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Service & Maintenance Question

    budman11
    I am in a TOTAL love hate relationship with my 223L Trimmer....Answered
    Service & Maintenance Question posted July 7, 2010 by budman11, last edited February 10, 2012 by HusqvarnaAnswerArmy Silver, tagged 223L 
    3836 Views, 27 Comments
    Question:
    I am in a TOTAL love hate relationship with my 223L Trimmer. This is the most powerful, lightweight, easy to use trimmer I've ever had.I did a ton of research on spending this much money on a Trimmer. It seemed the best product out there. So what "Brain Surgeon" engineer put the exhaust for the muffler on the TOP of the engine? I can't use this thing without it burning the hell out of my arm! When you hold the Trimmer your right arm lays right on top of the Engine Housing. That's pretty much any Trimmer. SO WHY IS THE EXHAUST RIGHT THERE? UGGHH! Thinking about returning it and that sux because I really don't want another Troy Built. :(
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    Best Answer

    Husqvarna

    Hi Budman11,

    Wanted you to know that we've escalated your issue throughout the AnswerArmy team.  One of our most senior members will be back tomorrow morning and we'll have him take a deeper look into it.

    In the meantime, we've grabbed one of our trimmers (although not your model exactly) and experimented with the adjustable handle in order to see if it would make a difference in the positioning of the exhaust near your arm.

    Here are some photos of our research...

    Notice that by moving the handle closer to the engine, we were able to provide extra distance between her elbow and the exhaust.

    Here is Brandon, who also had success with handle adjustment:

    Also, we realize it may not be comfortable or familiar to your current preference of holding the trimmer, but also try to hold the unit a few inches further away from your body, and swing  your elbow between you and the engine.  Perhaps just a few inches/degrees will make a big difference.

    By all means, we certainly don't recommend (nor was the unit designed) to support your elbow.

    As a last resort, also consider buying a shoulder strap (click the image for more detail).  These are available at your nearest Husqvarna dealer for just $6.95 MSRP and may provide greater comfort (especially if you're trimming for hours at a time).

    Let us know if any of these suggestions provided any help!

    Thanks again for your question and sorry you are having this issue.

    Trimmer Shoulder Strap (on Husqvarna.com)...

    Answer

    • Brandon M.

      Thanks for using Answer Army!  I am looking through some pictures of trimmer operator's and am trying to see how the user can rest their arm on the engine.  Is there anyway that you can send us a picture of you operating the trimmer?  This would help us determine if it unit is set up correctly for your body style.  The position of the handle bar can be adjusted to the user's preference.  Thank you again for using Answer Army and I look forward to helping you troubleshoot through the problem.

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      • budman11

        Here you go.

        The handle bar can be adjusted but not the throttle.

        IMG_0393[1] (2.2MB)
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      • budman11
        IMG_0392[1] (1.6MB)
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      • budman11
        IMG_0393[2] (2.2MB)
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      • budman11
        IMG_0391[1] (1.9MB)
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    • Brandon M.

      Thanks for the visual aid!  It seems that you would get really tried of holding the trimmer the current way that you are using it.  I recommend a much more relaxed position.  Try to move your right arm back so that is is more to the right or your leg instead of in front of it.  This will cause your arms to be placed about 4 inches or more to the right from your current operating position.  Thus, allowing the exhaust to have more room away from your arm.

      Look at this picture attached and you will see the difference in arm placement and how their arms are more relaxed.  Let me know if this helps!

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      • budman11

        Ok I figured it would go there. Do me a favor and go get one and trim for 3 hours and let me know how that goes. It's easy for you to sit there and guess how well that picture is effective.The design sux and it burns your arm. I tried holding it every way possible comfortably and it doesn't help. If I wasn't going to return it I am now. Don't treat me like an idiot. The exhaust is on top and that's a poor design. I actually thought it would help to bring this to your attention but I guess I was wrong. By the way please send me an email address to your superiors as I would like to bring this to their atteention. thanx so much for your help.

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        • Husqvarna

          Hi Budman11,

          Wanted you to know that we've escalated your issue throughout the AnswerArmy team.  One of our most senior members will be back tomorrow morning and we'll have him take a deeper look into it.

          In the meantime, we've grabbed one of our trimmers (although not your model exactly) and experimented with the adjustable handle in order to see if it would make a difference in the positioning of the exhaust near your arm.

          Here are some photos of our research...

          Notice that by moving the handle closer to the engine, we were able to provide extra distance between her elbow and the exhaust.

          Here is Brandon, who also had success with handle adjustment:

          Also, we realize it may not be comfortable or familiar to your current preference of holding the trimmer, but also try to hold the unit a few inches further away from your body, and swing  your elbow between you and the engine.  Perhaps just a few inches/degrees will make a big difference.

          By all means, we certainly don't recommend (nor was the unit designed) to support your elbow.

          As a last resort, also consider buying a shoulder strap (click the image for more detail).  These are available at your nearest Husqvarna dealer for just $6.95 MSRP and may provide greater comfort (especially if you're trimming for hours at a time).

          Let us know if any of these suggestions provided any help!

          Thanks again for your question and sorry you are having this issue.

          Trimmer Shoulder Strap (on Husqvarna.com)...

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    • budman11

      LOL. That is so condesending it's funny. Thanx for the laugh. Please have the young lady trim the nearest park and let me know. Thanx for your help I really do apreciate you trying. I'm pretty sure I can hold it like that long enough to take a picture. I'm pretty sure you never started the engine. I'm pretty sure you never trimmed a foot. But thanx for trying :) Also I'm curious at any time during the exercise was the cutter touching the floor. I would bet it was oh about a foot above it. because when you tilt it into position to actually cut something. You can't hold it that way. Thanx anyway

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    • Marion George

      WHAT WAS THE FIX? IHAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

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      • budman11

        Well as you can see the "Answer Army" was of no help. The solution for me is to where a long sleeve shirt everytime I use it. Still works great and still burns my arm unless I have a sweat shirt on. Real bummer for such a great product.

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    • Marion George

      I received notice that the U S Consumer Products Saftey Commission is starting an investagation into this problem. Notify them of your problem. It needs to be fixed. Ilove the trimmer except it has burned my arm.

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    • Richard Neiheisel

      I have the same problem. The first time it burnt my arm so bad that I had a very large blister on the inside of my right forearm. Yes you can hold it at a funny angle and not get burnt, but try doing that for very long and get any work done. I' ve tried twice to post this problem on the Husqvarna web site, and wouldn't you know it keeps getting rejected for not meeting their standards. I guess only positive comments are acceptable to them.

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      • budman11

        Apparantly Husqvarna is turning a blinds eye to any concern. Mr Gearge, see prior post, hsa filed a complaint with the CPSC and they still have not even TRIED to do anything about this issue. SAD!

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    • Randy Horvat

      I also burnt my arm.  I bought a tennis elbow strap and sewed a piece of heat shield to it.  Clumsy but it works.

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    • Dave Pawlak

      I agree 100%. I owned a Troy-Bilt (twice!!), nothing but problems. You are correct the exhaust does burn the arm. I use a Kevlar sleeve for protection, if that helps you.

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    • David Nation

      I also have a blister on my forearm.  I was using a Limbsaverstrap while using the trimmer.  I also love/hate this trimmer.  The power and reliability are awesome.  I also feel it was a good value.  That said, I personally would consider paying a few dollars for a decent looking pop-in cover that would keep my forearm off the hot plastic, but still allow me to use my forearm for positioning/leverage when needed.  I am very consious of my body positioning, but trimming a ditchline puts your forearm on the casing of a trimmer... it just does.... so, back to the cover - 1 inch of airspace and a nice 2" radius rolled edge at the front... 4 pins for a standoff, capable of 40 lbs pressure... ie 1 handed operation if necessary (don't tell OSHA). 

      If Husqvarna isn't planning to do anything with this, let me know, Icould have 100 made as cheap as 1, and put them on ebay :).

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    • Christopher Collier

      This is my second season with this trimmer.  I did the research and settled on this one.  I hold the trimmer the way I hold any other trimmer and this thing blisters my right forearm.  Genius...just genius to put an exhaust vent on the top.  Husqvarna needs to get a fix for this or buy back the stupid thing.  It cuts great, but the pain of using it makes me want to buy a Stihl.

      Stihl stands behind their product....Does Husqvarna???

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    • Rick Connor

      I  just purchased my first string trimmer.  I have never owned one and never operated one.  I purchased the 223L after doing considerable research and one of the reasons I purchased the 223L is because of the very positive reviews.  I have the trimmer out of the box and read the 'much to be desired' owners manual.   In search for additional info for some of my unanswered questions I found this thread.  I agree with budman11's post on July 7, 2010.  I am considerably taller than the young lady pictured in this thread and I cannot choke-up on the trimmer and use it effectively.  When I hold the trimmer in my hands my elbow naturally touches the motor housing and I can easily see this happening while in use no matter how consciously I attempt to avoid this.   However, my motor housing appears to be different than the trimmer featured in the pictures in this thread.  My question is:  has this issue been addressed with a redesign in the motor housing or do I need to put my trimmer back in the box and return it to the store.  I have experienced muffler burns from other 2-cycle tools and it happens in an instant.  I do not want to be battling such an undesirable feature from the get-go.

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    • joe turner

      I have also been blistered by this design. Enough was enough. I  filed a claim with Husqvarna, and haven't heard anything.

      Husqvarna wont admit to, or do  anything

      I have  filed a complaint with the US Consumer Products Safety Commission. If everyone who has been injured by this trimmer's design  would file a complaint with the Consumer Products Division, Husqvarna would forced to  something. 

      And am now in the process of contacting lawyers as Husqvarna's lack of response has forced this.  When I filled my claim all I wanted from Husqvarna, was to fix their problem or replace the 223L with a unit that doesn't burn.

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    • Paul Purser

      I just bought a 223L today and I have the same problem. I too would like a better answer than, It's not an arm rest. It's not a matter of resting your forearm on the top of the motor. The forearm naturally come in contact with the exhaust as you move the trimmer back and forth and up and down. In the mean time, I going to try wearing an arm guard of some sorts like they use for sports...here's hoping it doesn't melt. On second thought, maybe I'll duct-tape a hot pad to my arm instead.

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    • joe turner

      If everyone would file a complaint with the Consumer Products Safety Division.  With enough complaints,then Husqvarna would be forced to fix their problem..

      We, as consumers have an expectation of the manufactures providing a safe product.

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    • Nancy Heinrich

      I thought it was just me!  I was using a heavy cub cadet for years and switched to this because of its light weight.   I couldn't believe it the first time my arm hit that, I thought I was burning the thing up.  I never thought it would be due to the design?  I try resting it on my hip  which works for awhile but eventually after working for an extended period you are going to bend your arm and bam- there it is, scorching heat.

      It's great otherwise, but I probably would have passed had I known before hand.

      Two questions- Where do you find the serial number for product registration?  I did purchase the pre-mixed fuel to extend the warranty but there is no serial number on my receipt.

      Next- I would like the shoulder strap (should be included in initial purchase for a unit of this size) but when I clicked on the link provided I got page not found...

       

       

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