Operators Manual Models: PR18B5FA PR18B5NRA PR18GH5NRA PR18H5DA PR18H5FA PR18H5NRA PR18NEFA PR22B5FA PR22B5NRA PR22B8FA MANUAL NO. 107176 REV.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Operating Instructions for Lawn Dethatcher with supplement for accessories Introduction .................................................. 3 Congratulations .........................................3 Use ............................................................3 Insure your machine ..................................3 Good service .............................................3 Serial number ............................................3 Symbols and decals..................................
INTRODUCTION Congratulations 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. Please contact your dealer for more information.
SYMBOLS AND DECALS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WARNING! Xxxx xxx xxxx xx xxxx x xxxx. 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.
SYMBOLS AND DECALS Location of decals 6 8 10 12 1 2, 3 11 5 9 7 4 6 1. BlueBird logo 13 6 8. Warning for carbon monoxide 2. Model designation PR18 9. Open/Close (Seedbox) 3. Model designation PR22 10. Caution graphics 4. Height setting 11. Warning for bagger 5. Seeder Dial 12. Handle folding instructions 6. DANGER watch your feet 13. BlueBird logo 7.
SYMBOLS AND DECALS Translation of instructions Decal 7 Decal 8 Seed application chart Warning Values are approximate; quantities of seed depend on the speed at which the machine is run. Faster running speed results in sparser sowing. Engine exhaust, some of its constituents and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals considered by the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The engine emits carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, poisonous gas.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS General use The object of this manual is to help you use your BlueBird machine safely and to give you information about how to maintain your machine. Please read the manual carefully before attempting to use the machine. WARNING! 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.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS • Never allow children or persons not trained in the use of the machine to use or service it. Local laws may regulate the age of the user. • People and animals can distract you causing you to lose control of the machine. For this reason, you should always concentrate and focus on the task at hand. • Never leave the machine unsupervised with the engine running.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Operating • Do not use the machine on grades of more than 20°. We recommend working across slopes rather than up and down. This will yield a more even result. Do not leave the machine standing on a slope unattended. WARNING! Engine exhaust, some of its constituents and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals considered to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The engine emits carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, poisonous gas.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Children Serious accidents can occur if you fail to be on guard for children in the vicinity of the machine. Never assume that children will stay put where you last saw them. • Keep children away from the machine. • Keep children away from the work area and under close supervision by another adult. • Keep an eye out and shut off the machine if children enter the work area. • Never allow children to operate the machine.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Maintenance • Never make adjustments with the engine running. • Disengage the drive units, shut off the engine and wait until all moving parts come to a complete stop before making adjustments, performing maintenance or cleaning the machine. • Disconnect the spark plug cable before beginning repair work. • Keep all components in serviceable condition and make sure all nuts, bolts, etc. are tight. Replace worn or damaged decals. • Be careful when checking work tools.
PRESENTATION Presentation Congratulations on your choice of an exceptionally high quality product. This operator’s manual describes the BlueBird dethatcher. The machine is available in two basic designs 18" and 22" widths. The machine is equipped with a 5.5 hp Honda, 5.5 hp or 8 hp Briggs & Stratton, four-cycle engine. The 22 " dethatcher can be equipped with a catcher. It is available as an accessory at your BlueBird dealer. It can be mounted after purchase.
CONTROLS Main components and operating instruments 3 2 6 5 4 1 7 3 1. Engine 5. Handle 2. Depth lever 6. Shaft guard 3. Knob for collapsible handle 7. Belt shield 4.
CONTROLS Engine Refer to your engine manual. Cutting unit Depth lever Use the depth lever to raise and lower the blades between working and transport position. The depth lever has a lock-out bolt that should be left in till the blades wear down. Then move the bolt to another hole to allow the blades to penetrate the soil to a depth of 1/8" to 1/4" with a maximum penetration of a 1/2”. Check your seed bag for the manufacture’s recommended depth of application.
CONTROLS Blade versatility Flail blade Thatch is the dense layer of clippings, roots and stems that forms between the soil and the base of the grass. As thatch builds up, it prevents water, air and fertilizer from being absorbed into the soil. This causes shallow root development leading to vulnerability to drought and frost. Excessive thatch also creates an ideal environment for insects and lawn diseases. Power-raking with flail blades removes this thatch layer and restores your lawn to good health.
OPERATION Before you start • Mow the lawn 1/2" shorter than normal. • Allow the lawn to dry. Wet conditions can cause extensive damage to healthy grass. FLAIL BLADES OR SPRING TINES: • Flail Blades or Spring Tines: Set blade or tine depth so that the blades or tines just touch on a flat surface such as a sidewalk or driveway. • Delta Blades: Set blades to penetrate the soil to a depth of 1/8" to 1/4" with a maximum penetration of 1/2".
MAINTENANCE Maintenance schedule The following is a list of maintenance procedures that must be performed on the machine. For those points not described in this manual, visit an authorized service workshop. Maintenance Daily Maintenance interval months/hours maint.
MAINTENANCE Cutting unit Checking the drive belt 1. Allow the engine to cool. 2. Remove the spark plug cable. 3. Remove the belt guard (see illustration) on the left side of the machine. 4. Check that the belt is running in the proper track; the pulleys should guide the belt in a straight line. 5. Check that the belt and pulleys are not oily. If they are, first try to clean them with spirits.
MAINTENANCE Wear/Rotation/Replacing flail blades After you have used your dethatcher for some time, the blades will begin to wear on the striking edge. When this happens, their dethatching performance will diminish. A new combing edge may be obtained by rotating the entire rotor shaft assembly laterally (end to end). This procedure can be repeated until the blades reach their wear limit; see illustration.
MAINTENANCE Replacing worn flail blades 1. Allow the engine to cool. 2. Disconnect the spark plug. 3. Tip the machine forward; see the section ”Two minute rule”. IMPORTANT INFORMATION When tipping the machine forward observe the ”Two minute rule”. 4. Remove e-rings (1) (locking washer type) that hold the blade shaft (2) in place (see the illustration). 8011-027 5. Inspect the blade shafts and replace if bent or worn. 6. Drive the blade shafts out towards the center.
MAINTENANCE Wear/Replacing delta blades Over time and due to wear, the blades will diminish in length. Once the blades have worn down by about 19 mm (3/4"), the overall length of the blade at the longest point of the blade will be about 64 mm (2 1/ 2"), and it will be necessary to replace the blades. removing the rotor shaft. Remove the delta blade by removing the two screws with nuts holding the blade in place. Turn the new blade until it is properly aligned; see illustration.
MAINTENANCE Two minute rule The machine may be tipped forward to facilitate access for cleaning or service, but no longer than 2 minutes. If the machine is held in this position for too long, the engine can be damaged by gasoline draining into the crankcase. Should this happen, perform an extra oil change on the engine. Remove the spark plug and turn the engine over a few revolutions with the starter handle before starting the engine again.
LUBRICATION Lubrication schedule 1. 2. 3. 4. Check engine oil daily, change every six months or 100 hours. Check and lubricate wheel bearings once a month. Lubricate folding handle points once a week. Lubricate main shaft bearings once a week or every 40 hours. 1 2 4 4 3 3 General Stop the engine and remove the ignition cable before attempting to lubricate the machine. Wipe away excessive grease after lubrication.
LUBRICATION 1. Blades Cover the blades with a thin coat of oil to avoid rust. This is particularly important prior to winter storage or if the machine will not be used for a period of longer than 30 days. 2. Handle Lubricate the joints at both sides of the handle with an oil can.
TROUBLESHOOTING Symptom Cause Action The engine will not start • User error Fuel valve closed. Open the fuel valve. Choke valve open. Close the choke with cold engine. Engine switch in OFF position. Turn the engine switch to ON. Fuel tank empty. Fill with fuel. Machine stored without observing proper procedure from chapter ”Storage/Winter storage” Clean tank, sludge reservoir and empty carburetor. Fill the tank with fresh fuel. Contamination, water or ice in fuel system.
STORAGE Winter storage At the end of the season, the machine should be readied for storage (or if it will not be in use for longer than 30 days). 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.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Assembly – delivery service 1. Rotate the handle and tighten it in place. 2. Fill the engine with the manufacturer-recommended oil. See section ”Lubrication/Engine oil”. 3. Test the clutch. Make sure that the clutch expansion spring disengages 6.35 mm (1/4") easily. 4. The engine RPM is preset by the manufacturer. Idle speed is 1250–1400 RPM. Maximum engine speed is 3600 RPM.
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, assembly accompanying components. 3. Check that the machine design corresponds to the 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 pulleys are aligned. 7. Check that belts are properly adjusted. 8.
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