AgriMetal TB-270 User manual

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1 INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your choice of an AgriMetal Pull-Type Turbine Debris Blower to complement your op-
eration. This equipment has been designed and manufactured to meet the needs of a discerning turf care
industry.
Safe, ecient and trouble free operation of your AgriMetal Debris Blower requires that you and anyone else
who will be operating or maintaining the machine, read and understand the Safety, Operation, Maintenance
and Trouble Shooting information contained within the Operator's Manual.
This manual covers the Model 270 Pull-Type Turbine Debris Blower. Use the Table of Contents or Index as a guide
to locate required information.
Keep this manual handy for frequent reference and to pass on to new operators or owners. Call your Ag-
riMetal Dealer if you need assistance, information or additional copies of the manuals.
OPERATOR ORIENTATION - The directions left, right, front and rear, as mentioned throughout this manual,
are as seen from behind the tractor driver's seat and facing in the direction of travel.

2

3
The Safety Alert symbol identies
important safety messages on the
AgriMetal Pull-Type Turbine Debris
Blower and in the manual. When you
see this symbol, be alert to the pos-
sibility of personal injury or death.
Follow the instructions in the safety
message.
If you have any questions not answered in this manual or require additional copies or the manual is dam-
aged, please contact your dealer or AgriMetal Inc., 1006 Rue Principale, Wickham, Quebec, Canada, J0C
1S0. Phone [phone] or fax [phone].
2 SAFETY
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL
Why is SAFETY important to you?
This Safety Alert symbol means
ATTENTION! BECOME ALERT! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
Accidents Disable and Kill
Accidents Cost
Accidents Can Be Avoided
3 Big Reasons
DANGER - Indicates an imminently hazardous situa-
tion that, if not avoided, will result in death
or serious injury. This signal word is to be
limited to the most extreme situations typi-
cally for machine components which, for
functional purposes, cannot be guarded.
WARNING - Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
that, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury, and includes hazards that
are exposed when guards are removed. It
may also be used to alert against unsafe
practices.
CAUTION - Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
that, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury. It may also be used to alert
against unsafe practices.
SIGNAL WORDS:
Note the use of the signal words DANGER,
WARNING and CAUTION with the safety
messages. The appropriate signal word for
each message has been selected using the
following guide-lines:

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SAFETY
YOU are responsible for the SAFE operation and
maintenance of your AgriMetal Pull-Type Turbine
Debris Blower. YOU must ensure that you and any-
one else who is going to operate, maintain or work
around the Debris Blower be familiar with the op-
erating and maintenance procedures and related
SAFETY information contained in this manual. This
manual will take you step-by-step through your
working day and alerts you to all good safety prac-
tices that should be adhered to while operating the
Debris Blower.
Remember, YOU are the key to safety. Good safety
practices not only protect you but also the people
around you. Make these practices a working part of
your safety program. Be certain that EVERYONE
operating this equipment is familiar with the recom-
mended operating and maintenance procedures
and follows all the safety precautions. Most acci-
dents can be prevented. Do not risk injury or death
by ignoring good safety practices.
• Debris Blower owners must give operating in-
structions to operators or employees before
allowing them to operate the machine, and at
least annually thereafter.
• The most important safety device on this equip-
ment is a SAFE operator. It is the operator’s re-
sponsibility to read and understand ALL Safety
and Operating instructions in the manual and to
follow these. Most accidents can be avoided.
• A person who has not read and understood all
operating and safety instructions is not qualied
to operate the machine. An untrained operator
exposes himself and bystanders to possible se-
rious injury or death.
• Do not modify the equipment in any way.
Unauthorized modication may impair the func-
tion and/or safety and could aect the life of the
equipment.
• ThinkSAFETY!WorkSAFELY!
2.1 GENERAL SAFETY
1. Read and understand the
Operator’s Manual and all
safety signs before operating,
maintaining, adjusting or un-
plugging the Debris Blower.
2. Have a rst-aid kit available for
use should the need arise and
know how to use it.
3. Have a re extinguisher available for
use should the need arise and know
how to use it.
4. Do not allow riders.
5. Wear appropriate protective gear. This list in-
cludes but is not limited to:
- A hard hat
- Protective shoes
with slip resistant
soles
- Protective glasses
or goggles
- Heavy gloves
- Wet weather gear
- Hearing protection
- Respirator or lter mask
6. Install and secure all guards before starting.
7. Wear suitable ear protection for
prolonged exposure to excessive
noise.
8. Place all controls in neutral, stop engine, set
park brake, remove ignition key and wait for all
moving parts to stop before servicing, adjusting,
repairing or unplugging.
9. Clear the area of people, especially small chil-
dren, before starting the unit.
10. Review safety related items annually with all
personnel who will operating or maintaining the
Debris Blower.

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2.2 EQUIPMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES
1. Safety of the operator and bystanders is one of
the main concerns in designing and develop-
ing a machine. However, every year many ac-
cidents occur which could have been avoided
by a few seconds of thought and a more careful
approach to handling equipment. You, the oper-
ator, can avoid many accidents by observing the
following precautions in this section. To avoid
personal injury or death, study the following pre-
cautions and insist those working with you, or
for you, follow them.
2. In order to provide a better view, certain pho-
tographs or illustrations in this manual may
show an assembly with a safety shield removed.
However, equipment should never be operat-
ed in this condition. Keep all shields in place. If
shield removal becomes necessary for repairs,
replace the shield prior to use.
3. Replace any safety sign or instruction sign that
is not readable or is missing. Location of such
safety signs is indicated in this manual.
4. Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs which
can hinder alertness or coordination while oper-
ating this equipment. Consult your doctor about
operating this machine while taking prescription
medications.
5. Under no circumstances should young chil-
dren be allowed to work with this equipment.
Do not allow persons to operate or assem-
ble this unit until they have read this manual
and have developed a thorough understand-
ing of the safety precautions and of how it
works. Review the safety instructions with all
users annually.
6. This equipment is dangerous to children and
persons unfamiliar with its operation. The op-
erator should be a responsible, properly trained
and physically able person familiar with ma-
chinery and trained in this equipment's opera-
tions. If the elderly are assisting with work, their
physical limitations need to be recognized and
accommodated.
7. Use a tractor equipped with a Roll Over
Protective Structure (ROPS).
8. Never exceed the limits of a piece of machinery.
If its ability to do a job, or to do so safely, is in
question - DON'T TRY IT.
9. Do not modify the equipment in any way.
Unauthorized modication result in serious in-
jury or death and may impair the function and
life of the equipment.
10. In addition to the design and conguration of
this implement, including Safety Signs and
Safety Equipment, hazard control and acci-
dent prevention are dependent upon the aware-
ness, concern, prudence, and proper training of
personnel involved in the operation, transport,
maintenance, and storage of the machine. Refer
also to Safety Messages and operation instruc-
tion in each of the appropriate sections of the
tow vehicle, engine and machine Manuals. Pay
close attention to the Safety Signs axed to the
tow vehicle and the machine.

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2.3 SAFETY TRAINING
1. Safety is a primary concern in the design and
manufacture of our products. Unfortunately, our
eorts to provide safe equipment can be wiped
out by a single careless act of an operator or
bystander.
2. In addition to the design and conguration of
equipment, hazard control and accident preven-
tion are dependent upon the awareness, con-
cern, prudence and proper training of personnel
involved in the operation, transport, mainte-
nance and storage of this equipment.
3. It has been said, "The best safety feature is an
informed, careful operator."
We ask you to be that kind
of an operator. It is the op-
erator's responsibility to read
and understand ALL Safety
and Operating instructions in the manual and to
follow these. Accidents can be avoided.
4. Working with unfamiliar equipment can lead
to careless injuries. Read this manual, and
the manual for your tow vehicle, before as-
sembly or operating, to acquaint yourself
with the machines. If this machine is used by
any person other than yourself, or is loaned
or rented, it is the machine owner's respon-
sibility to make certain that the operator, pri-
or to operating:
a. Reads and understands the opera-
tor's manuals.
b. Is instructed in safe and proper use.
5. Know your controls and how to stop tow vehicle,
engine, and machine quickly in an emergency.
Read this manual and the one provided with
your tow vehicle.
6. Train all new personnel and review instructions
frequently with existing workers. Be certain only
a properly trained and physically able person will
operate the machinery. A person who has not
read and understood all operating and safety
instructions is not qualied to operate the ma-
chine. An untrained operator exposes himself
and bystanders to possible serious injury or
death. If the elderly are assisting with work, their
physical limitations need to be recognized and
accommodated.
2.4 SAFETY SIGNS
1. Keep safety signs clean and legible at all times.
2. Replace safety signs that are missing or have
become illegible.
3. Replaced parts that displayed a safety sign
should also display the current sign.
4. Safety signs are available from your authorized
Dealer Parts Department or the factory.
How to Install Safety Signs:
• Be sure that the installation area is clean and
dry.
• Besuretemperatureisabove50°F(10°C).
• Determine exact position before you remove the
backing paper.
• Remove the smallest portion of the split backing
paper.
• Align the sign over the specied area and care-
fully press the small portion with the exposed
sticky backing in place.
• Slowly peel back the remaining paper and care-
fully smooth the remaining portion of the sign in
place.
• Small air pockets can be pierced with a pin and
smoothed out using the piece of sign backing
paper.

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2.5 PREPARATION
1. Never operate the tow vehicle and machine until
you have read and completely understand this
manual, the Tow Vehicle Operator's Manual,
and each of the Safety Messages found on the
safety signs on the tow vehicle and machine.
2. Personal protection
equipment includ-
ing hard hat, safety
glasses, safety shoes,
hearing protection
and gloves are rec-
ommended during
assembly, installation, operation, adjustment,
maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving the
implement. Do not allow long hair, loose tting
clothing or jewelry to be around equipment.
3. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO
LOUD NOISE MAY CAUSE
PERMANENT HEARING LOSS!
Tow Vehicles with or without
equipment attached can often
be noisy enough to cause per-
manent, partial hearing loss. We recommend
that you wear hearing protection on a full-time
basis if the noise in the Operator's position ex-
ceeds 80db. Noise over 85db on a long-term
basis can cause severe hearing loss. Noise over
90db adjacent to the Operator over a long-term
basis may cause permanent, total hearing loss.
NOTE: Hearing loss from loud noise (from trac-
tors, chain saws, radios, and other such sources
close to the ear) is cumulative over a lifetime
without hope of natural recovery.
4. Operate the machine only with
a tractor equipped with an ap-
proved Roll-Over-Protective
Structure (ROPS). Always wear
your seat belt. Serious injury or
even death could result from
falling o the tractor ---particu-
larly during a turnover when the operator could
be pinned under the ROPS or the tractor.
5. Clear working area of stones, branches or hid-
den obstacles that might be hooked or snagged,
causing injury or damage.
6. Operate only in daylight or good articial light.
7. Be sure machine is properly attached, adjusted
and in good operating condition.
8. Ensure that all safety shielding and safety signs
are properly installed and in good condition.

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2.6 OPERATING SAFETY
1. Please remember it is important that you read
and heed the safety signs on the Blower. Clean
or replace all safety signs if they cannot be
clearly read and understood. They are there for
your safety, as well as the safety of others. The
safe use of this machine is strictly up to you, the
operator.
2. All things with moving parts are potentially haz-
ardous. There is no substitute for a cautious,
safe-minded operator who recognizes potential
hazards and follows reasonable safety practic-
es. The manufacturer has designed this Turbine
Debris Blower to be used with all its safety
equipment properly attached, to minimize the
chance of accidents. Study this manual to make
sure you have all safety equipment attached.
3. If a safety shield or guard is removed for any
reason, it must be replaced before the machine
is again operated.
4. When the use of hand tools is required to per-
form any part of assembly, installation, adjust-
ment, maintaining, repairing, removal, or mov-
ing, be sure the tools used are designed and
recommended by the tool manufacturer for that
specic task.
5. Personal protection equipment including hear-
ing protection, hard hat, safety glasses, safety
shoes, and gloves are recommended during
assembly, installation, operation, adjustment,
maintaining, repairing, removal, or moving. Do
not allow long hair, loose tting clothing, or jew-
elry to be around moving parts.
6. Always use two people to handle heavy, un-
wieldy components during assembly, installa-
tion, removal or moving.
7. Never place any part of your body where it
would be in danger if movement should occur
during assembly, installation, operation, main-
taining, repairing, removal or moving.
8. Never place yourself between the tow vehicle
and machine while equipment is in operation.
9. Place all controls in neutral, stop engine, set
park brake, remove ignition key and wait for all
moving parts to stop before servicing, adjusting,
repairing or unplugging.
10. A heavy load can cause instability of the tow
vehicle. Use extreme care during travel. Slow
down on turns and watch out for bumps. The tow
vehicle may need front counterweights to coun-
terbalance the weight of the machine.
11. Never use alcoholic beverages or drugs which
can hinder alertness or coordination while oper-
ating this equipment. Consult your doctor about
operating this machine while taking prescription
medications.
12. Do not allow riders on the machine or tow ve-
hicle at any time. There is no safe place for any
riders.
13. Before you operate the machine, check over all
pins, bolts, and connections to be sure all are
securely in place. Replace any damaged or
worn parts immediately.
14. Do not allow anyone who is not familiar with the
safety rules and operation instructions to use
this machine.
15. Never allow children to operate or be around this
machine.
16. Do not reach into blower openings when the en-
gine is running. Keep others away also.
17. Clear the work area of objects which might be
picked up and snagged or entangled in the
machine.
18. Keep hands, feet, hair, jewelry, and clothing
away from all moving and/or rotating parts.
19. Do not direct the air stream toward people, ani-
mals or buildings to prevent injury or damage.
20. Do not place hands, feet or other body parts into
air stream.

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2.7 TRANSPORT SAFETY
1. Comply with state and local laws governing
highway safety and movement of machinery
on public roads.
2. The use of ashing amber lights is accept-
able in most localities. However, some locali-
ties prohibit their use. Local laws should be
checked for all highway lighting and marking
requirements.
3. At all times when driving the tow vehicle and
equipment on the road or highway under
20 mph (32 kph), use ashing amber warn-
ing lights and a slow moving vehicle (SMV)
identication emblem. Do not exceed 20 mph
(32 kph). Reduce speed on rough roads and
surfaces.
4. Plan your route to avoid heavy trac.
5. Use a drawbar pin with provisions for a re-
tainer. Install the retainer.
6. Do not drink and drive.
7. Attach safety chain between tow vehicle and
machine before transporting.
8. Be a safe and courteous driver. Always yield to
oncoming trac in all situations, including nar-
row bridges, intersections, etc. Watch for trac
when operating near or crossing roadways.
9. Turn into curves or go up or down hills only at
a low speed and at a gradual steering angle.
Make certain that at least 20% of the tow vehi-
cle's weight is on the front wheels to maintain
safe steerage. Slow down on rough or uneven
surfaces.
10. Never allow riders on either tow vehicle or
machine.
11. Install lighting bar before transporting.
2.8 STORAGE SAFETY
1. Store the unit in an area away from human
activity.
2. Do not permit children to play on or around
the stored machine.
3. Store the unit in a dry, level area. Support the
frame with planks if required.
2.9 REFUELLING SAFETY
1. Handle fuel with care. It is highly ammable.
2. Allow engine to cool for 5 minutes before re-
fuelling. Clean up spilled fuel before restarting
engine.
3. Do not refuel the machine while
smoking or when near open
ame or sparks.
4. Fill fuel tank outdoors.
5. Prevent res by keeping machine clean of ac-
cumulated trash, grease and debris.
2.10 TIRE SAFETY
1. Failure to follow proper procedures when mount-
ing a tire on a wheel or rim can produce an ex-
plosion which may result in serious injury or
death.
2. Do not attempt to mount a tire unless you have
the proper equipment and experience to do the
job.
3. Have a qualied tire dealer or repair service per-
form required tire maintenance.
4. When replacing worn tires, make sure they meet
the original tire specications. Never undersize.

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2.11 MAINTENANCE SAFETY
1. Good maintenance is your responsibility. Poor
maintenance is an invitation to trouble.
2. Follow good shop practices.
- Keep service area
clean and dry.
- Be sure electrical
outlets and tools are
properly grounded.
- Use adequate light
for the job at hand.
3. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Never
operate an engine in a closed building. The ex-
haust fumes may cause asphyxiation.
4. Before working on this machine, shut o the
engine, set the brakes, and remove the ignition
keys.
6. Never work under equipment unless it is blocked
securely.
7. Always use personal protection devices such
as eye, hand and hearing protectors, when per-
forming any service or maintenance work.
8. Where replacement parts are necessary for pe-
riodic maintenance and servicing, genuine fac-
tory replacement parts must be used to restore
your equipment to original specications. The
manufacturer will not be responsible for injuries
or damages caused by use of unapproved parts
and/or accessories.
9. A re extinguisher and
rst aid kit should be kept
readily accessible while
performing maintenance
on this equipment.
10. Periodically tighten all bolts, nuts and screws
and check that all cotter pins are properly in-
stalled to ensure unit is in a safe condition.
11. When completing a maintenance or service
function, make sure all safety shields and de-
vices are installed before placing unit in service
2.12 BATTERY SAFETY
1. Keep all sparks and ames away from batteries,
as gas given o by electrolyte is explosive.
2. Avoid contact with battery electrolyte: wash o
any spilled electrolyte immediately.
3. Wear safety glasses when working near
batteries.
4. Do not tip batteries more than 45 degrees, to
avoid electrolyte loss.
5. To avoid injury from spark or short circuit, dis-
connect battery ground cable before servicing
any part of electrical system.