Craftsman 987.799601 - Manual (Page 22)

OPERATION
WALK-BEHIND VACUUMING OPERATION
Figure 23: Machine prepared far wslk-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 teff (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
nmmñ
To Prevent Personal Injury or Properly Damage:
» Cutting blades begin to rotate when the engine
starts and slow down gradually alter the engine is
shut off. Do not allow hands or any other part of the
body or olothing inside the vacuum hose opening,
blower discharge opening, chipper chute, or near any
moving pari.
« Before inspecting, cleaning, or servicing the
machine, stop the engine and make sure that all
moving parts have come to a complete slop.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and secure it away
from the spark plug.
• To avoid personal injury or property damage, do not
operate this machine for vacuuming unless the
collection bag is installed.
« Review all of the rules in the Salety Section of this
iWanual,
IMPORTANT
Spring Operation:
Spring clean-up can be especially difficult! Leaves
and other debris may have matted down over the
preceding 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't try 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 in the long run, this
is the easiest and fastest way to deal with ail of your
Fall leaves-
Walk-Behind Vacuuming Tips and Hints
□ Avoid overfilling the vacuum inlet which can lead to
clogging, especially if the materia! is wet and soggy.
A steady, smaller flow of materials provides the most
effective results,
□ Work from the outer edge of leaf piles and gradually
work inward.
□ Mow the lawn before the leaves fall to make
vacuuming easier. Keeping your lawn a bit
shorter in the Fall will help a great deal.
□ Check and empty the collection bag frequently.
□ If possible, vacuum frequently to avoid deep piles of
leaves from accumulating on the lawn,
□ Use care when vacuuming near pianiings,
ornamentals, mulches, stone or gravel.
□ Use the blower deflector to blow the leaves into long
rows before walk-behind vacuuming if the ieaf cover
is sparse.
□ Avoid vacuuming long twigs and sticks which are
iikeiy to jam or clog the vacuum inlet Instead,
process twigs and sticks using the chipper chute as
described on Page 25.
IMPORTANT: !F 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.
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