OPERATOR’S MANUAL
FLEX CONNECT™
UNIVERSAL HEDGE TRIMMER ATTACHMENT
267-2153
STC459
To Reduce The Risk Of Injury, User Must Read
CAUTION
And Understand Operator’s Manual. Save These Instructions For
Future Reference.
2901794ME
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety Symbols ........................................................................................................... Page 2
Safety Instructions ...................................................................................................... Page 3
Overview ..................................................................................................................... Page 7
Assembly .................................................................................................................... Page 8
Operation .................................................................................................................. Page 10
Maintenance / Troubleshooting ................................................................................. Page 11
Notes ........................................................................................................................ Page 12
Warranty ................................................................................................................... Page 14
Page 2
SAFETY SYMBOLS
Some of the following symbols may be used on this product. Please study them and learn their
meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the product better
and safer.
Symbol Name Designation / Explanation
V Volts Voltage
A Amperes Current
Hz Hertz Frequency (cycles per second)
W Watt Power
min Minutes Time
Alternating Current Type of current
Direct Current Type or a characteristic of current
Wet Conditions Alert Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations.
Read The Operator’s Manual
To reduce the risk of injury user must read and
understand operator’s manual before using
this product.
Safety Alert Precautions that involve your safety.
Keep Bystanders Away Keep all bystanders at least 50 ft. away.
Eye And Ear Protection
Always wear eye protection with side shields
marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 when
operating this equipment. Wear ear protection.
Ricochet
Thrown objects can ricochet and result in
personal injury or property damage.
Sharp Blade Keep hands away from sharp, moving blades.
Gloves Wear non-slip, heavy duty gloves.
Keep Bystanders Away Keep all bystanders at least 50 ft. (15m) away.
Impeller Blades
Rotating impeller blades can cause severe
injury.
Page 3
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The purpose of safety symbols is to attract our attention to possible dangers. The safety
symbols, and the explanations with them, deserve your careful attention and understanding.
The symbol warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions and
warnings they give are no substitutes for propper accident prevention measures.
Failure to obey this safety warning CAN result in death or serious
injury to yourself or to others. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of
re, electric shock and personal injury.
WARNING
Failure to obey this safety warning MAY result in personal injury
to yourself or others or property damage. Always follow the safety precautions to
reduce the risk of re, electric shock and personal injury.
CAUTION
Failure to obey this warning WILL result in death or serious injury
to yourself or to others. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire,
electric shock and personal injury.
DANGER
Be sure to read and understand all safety insructions in this
manual, including all safety alert symbols such as “DANGER”, “WARNING” and
“CAUTION”, before using this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below
may result in electric shock, re and/or serious personal injury.
WARNING
SYMBOL MEANING
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates DANGER, WARNING, OR CAUTION. May be used
in conjuntion with other symbols or pictographs
Page 4
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY
WARNINGS
WARNING
Read all safety
warnings, instructions,
llustrations and specications provided
with this product. Failure to follow all
instructions listed below may result in
electric shock, re and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future
The term "product" in the warnings refers
to your mains-operated (corded) product or
battery-operated (cordless) product.
WORK AREA SAFETY
• Keep work area clean and well lit.
Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate products in explosive
atmospheres, such as in the presence
of fammable liquids, gases or dust.
Products create sparks which may ignite
the dust or fumes.
• Keep children and bystanders away
while operating a product.
Distractions
can cause you to lose control.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
• Product plugs must match the outlet.
Never modify the plug in any way. Do
not use any adapter plugs with earthed
(grounded) products.
Unmodified plugs
and matching outlets will reduce 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 products to rain or wet
conditions.
Water entering a product will
increase the risk of electric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the
cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging
the product. Keep cord away from
heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
Damaged or entangled cords increase the
risk of electric shock.
• When operating a product outdoors,
use an extension cord suitable for
outdoor use.
Use of a cord suitable for
outdoor use reduces the risk of electric
shock.
• If operating a product in a damp
location is unavoidable, use a residual
current device (RCD) protected supply.
Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric
shock.
PERSONAL SAFETY
• Stay alert, watch what you are doing
and use common sense when operating
a product. Do not use a product while
you are tired or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol or medication.
A moment
of inattention while operating products may
result in serious personal injury.
• Use personal protective equipment.
Always wear eye protection.
Protective
equipment such as dust 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
product.
Carrying products with your
finger on the switch or energising products
that have the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove any adjusting key or wrench
before turning the product on.
A wrench
or a key left attached to a rotating part of
the product may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing
and balance at all times.
This enables
better control of the product 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.
• 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.
Page 5
• Do not let familiarity gained from
frequent use of products allow you to
become complacent and ignore tool
safety principles.
A careless action can
cause severe injury within a fraction of a
second.
PRODUCT USE AND CARE
• Do not force the product. Use the
correct product for your application.
The correct product will do the job better
and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
• Do not use the product if the switch
does not turn it on and off.
Any product
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 product before
making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing products.
Such
preventive safety measures reduce the risk
of starting the product accidentally.
• Store idle products out of the reach
of children and do not allow persons
unfamiliar with the product or these
instructions to operate the product.
Products are dangerous in the hands of
untrained users.
• Maintain products and accessories.
Check for misalignment or binding of
moving parts, breakage of parts and
any other condition that may affect the
product’s operation. If damaged, have
the product repaired before use.
Many
accidents are caused by poorly maintained
products.
• 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 product, accessories and
tool bits etc. in accordance with these
instructions, taking into account the
working conditions and the work to
be performed.
Use of the product 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
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
the tool in unexpected situations.
BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE
• Recharge only with the charger
specied by the manufacturer.
A charger
that is suitable for one type of battery may
create a risk of fire when used with another
battery.
• Use machines only with specifically
designated batteries.
Use of any other
batteries may create a risk of injury and
fire.
• When battery is not in use, keep it
away from other metal objects, like
paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws
or other small metal objects, that can
make a connection from one terminal
to another.
Shorting the battery terminals
together may cause burns or a fire.
• Under abusive conditions, liquid may
be ejected from the battery; avoid
contact. If contact accidentally occurs,
flush with water. If liquid contacts
eyes, additionally seek medical help.
Liquid ejected from the battery may cause
irritation or burns.
• Do not use a battery or product that
is damaged or modified.
Damaged
or modified batteries may exhibit
unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire,
explosion or risk of injury.
• Do not expose a battery or product to
re or excessive temperature.
Exposure
to fire or temperature above 130 °C (265
°F) may cause explosion.
• Follow all charging instructions and
do not charge the battery or product
outside the temperature range specied
in the instructions.
Charging improperly
or at temperatures outside the specified
range may damage the battery and
increase the risk of fire.
SERVICE
• Have your product serviced by a
qualified repair person using only
identical replacement parts.
This will
ensure that the safety of the product is
maintained.
• Never service damaged batteries.
Service of batteries should only be
Page 6
performed by the manufacturer or
authorized service providers.
HEDGE TRIMMER SAFETY
WARNINGS
• Do not use the hedge trimmer in
bad weather conditions, especially
when there is a risk of lightning.
This
decreases the risk of being struck by
lightning.
• Keep all power cords and cables away
from cutting area.
Power cords or cables
may be hidden in hedges or bushes and
can be accidentally cut by the blade.
• Wear ear protection.
Adequate protective
equipment will reduce the risk of hearing
loss.
• Hold the hedge trimmer by insulated
gripping surfaces only, because the
blade may contact hidden wiring.
Blades
contacting a "live" wire may make exposed
metal parts of the hedge trimmer "live" and
could give the operator an electric shock.
• Keep all parts of the body away from
the blade. Do not remove cut material
or hold material to be cut when blades
are moving.
Blades continue to move
after the switch is turned off. A moment
of inattention while operating the hedge
trimmer may result in serious personal
injury.
• When clearing jammed material or
servicing the hedge trimmer, make
sure all power switches are off and the
battery is removed or disconnected.
Unexpected actuation of the hedge trimmer
while clearing jammed material or servicing
may result in serious personal injury.
• Carry the hedge trimmer by the handle
with the blade stopped and taking care
not to operate any power switch.
Proper
carrying of the hedge trimmer will decrease
the risk of inadvertent starting and resultant
personal injury from the blades.
• When transporting or storing the hedge
trimmer, always use the blade cover.
Proper handling of the hedge trimmer will
decrease the risk of personal injury from
the blades.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
PROPOSITION 65
This product contains a chemical known to
the state of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Some dust
created by power sanding, sawing, grinding,
drilling, and other construction activities
contains chemicals known to cause cancer,
birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some
examples of these chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paints;
• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement
and other masonry products;
• Arsenic and chromium from chemically
treated lumber.
Your risk of exposure to these chemicals
varies depending on how often you do this
type of work. To reduce your exposure to these
chemicals, work in a well-ventilated area, and
work with approved safety equipment, such as
dust masks that are specially designed to lter
out microscopic particles.
CHILD SAFETY
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is
not aware of the presence of children.
• Keep children out of the working
area and under the watchful care of a
responsible adult.
• Do not allow children under the age
of 14 to operate this blower. Children
who are 14 years of age and older must
read and understand the operating
instructions and safety rules in this
manual and must be trained and
supervised by a parent.
• Stay alert, and turn the blower off if a
child or any other person enters the
working area.
• Use extreme care when approaching
blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may obscure your
view of a child who may run into the
path of the blower.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Page 7
OVERVIEW
SPECIFICATIONS
Blade Length 16" (406 mm)
SPECIFICATIONS
Lower shaft
Rubber protector
Scabard
Auxiliary handle
Safety lock-out button
Shoulder strap
Carry ring
Blade
Pivoting button
Page 8
ASSEMBLY
UNPACKING
This product requires assembly.
• Carefully remove the product and any
accessories from the box. Make sure that
all items listed in the package contents
section are included.
• Inspect the product carefully to make sure
no breakage or damage occurred during
shipping.
• Do not discard the packing material
until you have carefully inspected and
satisfactorily operated the product.
• If any parts are damaged or missing, please
call 1-844-MSTR4CE (844-678-7423) for
assistance.
ATTACH THE CARRYING RING
NOTE
Check for tightness
before each use to avoid serious injury or
product damage.
1. Pull carrying ring apart and place over
power head end of shaft; position near the
power head.
2. Install bolt and lock nut.
3. Tighten nut securely.
FIG. 1
Carry ring
FIG. 2
Page 9
USE THE SHOULDER STRAP
1. Attach the carabiner to the carrying ring on
the pole.
FIG. 3
2. Put on the shoulder strap.
3. Adjust the length of the strap so that the
carabiner is about the width of a hand below
your right hip.
CONNECT POWER HEAD TO
LOWER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the rubber protector.
2. Loosen the knob on the coupler.
3. Push in the release button located on the
lower shaft. Align the release button with
the positioning hole and slide the two
shafts together. Rotate the lower shaft until
the button locks into the positioning hole.
4. Tighten the knob securely.
FIG. 5
NOTE
If the button does not
release completely in the positioning hole, the
shafts are not locked into place. Slightly ro-
tate from side to side until the button is locked
into place.
ASSEMBLY
①
FIG. 4
②
①
Shoulder strap
Carry ring
Page 10
OPERATION
ADJUST THE TRIMMER HEAD
ANGLE
The trimmer head pivots 180° and can be
locked into 13 positions within that range.
1. Hold the auxiliary handle.
2. Pull back and hold the safety lock-out
button.
3. Push the pivot button and move the
head forward or backward to your
desired position.
4. Release the safety lock-out button and
pivot button.
FIG. 6
180°
Pivoting buttonn
WARNING
The trimmer head should lock securely in
place.
OPERATION TIPS
• Start by trimming the top of the hedge.
Slightly tilt the tool (up to 15° relative
to the line of cut) so that the blade
tips point slightly towards the hedge.
This will cause the blades to cut more
effectively. Hold the tool at the desired
angle and move it steadily along the line
of cut. The doublesided blade allows
you to cut in either direction.
• In order to obtain a very straight cut,
stretch a piece of string along the length
of the hedge at the desired height. Use
the string as a guideline, cutting just
above it.
• In order to obtain at sides, cut upwards
with the growth. Younger stems
move outwards when the blade cuts
downwards, causing shallow patches in
the hedge.
• Take care to avoid any foreign objects.
Especially avoid hard objects such as
metal wire and railings, as these could
damage the blades.
• Regularly oil the blades.
Page 11
MAINTENANCE
CLEAN THE MACHINE
• Clear the unwanted material out of the air
vent with a vacuum cleaner.
• Do not spray the air vent or put the air vent
in solvents.
• Clean the housing and the plastic
components with a moist and soft cloth.
CAUTION
Do not let brake
uids, gasoline, petroleum-based
materials touch the plastic parts.
Chemicals can cause damage to the
plastic, and make the plastic
unserviceable.
CAUTION
Do not use strong
solvents or detergents on the plastic
housing or components.
CAUTION
Remove the
battery pack from the machine before
maintenance.
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION
Motor fails to start
when trigger switch is
depressed.
Battery is not secure. To secure the battery pack, make sure the
latches on the top of the battery pack snap into
place.
Battery is not charged. Charge the battery pack according to the
instructions included in the battery charger
manual.
Motor runs, but cutting
blades do not move.
Hedger damaged.
Do not use hedge
trimmer.
Call for technical service.
Hedge trimmer
smokes during
operation.
Hedger damaged.
Do not use hedge
trimmer.
Call for technical service.
Motor hums, blades
do not move.
Debris or other may
be jamming the
blades.
Remove battery, clear debris blockage from
blades.
LUBRICATE THE BLADE
To increase the efciency and life of the
blades, lubricate them carefully after each
work session:
• Put the machine on a at and smooth surface.
• Use a soft cloth to clean the blades and a
brush to remove more dirt.
• Use a light layer of oil to lubricate the
blades along the top edge of the blade.
STORE THE MACHINE
• Clean the machine before storage.
• Make sure that the motor is not hot when
you store the machine.
• Make sure that the machine does not have
loose or damaged parts. If it is necessary,
do these steps/instructions:
1. Replace the damaged parts.
2. Tighten the bolts.
3. Speak to a person of an approved
service center.
• Store the machine in a dry area.
• Make sure that children cannot come near
the machine.
Page 12
NOTES
Page 13
NOTES
Page 14
SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS
THIS WARRANTY IS VOID WITHOUT THEM
80V HEDGE TRIMMER ATTACHMENT
WARRANTY
4-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
This MASTERFORCE™ brand power tool carries our famous No Hassle 4-Year Limited
Warranty to the original purchaser. If, during normal use, this MASTERFORCE™ power
tool breaks or fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within four (4) years from
the date of original purchase, simply bring the tool with the original sales receipt back
to your nearest MENARDS
®
retail store. At its discretion, MASTERFORCE™ agrees
to have the tool or any defective part(s) repaired or replaced with the same or similar
MASTERFORCE™ product or part free of charge, within the stated warranty period,
when returned by the original purchaser with original sales receipt. Not withstanding the
foregoing, this limited warranty does not cover any damage that has resulted from abuse
or misuse of the Merchandise. This warranty: (1) excludes expendable parts including
but not limited to blades, brushes, belts, bits, light bulbs, and/or batteries; (2) shall be
void if this tool is used for commercial and/or rental purposes; and (3) does not cover any
losses, injuries to persons/property or costs. This warranty does give you specific legal
rights and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state. Be careful, tools
are dangerous if improperly used or maintained. Seller’s employees are not qualified
to advise you on the use of this merchandise. Any oral representation(s) made will not
be binding on seller or its employees. The rights under this limited warranty are to the
original purchaser of the merchandise and may not be transferred to any subsequent
owner. This limited warranty is in lieu of all warranties, expressed or implied including
warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Seller shall not be
liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages. The sole exclusive remedy
against the seller will be for the replacement of any defects as provided herein, as long
as the seller is willing or able to replace this product or is willing to refund the purchase
price as provided above. For insurance purposes seller is not allowed to demonstrate
any of these power tools for you.
For questions / comments, technical assistance or repair parts -
Please call toll free at: 1-844-678-7423 (M-F 8am - 6pm)
© 2019 Menard, Inc., Eau Claire, WI 54703 08/2023
