Benassi AF200SL User manual

S.p.A.
OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
LEAF SUCKER
AF200SL
29/02/2008
www.midlandpower.co.uk

S.p.A. AF 200
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-Pic. n°1a-
CONTENTS
◊INTRODUCTION
◊LIST OF MACHINE PARTS
◊IDENTIFICATION AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
◊PACKING AND TRANSPORT
◊SAFETY RULES AND LIMITS ON USE
◊STARTING AND STOPPING THE MACHINE
◊OPERATING AND REGULATING THE MACHINE
◊MAINTENANCE
◊WARRANTY
◊CERTIFICATION
◊TESTS FOR SAFETY
INTRODUCTION
♦Thank you for having selected our product. We would like to welcome you among our many customers.
♦We are certain that you will appreciate the performance and the operating ease of this machine.
♦Our wide experience in the sector, the use of top grade materials and the high quality production ensure the
flawless efficiency of the machine, which is designed to give many years of use if operated and maintained
correctly.
♦We have therefore composed this manual to familiarise you with the use of the machine, its construction,
operating features and applications, which will also facilitate maintenance.
♦Pay special attention to the rules in this manual that are preceded by the symbol below:
CAUTION !
♦This symbol indicates that the failure to comply with these rules may lead to personal injury.
LIST OF MACHINE PARTS
1- Accelerator
2- Clutch lever
3- Bag
4- Rear small wheel
5- Muffler protection
6- Engine oil cap
7- Small wheels with adjustable arm
8- Suction opening
9- Knob to fix the opening
10- Belt to fix the bag
11- Knob to fix the opening height
12- Engine start
13- Knobs to fix the handlebar
14- Fuel cap
15- Microswitch
-Pic. n°1-

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IDENTIFICATION AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
FOR THE ENGINE FEATURES SEE THE ENGINE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET DELIVERED WITH THE MACHINE.
All engines installed on this leaf-suckers are equipped with :
•Muffler protection (Pic.1 Ref. “5”)
•Pull start with self-winding cord
•Dry air filter
•OIL ENGINE 4 STROKE : AGIP DIESEL SIGMA SAE 30 Lt. 0.6
•Fuel engine : unleaded petrol
•Consumption : 1,4 Kg/h.
•Transmission : clutch with multiple discs in oil bath (OIL : SHELL TELLUS T22)
•Regulation of the suction opening from the ground : from 2 to 11 cm.
•Air capacity : 53 m³/min.
•The leaf-sucker with driving wheels in normal conditions reaches a speed of 2,9 Km/h.
•Back wheels : ∅300 mm pneumatic wheels - Front wheels: ∅125 mm.
•Bag capacity : 200 LT.
•It is possible to fix a section pipe Ø 140 mm. and 3 Mt. long.
•It is possible to use the machine as a blower by rotating the central body.
•The suction opening is made of shockproof material.
•For machine identification (serial number, engine, weight, power) refer to the data plate as shown in the photo.
See Ref. “B Pic. 2.
•In the front part of the leaf sucker there is a safety system that, by means of a microswitch, prevents the
engine from running and the fan from turning (see ref. “C” pic. 3) whenever the opening of the central body is
left open (for example because the suction opening has been taken off).
•For machine dimensions see pics 4 and 5.
-Pic. n°2- -Pic. n°3-

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-Pic. n°4- -Pic. n°5-
PACKING AND TRANSPORT
Dimensions of the packing:
◊WIDTH: 76 m
◊LENGHT: 80,5 cm
◊HEIGHT: 71 cm
⇒Remove the leaf-sucker from its packing.
⇒Fix the handles to the handlebar support using the screws and knobs pre-mounted on the handle. Make sure to position the
control cables correctly.
⇒Install the plastic suction opening as shown in picture nr.5 by putting it in both bottom plates of the central body and screw
the knob as shown in picture 3 ref.”P”.
⇒Install the upper plate pipe as shown in picture 4 by screwing the 4 screws ref.”Q” in their slots.
⇒Install the rotating support for the collecting bag shown by the arrow in picture 4 by screwing down both screws to the
engine support as shown in picture 14 ref.”U” in order to fix the bent brackets.
⇒Install the vac-bag by fixing both strips with eyelet of the upper part of the bag on the two screws located on the upper
handlebar, so that the strip covers the handlebar pipe from the outside. Thread the bag opening on the extension of the
central body and lace through the strip set in the bag opening.
⇒IMPORTANT : THE PACKED MACHINE IS SUPPLIED WITH THE ENGINE WITHOUT OIL AND PETROL.
⇒It is possible to reduce the overall dimensions of the machine for an easy transport by taking away the bag, and folding the
upper handlebar on the engine after unfastening the two upper knobs, taking off the screws and unfastening both lower
knobs. See pic. 5
Length 150 cm
Width 77 cm
Height 107 cm

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SAFETY RULES
IMPORTANT:
Before using the machine read carefully this operation and maintenance manual; It
will allow you to get from your machine the best performance of use and duration.
IF YOU NEGLET THIS, YOU’LL ENDANGER YOURSELF OR THE LEAF-SUCKER.
•Do not tamper, take away or exclude any safety system.
•Read carefully this operations and maintenance.
•The use of this machine is prohibited to persons under 16 years of age.
•The operator is liable for damages since the machine is under his control.
•Those unfamiliar with the machine or who have never used it are obliged to read the operation and maintenance manual
before operation.
•In case of transport empty the petrol out of the tank.
•If the machine is left unattended, ensure that it cannot start up again.
•Never work in bare feet or sandals. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. First inspect the area to be cut and remove stones,
sticks, metal wires and other extraneous objects.\
•Before starting the machine, ensure that there is a 5 meter radius of free space around the machine.
•Dry petrol leaks.
•Always add fuel to the tank with the engine off .The supply and/or transfer of fuel must always take place outdoors, away
from flames or heat sources. Do not smoke during this operation.
•Before using the leaf-sucker, the operator must learn how to shut off the engine off quickly, and how to utilise the machine
and the controls.
•Do not operate the engine where carbon monoxide exhaust may accumulate.
•Never utilise the leaf-sucker incomplete of or without the relative safety device. Never use the machine when is without its
bag.
•Do not knock violently the suction opening against any walls during the use of the machine.
•Do not put any stick suction or exit opening when the engine runs.
•Take away the plug cap if you have to work at the fan or inside the sucking unit.
•While using the machine you have to hold the handlebar and walk quite slowly, especially if you have the manual drive
version.
•Do not forget to switch off the engine when you want to empty the bag.
•Caution ! never work on slopes exceeding 30%.
•The user of the leaf-sucker is liable towards a third party for any damage caused by the machine within the working area.
Children and unauthorised persons are to be kept away from the working area.
•The manufacturer shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from the failure to comply with these rules.
STARTING AND STOPPING THE LEAF-SUCKER
Before starting the motor, always make a careful check of the following :
•Check the engine oil level :IMPORTANT : MACHINES OUT OF THE FACTORY DO NOT CONTAIN OIL IN THE MOTOR.
Add oil up to the oil level on the dipstick.(Pic.5)
•The engine can be damaged if it runs with an insufficient quantity of oil.
•PLEASE REFER TO THE ENGINE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL UNDER THE HEADING “BEFORE
START-UP”
•Always start-up the machine outdoors.
1. Place the motor lever (ref. ”D” - pic.6) in the “CHOKE” position (this is necessary only to start the engine when it is cold)
2. Place the accelerator lever Ref. “E” Pic.7 in the intermidium position.
3. Open the petrol tank (Pic. 6 Ref.”S”) by turning it to the “ON” position.
4. Make sure that the switch of the stop engine is in position “ON”, see ref.”T” picture 6.
5. Pull slightly (“F” Pic. 8) until feeling a some resistance, then pull harder. When the engine is running, the cord should not
be released suddenly, but should be guided back until it is rewound completely.
6. Once the engine is running place the motor lever (ref. D - pic.6) in the “RUN” position.
7. To stop the engine place the switch ref. “T” - Pic.6 in the “OFF” position.
-Pic. n°6- - Pic. n°7-

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- Pic. n°8- - Pic. n°9-
OPERATING AND REGULATING THE MACHINE
•Before starting to use the leaf-sucker check the fixing of the suction opening.
•Check the fixing of the bag and that the bag is not torn.
•The machine moves forward by pulling the lever “G” Pic.9.
•If the clutch slips or the lever is too hard to be pulled, you can regulate the clutch wire through the adjuster Ref.
“H” Pic.9;
•When the vac-bag is full or very heavy, go next to the unloading area, switch off the engine, open the zipper at
the back of the bag (see Pic.10) and empty it. It is also possible to uncouple the bag from the handlebar by
lifting the two hands with hole from the pins (Ref. “I” Pic.9), and loosening the belt .
•The height of the suction opening can be regulated easily through the knob (Ref. ”L” Pic.11.). The height van
vary from 2 to 11 cm. from the ground, and it depends on the material that must be sucked.
•You can fix an accessory consisting of a flexible pipe ending with a stiff piece of pipe with knob (Pic.12.) if
sucking must be carried out in narrow places inaccessible to the leaf sucker.
•You can fix this accessory by loosening the knob that fastens the opening (ref. “P” - pic.3), taking away the
opening of the central body and fitting the flexible section pipe. Pay attention that the plate presses the button of
the microswitch and screw the knob again.
•You can use the machine as a blower too (pic. 13) by means of an accessory that allows you to blow leaves,
wastepaper, etc., towards narrow areas such as the roadside to collect them afterwards.
•Loosen the four screws that fix the unloading pipe (ref. Q - pic.4) and take the pipe away after having completely
removed the bag as described above.
•Loosen the three screws at the back of the central body where you can find the engine bearing flange (ref. R -
pic.4) and turn of 120° by placing the central body as in picture 13, then reinsert the three screws and tighten
them.
•Place the blowing opening at the end of the central body (ref. O - pic. 13) and fix by means of the four screws
that needed for the pipe.
•Pay attention to the cable of the microswitch by rotating the central body.
IMPORTANT ! ! !
IF THE LEAF-SUCKER IS USED IN VERY DUSTY PLACES IT MUST BE PERIODICALLY
CLEANED BY REMOVING THE DUST. THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE BAG DUE TO THE
DUST CAN CAUSE ITS BREAKING. DO NOT ASSEMBLE THE BAG IF IT IS WET. CARRY
OUT THE OPERATION ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS SWITCHED OFF.
- Pic. n°10- - Pic. n°11-

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MAINTENANCE
•For changing the oil and other maintenance operations on the engine(spark plugs, air filter, regulations), refer to the engine
manual provided.
•Clean periodically the bag from the dust. Do not assemble the bag if it is wet
- Pic. n°12- - Pic. n°13-
- Pic. n°14-
WARRANTY
The machines and accessories are guaranteed for two years, with the exception of electrical parts or parts in rubber. The
manufacturer shall replace pieces recognised as defective free of charge. Labour and transport shall be at the expense of the
purchaser. The warranty doesn’t apply if the guaranteed parts are defective due to wrong installation, tempering inaccurate use
or carelessness. Warranty request must be made through dealers authorised by the manufacturer.
With regard to materials not of our manufacture, with special reference to the motor, the rules laid down by the respective
manufacturers shall apply. Any request for repair shall therefore be directed to the specific service centres in the respective
areas.
For any problems or repair, contact the dealer where the machine was purchased.

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SAFETY TESTS AND CERTIFICATION
S.p.A. 40017 San Matteo della Decima BO Italy Via Lampedusa n°1
We hereby declare that the machine complies with the essential requirements for health and safety in accordance
with the Directive 98/37/CE and following amendments.
LEAF-SUCKER TYPE MODEL AF 200 SL
For verification of the conformity with the above-mentioned Directive reference has been made to the following:
UNI-EN-ISO12100-1; UNI-EN-ISO 12100-2. For garden vacuum-bags reference EN 294.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
S. Matteo della Decima, 06/11/2007
RESULTS AND TEST
Acoustic power level LwA = from 103 LdB (A) to 108 LdB (A)
Acoustic pressure to the operator’s ear: LpA = from 92 dB (A) to 99 dB(A)
Testing conditions height 1.6 m handle midpoint.
Vibration to handles with weighting UNI EN 1033-1 value: 5,4 m/sec2
This declaration of CE conformity is valid only if the product doesn’t undergo any changes or modifications without authorization.
S.p.A.
VIA LAMPEDUSA 1
40017 S. MATTEO DELLA DECIMA (BO)
ITALY
TEL. [phone] TELEFAX +39/051/820526
www.benassi.eu e-mail: [email protected]
Dealer stamp