WALK-BEHIND Vacuuming Operation

OPERATION

Figure 23: Machine prepared for walk-behind vacuuming.

Operation

1.Prepare the unit for vacuuming by following the assembly steps on Page 10.

2.Walk slowly behind the machine to allow the machine to draw the debris off the ground.

3.In certain conditions it may be necessary to make two passes over the area

4.Be sure to frequently empty the collection bag. See Step 1 on Page 12.

5, To stop the machine, move the Engine Control Lever all the way to the left (toward turtle position) until it stops.

6.Listen for all moving parts to come to a complete stop. There is an audible, distinct sound produced as the cutting blades slow down. Wait for this sound to stop before inspecting, servicing, or changing the operating mode of the machine

DANGER

To Prevent Personal Injury or Property Damage:

•Cutting blades begin to rotate when the engine starts and slow down gradually after the engine is shut off. Do not allow handsor any other part of the body or clothing inside the vacuum hose opening, blower discharge opening, chipper chute, or near any mowng parL

•Before inspecting, cleaning, or servicing the machine, stop the engine and make sure that all

moving parts have come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and secure it away from the spark plug,

°To avoid personal injury or propertydamage, do not operate this machine for vacuuming unless the collection bag is installed.

•Review all of the rules in the Safety Section of this Manual

IMPORTANT

Spring Operation:

Spring clean-up can be especially difficul!! Leaves and other debris may have matted down over the 3receding months For best results when vacuuming this type of debris: remove the screen, lower the vacuum inlet, and walk slowly. You can even use the machine as you would a vacuum cleaner, moving it back and forth over particularly stubborn debris, or loosen the debris with a few quick passes of a rake, and then vacuum.

Fall Operation:

Don'ttry to vacuum too much at one time! Optimum

performance is obtained when leaves are vacuumed once a week, or even more often at the peak of leaf-

drop. Keep ahead of the leaves, tn the long run, this is the easiest and fastest way to deal with all of your Fall leaves-

Walk-Behind Vacuuming Tips and Hints

QAvoid overfilling the vacuum inlet which can lead to clogging, especially if the material is wet and soggy. A steady, smaller flow of materials provides the most effective results.

OWork from the outer edge of leaf piles and gradually work inward.

13 Mow the lawn before the leaves fail to make vacuuming easier. Keeping your lawn a bit shorter in the Fail will help a great deal

13 Check and empty the collection bag frequently.

C)If possible, vacuum frequently to avoid deep piles of leaves from accumulating on the lawn.

QUse care when vacuuming near plantings, ornamentals, mulches, stone or gravel..

13 Use the blower deflector to b!qw the leaves into long ro;._s-before walk-behind vacuuming if the leaf cover is sparse.

QAvoid vacuuming long twigs and sticks which are likely to jam or clog the vacuum inlet. Instead, process twigs and sticks using the chipper chute as described on Page 25..

IMPORTANT: IF THE MACHINE ,JAMS OR CLOGS, IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM THE SPARK PLUG.. REFER TO PAGE 26 FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REMOVE JAMS AND CLOGS.