CRAIN 280 User manual

No. 280 H.D. Air Lifter
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
LIFT CONTROL

The Air Lifter is designed for moving furniture and appliances ONLY! Maximum
weight for a load to be lifted must be no greater than 800 lbs.
The Air Lifter is for use on at, level oors ONLY! Do not use on inclines, stairs or
ramps. Do not ride or stand on the lifter plates or any load being lifted by the plates.
Keep all body parts out from underneath the load at all times.
Avoid electric shock! DO NOT USE in wet or damp environments. The Air Lifter
comes with a 3 prong grounded plug. Do not remove the ground pole from the plug.
Use the Air Lifter with appropriate 3 prong power cords and receptacles.
ASSEMBLY:
SAFETY FIRST:
When attaching or disconnecting hoses, grab the solid plastic tting, not the hose itself
(Figure 1). Pulling the hose will cause damage. NEVER pull the Air Lifter by a hose!
The Air Lifter includes the following:
T-Connector - “A”
T-Connector to Lift Control Hose - “B”
Air Plate to T-Connector Hose (2) - “C”
Air Plates (2) - "D"
Plastic Carpet Adaptor Glides (4) - “E”
2 HP Motor and Strap - "F"
Lift Control Valve - “G”
Carrying Bag - not shown
Assemble as shown below. Make sure all ttings are snug.
Check that the strap is connected to the motor (Figure 2).
1
Before moving any appliance or furniture ALWAYS BEWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:
Remove any items that may be on top of the load or inside of the appliance.
All electrical, gas or water connections to the appliance must be shut off and re-
moved from the appliance. Check for hoses or wiring attached to the bottom of
the appliance. These may not contact the air plates.
JOBSITE CONDITIONS
Figure 1

2
POSITIONING THE AIR PLATES
Figure 7
"V" Entry
Approach
Figure 8
Opposite
Side Entry
Approach
Check the load to be moved for any delicate features
that may contact the air plates as a result of the lifting
action. For appliances, check for delicate drip pans,
covers, grills or ornamentation. Remove these prior to
lifting or damage may occur.
When starting the blower, the load will rise. Check that
there is a minimum of 3 inches clearance between the
top of the load and any cabinetry or other items above
the load (Figure 3).
If the clearance is less than 3 inches, you can control the
height that the load will rise using the lift control valve
(Figure 4). Turn the knob on top of the lift control valve
counterclockwise until it hits its stop at fully open. When
you turn on the motor, the load will rise only a minimal
amount. Turn the knob clockwise gradually and only
the amount necessary to partially inate the plates and
eventually move the load. Keep hands away from any
clearance areas or movement of the load could pinch
and cause injury.
The gap between the oor and the bottom of the load
must be a minimum of ¼”. If the gap is insufcient, see
tilting procedure (next page).
Slide the air plates under the load, and check the gap
between the top of each plate and the bottom of the
load. If the gap is less than 1¼”, the load may be lifted
without any extra blocking to make up the gap. (See
Figure 5.)
If the gap is greater than 1¼”, you may need to place
wood blocks on top of the plates for each corner of the
load before sliding the plate under (see Figure 6).
When properly positioned, the air plates should be as far
apart as possible, but no closer than 1” to any breakable
parts of the appliance. For stability, the air plates should
project out the backside of the load (see Figure 6).
If a plate gets stuck as you slide it under the load, try rearranging the plates in a
“V” Entry Approach under the load (Figure 7), or entering them from the opposite
side (Figure 8).

Shim
TILTING PROCEDURE
Figure 9
If the gap between the oor and the bottom of
the load is less than ¼", check whether the load
can be safely tilted back about ½". If so, tilt
back and place an about ½" shim under the front
corners to create the needed gap (see Figure 9).
After the load is moved, it is necessary to replace
the shims under the corners, or else you will not
be able to remove the air plates when the blower
is turned off.
3
MOVING THE LOAD
Figure 10 Figure 11
Strap the motor over your shoulder. Make sure the on/off switch on the motor is
readily accessible.
Place one hand on the appliance and turn the blower on. The air plates will inate
quickly and forcefully. BE PREPARED!
Move the appliance slowly and steadily to the desired position. DO NOT ROCK or
push out of balance. Maintain the load in a level, controlled fashion AT ALL TIMES
(see Figures 10 & 11).
Keep hands away from any clearance areas between the load and walls or cabinets,
or movement of the load can pinch and cause injury.
If the oating appliance is lower in the rear than
the front, stepping on the front of the inated air
plates near the hose connections will force more
air to the rear. It may also be necessary to step on
the plates in order to position the load as closely
as possible to the back wall (see Figure 12).
Figure 12
SPECIAL SITUATIONS - LEVELLING THE LOAD
MOVING APPLIANCES OVER CARPET
When moving a load over carpeted oor or any porous surface, use the plastic carpet
adapters. The adapters should also be used when the oor is rough or dirty. This
protects the air plates from damage.

4
MOVING SUB-ZERO®APPLIANCES
Figure 14
Sub-Zero® Refrigerators and many
other appliances may not have adequate
frame supports built in to the base. In
such cases, certain areas at the front
and the rear edges of the cabinet itself
may provide the sturdiest support for
lifting.
Remove all drip pans, grills and base
covers. Determine the best points for
lifting. Note especially any delicate hos-
es or electrical wiring. Any such hoses
or wiring must be kept out from under
the lifting pressure of the plates.
Once the best points for lifting have
been determined, create a custom set
of wooden blocks that will support the
appliance as necessary. These are to
be placed on top of the air plate, and
then the air plate can be slid under the
appliance (see Figure 14).
In the case of a Sub-Zero® refrigerator,
for the front edge of the cabinet, the best
surface for lifting may be the at area
of the cabinet just behind the door. Be
careful however to prevent the wooden
blocks from contacting the door, or any
other breakable parts, such as the base
cover or drip pan supports, as this can
cause major damage to the appliance
(see Figure 15).
If you are STARTING on a oor that requires
carpet adapters, slide an adapter underneath
each air plate before positioning it underneath
the load.
Next, take the two extra carpet adapters and
tuck them 3-4 inches under the rst pair, in the
direction you want to move.
Turn on the blower and start moving the load.
Once you have moved the load fully over the
second pair of carpet adapters, stop and remove the rst pair. This process may
be repeated until you have reached the desired location (see Figure 13).
DO NOT LIFT by DOOR OR BREAKABLE
PARTS!
Figure 15

5
REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE
At the rear edge, best surface for lifting may be at the back of the cabinet. Do not
situate any blocks underneath the back side cover or drip pan supports; or any
exposed hoses or wiring (see Figure 15).
At the rear edge, the available space may be limited. You may need to use a nar-
rower block (no narrower than 3”) on top of a wider base block (9”) (see Figure 14).
DANGER: In most cases, the blocking supports used on top of the air plates should
be level (at the same height relative to each other). Otherwise, as the load lifts, it
will not be level, and the load may tip over. Check that desired lift points are level.
DANGER: Sub-Zero® appliances are very heavy. Move appliances slowly and in
a controlled manner at all times.
DANGER: Sub-Zero® appliances may be very top-heavy, and may fall over under
certain circumstances. Move the appliance slowly, and do not move over ramps
or stairs.
No. 280 AIR LIFTER
Order No. Description
1280-A T-Adapter
1280-B 3' Flexible Hose
1280-C 15" Flexible Hose
1280-D Replacement Flange
1280-E Air Plate Complete (1 only)
Order No. Description
1280-I Plastic Pad Set (4)
1280-J Blower Complete
1280-K Brushes (2 - not shown)
1280-L Lift Control Valve
1280-M Blower Strap with
Spring Hooks (not shown)

CRAIN
GUARANTEE
This 280 H.D. Air Lifter is guaranteed to be free of defects in workmanship or quality of materials for a period of ONE YEAR. Any parts of tools found defective subject to the guarantee will
be
replaced at no charge. Credit in full or part cannot be extended by the distributor. New tools will not be given as replacements for those pending a warranty adjustment. All merchandise returned subject to this warranty must be accompanied with same. All merchandise returned must be F.O.B. Milpitas, California, and must be in complete assembled units. No consideration will be given to unassembled parts. All disputes will be up to the consideration of the CRAIN CUTTER CO., INC. and their decision will be nal.
Please ll out and mail this card to validate your CRAIN guarantee. NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TOOL PURCHASED: #280 H.D. Air Lifter PURCHASED FROM: DATE PURCHASED: PLEASE CHECK: INDIVIDUAL FLOORING INSTALLER WORKROOM FLOORING DEALER INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR OTHER ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
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Crain Cutter Co., Inc.
1155 Wrigley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035-5426
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
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