PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the work activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

1.KEEP children out of the work area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult.

2.DO NOT allow children in the work area when machine is operated and turn machine OFF if anyone enters the area.

3.DO NOT allow pre-teenage children to operate machine.

4.ALLOW only responsible adults & teenagers with mature judgment under close adult supervision to operate machine.

5.USE EXTRA CARE when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

SLOPE OPERATION

1.Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, DO NOT operate the machine on it.

2.Use extra care, as the debris bag fills, the weight will affect the stability and handling of the machine.

3.DO NOT park machine on slopes.

PREPARATION

1.Read, understand, and follow instructions and warnings in this manual and on the machine, engine and attachments. Know the controls and the proper use of the machine before starting.

2.Only mature, responsible persons shall operate the machine and only after proper instruction.

3.Data indicates that operators age 60 and above, are involved in a large percentage of machine- related injuries. These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the machine safely enough to protect themselves and others from serious injury.

PREPARATION

(Continued From Previous Column)

4.Handle fuel with extra care. Fuels are flammable and vapors are explosive. Use only an approved fuel container. DO NOT remove fuel cap or add fuel with engine running. Add fuel outdoors only with engine stopped and cool. Clean spilled fuel and oil from machine. DO NOT smoke.

5.Check the work area and remove all objects such as toys, wire, rocks, limbs and other objects that could cause injury and damage to the machine. Also note the location of holes, stumps, and other possible hazards.

6.Keep people and pets out of the work area. Immediately, Stop engine if anyone enters the area.

7.Check shields, deflectors, switches, engine controls and other safety devices frequently for proper operation and location.

8.Make sure all safety decals are clearly legible. Replace if damaged.

9.Protect yourself when operating machine and wear safety glasses, hear protection, breathing protection, long pants and substantial footwear. DO NOT operate barefooted or with sandals.

10.Know how to STOP engine quickly in preparation for emergencies.

11.Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck.

12.Check debris bag and components frequently for signs of wear or deterioration and replace as needed to prevent injury from thrown objects going through weak or torn spots.

SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive

1.Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

2.Use only an approved fuel container.

SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

(Continued From Previous Page)

3.DO NOT remove fuel cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.

4.DO NOT refuel the machine indoors.

5.DO NOT store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as on a water heater or other appliances.

6.DO NOT fill fuel containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place the containers on the ground away from the vehicle before filling.

7.Remove gas-powered equipment from the vehicle or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel equipment using a portable container, rather than a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

8.DO NOT start gas powered equipment in enclosed vehicles or trailers.

9.Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. DO NOT use a nozzle lock-open device

10.If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.

11.DO NOT overfill a fuel tank. Replace fuel cap and tighten securely.

OPERATION

1.DO NOT put hands or feet near rotating parts. Keep clear of intake and discharge areas while engine is running.

2.STOP engine when crossing gravel drives.

3.Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light.

4.DO NOT operate machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

5.If machine vibrates abnormally, STOP the engine, disconnect and secure spark plug wire. Inspect the machine for any damage and repair the damage before resuming operation.

6.DO NOT operate machine near drop offs, ditches or embankments. Operator could lose footing or balance.

7.STAY ALERT for holes and other hidden hazards. Keep away from ditches, washouts, culverts, fences and protruding objects.

8.DO NOT operate machine on wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. Keep a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. Slipping could cause injury.

9.DO NOT leave the machine unattended with the engine running.

10.Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting make certain engine has completely STOPPED. Disconnect and secure spark plug wire away from plug to prevent accidental starting.

11.DO NOT start or operate machine with debris bag zipper open.

OPERATION

(Continued From Previous Column)

12.Engine must be completely STOPPED before removing debris bag.

13.DO NOT operate machine without the entire debris bag and guards in place.

14.Slow down before turning.

15.Watch out for traffic when near or crossing roadways.

16.DO NOT operate engine in enclosed areas. Engine exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a deadly poison.

17.If vacuum inlet or discharge becomes plugged, STOP engine. Disconnect sparkplug wire and secure away from sparkplug. Use a stick to clear the plug when possible. If hands must be used to remove plug, always wear heavy gloves as the debris may be sharp.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

1.DO NOT store machine or fuel container inside where fumes may reach an open flame, spark or pilot light such as in a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Allow engine to cool before storing machine in an enclosure. Store fuel container out of reach of children in a well ventilated, unoccupied building.

2.Keep machine and engine free of grass, leaves or excess grease to reduce fire hazard and engine overheating.

3.When draining fuel tank, drain fuel into an approved container outdoors and away from open flame.

4.Keep all bolts, nuts and screws properly tight. Check that all cotter pins are in proper position.

5.Always provide adequate ventilation when running engine. Engine exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a deadly poison.

6.Service engine and make adjustments only when engine is stopped. Removed spark plug wire from spark plug and secure wire away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

7.DO NOT change engine governor speed settings or overspeed engine.

8.Check debris bag assembly frequently for wear or deterioration to avoid thrown objects and exposure to moving parts. Replace with new bag if loose seams or tears are evident. Replace bag adapter if worn, broken or cracked.

9.DO NOT test for spark by grounding spark plug next to spark plug hole; spark plug could ignite gas exiting engine.

10.Have machine serviced by an authorized dealer at least once a year and have the dealer install any new safety devices.

11.Use only genuine replacement parts purchased from your authorized dealer to assure that original standards are maintained.

1.Carefully remove the contents from the shipping container. You can avoid having to lift the machine by cutting the rear out of the box. The machine can then be rolled out.

2.Unfold the handles being careful not to kink the control cables and place in the operating position. Tighten the hardware securely.

3.Attach the bag adapter to the discharge opening. Open the discharge door and slide the adapter down over the two flanges at the opening. Make sure the adapter is secured in place on both sides. Close door. See Figures 1 and 2.

4.Attach two rear and two front straps located near the top of the debris bag to the handles. See Figure 3.

5.Install accessory plug. Line up the two lugs on the plug with the two notches in the vacuum nozzle. Insert nozzle and rotate 90 degrees to lock in place. See Figure 4.

6.Fill engine crankcase with oil to proper level. Refer to engine owner???s manual for specifications.

7.Move machine to open area where fumes can safely dissipate and away from all sources of ignition. Fill fuel tank. Refer to engine owner???s manual for specifications. Do not over fill.

8.Setup is complete. Please proceed to the Pre-Start Check List. Follow and complete each step carefully.

BAG

ADAPTER

DISCHARGE

DOOR

MOUNTING

FLANGE

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

FRONT AND

REAR BAG

STRAPS

FIGURE 3

INSERT ACCESSORY

PLUG INTO NOZZLE

FIGURE 4

ENGINE SPEED

CONTROL

DEBRIS BAG

1.1 INTRODUCTION

This manual has been prepared for the operator???s of the Yard Vacuum. Its purpose, aside from recommending standard operating procedures and routine service requirements, is to promote SAFETY through the use of accepted operating practices. Read, Understand and Follow the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS on Pages 2 & 3 of this manual and All SAFETY messages on the machine and its attachments before operating.

1.2 NOMENCLATURE

The nomenclature picture above, Figure 1.1, shows the essential parts of the Yard Vacuum. It is recommended that all operators of this equipment become thoroughly familiar with the controls, components, and operation of this machine before operating. Specific details involving the engine are found in the separate engine owner???s manual. Study these manuals before operating and keep both handy for future reference.

Section 2 - OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

2.1PRE-START CHECK LIST

Read, understand and follow instructions and warnings in this manual and on the machine, engine and attachments before operating. Know the controls and the proper use of the machine before starting. Make the following checks and perform the service required before each start-up.

2.1.1.Check guards, deflectors and covers to make sure all are in place and securely tightened.

2.1.2.Carefully inspect machine for loose, missing, damaged or worn components. Repair or replace as necessary before operating the machine.

2.1.3.Carefully inspect the debris bag and bag adapter for wear and deterioration. IMPORTANT ??? open top of bag to inspect interior of bag and the discharge deflector end of the bag adapter. Replace bag and bag adapter if they display signs of deterioration. The debris bag must be attached to the bag adapter, the bag adapter mounted onto the machine, and the zippered top fully closed before starting engine. The top four corners of the bag are attached to the handles by using the cloth straps located near the top of the bag. See Figures 2.2 and 2.3.

2.1.4.Check engine oil and add oil as needed to bring level up to the FULL mark. Refer to engine owner???s manual for oil specifications. See Figure 2.1.

SAFE LEVEL

AREA

FIGURE 2.1

2.1.5.Check engine speed control to insure it works freely.

2.1.6.Clean exterior surfaces of machine and engine of any accumulation of dirt, grass, oil, etc. Keep engine air intake screen and cooling fins clear at all times.

2.1.7.Add fuel to tank after pushing the machine outside where fumes can dissipate. Make sure fuel filler cap is tight after refueling. Refer to engine owner???s manual for fuel specifications.

2.1.8.Adjust height of vacuum inlet. Lift up on handles. Squeeze height control lever against handle. Raise or lower handles until desired inlet height has been obtained. Release control lever. See Figure 2.4.

BAG ADAPTER

MOUNTED. BAG

ATTACHED TO

HANDLES. TOP

ZIPPER FULLY

CLOSED

FIGURE 2.2

DEBRIS BAG

AND BAG

ADAPTER

MOUNTED TO

DISCHARGE

OPENING

FIGURE 2.3

HEIGHT

CONTROL

LEVER

FIGURE 2.4

WARNING

Entire debris bag and bag adapter must be properly installed before starting engine. The debris bag and bag adapter are subject to deterioration during normal use. Inspect frequently and replace if signs of deterioration are observed.

2.2STARTING, STOPPING & OPERATION 2.2.1. STARTING ENGINE

Before starting engine complete all items in the Pre-Start Check List. The discharge opening is equipped with a safety interlock. The entire debris bag and bag adapter must be properly installed for the engine to start.

1.Move machine to flat open area.

2.Turn fuel valve to ???ON??? (Honda engine ??? refer to engine owner???s manual).

3.Move engine speed control all the way forward. On Briggs models this places the control in the ???FAST??? (Rabbit) position. On Honda models this places the control in the ???CHOKE??? position. NOTE: the ???CHOKE??? may not be required to restart a hot engine.

4.Briggs models, depress primer 3 times to start a cold engine. NOTE: the primer may not be required to restart a hot engine.

5.Pull out on recoil rope until resistance is felt. Pull sharply until engine starts. Guide rope back into engine.

6.Honda models, move engine speed control rearward to the ???FAST??? (Rabbit) position.

2.2.2STOPPING ENGINE

1.Move engine speed control rearward to the ???STOP??? position.

2.Allow all rotation to come to a complete stop before removing or emptying the debris bag.

3.When possible it is good practice to bring the engine speed control to the ???SLOW??? (Turtle) position to allow the engine to cool down before stopping engine.

4.Honda models, turn fuel valve to ???OFF??? position.

WARNING

DO NOT operate machine without the entire debris bag and bag adapter installed and the zipper fully closed. Always wear eye, ear and breathing protection when operating machine.

2.2.3 OPERATION

This Yard Vacuum has been designed to pick up dry organic debris such as leaves, grass clippings, shavings and sawdust as well as debris mixed with cans, bottles and small amounts of sand. Vacuuming hard non-organic debris will affect the life of your machine. Sand is abrasive and will produce wear of items including the blower housing, impeller and bag adapter.

1.Adjust height of vacuum inlet. For maximum debris pickup, inlet should be as close to debris as possible without blocking airflow and engine speed set to ???FAST???.

2.Inspect debris bag. It must be properly attached to machine, in good condition, clean and dry with the top zipper fully closed. Make sure that the accessory plug is installed into front hole in vacuum nozzle.

3.Start engine. Not all debris pickup will require that the engine speed be set to ???FAST???. You can experiment with vacuum inlet height and engine speed to best suit your conditions.

4.Operating in dry dusty conditions may require that the engine be set to the ???SLOW??? position. The debris bag can quickly become plugged with fine dust, reducing vacuum action. A zippered vent flap has been provided on the side of the bag. It can be opened to improve airflow. DO NOT open top zipper when engine is running.

5.For peak performance, keep debris bag clean and do not overfill. The bag must be completely dry before use.

WARNING

DO NOT remove bag adapter from machine or open debris bag with engine running. STOP engine and allow all rotation to stop.

6.If the vacuum inlet or discharge becomes plugged, STOP ENGINE. Engine must come to a complete stop before removing debris bag or attempting to remove plug from inlet area. To avoid accidental starting, always remove the sparkplug wire from the sparkplug and secure away from sparkplug. When possible use a stick to remove the plug. If that does not work, and hands must be used, wear heavy gloves. The debris could contain sharp items.

WARNING

DO NOT vacuum any debris that is burning, wet, flammable, explosive, or poisonous.

DO NOT store with debris in the bag. Decaying organic debris generates heat that could damage the bag or result in a fire.

Section 3 ??? MAINTENANCE

WARNING

DO NOT attempt any adjustments, maintenance, service or repairs with the engine running. STOP engine. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure away from plug. Engine and components are HOT. Avoid serious burns, allow all parts to cool before working on machine.

3.1INTRODUCTION

To retain the quality of the Yard Vacuum, use genuine replacement parts obtained only through your authorized dealer. Contact a local authorized dealer for parts and service assistance. For the correct part or information for a particular Yard Vacuum, always mention the model/part number and serial number. We recommend returning the Yard Vacuum to an authorized dealer annually for inspection and addition of any new devices, which might upgrade the safety of the machine. For the nearest authorized dealer in your area, check the yellow pages under the heading LAWN MOWERS. For engine parts and service, look for the engine manufacturer???s dealers under the heading, ENGINES - gasoline.

3.2SERVICE - AFTER FIRST 5 HOURS

Routine maintenance is important to the performance and life of your Yard Vacuum. Service performed properly and at the recommended interval is essential. Refer to Section ???MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE??? in this manual and in the Engine Owner???s Manual. Carefully complete all of the recommended service procedures.

3.2.1. CHANGE ENGINE OIL

The design of the machine restricts access to the oil drain plug on some model engines. The quickest and cleanest method to drain the oil is to tip the machine on its side, remove the dip stick, and allow the oil to drain into a pan. Refer to the Engine Owners Manual for recommended oil change interval and oil specifications.

3.2.2. SERVICE ENGINE AIR CLEANER

The engine is equipped with a dual element air cleaner. Both the foam pre-cleaner and cartridge require service. Refer to Engine Owner???s Manual for recommended service procedures.

3.2.3 INSPECT MACHINE

Carefully inspect entire machine for loose, missing, damaged or worn parts. Run the machine and check for unusual noise or vibration. After stopping engine, open top of debris bag and inspect the interior of the bag and the discharge deflector end of the bag adapter. Repair or replace debris bag, bag adapter, and machine as necessary before operating. Contact your authorized dealer for assistance.

3.3SERVICE ??? EVERY 25 HOURS

Refer to Section ???MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE??? in this manual and in the Engine Owner???s Manual. Carefully complete all of the recommended service procedures.

3.4STORAGE ??? OUT OF SEASON

DO NOT store machine or fuel container inside where fumes may reach an open flame, spark or pilot light such as in a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Allow engine to cool before storing machine in an enclosure. Store fuel container out of reach of children in a well ventilated, unoccupied building. Refer to Sections ???Safe Handling of Fuel??? and ???Maintenance and Storage???, pages 2-3.

1.Thoroughly clean entire machine, engine and debris bag.

2.Perform maintenance and lubrication as required. Refer to Section ???Maintenance Schedule???.

3.With engine cool, drain fuel from fuel tank outdoors into an approved container away from all sources of ignition.

4.Run engine to remove all fuel from the carburetor.

5.Refer to Engine Owner???s Manual for additional engine storage procedures.

WARNING

DO NOT attempt any adjustments, maintenance, service or repairs with the engine running. Stop engine. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure away from plug. Engine and components are HOT. Avoid serious burns, allow all parts to cool before working on machine.

4.1ENGINE ADJUSTMENTS & REPAIR

Refer to the engine owner???s manual for those adjustments and repairs that can be performed by the owner.

4.2IMPELLER REPLACEMENT

The impeller is a wear item. The actual wear rate is dependant on the types of debris the machine has been used to pickup. If the machine develops unusual noise and/or vibration STOP the engine immediately. After allowing the engine to cool, proceed with the following steps.

1.In an open area where fumes can safely dissipate, drain fuel into an approved container.

2.Drain engine oil.

3.Remove sparkplug wire from sparkplug and secure away from sparkplug.

4.With engine still attached, remove engine mounting plate from top of impeller housing.

5.Remove bolt from end of engine crankshaft and remove impeller. NOTE: a puller may be required to remove the impeller from the crankshaft.

6.Inspect the impeller blades, hub keyway, key and crankshaft for wear or damage. Contact your authorized dealer if you have any questions about the impeller or associated parts.

7.Install new impeller onto crankshaft. It is recommended that you use a new key and new crankshaft bolt and washer. Torque bolt to 40 ft- lb.

8.Reinstall engine plate to top of blower housing. Tighten hardware securely.

9.With sparkplug wire disconnected, pull recoil rope slowly, checking to make sure engine and impeller rotates freely.

10.Connect sparkplug wire.

11.Fill engine crankcase to proper level with oil as specified in the engine owner???s manual

12.Add fuel to tank.

4.3IMPELLER HOUSING LINER REPLACEMENT (Commercial Models Only)

The impeller housing liner is a wear item and can be replaced. To inspect the impeller housing and liner you must first carefully follow the WARNING instructions listed on this page. Open up the discharge door and visually inspect the housing and liner (if equipped) for damage and wear. The liner kit will fit commercial models only and is available through your local authorized dealer.