Yard force YF8000 User manual

OPERATING MANUAL
Model YF8000
ELECTRIC LEAF SHREDDER
Version 2
0516
Our Customer Service staff is ready to provide assistance. In the case of a damaged
or missing part, most replacement parts ship from our facility.
For immediate help with assembly, or for additional product information,
call 866-902-9690
vist www.YardForceUSA.com or
email [e-mail]
You will need this manual for safety instructions, operating procedures, and
Warranty. The original sales invoice is Warranty. The original sales invoice is required
for warranty service.
QUESTIONS?
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR REFERENCE

1 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important safety instructions 1
Electrical requirements 4
Safety symbols 6
Know your electric leaf shredder 7
Assembly 8
Operation 12
Maintenance 14
Storage 15
Technical data 16
Warranty 17
Please read all of the safety precautions before operating this machine.
Warning
Could cause injury or death if not followed
CaUTiOn
Could damage machine if not followed
CaUTiOn
Before using this electric tool, carefully read and observe the safety
rules and instructions listed below. Before starting work,make sure
that you know how to stop the machine in case of an emergency.
The incorrect use of this machine could cause serious injury. Keep
these instructions in a safe place and on hand so that they can be
consulted when required.
Warning
Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow all
warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire or serious
injury.
Warning
When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions
should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock
and personal injury.
Warning
The leaf shredder is designed to shred leaves, grass clippings, pine
needles etc, it can not be used to shred branches, sticks or brush.
The machine is only for household use, not commercial use.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
1. Become familiar with all sections of this owners manual before attempting to operate
the shredder. This shredder should be used solely for the purpose it was intended.
2. Use only parts or accessories specically designed for use with this shredder. Using
other parts or accessories could increase risk of injury.
3. Keep children Away – all bystanders should be kept at a distance from the work area.
4. Never allow your hands or any part of your body or clothing inside the upper housing
area.
5. Avoid dangerous environments – do not use shredder in damp or wet locations. Do
not operate or store shredder in wet areas. Do not operate in rain. Store indoors in a
dry, secure location. Keep out of reach of children.
6. This shredder should be operated on a solid, level surface.
7. Dress properly – do not wear loose clothing or jewelry, they can be caught in
moving parts. Use of work gloves and substantial footwear is advised when working
outdoors. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.
8. Stay alert – Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. Do not operate shredder
when you are tired.
9. Do not abuse power or extension cords – Never carry unit by its power cord or yank
cord to disconnect from receptacle. Keep all cords clean and away from heat, oil and
sharp edges and inspect for damage before each use.
10. Ground unit properly. Follow instructions on page 5 when connecting to electrical
outlet.
11. Warning – To reduce the risk of electrical shock, use only an extension cord intended
for outdoor use. See page 4 for additional information on extension cords.
12. Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuit(s)
or outlet(s) to be used for this shredder. Receptacles are available having built-in
GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety.
13. If it is necessary for any reason to inspect, clean or repair the shredder, turn the
shredder off and wait until it comes to a complete stop, then disconnect the power
cord before attempting such inspection or repair.
14. Disconnect shredder from the power source when not in use, before servicing, and
when changing cutting lines.
YF8000 Operating Manual
IMpORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
IMpORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

3 4
EXTENSION CORDS
Only use three-wire extension cords that have three-prong grounding plugs and three-hole
receptacles that accept the shredder’s plug. When using an extension cord, make sure
that it is in good condition. Use a 14 ga. or heavier extension cord with a maximum length
of 100 ft. An undersized extension cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of
power and overheating.
Warning – To reduce the risk of electric shock, only use extension cords intended for
outdoor use, such as cord types SW-A, SOW- A, STW-A, STO W-A, SJW-A, SJOW-A,
SJTW- A or SJTOW -A.
To prevent the appliance cord from disconnecting from the extension cord during
operation, follow the method of securing the extension cord as diagrammed below.
i) Make a knot as shown in Figure 1 or
ii) Use one of the plug-receptacle retaining straps or connectors described in this manual.
Minimum Gauge for Extension Cords
Volts Total length of cord in feet
120V 25 26-50 51-100 101-150
Ampere Rating AWG
(Extension Cord Gauge)
0-6 18 16 16 14
6-10 18 16 14 12
10-12 16 16 14 12
12-16 14 12 Not Recommended
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTSIMpORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
15. When feeding material into the leaf shredder, be extremely careful that pieces of
metal, rocks, bottles, cans or other foreign objects are not included.
16. Do not force material into the leaf shredder. It will do the job better and with less
likelihood of a risk of injury when used at the rate for which it was designed.
17. If the cutting mechanism strikes a foreign object or if your shredder should start
making an unusual noise or vibration, immediately switch it off, wait until the shredder
has come to a complete stop, then disconnect the power cord and take the following
steps:
A. Remove any foreign or clogged material.
B. Check for any loose parts and tighten to assure continued safe operation.
C. Replace or repair any damaged parts.
18. Avoid unintentional starting. Be sure switch is off when plugging in the shredder.
19. Always use safety glasses. Wear face or dust mask if operation is dusty.
20. Check discharge area periodically after stopping shredder to assure the processed
material does not build up and clog motor cooling vents.
21. Do not overreach – keep proper footing and balance at all times.
22. Do not move shredder when motor is running or with nger on the switch.
23. Maintain leaf shredder with care – follow instructions for replacing cutting lines and
for cleaning air lter. Inspect shredder power cord periodically, and if damaged, have
it repaired by an authorized service facility. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil
and grease.
24. Check damaged parts – before further use of the shredder, any part that is damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform
its intended function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts, mounting, and any other condition that may affect its operation.
A guard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an
authorized service center unless indicated elsewhere in this manual.
Method of securing cord set
Cord set Appliance cord
(A) Tie cord as shown
(B) Connect plug and receptacle Fig.1

5 6
SAFETY SYMBOLSELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
DOUBLE-INSULATED APPLIANCES
In a double-insulated appliance, two systems of insulation are provided instead of
grounding. No grounding means is provided on a double-insulated appliance, nor should
a means for grounding be added to the appliance. Servicing a double-insulated appliance
requires extreme care and knowledge of the system, and should be performed only by
qualied service personnel. Replacement parts for a double-insulated appliance must be
identical to the parts they replace. A double-insulated appliance is marked with the words
“Double Insulation” or “Double Insulated.” The symbol (square within a square) may also
be marked on the appliance.
DOUBLE-INSULATED: GROUNDING NOT REQUIRED. WHEN SERVICING, USE ONLY
IDENTICAL REPLACEMENT PARTS.
This leaf shredder is double-insulated, eliminating the need for a separate grounding
system. Use only identical replacements parts. Read the instructions for servicing double-
insulated leaf shredders before servicing. Use this leaf shredder only as described in this
manual.
Warning
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not expose to rain. Store
indoors.
Warning
For your own safety, read and understand the operator’s manual. Do
not run the unit unattended.
CaUTiOn
To reduce the risk of injury from moving parts, unplug the unit before
cleaning or servicing.
UNPACKING
Due to modern mass production techniques, it is unlikely that your leaf shredder is faulty
or that a part is missing. If you nd anything wrong, do not operate the tool until the parts
have been replaced or the fault has been rectied. Failure to do so could result in serious
personal injury.
The following table depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product.
Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before attempting to
assemble and operate.
Symbol Description
SAFETY ALERT, indicates a precaution, a
warning or a danger.
READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S) Read,
understand and follow all instructions in the
manual(s) before attempting to assemble
and operate.
WARNING! Keep out of rain and away from
wet areas.
Risk of eye injury. Use safety glasses or
similar eye protection. Wear hearing protec-
tion.
Wear protective gloves when using the ma-
chine and handling debris. Wear protective
shoes during operation.
CAUTION! Remove plug from outlet immedi-
ately if the cord is damaged or cut.
CAUTION! Remove plug from outlet before
conducting inspection, cleaning or mainte-
nance.
DANGER! Keep hands and feet away from
cutting area.
Keep bystanders at a safe distance.
Double Insulation

7 8
ASSEMBLYKNOW YOUR ELECTRIC LEAF SHREDDER
It is important to know the features and safety requirements of the leaf shredder. Do not
use the leaf shredder for purposes or applications it is not intended for.
1. Funnel cover
2. Funnel
3. Clamps (2)
4. Circuit breaker
5. Motor housing
6. Telescoping leg height adjustment knob
7. Plug and cable
8. Leg assembly holes
9. Legs (3)
10. ON/OFF switch
11. Elastic straps
12. Material selection lever
Warning
Do not connect to power supply until assembly is complete. Failure
to comply could result in accidental starting and possible serious
personal injury.
CaUTiOn
Take care when taking the components out of the box. Don’t
separate the parts by force and confirm each part is intact. If any
part is broken, please contact the service agent.
UNPACKING
1. Open the box.
2. Take out the funnel assembly and three legs.
3. Remove the motor housing from the funnel.
Fig.2
Fig.3
Fig.4
Fig.5
Cover plate Motor housing Funnel

9 10
ASSEMBLYASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLE THE SHREDDER STAND
1. Loosen the leg height adjustment knob, pull the tube to the height you need, then
tighten the knob. (Fig. 6 & 7)
2. Depress the locking pin with nger as shown in Fig. 8, insert the tube into the leg
assembly hole. Let the locking pin slip into the leg assembly hole. Repeat with the
two remaining leg assembly holes.
Fig.6
Fig.7
Fig.8
Fig.9
ASSEMBLE THE SHREDDER STAND
1. Place the motor housing on the stand. Make sure the motor housing is stable on the
legs (Fig. 10).
2. Fit the funnel onto the motor housing. Let the funnel knotch line up with the motor
housing rib. Make sure it’s locked down by the two clamps found on the motor
housing (Fig. 11).
Fig.10
Gap lines up
with rib
Motor housing
rib guide
Fig.11
Leg height adjustment knob
Locking pin

11 12
OpERATIONASSEMBLY
3. Fit the funnel cover over the funnel. Make sure the locking tabs on the funnel cover
are securely attached to the funnel (Fig. 12).
USING THE COLLECTING BAG
NOTE: This unit does not come with a leaf collecting bag. See below for an example on
how to attach your leaf collecting bag.
1. Place the bag opening around the motor housing, then use the elastic strap to tighten
the bag, ensure the bag connects with the housing rmly (Fig. 13).
Fig.12
Fig.13
ON/OFF SWITCH
The On/Off switch is located on the lower side of the motor housing portion of the power
head. To turn on the leaf shredder, push the green button. To turn off the leaf shredder,
push the red button (Fig. 14).
NOTE: If the unit stops unexpectedly, push the red button, wait 1 minute and then press
the circuit breaker.
CaUTiOn
To prevent exposure to dusty air, don’t stand in front of the motor
ventilation slots.
LOADING YOUR MACHINE
With the leaf shredder running, feed double-handfuls of dry leaves, or single-handfuls of
wet leaves, into the funnel. Allow the machine to shred the load completely and regain
speed before inserting the next handful. Do not overload the machine by letting it labor at
low speed: this may cause the motor to stop. If this happens, turn the switch off, unplug
the machine, clear the unshredded material from the funnel, restart the machine, and
continue with your shredding.
Warning
Filling mulcher with unshredded material at a rate faster than the
machine can handle may result in permanent damage to your motor.
Always wear protective glasses and a mask.
Fig.14 Circuit breaker On/Off button
Put the edge of bag under
the elastic straps

13 14
MAINTENANCEOpERATION
MATERIAL SELECTION LEVER
The material selection lever (shown in Fig. 15), controls the particle size and speed at
which material goes through the unit. With the selection lever in the COARSE position,
material will process through the unit faster, but will give you a larger particle size than
if the lever were in the FINE position. The FINE position setting will discharge material
slower, but will give the smallest particle size. Use special settings for pine needles, grass
clippings and thatch. For best results, material should be shredded when dry.
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Fig.15
CLEANING YOUR UNIT
Your unit requires a minimum of maintenance other than cleaning. It is recommended that
you clean out built-up residue inside the housing area during and after each use. When
fully disassembled, clean the funnel cover and funnel with clean water, while using a dry
cloth to clean the motor housing. Replace cutting line as often as necessary and clean the
air lter frequently.
CaUTiOn
Directly cleaning the motor housing with water will lead to
permanent damage to the motor.
REPLACEMENT OF CUTTING LINE
Replace cutting line when a noticeable decrease in shredding efciency is observed. To
remove used cutting lines, cut the old lines and pull the remaining line out of the spinner
head. When installing new cutting lines, place each end of the new line through the two
holes in the post on top of the spinner head and pull through so that both ends of the line
are even. Then thread the lines through each corresponding ferrule so that both ends of
the line are even.
NOTE: There is a built in line cutter that will cut and trim lines shortly longer than desired.
Warning
For optimum performance, use only recommended replacement
lines. Aftermarket monofilament lines having a maximum diameter
of 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) and a maximum length of 12 in. (30.5 cm) could be
temporarily substituted. Use of thicker lines, lines made of substitute
material or lines greater than 12” long may result in permanent
damage to the leaf shredder.
Fig.16

15 16
STORAgE
When the leaf mulcher is stored at the end of the season, disassemble and stack in the
following order:
1. Place the funnel into the box.
2. Fit the motor housing into the funnel.
3. Place the funnel cover onto the motor housing
4. Rest the legs in the box beside assembly.
Fig.17
TECHNICAL DATA
Rated Voltage: 120 V, 60 Hz
Rated Power: 13 amp
No Load Speed: 8,000/min
Mulch Ratio: 12:1
Max. Cutting Diameter: 12 in. (30.4 cm)
Line Diameter: 0.095 in. (0.25 cm)
Weight: 13.45 lbs (6.1 kg)

17
WARRANTY
Product Warranty
Please keep your original purchase receipt in a safe place as proof of purchase. Warranty coverage for
this product must be verified by the original purchase receipt. The warranty period begins on the day
that the product was purchased from an authorized retailer of Yard Force products. Warranty coverage
only applies to the original purchaser and is not transferrable. Warranty coverage is only provided on
products purchased from authorized Yard Force retailers.
This product is warranted for use in the USA only. Use outside of the USA will void the warranty.
(2) Two-Year Warranty – Pump and Motor
The YF8000 has a 2-Year Limited Warranty from the date of purchase against manufacturer defects for
residential use only. Commercial use voids the warranty. This warranty does not cover accidental
damage, unreasonable use, normal wear and tear, neglect or non-compliance with the Operating,
Safety and Maintenance Instructions. All service, outside of normal maintenance as described in this
manual, must be done by an authorized service technician. Any unauthorized service or changes to the
original configuration of this product will void the warranty. All parts and accessories used on and with
this product must be manufacturedand/or authorized by SUMEC North America.
Warranty does not cover loss of use or other consequential damages arising from any of the above, nor
does it cover repairs made or attempted by unauthorized persons. This warranty is void if the product
is used for commercial, rental or industrial purposes. Certain parts, attachments and accessories are
subject to normal wear and tear and are excluded from the warranty.
Service and Warranty Claims Process
Contact the Yard Force Support Center toll-free at 1-866-902-9690 Monday-Friday between 8:30 AM
and 5:00 PM Eastern Time for service and warranty support.
Yard Force USA Service Support agents can help you troubleshoot problems over the phone to get
you back up and running as quickly as possible. In the situation where service or warranty inspection is
needed, please follow these steps:
1. Contact Yard Force USA at 1-866-902-9690 Monday-Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM
Eastern Time.
2. Send in proof-of-purchase and serial number (if applicable) to confirm warranty coverage.
3. If service or a warranty evaluation is requested, Yard Force USA will provide an RGA number that
should be used in all communications with Yard Force USA and is required to be indicated on the
product itself and on the outside of the box.
4. All shipments to Yard Force USA must have an RGA number. Any shipment received that does not
have an RGA number clearly marked on the outside of the box will be refused.
5. All shipments must be sent pre-paid, Yard Force USA does not pay for any shipping costs for
service or warranty evaluation. Yard Force USA is not responsible for any packages that are lost
by carrier. We recommend that shipments are made by a carrier that provides tracking and delivery
confirmation.
For more information or to ask questions, please call toll-free 1-866-902-9690 Monday-Friday between
8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time.