Operator Manual BB550A / 968999494 Please read the operator’s manual carefully and make sure you understand the instructions before using the machine.
©2010 HTC. All rights reserved. Beatrice, NE. Printed in U.S.A.
Contents Introduction................................................................ 4 Use.............................................................................. 4 Good Service............................................................... 4 Serial Number.............................................................. 4 Symbols and Decals................................................... 5 Safety Decals and Machine Mounted Instructions...... 5 Safety...................................................
INTRODUCTION Congratulations Use Thank you for purchasing a BlueBird lawn care product. Through your confidence in us, you have chosen an exceptionally high quality product. This manual is a valuable document. It describes your new BlueBird machine. Read the manual carefully before attempting to use the machine. Following the instructions (use, service, maintenance, etc.) can considerably increase the lifespan of your machine and even increase its resale value.
symbols and decals IMPORTANT INFORMATION Xxxx xxx xxxx xx xxxx x xxxx. WARNING! Xxxx xxx xxxx xx xxxx x xxxx. Used in this publication to notify the reader of a risk of personal injury, particularly if the reader DOES NOT follow the instructions given in the manual. Used in this publication to notify the reader of a risk of material damage, particularly if the reader DOES NOT follow the instructions given in the manual. Used also when there is a potential for misuse or misassembly.
SAFETY General Use The object of this manual is to help you use your BlueBird machine safely and to provide information about how to maintain the machine. Please read the manual carefully before attempting to use the machine. If after reading the operator’s manual you are still unsure about the safety risks associated with use of the machine, you should not use the machine. Please contact your dealer for more information. These safety instructions only address the basics for safe use.
SAFETY • • • • • • • • • • • • BlueBird original spare parts are designed and specified to maintain high quality and correct fit for optimal durability and lifespan. From a safety point of view, you should only use BlueBird original spare parts. Check that all safety decals are in place. See the chapter Symbols and Decals. Learn how to use the machine and its controls safely and learn to recognize the safety decals.
SAFETY Preparations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Have first aid equipment at hand when using the machine. Check that nobody else is in the vicinity of the machine when you start the engine, engage the drive or run the machine. Keep animals and people a safe distance from the machine. Clear the area of objects such as stones, toys, steel wire, etc. that could become caught in moving machine parts and thrown out.
SAFETY Operating • • • • • • • • • • • • Do not use the machine if you are tired, if you have consumed alcohol, or if you are taking other drugs or medication that can affect your vision, judgment or co-ordination. Never use the machine indoors or in spaces lacking proper ventilation. Do not use the machine on any surface other than grass. Make sure you have a proper foothold when using the machine, particularly when backing. Walk, don’t run. Never work on wet grass.
SAFETY Fuel System Maintenance • • WARNING! Gasoline and gasoline fumes are poisonous and extremely flammable. Be especially careful when handling gasoline, as carelessness can result in personal injury or fire. • • • • • • • • • • Only store fuel in containers approved for that purpose. Never remove the fuel cap and fill the fuel tank when the engine is running. Always stop the engine when refueling.
assembly Bed Shaper and Cable Layer 1. Remove unit from box and pallet. 2. Fill unit engine with oil. Check engine manual for type and viscosity of oil. 3. Fill transmission with oil. Check engine manual for type and viscosity of oil.
CONTROLS Steering/Locking Handle Located at the rear axle. Lift and rotate the lever clockwise to steer unit and counter clockwise to lock steering. Handle Lock Pull and hold lever, raise or lower the handle to desired position, then release lever. The lever can be locked back to allow a “floating” handle position if desired. Throttle Lever Pull right pistol to apply full throttle. The engine has a contained centrifugal clutch—increasing engine RPM above 2000 will engage the drive.
CONTROLS Transport/Engaged Lever To lock in transport position, pull left pistol and apply downward pressure. When wheels begin to drop, release pistol, continue downward movement of handle until pin locks axle in transport position.
operation General 1. Do not allow the engine to “lug”. The engine should run at full RPM under load. Allow the engine to run at high RPM to maintain power level and solid clutch engagement while effectively cleaning the trench. 2. Lowering the RPM can cause the clutch to slip and raise the transmission oil temperature, possibly damaging the clutch. Bed Shaping 1. Clean the area to be worked. Create either a mental image of the border or paint an edge on the turf. 2. Check the machine for loose hardware.
MAINTENANCE Maintenance Schedule The following list of maintenance procedures must be performed on the machine. For those points not described in the manual, visit an authorized service workshop.
MAINTENANCE Drive Chain Tightening 1. Allow engine to cool. Remove spark plug cable. 2. Remove guard only. 3. Using a 9/16 wrench and a 9/16 socket wrench, loosen the mounting idler bolt. Slide up to tension chain, retighten bolt. Checking Drive Chain And Sprockets 1. Allow engine to cool. Remove spark plug cable. 2. Remove the guard, cutting head, chain cover and transmission cover. 3. DO NOT remove mounting hub from shaft. 4.
MAINTENANCE Replacing the Drive Chain 1. Allow engine to cool. Remove spark plug cable. 2. Remove the guard, transmission cover, cutting head and chain cover. 3. Remove old chain. 4. Check for wear on sprockets and replace as necessary. 5. Check engine sprocket alignment to shaft driven sprocket and adjust as necessary. The chain should run straight. 6. Fit a new chain, the chain tensioner should maintain 1/8" movement in the lower chain (maximum).
MAINTENANCE Storage At the end of the season, (or if it will not be in use for longer than 30 days) the machine should be readied for storage. Fuel allowed to stand for long periods of time (30 days or more) can leave sticky residues that can plug the carburetor and disrupt engine function. Fuel stabilizers are an acceptable option to reducing sticky residues during storage. If alkylate gasoline (Aspen) is used, stabilizers are unnecessary because this fuel is stable.
LUBRICATION General Stop the engine and remove the spark plug cable before attempting to lubricate the machine. Wipe away excessive grease after lubrication. Lubrication schedule 1. Check engine oil daily, change every six months or 100 hours. 2. Check and lubricate wheel bearings once a month. Lubricate chain once a week or every 20 hours. NOTE: Spin the cutting head slowly by hand to distribute the oil onto the chain and sprockets. 3. Lubricate the (kingpin bushings) once a month. 4.
TROUBLESHOOTING Symptom Cause Action Fuel valve closed. Open the fuel valve. Choke valve open Close the choke with cold engine. Operator presence switch not held down Move to operator position and hold down Fuel tank empty Fill with fuel Machine stored without observing proper procedure from chapter Storage Clean tank, sludge reservoir and empty carburetor. Fill the tank with fresh fuel. Contamination, water or ice in fuel system. Clean tank, sludge reservoir and empty carburetor.
TROUBLESHOOTING Symptom Cause Action Air filter Clogged air filter Clean or replace the air filter Fuel system Machine stored without observing proper procedure from chapter Storage Clean tank, sludge reservoir and empty carburetor. Fill the tank with fresh fuel. Blue or voluminous blue-white exhaust Contaminated or incorrect fuel Clean tank, sludge reservoir and empty carburetor. Fill the tank with proper fuel.
SERVICE JOURNAL Action Date, stamp, signature Delivery Service 1. Break the packaging and make sure the machine has not been damaged in transport. 2. Where applicable, assemble accompanying components. 3. Check that machine design corresponds to customer order. 4. Check that the right amount of oil is in the engine and transmission. 5. Check that the working equipment is properly set. 6. Check that the drive sprockets are aligned. 7. Check that the chain is properly adjusted. 8.
SERVICE JOURNAL Action Date, stamp, signature 23
P/N 115379227R1 04/21/10
