Homelite Engine

• Most Homelite trimmers operate with a two-cycle gas-powered engine. These engines range from 25 to 30 cubic centimeters displacement of the engine's piston. The single piston is cooled via incoming air. Unlike larger engines, these trimmers don't use water or other cooling methods and receive their lubrication directly from the fuel. Other trimmers operate with electric engines. They generate from 4 to 5.5 amps of power via an electrical extension cord, which plugs straight into any AC outlet. Depending on the nation, they can operate with 110 to 220 volts of electricity.
  
  

Fuel System

• If the Homelite trimmer operates with a gas engine, it's powered with a gasoline oil mixture. This mixture delivers lubrication to the piston and crankcase during operation. The mixture requires two-cycle engine oil at a ratio of 50-to-1 gas to oil, which requires 2.6 oz. for every gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. These gas models use all-position diaphragm carburetors. A foam air filter protects the carburetor and cleans all incoming air for the fuel.
  
  

Ignition System

• On most Homelite trimmers --- gas or electric --- the ignition system operates through a one-piece capacitor discharge. On the gas models, a coil is housed in a module and when the flywheel spins fast enough, it fires off the spark to the spark plug. On electric models, this system is responsible for starting the engine. The gasoline models require a Champion RDJ 7Y spark plug with an electrode gap of .025 inches. Electric models require no spark plugs.
  
  

Drive and Cutting Systems

• Both gasoline and electric models use a hollow boom shaft. This boom shaft houses a drive shaft, which transfers power from the engine to the cutting head. Each model will vary slightly in the cutting system. Most, however, operate with a tap and go system, which leads out more line when you tap the head against the ground. Also, each model varies in the size of its cutting swath and the diameter of cutting line. On average, most Homelites have a 15-inch cutting swath and cut with .08 inch diameter line.