Westward GMRLK1 User manual

1
LAWNKEEPER
OWNER'S MANUAL
© 2019
Westward Parts Services Ltd. reserves the right to make changes
in design, material or specication without notice thereof.
www.westwardparts.com
GMRLK1

2
Congratulations on your purchase of a
WESTWARD PARTS
LAWNKEEPER MODEL GMRLK1
Note: Add proper oil to the engine crankcase and gasoline to the gas tank.
Refer to the engine manual for the correct type and amount.
Your Lawnkeeper was designed for use on large lawns where grass clippings accumulation may become a problem.
It is also useful for ridding lawns of twigs, leaves, thatch build-up and light debris. Your Lawnkeeper will give you years
of trouble-free service if properly maintained.
To receive maximum eciency from your Lawnkeeper, it is important to read this manual thoroughly.
Refer to the Honda Engine Manual
for all references pertaining to the engine.

3
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1. CAUTION must be exercised when operating the Lawnkeeper as with any outdoor power equipment.
Whenever adjustments are being made make sure the motor is turned o.
2. Never refuel the engine in an enclosed area.
3. Fuel should never be transported in any container not approved for gasoline.
4. Wipe fuel spills around the engine before starting it.
5. Never start the motor in an enclosed area that is not properly ventilated.
6. Never get near the power brush with loose clothing, bare hands and feet or long uncontrolled hair.
The power brush can cause loose objects to wrap quickly and inflict damage to persons and property.
7. Keep bystanders and children away from the Lawnkeeper during use. Some debris can be hurled some distance.
8. Inspect the Lawnkeeper for loose fitting or broken parts before starting.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine GC160 Honda
Tires Rear - 16 x 6.50 x 8 Front - 2 x 8 x 3
Height 47"
Width 66"
Length 52" excluding the hitch
Brush Width 41"
Brush Diameter 8"
Brush Operating Speed 1450 RPM (approx.)
Holding Bin 36" x 42" 21 cu. ft. capacity
Weight 200 lbs.
HOOKING UP LAWNKEEPER TO YOUR LAWN TRACTOR
OFFSET TONGUE ADJUSTMENT
The amount of oset required is determined by the swath of grass left by the tractor's mower deck.
1. Mow a strip of grass long enough to see the area where the majority of discharged clippings lay.
2. Position the Lawnkeeper at the rear of the lawn tractor with the Keeper straddling the swath of clippings.
3. Slide the tongue shaft into the open end of the Lawnkeeper frame until the attachment end lines up with
the tractor hitch.
4. Make a reference mark on the tongue shaft next to the frame.
5. Pull the tongue out and measure the length of tongue shaft from the inserted end of clamp.
There must be at least 10" of tongue shaft inside the Keeper frame when locked in place.
IMPORTANT
The clamp must be positioned so that the nuts are forward. By doing this, the flange will not come unlatched while
being towed by the lawn tractor. When the clamp is positioned properly the tongue can be lifted to a vertical position
and be pulled out. This bayonet-type mount permits quick switching from oset tongue to center tongue.

4
ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF THE BRUSH (CASTER WHEEL)
The front caster wheel determines the height of the pick-up brush. Interchanging the bushings on the caster wheel
spindle will change the height of the brush. Remember to re-insert the lynch pin after adjustments are made.
Sweeping Hard Surfaces:
Position the caster wheel so that the brush lightly touches the ground.
Sweeping Lawns While Mowing:
Position the caster wheel so that the brush is at the same height as the mower deck cut.
e.g. Mower deck height 2" - sweeper brush should have 2" of clearance to the ground.
Sweeping Lawns to Remove Debris:
Position the caster wheel so that the brush lightly touches the top of the grass.
Be sure brush is perpendicular to the ground when making adjustments.
WARNING
Continued use of the Lawnkeeper with the caster brush set too low will decrease brush life.
OPERATING YOUR LAWNKEEPER
Oset Tongue
Use the oset tongue to pick up grass clippings while mowing is being performed. The oset tongue is designed to oset
to the right or to the left depending on which side your mower discharges (See Figure #1).
For the most ecient use of your Lawnkeeper, mowing and sweeping should be performed as follows:
1. Inspect the area to be swept before each use. Remove objects (rocks, broken glass, wire, string, etc.)
which can be thrown or become tangled in the brush assembly.
2. Before hooking up the Lawnkeeper to the lawn tractor, mow an eight (8) foot swath around all stationary objects
(flower beds, trees, planter, poles, etc.) discharging the grass outward onto the uncut grass. This will leave enough
room between the Lawnkeeper and objects while mowing the large area (See Figure #2).
3. Shut the lawn tractor o and hook up the Lawnkeeper.
4. Start engine on the Lawnkeeper and open the throttle fully.
5. Mow in a circuit pattern always discharging the grass clippings onto the uncut grass and onto the path of the
Lawnkeeper (See Figure #2). This leaves the lawn area free of debris and clippings. It should be noted that if the
mower deck is plugged, grass may not be discharged properly into the path of the Lawnkeeper. This problem can
be eliminated by periodic cleaning of the mower deck. (See your Mower Manual for cleaning procedures)
6. When the Keeper drum is full, pull out to a desired area for unloading. It is not necessary to shut down the
Lawnkeeper engine unless the unloading site is a long distance from the area being cut.
Heavy Grass Conditions
When mowing grass 5" or more in height, the clippings should be discharged onto the cut grass and into the path of the
Lawnkeeper (See Figure #1) This increases the eciency of the Lawnkeeper as the brush is not working in the long grass.

5
HOW TO UNLOAD THE LAWNKEEPER
1. Push the locking lever down and lift the hatch until it locks open.
2. Drive the tractor ahead several feet.
3. Close the hatch gently. Lift the grab handle and push down on the locking lever.
NOTE: Never let the hatch slam shut.
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
Engine Maintenance
1. Check the engine oil before each operation.
2. Change the engine oil if the oil level is found to be above the full level.
3. Engine requires shorter maintenance intervals when operated at low temperatures or for short periods of time.
4. For complete engine maintenance information see Engine Manual.
Tightening the Brush Drive Belt
1. Loosen the four motor mount bolts.
2. Push engine forward.
3. While holding the engine in position, tighten the motor mount bolts.
NOTE: Be careful not to over tighten the brush drive belt. This will lead to premature wear of bearings, belt and
pulleys. If the belt is too loose, it will slip causing a loss of eciency. When properly adjusted the belt should have
approximately 1/4" of flex between the pulleys.
Brush Strip Replacement
1. Loosen the engine mounting bolts. Slide the engine ahead to remove belt.
2. Remove the brush shaft bearing mounting bolts and remove the brush assembly.
3. Remove the bearing on the end of the brush shaft opposite the pulley.
4. Remove the 12 bolts which hold the brush strips in place.
5. Slide the brush strips out the end of the shaft.
NOTE: If the brush strips stick, the attachment tabs may be pried apart slightly. Never attempt to pull the brush
out perpendicular to the shaft.
6. Install the new brush and fasten with bolts and nuts provided.
NOTE: Ensure the brush strips are centered. Be sure to tighten the bolts enough to pinch the brush strips
securely between the tabs.
7. Reinstall the bearing.
8. Reinstall the brush assembly.
NOTE: The belt must be in the pulley groove before the shaft is bolted to the frame.
9. Install the engine mounting bolts and tighten the belt. See "Tightening the Brush Drive Belt".
Brush Drive Belt Replacement
1. Remove the four motor mount bolts. Slide the engine back.
2. Slip the old belt o the motor pulley.
3. Remove the bolts that attach the brush drive shaft bearing to the frame (pulley end of shaft).
4. Drop the brush shaft down to remove the old belt and to install the new one.
5. Reinstall the brush shaft.
6. Slip the new belt on the motor pulley.
7. Install engine mounting bolts and tighten the belt. See "Tightening the Brush Drive Belt".