Craftsman 32 cc Split Straight Shaft Trimmer Model 316.791870

I picked this up at a yard sale pretty cheap, since it looked to have very low hours and was very clean. All power equipment was being sold because the seller was using a lawn service. Unit was mfd in 2007 by MTD. I drained and refilled with fresh premium gas/oil mix , checked the air filter and unit started without a problem. But, it has a couple of things I would like to run by the forum.

I get a high pitch wine coming from the cutting head/gearbox. It sounds like a bad bearing to me, although I have never had a straight shaft trimmer.

It starts on the first or second pull. But, after running at low rpm for about 1/2 hour the engine will bog when going past 1/4 throttle. There is no miss when this happens. I opened and closed the fuel cap to check the vent cap, but no change. I can slowly work the rpm up to full speed by feathering the throttle and after this the engine will take full throttle without bogging. I have heard these engine have a temperamental carb and the low and high speed screw might need adjustment.

 

Might want to check if there is a plug for adding grease in the head....had a Ryobi that did that and adding grease took care of it. Just a thought.....

Dunno about the engine issue

 

There is no plug on the trimmer head, but the edger head attachment has one. I guess I'll have to split the head and grease the gears.

 

Those heads are notoriously noisy. You might help it with some grease, might not. The running problem will probably be helped by backing out the high speed adjustment screw 1/4 turn or so. It's the one closest to the air filter side of the carb. Running it lean like it is now will toast the cylinder and piston.