Giant-Vac GIANT-BLO JR. 52 User manual

THE GIANT-VAC
GIANT-BLO JR.
MODEL 52
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Congratulations!
You have just purchased one of the finest pieces of outdoor power equipment on the market
today. If properly cared for, your Giant-Vac Giant-Blo Jr. will provide years of dependable
service. Please read and follow this instruction manual carefully in order to get the most out of
your new equipment.
As you unpack your Giant-Blo Jr., you will find the following parts:
1 - Giant-Blo Jr. power unit
1 - Handle assembly in three parts
1 - Bag containing front caster wheel assembly
1 - Package of hardware
1 - Package containing operating manuals and warranty registration
Your Giant-Blo Jr. requires very little assembly. Simply follow the instructions contained within
this manual to begin enjoying the benefits of your new unit.
Each Giant-Vac product leaves our factory in excellent condition; occasionally, however, some
damage may occur during shipment. If any such damage is found upon initial inspection,
immediately notify the transport carrier who delivered your machine, as they are solely
responsible for such damage, as well as any subsequent adjustments necessary.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
Gasoline and Diesel engine exhaust and some of its constituents are known to the
State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm.
As an owner of off-road gasoline or diesel engine equipment and/or as an employer,
you also may have an obligation under the California Occupational Safety and
Health Act or under Proposition 65 to warn persons exposed to gas and diesel
engine exhaust and/or other Proposition 65 chemicals in and around your
workplace. See California Health and Safety Code section 25249.5, Title 22 of the
California Code of Regulations at Section 1200 er seq., and Title 8 of the California
Code of Regulations Section 5194.
R0503.1

SAFETY RULES REGARDING
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT! READ THE FOLLOWING SAFETY RULES CAREFULLY
BEFORE ASSEMBLING OR OPERATING UNIT:
•Regard your Giant-Vac Leaf Blower as a piece of power equipment and teach
this regard to all who will operate this unit. Never allow children or young
teenagers to operate the unit.
•Always wear appropriate safety equipment when operating this unit. Proper
eye, ear, and breathing protection is a must.
•Be sure you know how to stop both the unit and the engine at a MOMENT’S
NOTICE. Refer to the operation section of this manual, as well as the engine
manual.
•Do not operate with any guards or component parts removed from unit.
•Unless there is very good artificial light, use only during daylight.
•Fill gasoline driven machines outdoors. Avoid spilling gasoline and DO NOT
fill the engine while it is running or while you are smoking.
•While in operation, keep all parts of body away from intake and exhaust
sections. Never insert any body part or other foreign object in any opening
while the machine is running.
•When operating unit, keep people and pets a safe distance away. Instruct
children to keep away from the area of operation at all times.
•Do not use on steep inclines (over 30 degrees), as unit can roll over.
•Before making any adjustments or repairs, stop engine and remove spark plug
wire.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES CAN RESULT IN CHRONIC
HEALTH PROBLEMS, SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH.
1

UNIT ASSEMBLY
HANDLE ASSEMBLY:
Please refer to Parts list for correct part identification and placement. Please note that serrated flange nuts
may be used in place of split lock washers and hex nuts in some assembly steps.
•Insert Lower handles (Parts List Ref. #28) into Upper handle (#26) until bolt holes are
aligned. Insert one 5/16-18 x 1-1/2” hex bolt (#29) into each of the holes on either side,
securing with split lock washers and hex nuts (#30, 31 – may be serrated flange nuts). Note:
Do not tighten these bolts yet.
•Attach lower portion of handle assembly to engine base by aligning holes in lower handles
with corresponding holes in engine base. Fasten with four 5/16-18 x 1-1/2” bolts and secure
with split lock washers and nuts (or serrated flange nuts). Tighten all handle assembly bolts
securely.
FRONT CASTER WHEEL ASSEMBLY:
•Attach front caster wheel assembly (#19-
23) to unit by butting outward bends in
mounting brackets of assembly against
front lower corner of unit (next to blower
discharge door), making sure mounting
holes in both parts are aligned. Note:
Angled edge of mounting brackets
should be upwards, with holes toward
bottom. Fasten with two 5/16-18 x 5/8”
hex bolts (#24) and split lock washers
(#25). Leave all bolts finger tight.
•Check caster wheel for proper vertical
alignment, adjust as necessary, then tighten bolts securing assembly to unit.
SIDE AIR DEFLECTOR:
•Attach side air deflector (#7) to top of
discharge chute by aligning holes in
deflector with corresponding holes in top of
chute snout. Fasten with two 5/16-18 x 5/8
hex bolts (#8) and split lock washers (#9).
Note: Deflector should be angled
downward.
Assembly of your Giant-Blo Jr. is now complete.
3
2

UNIT OPERATION
STARTING THE ENGINE
IMPORTANT NOTE: The procedures outlined within this section are general guidelines, and are in no
way meant to replace or supercede engine manufacturer’s operating instructions. In order to obtain
optimum performance from your engine, refer to your engine manual.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE:
•Be sure that the unit is completely assembled, all fasteners are tightened securely, and all
safety guards and components are in place.
•Be sure to check engine’s oil and gasoline*. (See engine manual for recommended oil and
gasoline specifications.) Never check the engine while it is running or while you are
smoking. Check only when engine is cold.
* All machines are shipped without oil or gasoline unless otherwise noted.
TO START ENGINE :
•Set throttle control up to full position. Depress fuel prime button firmly three times. (Fuel
prime button is located on side of engine, below muffler)
•Bracing blower with left hand, grasp recoil handle and pull briskly with right. (You may have
to pull several times before engine starts. If engine fails to start within a reasonable number
of attempts, discontinue and check engine manual for further instructions.)
•After engine starts, move throttle control down to half.
CAUTION! Blower impeller is mounted directly to engine shaft; starting engine will
immediately result in high velocity air discharge. Be sure discharge chute is directed
away from people, animals and objects when starting engine.
TO SHUT ENGINE DOWN :
•Allow engine to idle for 2-3 minutes before shutting down.
•Set throttle control down to ‘stop’ position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you experience problems with your engine that cannot be satisfactorily resolved
by following the instructions contained within the engine manual, contact your local engine dealer, or call
the toll-free service number listed in the repair section of the engine manual. All engine service, warranty
or otherwise, is required to be performed by a manufacturer-authorized service center. Giant-Vac Mfg.,
Inc. is neither authorized nor responsible for any type of warranty engine service, nor is it equipped to
perform any such service.
3

UNIT OPERATION (Cont.)
OPERATING THE BLOWER:
DANGER! Do not pass by or stand on the air discharge side of any leaf blower with the
engine running. High velocity discharge can easily turn harmless debris into dangerous
flying projectiles, causing severe injury.
TO BLOW DEBRIS OUT TOWARD FRONT OF UNIT:
•Open the forward air deflector door, mounted on the front of the discharge end of the
blower, by pushing the control lever toward the front of the machine. This feature is ideal for
such things as blowing debris from a wall or fence. Adjust engine speed to increase or
decrease air discharge rate. NEVER INSERT ANY BODY PART OR OTHER FOREIGN
OBJECT IN ANY OPENING WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING.
TO BLOW DEBRIS OUT TOWARD SIDE OF UNIT:
•Close the front air deflector door by pulling the control lever back toward the rear of the
machine. This will direct air out through the side discharge opening. Adjust engine speed to
increase or decrease air discharge rate. NEVER INSERT ANY BODY PART OR OTHER
FOREIGN OBJECT IN ANY OPENING WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING.
HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE OPERATION:
•For operator ease and maneuverability, push down on the upper handle while walking so
that the machine balances on the rear wheels. This will be especially useful when turning
corners.
•When blowing dry debris, set blower discharge to lower rate; when blowing wet or frozen
debris, increase discharge rate.
•Practice makes perfect. Allow yourself time to become familiar with your machine. In very
little time you will become quite proficient at debris removal with your Giant-Blo Jr.
3

UNIT MAINTENANCE & STORAGE
•Follow implicitly the engine manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance.
•Never make any adjustments to the unit until the engine is off and the spark plug wire is
disconnected.
•If carburetor adjustment is necessary, stand to one side and keep feet and hands in the clear while
making adjustments.
•Keep engine free of accumulations of grass, leaves or excessive grease. An accumulation of these
combustible materials may result in a fire.
•Store gasoline in a safe and approved container in a cool, dry place.
•Keep the unit and any fuel containers in locked storage to prevent children from playing and/or
tampering with them.
•Do not store gasoline powered equipment or fuel containers in a basement or any closed area where
heating or heat appliances or open pilot lights are present, unless the fuel is completely drained from
the power equipment and the fuel containers.
UNIT OPTIONS
Your Giant-Blo Jr is a versatile machine which can accommodate a variety of optional accessories:
Model 56 & 58 Intake Hose Kit turns your Giant-Blo Jr into a highly efficient yard vacuum.
Kit contains a bolt-on intake flange, a 10’ length of hose (4” diameter for model 56, 5” diameter for model
58), and a pickup nozzle, complete with handle grip. Hose clamps included.
Model 56 Intake Hose Kit - Part # 70029
Model 58 Intake Hose Kit - Part # 70197
Model 509 Exhaust Hose Kit completes the yard vacuum concept with a bolt-on discharge
chute adapter and a 10’ length of 5” dia. hose which makes loading debris into waste cans or truck beds
quick and easy. All necessary hardware included.
Model 509 Exhaust Hose Kit - Part # 70301
Contact your local Giant-Vac Dealer or Distributor for details
5
4

GIANT-VAC WARRANTY
GIANT-VAC, INC., here-in-after called Giant-Vac, warrants each new Giant-Vac to the original
retail purchaser of the new Giant-Vac equipment to be free from manufacturing defects in
normal service for a period of 1 year, unless it is used for rental purposes, which limits the
warranty to 30 days. This warranty does not apply to engines, tires or other parts that are
purchased and warranted by their manufacturer. Items such as bags, grass catchers, hoses
and blades are not warranted, as these are considered expendable items. This warranty does
not include equipment failures due to normal wear.
Any obligation under this warranty is expressly limited to the replacement or repair, at an
authorized servicing Giant-Vac dealer, or at a point designated by us, of such parts as appear to
us to have been defective. All defective parts have to be returned freight prepaid before credit
will be issued.
We shall not be liable for transportation charges in connection with the replacement or repair of
defective parts.
This warranty does not apply to a Giant-Vac upon which repairs or alterations have been made
by others except with our prior written approval.
We shall not be liable for consequential damages or contingent liabilities for the fitness of any
Giant-Vac for any particular purpose.
We make no other express, implied or statutory warranty, nor is anyone authorized to make any
in our behalf.
GIANT-VAC, INC.
P.O. BOX 195
SOUTH WINDHAM, CT. 06266
PHONE: [phone] •FAX: [phone]

MODEL 52 - GIANT-BLO JR.
R0503.1
Ref
No
Part No Description Qty
1 10003 Housing, blower & engine base 1
2 21506 Impeller 1
3 31019 Group, impeller bolt and key - 3/8-24 x 2” 1
4 20201 Baffle, intake 1
5 31016 Bolt, hex head - 5/16-18 x 5/8” 4
6 31003 Washer, split lock - 5/16 4
7 24507 Deflector, side discharge 1
8 31016 Bolt, hex head - 5/16-18 x 5/8” 2
9 31003 Washer, split lock - 5/16 2
10 24508 Door assy, front/side discharge 1
11 31015 Bolt, hex head – 1/4-20 x 1/2” 1
12 31013 Washer, lock - 1/4 1
13 31014 Bushing, sleeve – ¼”id x 3/8”od x ¼” length 1
14 31402 Spring, discharge door 1
15 31103 Knob, ball - 3/8-16 tap 1
16 33001 Wheel assy - 410-350 x 4 2
17 31001 Washer, flat - 5/8” 4
18 31000 Ring, snap – 5/8” 2
19 33017 Wheel, caster - 6 x 1.50 semi-pneumatic ** 1
20 33101 Bracket, caster - right side ** 1
21 33102 Bracket, caster - left side ** 1
22 31357 Bolt, hex head - 3/8-16 x 2-1/2” ** 1
23 31355 Nut, reverse lock - 3/8-16 ** 1
24 31016 Bolt, hex head - 5/16-18 x 5/8” 2
25 31003 Washer, split lock - 5/16 2
26 23000 Handle, upper 1
27 31590 Grip, handle – 1”id x 24” foam 1
28 23002 Handle, lower 2
29 31006 Bolt, hex head - 5/16-18 x 1-1/2” 6
30 31003 Washer, lock - 5/16 * 6
31 31004 Nut, hex - 5/16-18 * 6
30-31* 31986 Nut, small serrated flange – 5/16-18 (used on some models) 6
ITEMS NOT SHOWN
39077 Engine - 5.5HP Briggs & Stratton Intek 1
31294 Bolt, hex head - 5/16-18 x 1-1/2 4
31003 Washer, split lock - 5/16 * 4
31004 Nut, hex - 5/16-18 * 4
* 31986 Nut, small hex serrated flange – 5/16-18 (used on some models) 4
33107 Bearing - replacement for pneumatic tire assembly 4
33003 Assembly, front caster – complete ** 1
SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE