The BC26 Outback Brushcutter is a little more complex than a garden variety walk-behind mower, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to work on. Here’s what you need to know to get your brushcutter working out of the box and keep it running, whether you have a BC2600ICM, BC2600HM, BC2600HMF or BC26HHEU.
Initial Setup
1. Attach the handle to the base of the brushcutter. Run the cap screws and washers through the tops of the holes in the handle, then push the bolts through the holes in the two handle brackets on the sides of the base. Screw on the lock nuts.
2. Connect the throttle cable to the bracket on the right side of the handle using the lock nuts and machine screws. Once tight, make sure the cable doesn’t bind.
3. Connect the blade drive cable to the lever on the left side of the handle and push the plastic insert into the bracket below the handle.
4. Use the included ties to attach the loose cables to the handle.
5. If you have a BC26HHEU brushcutter, attach the caster bracket to the front of the base using the clevis pin. It will snap into place.
6. Connect the spark plug wire and add oil and gas to the engine.
Maintenance Schedule
Before each use: Check the machine for loose, worn or damaged parts.
Every 25 hours: Sharpen the blades, inspect the belts and lubricate the throttle cable.
Every 50 hours: Check blade clutch tension and apply anti-seize to the rear axles. If you have an electric start model, check the battery for corrosion.
Every 100 to 150 hours: Replace the blade drive and transaxle belts.
Blade Replacement
The lock nut and washer are designed for one use only. Always use a new nut and washer when reinstalling the blade.
1. Disconnect the spark plug. Lift and support the front of the BC2600 to access the blade.
2. Place a wood block between the blade and the mowing chamber to keep the blade from spinning.
3. Remove the lock nut and washer.
4. Remove the blade.
5. Reinstall in reverse order, torquing the blade nut to 40 ft-lbs.
Blade Drive Belt Tension
Do not use your brushcutter if the belt slips or makes noise: this can overheat the drive clutch. To check the belt tension, do the following:
1. Disconnect the spark plug.
2. Loosen the four screws that attach the belt cover to the deck. Remove the cover.
3. Check the belt and belt tension. The idler arm should put constant tension on the belt. Unless the belt is visibly stretched or damaged, tension issues can usually be solved by replacing the idler arm spring.
4. Install the belt cover and reconnect the spark plug.
5. Operate the brushcutter. If the drive still slips, replace the belt.
To replace the belt:
1. Follow steps 1-3 above.
2. Slide the belt off of the belt pulley. You may need to bend the idler pulley back to relieve tension. To do this, insert a ratchet into the square hole on the idler pulley bracket and turn the ratchet clockwise.
3. Feed the belt toward the base of the machine and slip it off of the clutch pulley.
4. Install the new belt in reverse order.
Blade Clutch Adjustment
The cable tension needs to be adjusted if the blade doesn’t engage or disengage cleanly.
1. Shut off the engine and disconnect the spark plug.
2. Pull the clutch lever. The lever should require 10 lbs. of force to operate, and the cable spring, located between the cable and the handle, should stretch ¼ to 3/8 inches when the handle is closed.
3. Adjust cable tension by turning the adjustment nut on the end of the cable next to the base of the machine.
Transaxle Belt Replacement
1. Disconnect the spark plug. Lift and support the rear of the machine to access the underside of the deck.
2. Disconnect the spring from the bracket that keeps tension on the drive belt.
3. Walk the belt off of the clutch by slowly turning the engine.
4. Slide the belt off of the transaxle pulley.
5. Install a new belt in reverse order. The belt should seat into the pulley grooves and clear the fan blades on the transaxle.
Transaxle Drive Adjustment
If the drive doesn’t engage smoothly when closing the handle, or the brushcutter doesn’t stop when the handle is released.
1. Shut off the engine and disconnect the spark plug.
2. Turn the barrel adjuster on the end of the drive cable next to the handle. The further the adjuster extends from the handle, the higher the cable tension will be.
3. Reconnect the spark plug and operate the machine to check the tension.
Need Parts for Your Outback Brushcutter?
Since we’re an authorized Billy Goat, Hydro-Gear, Briggs & Stratton, and Honda Engines dealer, www.billygoatparts.com is able to offer OEM replacement parts for everything on your brushcutter. We ship to any address in the U.S. or Canada.
