Kärcher 520 M User manual

5.960-547 08/02
520 M

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THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING A KARCHER
PRESSURE WASHER
PLEASE READTHIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY
BEFORE OPERATING YOUR MACHINE.
WHAT IS A PRESSURE WASHER?
A Pressure Washer is essentially a powerful electric motor driving a set
of pistons that force water through a small nozzle, thus creating a
pressurised jet of water. This provides the cleaning power behind the
Karcher Pressure Washer.
AKarcherPressureWashercanbeusedforanendlesslistofapplications
around the home and garden. It provides an efficient, economical and
labour saving way of cleaning with excellent results.
All Karcher domestic pressure washers are designed to run from a
suitablecoldwatersupplyalthoughsomemodelswillacceptawaterinlet
temperature of between 40 °C and 60 °C.
Environmental Comment - Save water with high pressure.
The Karcher Pressure Washer is environmentally friendly enabling you
to reduce your water consumption compared to a normal garden hose.
A definite advantage with a metered water supply
OR
with the added benefit of suction mode, water can be drawn from an
open container such as a water butt.

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INDEX
1. APPLICATIONS
2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
3. GETTING STARTED
3.1 Contents
3.2 Water Connection
3.3 Electrical Connection
3.4 Suction Mode
3.5 Detergent
4. OPERATING YOUR PRESSURE WASHER
4.1 High Pressure Operation
4.2 Low Pressure Operation Without Brush
4.3 Low Pressure Operation With Brush
4.4 End Of Operation
5. IMPORTANT – CARE AND MAINTENANCE
6. ACCESSORIES / SPARE PARTS
7. PROBLEM CHECKLIST / TROUBLESHOOTING
8. HELP-LINE
9. TECHNICAL DATA
10. ASSEMBLY

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1. APPLICATIONS
The main applications for this product are DOMESTIC
cleaning tasks:
• Cars, motorbikes, caravans, boats and bicycles
• Patio’s, fences, garden walls, pathways, driveways and house
facades – particularly useful for cleaning block driveways
• Removal of algae and moss from roofs, brickwork and
guttering
• Garden tools and machinery, furniture and barbecues
• Hygienic cleaning of animal pens and their surroundings
With the addition of Karcher accessories, the list
continues .............
• Clearing blocked drains and pipes
• Removal of old paint and rust from garden furniture and gates
• Spraying insecticide onto trees, plants and lawns

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2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE STARTING UPYOUR PRESSURE WASHER PLEASE
CHECK YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
We recommend you purchase these items from a reputable store
• RCD plug and socket that will interrupt electrical supply in an
emergency.
• A typical garden hose (minimum length 7.5 metres) with suitable
hoseconnection(Hoselock/Gardena type)tomatchthecoupling
on the machine (hose and connector not supplied).
•The mains voltage and supply indicated on the Rating Plate of the
machine corresponds with that of the power source.
•The insulation of the supply cable is not damaged.
•Only earthed sockets should be used.
•If you are using an extension cable it must be completely unwound
from the cable drum and be the correct diameter:
10 meter length of cable should have a cross section of 1.5
mm²
30 meter length of cable should have a cross section of 2.5 mm²
Safety Assurance
As an added precaution, your pressure washer is fitted with a safety
locking device on the Spray Gun.
AFTER USE, ALWAYS REMOVE THE PLUG FROM THE SOCKET
BEFORE CLEANING YOUR PRESSURE WASHER

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3. GETTING STARTED
3.1 Contents
Upon opening the carton, if you do not
have all the items as detailed please
contact the Customer Helpline.
1 High Pressure Hose
2 Safety Lock Device
3 Spray Gun
4 Spray Lance with Pressure Regulator
5 Wash Brush (only K 520 MB plus)
6 High Pressure Outlet
7 Detergent Suction Tube
8 Transport Bracket
9 Mains Electric Lead with Plug
10 Hosepipe Connector
11 Inlet Water Connection (with Strainer)
12 On/Off Switch
Assembly
see Page 19

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Please follow these instructions carefully
for troublefree cleaning.
Use the diagram on Page 6 for reference purposes.
3.2 Water Connection
• The minimum length of supply hosepipe advised for maximum user
convenience is 7.5 metres with a diameter of 12.5 mm (1/2") to allow
free flow of inlet water to the machine so avoiding backpressure and
any associated potential damage to your machine.
• Attach your supply hosepipe with its connector to the coupling on the
machine (No.10) and the other end should be connected to a suitable
water supply.
3.3 Electrical Connection
• Ensure the Power Switch (No.12) is in the “OFF” position before
connecting the factory fitted Plug attached to the Mains Electric Lead
(No.9) into an earthed socket. (it is recommended that an RCD plug
socket is used.)
If using an Extension Cable make sure it is completely unwound
from the cable drum and is the correct diameter.
3.4 SuctionMode- anaddedbenefitoftheKarcherPressureWasher
• If you are drawing water from a static water supply such as a water
butt disconnect the high pressure hose from the machine.
• Disconnect the water connection/hosepipe with coupling (No.10)
from the machine and replace with a suction hose and filter (Part
No. 4.440.238) that can be purchased as an accessory.
• Allow the pressure washer to operate without the high pressure hose
fitted until water flows from the high pressure outlet without bubbles.
• Re-connect the high pressure hose to the high pressure outlet.
Dirt in the drawn water could damage your Pressure Washer !
To avoid this risk please use a suitable filter - Part No. 6.414.389.

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3.5 Detergent
Only cleaning agents recommended by Karcher (UK) Ltd.
should be used. Unsuitable detergents could damage your
Pressure Washer and the object being cleaned.
Recommended Detergents
1. The following cleaning agent may be used undiluted:
(But further dilution is practical but trial before application)
Universal Cleaner.............................. Profi RM 555 ASF
2. The following cleaning agents are available as concentrate
and must be diluted with 9 parts of water (1 : 9) before use:
Universal Cleaner.............................. Profi RM 555 ULTRA
Automotive Cleaner........................... Profi RM 565 ULTRA
House & Garden Cleaner.................. Profi RM 570 ULTRA
Boat Cleaner ..................................... Profi RM 575 ULTRA
3. Detergent tablets are also available from some stores.
Karcher Clean Tabs (10 tablets per box):
10 Tablets dissolved in clean water provide 5 litres of cleaning
detergent.
DETAILS OF THE FULL RANGE OF DETERGENTS AND
CHEMICALS ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING THE KARCHER
CUSTOMER HELPLINE ON 0906 6800632

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4. OPERATING YOUR PRESSURE WASHER
If you have followed all the instructions so far, you are
now ready to have fun cleaning the KARCHER way!!!
• Turn on the supply water and press the Spray Gun lever (No.3) until
the water flows freely and removes all air locks from the hoses.
• You may now attach the bayonet fit Spray Lance (No.4) or required
accessory to the Spray Gun.
All accessories are bayonet fit, simply push in and twist
until they click into position !
•Once water is flowing through the machine, you may now switch
on your Karcher Pressure Washer using the Power Switch (No.12)
• You can regulate the working pressure on the spray by turning the
nozzle end of the Spray Lance (No.4) in a “+” or “-” direction.
WHEN USING YOUR KARCHER PRESSURE WASHER ON THE
HIGH PRESSURE SETTING, THE RECOMMENDED WORKING
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE NOZZLE AND THE OBJECT OR
SURFACE TO BE CLEANED IS 30 CM. IT CAN BE CLOSER IF
REQUIRED FOR PATIOS OR MASONERY.
When cleaning painted surfaces, ensure that the paint is sound and
there are no signs or rusting or blistering.
It is your responsibility to check the suitability of the surface to be cleaned.
Karcher (UK) Ltd. cannot be held responsible for any damaged caused.

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4.1 High Pressure Operation
• Switch on the pressure washer (No.12)
• EnsuretheSpray LancewiththePressure Regulator (No.4)is attached
securely to the Spray Gun (No.3) and the nozzle is set to the required
setting.
• Aim the lance towards the object to be cleaned making sure the
recommended working distance is used (for reference see Page 9).
Release the Safety Lock Device (No.2) on the Spray Gun and
squeeze the lever.
The pressurised water jet alone is capable of fulfiling most
cleaning tasks around the garden or on building work but
detergent and wash brush are advantageous when cleaning
vehicles or other paint finishes.
4.2 Low Pressure Operation without Brush
• Dilute the detergent in a suitable container to the required concentra-
tion before using. (The correct dilution is dependent on the degree of
soiling of surface and is best determined by experience).
• Hang the Detergent Suction Tube (No.7) in the Detergent container.
Always ensure the Spray Gun is closed before changing the nozzle setting
• Set the nozzle to the lowest working pressure setting (-).
• Switch on the pressure washer (No.12)
• Aim the nozzle towards the object to be cleaned, release the Safety
Locking Device on the Spray Gun and squeeze the lever to apply the
detergent to the working area.