
• Stopping:
• Release the trigger 7. The trimmer stops within a few seconds.

Maintenance

DANGER! Bodily Injury! Risk of cuts if the product starts unintentionally.

• Wait until the plastic blade has stopped before performing maintenance on the product.

Cleaning the Trimmer [Fig. M1]:

• DANGER! Bodily Injury! Risk of personal injury and damage to the product.
• Do not clean the product with water or a water jet (especially not a high-pressure water jet).
• Do not clean it with chemicals, including gasoline or solvents. Some may destroy important plastic parts.
• The ventilation slots must always be clean.
• 1. Clean the ventilation slots ⑧ with a soft brush (do not use a screwdriver).
• 2. Clean all moving parts after each use. In particular, remove grass and dirt residues from the guard .

Cleaning the Charger:

• Ensure that the contacts on the charging socket and the charger are always clean and dry before connecting the charger.
• Do not use running water.
• Clean the contacts and plastic parts with a soft, dry cloth.

Storage

Taking out of operation:

• The product must be stored out of reach of children.
• 1. Charge the battery.
• 2. Clean the trimmer and the charger (see 4. MAINTENANCE).
• 3. Store the trimmer and the charger in a dry, locked, and frost-free place.

Disposal:

• (according to directive 2012/19/EU)
• The product must not be disposed of as normal household waste. It must be disposed of according to the applicable local environmental regulations.
• The GARDENA battery contains lithium-ion cells, which must not be disposed of as normal household waste when consumed.
• IMPORTANT! Dispose of your product at your municipal recycling center.

Troubleshooting

DANGER! Bodily Injury! Risk of cuts if the product starts unintentionally.

• Wait until the plastic blade has stopped before troubleshooting the product.

Replacing the plastic blade [Fig. T1/T2]:

• DANGER! Cuts!
• Do not use metal cutting elements or spare or accessory parts not approved by GARDENA.
• The plastic blades may be worn down to half their length. Only original GARDENA RotorCut replacement blades may be used. Spare plastic blades are available from your GARDENA dealer or directly from GARDENA customer service.
• GARDENA RotorCut replacement blade is for the turbotrimmer, art. 5368.

Removing the plastic blade:

• 1. Turn the trimmer upside down.
• 2. Lightly press the plastic blade tip downwards (A), push the plastic blade inwards through the blade holder (B), and pull it out.

Inserting the plastic blade:

• Slide the new plastic blade ③ through the metal slot on the blade holder until it clicks into place.
• If the new plastic blade is inserted correctly, it can be moved easily.

NOTE: Contact your GARDENA service center for other disturbances. Repairs may only be carried out by GARDENA service centers and by authorized specialist retailers.

Technical Data

NOTE: The specified vibration emission value has been measured according to a standardized test procedure and can be used to compare with other power tools. This value can also be used for a preliminary assessment of exposure. The vibration emission value may vary during the actual use of the power tool.

Accessories

Service/Warranty

Service:

• Please contact the address on the back.

Warranty Certificate:

• In the event of a warranty claim, no charge will be made for the services provided.
• GARDENA Manufacturing GmbH provides a 2-year warranty on all original GARDENA new products from the date of first purchase from the retailer, provided the products have been used exclusively for private purposes. This manufacturer's warranty does not apply to products purchased on the second-hand market. This warranty covers all significant product defects that are demonstrably due to material or manufacturing faults. The warranty includes the delivery of a functional replacement product or the repair of the defective product sent to us free of charge. We reserve the right to choose between these options.
• The following conditions apply to the service:
• The product was used for its intended purpose in accordance with the instructions in the operating manual.
• Neither the buyer nor a third party has attempted to open or repair the product.
• Only original GARDENA spare and wear parts were used for operation.
• Proof of purchase must be presented.
• Normal wear and tear of parts and components (e.g., blades, blade holder parts, turbines, light sources, V-belts and cog belts, idlers, air filters, spark plugs), optical changes, and wear and tear parts are not covered by the warranty.
• This manufacturer's warranty is limited to replacement and repair according to the conditions stated above. The manufacturer's warranty cannot be used as a basis for other claims against us as the manufacturer, for example, for damages.
• This manufacturer's warranty does not affect the statutory and contractual warranty claims against the dealer/seller.
• The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies to the manufacturer's warranty.
• In case of a claim, please send the defective product along with a copy of the purchase receipt and a description of the defect with sufficient postage to the GARDENA service address.

Wear parts:

• The plastic blade and the blade holder are wear parts and are therefore not covered by the warranty.

EU Declaration of Conformity

The undersigned certifies as the authorized representative of the manufacturer, GARDENA Germany AB, PO Box 7454, S-103 92, Stockholm, Sweden, that, when leaving our factory, the unit(s) indicated below is/are in accordance with the harmonised EU guidelines, EU standards of safety and product specific standards. This certificate becomes void if the unit(s) is/are modified without our approval.

GARDENA Manufacturing GmbH, D-89070 Ulm

Ulm, 03.07.2019

Reinhard Pompe, Vice President