| English   ® • • Whenever you leave your mower   unattended.   ENGLISH   Before checking, cleaning, adjusting   or working on your mower.   • • Before clearing a blockage.   If your mower starts to vibrate   abnormally (check immediately).   • Do not use solvents or cleaning fluids to   clean your mower - use a blunt scraper   to remove grass and dirt.   • After striking a foreign object, inspect   your mower for damage and make   repairs as necessary.   • • Always disconnect from the electrical   supply before cleaning.   • Never run your mower whilst lying on its   side or attempt to stop the blade -   always allow it to stop on its own.   Do not operate your mower if any parts   are defective; discard all defective parts   and fit new parts before use.   • • • Do not put hands or feet near or under   rotating parts.   • • Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to   be sure your mower is in a safe working   condition.   Keep clear of discharge openings at all   times.   Use only Black & Decker recommended   replacement parts and accessories.   Start your mower carefully according to   the instructions and with your feet well   away from the blade.   Black & Decker’s policy is one of continuous   improvement to our products and, as such, we   reserve the right to change product specifications   without prior notice.   • Do not use your mower in the rain and   do not allow it to get wet. Avoid using   your mower in wet grass, if possible.   • • • • • Use your mower only in daylight or good   artificial light.   Double insulation   Do not pull your mower towards you or   walk backwards when in operation.   Your mower is double insulated.   This means that all external metal parts are   electrically isolated from the power supply.   This is achieved by placing an extra   insulation barrier between the electrical and   mechanical parts. Double insulation means   greater electrical safety and obviates the   necessity of having your mower earthed.   Do not cross gravel paths or roads whilst   the tines are rotating.   Always be sure of your footing,   particularly on slopes.   Always cut across the face of slopes, never   up and down. Exercise extreme caution   when changing direction on slopes.   • • Do not cut excessively steep slopes and   always wear non-slip footwear.   Electrical safety (UK only)   Your mower should always be switched off   Check the grassbag (if supplied) for wear   or damage and replace if necessary.   Never use your mower without the   grassbag in place.   at the mains before disconnecting any plug   and socket connector or extension cables.   ! Fuse replacement   If your mower is supplied with cable fitted   with a non-re-wireable plug:   • • Walk, never run. Do not force your mower.   Never pick up or carry your mower while   the motor is running.   • The plug is fitted with a 13 amp fuse   which is the recommended fuse for   your mower.   • Ensure the blade has stopped rotating   and take extreme care before lifting your   mower for and during transportation.   • • Only use replacement fuses which are   approved to BS1362.   • Never operate your mower with defective   guards or shields.   When changing the fuse in your plug,   always ensure the fuse cover is refitted.   If the fuse cover is missing or damaged   do not use the plug.   Maintenance and storage   • Store your mower in a dry place when   not in use, out of the reach of children.   3 Note: Fuses do not give personal protection   against electric shock.   Handle assembly (Fig. A - D)   Remove all the parts from the carton and   Plug replacement   A familiarise yourself with the individual parts of   your mower.   • • Disconnect the plug from the supply.   The main parts of your mower are your   mower body (1) which comprises the cutter   cover (2), motor cover (3), air vent shroud (5),   pivot blocks (6) and pivot pins (8).   Cut off the plug and dispose of   immediately. Insertion of a detatched   plug into a 13 amp socket outlet may   result in electric shock.   The handle (10) comprises the lower handle   (11), the upper handle (12), switch box (13)   with switch lever (14) and safety lock-off   switch (15), electrical supply cable (16), the   cable clips (17), and the handle clamp   assemblies (18) which each comprise a wing   nut, washer and bolt.   • • Only fit BS1363A approved plugs fitted   with the correctly rated fuse.   The cable wire colours, or a letter, will be   marked at the connection points of most   good quality plugs. Attach the wires to   their respective points in the plug (see   below). Brown is for “Live” (L) and blue is   for “Neutral” (N).   Note: The electrical supply cable should be   positioned on the right-hand side of your   mower when viewed from the operating   position. Ensure that this is not damaged   or twisted before you begin to assemble   your mower.   • Before replacing the top cover of the   mains plug ensure that the cable restraint   is holding the outer sheath on the cable   firmly and that the two leads are correctly   fixed at the terminal screws.   Assemble the lower handle to your mower   body, as follows:   Fit the   recommended   fuse   Fit a   BS1363A   approved   plug   • Place the lower handle (11) into the pivot   blocks (6) on the cutter cover (2).   B C Note: It will be necessary to tilt the lower   handle towards the rear of your mower to   allow pivot pins (8) to fit correctly.   Connect blue   to N (neutral)   Connect brown   to L (live)   • Fit the pivot pins (8) through the holes in   the pivot block flanges (6) and through   the holes in the lugs on the lower   handle (11).   Make sure that the   outer sheath of the   cable is held firmly   by the clamp   240 volts AC only.   Never use a light   socket   • Using a mallet, or similar tool, tap the   pivot pin (8) through the inner part of the   pivot block (6). The hooks on the end of   the pivot pin will click into position behind   the inner wall, retaining it in position.   Warning! Never connect live or neutral wires   to the earth pin marked “E” or   . ! ! Note: Do not wire an extension cable directly   into your mower yourself. Instead, take your   mower to your nearest Black & Decker   service agent.   • Repeat the process on the other side.   With the lower handle in position, assemble   the upper handle, as follows:   • Place the upper handle (12) over the   lower handle (11). Ensure the upper bend   is as shown in Fig. A.   Increased safety can be obtained by having   a qualified electrician install a high sensitivity   (30mA) circuit breaker in the house wiring.   If you do not have such a circuit breaker   installed, or you do not wish to have one   installed, then we strongly recommend that   the electrical power to your mower be   supplied through a high sensitivity residual   current device (RCD). The RCD is designed   to provide a high degree of personal   • Align the holes in both the upper and   lower handles and fit a bolt (20) through   each hole. Fit a washer (21) to each bolt   and fit the wing nuts (22) on to the bolts.   Tighten each one with hand pressure only.   Note: Do not use a spanner or other   implement to tighten the wing nuts.   protection against harmful electric current   should fault conditions occur.   With the upper and lower handles   assembled, fit the switch box to the upper   handle, as follows:   Warning! The use of an RCD or other circuit   breaker unit does not release the operator of   your mower from the safety instructions and   safe working practices given in this manual.   Note: The switch box must be positioned on   the right-hand side of your mower.   4 Ensure that the electrical supply cable is   not twisted before you begin to assemble   the handle.   ENGLISH   • Locate the two pins on the switch box (13)   with the holes in the upper handle (12).   D • Fit the retaining plate (23) over the stem   of the handle (12) ans secure in position   using the two screws (24) provided.   • • • Ensure your mower is disconnected from   the mains supply.   Place the handle assembly into position   3 (see “Handle operation”).   Note: Do not overtighten these screws - light   pressure will be sufficient to hold the switch   box in position.   Turn your mower over onto its side so   that the underside of the cutter cover   is exposed.   • Finally, secure the electrical supply cable   to the lower handle using the cable clip   (17) supplied.   • Using a cloth placed over the blades or   heavy duty gloves to protect your hands,   grip the blade and, using the spanner   provided, loosen and remove the nut   (21) from the motor spindle. Turn the nut   in anti-clockwise direction to loosen it.   Handle operation (Fig. E)   The handle has three positions, two storage   E (park) positions and one operating position.   Positions 1 and 3 in Fig. E are the storage   (park) positions and F is the operating range.   Note: If the plastic blade cutting system is   fitted then it will be necessary to grip the   blade carrier (25) firmly to prevent it from   turning (Fig. F).   For storage purposes, the handle assembly   can be set to position 2 or 3, as follows:   • Remove the blade nut, white washer   (26) (if supplied), spacers and blade   (21-24) and re-assemble to give the cut   height required, showing the 6 cut   heights available.   • With the handle in its working range F,   pivot the handle downwards until it   contacts the stops on the end of the   handle tube. This is the park position   2 for the handle.   G • Once the cut height is selected,   re-assemble the blade, ensuring the   cutter blade (23) is assembled with the   cutting tips downwards as shown in   Fig. F and ensure the white washer   (26) is fitted to the blade nut.   • The handle can be moved to a park   position 3. Push the handle upwards in   the working range F, to the top position   1. Pull the handle upwards. While still   pulling the handle upwards, pivot the   handle down towards the ground to   position 3.   • Ensure the blade nut (21) is tight.   Note: Your mower is supplied with the blade   height in position E (Fig. G).   Height of cut adjustment (Fig. F & G)   • Always re-fit 3 spacers and never fit more   or your mower will become unsafe.   Your mower employs a manual method of   F height of cut adjustment. The method   involves changing the arrangement of the   spacers fitted between the impeller and the   blade, and applies to mowers fitted with the   steel or plastic blade cutting systems which   can be purchased as an accessory.   Carrying your mower   Disconnect your mower from the mains.   Remove the grassbox (if fitted), lower the handle to   the flat “park” position and then, holding one handle   near the pivot block and carry with the blade pointing   away from you.   The following procedure assumes that the   steel blade is fitted. If the plastic blade   cutting system is fitted then take blade to   mean blade carrier. The blade carrier (25) is   shown in Fig. F.   How to use your mower (Fig. H & J)   The procedure for adjusting the height of cut   is as follows:   Observe all the relevant warnings when   using your mower.   ! Caution: The plastic blade cutting system has   been designed to maintain lawns at a fixed   length, not for cutting long grass. We strongly   recommend that you use the steel blade to   cut your grass to the required length, then   use the plastic blade to maintain that length.   We recommend the directional method of   operation to obtain maximum cutting   performance from your mower and to reduce   the risk of the trailing extension lead from   entering the cutting path.   5 • Place the bulk of the extension cable   on the lawn close to the starting point   (Fig. Ja position 1).   Note: To obtain the best results cut your   lawn or grassed area regularly and do not   cut when the grass is wet.   Your switch box incorporates a cable   restraint. To fix the cable to the restraint,   proceed as follows:   Changing to the plastic blade system   (Fig. K)   • Bring the socket end of the extension   cable from behind and connect it to your   mower plug.   A plastic cutter blade system can be   purchased as an accessory for your mower.   This system comprises a blade carrier and a   number of blades.   • • Form a loop on your extension cable   close to the switchbox.   H The steel blade is designed to give a fine   finish in long or tough grass.   Push the loop through the slot from   the opposite side of the restraint hook,   position the loop over the hook and   pull the cable back through the slot.   Your cable will now be restrained.   The plastic blade system can be used for   safer cutting in normal conditions. It should   not be used to cut tough or long grass as   the plastic blades are not designed for   this purpose.   • The extension cable should now fall   away from your mower and behind the   operator, ready for use.   To remove the steel blade and to fit the   plastic blade system, proceed as follows:   Warning! Do not attempt to operate your   mower with one hand - you must guide it   with both hands.   Warning! Disconnect your mower from the   ! electrical supply before fitting the plastic   blade system.   ! • Lift the handle up to release it from the   park position.   • Remove the steel blade as described in   “Height of cut adjustment” but retain the   two thicker spacers and the nut.   • Tilt the unit slightly on its side to reduce   the risk of lawn damage whilst starting,   depress the safety lock-off button (15)   on the switchbox (13) (Fig. D), and whilst   still depressed pull the switch lever (14)   towards you. Your mower will start, and   you can now allow it to return to its   proper cutting position, and commence   cutting.   • If you wish to alter the height of cut   whilst fitting the plastic blade system   then follow the instructions given in   “Height of cut adjustment”.   • • Using a damp cloth, clean the contact   faces of the spacer rings, removing any   grass or debris.   • Proceed down the cutting area as   shown in Fig. Ja, working from position   1 towards position 2 and, on reaching   position 2, turn to the right and proceed   towards position 3. Continue to the end   of the cutting area, turn to the left, and   proceed towards position 4. Continue in   the same manner as shown in Fig. Ja,   always working away from the cable.   Do not adopt the method shown in   Fig. Jb, working towards the cable,   as this can be dangerous.   Fit any spacers necessary to give the   correct height adjustment, fit the blade   carrier (25) on to the motor spindle with   the ribbed face towards the impeller,   fit any remaining spacers and fit the nut.   Use a cloth or wear a heavy duty glove   to prevent the blade carrier from turning   and tighten the nut with the spanner   provided.   J Note: Instructions on how to fit the blade   carrier to your mower are also given on a   label on the blade carrier.   Your mower will continue to operate whilst   you are pressing the switch lever. If you   release it for any reason you will not be able   to press it again until you have pressed the   safety lock-off switch on the switch box.   This feature prevents accidental restart.   • Attach two plastic blades (30) to the   blade carrier (25), by placing one blade   on each blade pivot (31) and pull the   blades outwards so that they are locked   into position.   K • Your mower is now ready for use.   When you have finished using your mower   we recommend that you clean all debris   from it before putting it away. Refer to the   “Care and maintenance” section.   6 Overload protection   Your mower is fitted with overload protection.   The reset button (33) can be found on the switch box   (Fig. A).   ENGLISH   If you work too quickly in long grass, or in heavy   cutting conditions, you may overload the motor.   This will be indicated by a significant drop in speed,   and eventually the overload protection will operate.   This is not a fault but a safety device to protect   your mower.   Fitting a new blade   Observe all the relevant warnings before   changing blades.   ! Details on the fitment of new steel blades are   given in “Cut height adjustment”. Details on   the fitment of new plastic blades are given in   “Changing to the plastic blade system”.   When this occurs, release the switch and wait for   2 to 3 minutes to allow the motor to cool, then press   the reset button (33) and restart by operating the   switch lever.   If the cut-out operates again within 10 minutes you   should increase the height of cut (see “Height of cut   adjustment”) and walk more slowly.   Handy hints   • Before starting your mower on grass always tilt it   to one side slightly and allow it to run up to   maximum speed before commencing to cut the   grass. This will maximise the hover effect and will   prevent the blades from digging into the grass.   Severe overloading may result in a longer delay on   restarting. In such cases, after resetting, you should   allow the motor to cool.   • On long grass, above 10cm (4 inches), use two   cuts to get a close finish. We recommend that   the first cut should be taken with the blade set at   maximum height of cut and the second taken   with it set at medium or close. This will prove to   be easier and give a better overall finish to   your lawn.   Blade maintenance   Steel blades   The steel blade is designed to give a fine   finish in long or tough grass. The blade will   continue to cut even when it has become   blunt or burred. There is no need for it to be   razor sharp.   Care and maintenance   If, however, because of damage or wear the   cutting performance deteriorates, then your   mower may require a new blade, or at least   the existing blade to be sharpened.   The advice given in this section covers the   general care and maintenance of the main   body of your mower. Advice relating to the   blades is given in “Maintenance of blades”.   We recommend that the steel blade is   sharpened or a new blade fitted at the   beginning of each season.   Warning! Do not use a cable which   shows signs of damage. Fit a new cable   completely - do not make any permanent or   temporary repairs.   ! Plastic blades   Plastic blades will wear during use. This type   of blade cannot be sharpened and should be   discarded and new blades fitted when worn.   • Always keep your mower clean and free   from grass cuttings, especially the   underside of the cutter cover and the air   vents.   Note: Plastic blades should be replaced in   pairs, not singly.   • • Check all electrical cables at regular   intervals, looking for signs of wear,   abrasion or other damage.   A number of spare blades are supplied with   the plastic blade cutting system when   purchased separately.   At the end of each cutting session we   recommend that the build up of grass on   the underside of the cutter cover is   removed using a blunt scraper or the   spanner supplied.   Replacement blades are available from   Black & Decker service agents.   Warning! When fitting a new blade use only   the Black & Decker replacement part   specified for your mower - do not attempt to   fit any other blade.   ! • • Remove grass cuttings from the slot   between the pivot block flanges.   Clean all plastic components with a   damp cloth.   7 Caution: Do not use solvents or cleaning   fluids as these may damage the plastic   components of your mower.   Unwanted products and the   environment   Should you find one day that your mower   needs replacement, or is of no further   use to you, think of the protection of the   environment. Black & Decker service agents   will accept your old mower and will dispose of   it in an environmentally safe way.   Fault finding   If your mower does not operate correctly,   use the following table to locate the problem.   Warning! Always disconnect your mower   from the electrical supply before carrying out   any inspection.   ! Black & Decker lawn and garden   guarantee   Symptoms   Possible cause Remedy   This guarantee provides 36 months parts cover   and 12 months labour (UK), 24 months parts   cover and labour (Australia and New Zealand).   In all cases proof of purchase will be required.   Motor buzzes   but blade does   not move.   Blade jammed. Disconnect from   the electrical   supply.   Remove the   obstruction from   the blade.   lf your Black & Decker mower becomes defective,   within the guarantee period, due to faulty materials   and workmanship, we guarantee to either replace all   defective parts, or at our discretion, replace your   mower free of charge, provided that:   No noise and   the blade does connection.   not move.   Faulty electrical Disconnect from   the electrical   supply.   • Your mower is returned to one of our authorised   repair agents with evidence of purchase.   Plug your mower   into an alternative   compatible   • Your mower has been used within the   parameters of its consumer classification.   electrical supply.   • • Your mower has not been used for hire purposes.   Check if a new   fuse is required.   Repairs have not been attempted by anyone   other than our authorised repair agents.   Re-tighten and   check all electrical   connections in the   extension cables.   • The failure represents normal wear and tear.   This guarantee is offered as an extra benefit and is   additional to your statutory rights.   Overload cut-   out operates.   Reset overload   cut-out.   Our guarantee policy   Failures due to the following are not covered:   Motor stalled.   The motor is   overloading in   long, thick   grass.   Disconnect from   the electrical   supply. Reset the   blade height   to a higher   • Replacing worn or damaged blades, nylon line   and chains, or cables damaged during storage   or use. These are regarded as replacement items   which wear during normal usage.   position.   Poor cutting   performance.   Blade damaged Disconnect from   due to impact the electrical   on large stones, supply. Check the   tree stumps, blade for damage.   paving stones or Replace with a   similar objects. new blade,   if necessary.   • • Failures as a result of sudden impact or obvious   abuse.   Failures due to usage not in accordance with   instructions and recommendations contained in   this manual.   The use of other than genuine Black & Decker   accessories and parts may damage or reduce the   performance of your Black & Decker mower and may   render the guarantee void.   What to do if your mower needs   repair   For after sales service please refer to the section   ‘Lawnmowers & Garden’ within your local   Yellow Pages.   Black & Decker after sales service   (UK, Australia and New Zealand only)   Black & Decker offers a nationwide network of   authorised service agents. The use of other than   genuine Black & Decker accessories and parts may   damage or reduce the performance of your   8 Black & Decker product and may also endanger the   user. The terms and conditions of the warranty may   also be effected.   ENGLISH   It is our aim that all Black & Decker customers should   be totally satisfied with their Black & Decker product   and after sales service, if help or advice is needed   please contact a local Black & Decker authorised   repair agent who will be happy to help. Full details of   our after sales service can be obtained from any of   our Black & Decker authorised repair agents.   Other Black & Decker products   (UK only)   Black & Decker has a full range of outdoor power   tools that make life easy in the garden. If you would   like further information on other products, please   contact the Black & Decker Service Information   Centre at the address towards the back of this   manual, or contact your Black & Decker stockist.   Lawnmowers   Chainsaws   String trimmers   Lawnrakers   Compost shredders   Blade trimmers   Cordless trimsaws   Cordless shears   Leafbusters   Cordless brooms   Cordless shrubbers   Hedgetrimmers   EC Declaration of Conformity   We declare that unit:   GX302   conforms to 89/392/EEC, 89/336/EEC,   EN60335, 73/23/EEC, EN55014, EN55104   A weighted sound pressure 96dB (A)   A weighted sound power 109dB (A)   Hand/arm weighted vibration <2.5m/s2   Brian Cooke   Director of Engineering   Black & Decker Ltd, Spennymoor, County Durham   DL16 6JG United Kingdom   9 Australia   Black & Decker (A’asia) Pty Ltd   Tel: 03 9213 8200   286-288 Maroondah Highway, North Croydon, Victoria 3136 Fax: 03 9726 7150   New Zealand   South Africa   Black & Decker   483 Great South Road, Penrose, Auckland   Tel: 09 579 7600   Fax: 09 579 8200   Black & Decker South Africa (Pty) Ltd   Suite no 107, PostNet X65, Halfway House 1685   Tel: 011 314 4431   Fax: 011 314 4435   United Kingdom Black & Decker   210 Bath Road, Slough   Berkshire SL1 3YD   Tel: 01753 574277   Tlx: 848317 BAND MH   Fax: 01753 551155   ® Part no. 375813-22 10/97.1   Part no. 375813-22 10/97.1   ® GX302   C A 11   12   13   16   33   21   22   20   12   18   17   10   4 11   D 14   3 24   15   32   5 8 1 6 2 23   12   13   B 11   7 6 E 1 2 2 F1   8 3 F1   H F 24   23   22   26   21   J a b 2 25   30   30   3 4 1 G ✓ ✗   a)   d)   22   23   21   24   24   22   K b)   c)   e)   f)   22   24   24   22   23   21   24   22   24   22   23   21   30   31   25   |