Pro Force® Debris Blower

Important: Install the jack stand to stabilize the blower before the blower frame is unbolted from the shipping crate or the crate is removed.

1. Remove the top of the crate (Figure 3).

   

   Figure 3

   1. Top of crate
   2. End of crate
   3. Top of machine
   4. Board under blower housing

2. Remove the end of the crate which is toward the top of the machine (Figure 3).

3. Remove the board that is under the blower housing (Figure 3).

4. Secure a strap to the top end assembly and lift the pallet until the crate and blower is standing up vertically (Figure 4).

   

   Figure 4

   1. Lift strap
   2. Top end assembly

5. Remove the snapper pin securing the jack-stand tube to the storage tube (Figure 5). Remove the jack assembly from the storage position.

   

   Figure 5

   1. Snapper pin
   2. Jack-stand tube

6. Remove the strap from the pallet and attach it to the lift loop on the blower (Figure 6).

7. Lift the blower until the strap is tight.

   

   Figure 6

   1. Lift loop

8. Carefully remove the bolts holding the blower to the wood pallet.

9. Slide the crate away from the blower and lower the blower until the castor wheels touch the floor keeping the strap tight (Figure 7).

   

   Figure 7

   1. Bolts

10. Insert the jack-stand tube into the frame tube, align the holes, and secure it into position with the snapper pin (Figure 8).

    

    Figure 8

    1. Frame tube
    2. Snapper pin
    3. Jack stand

11. Remove the cable tie securing the crank handle to the jack crank.

12. Crank the jack stand down until the jack pad is level with the castor wheel tires.

13. Remove the strap from the blower lift loop.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Remove the cable tie securing the drive shaft to the shipping crate.

2. Slide the drive shaft onto the gear box shaft.

3. Align the mounting holes in the gear box shaft with the holes in the drive shaft and slide them together.

   

   Figure 9

   1. Roll pin
   2. Safety chains
   3. Drive shaft
   4. Bolts, 5/16 x 1-3/4 inch
   5. Locknuts, 5/16 inch
   6. Gear box shaft

4. Secure the assembly with a roll pin (Figure 9).

5. Secure the drive shaft to the gear box shaft with 2 bolts (5/16 x 1-3/4 inch) and 2 locknuts (5/16 inch) (Figure 9).

6. Torque the bolts to 18 to 25 N∙m (175 to 225 in-lb).

7. Remove the cable tie that is keeping the drive shaft together

8. Secure the safety chain to the blower frame (Figure 9).

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Remove the bolts securing the mounting plate to the crate (Figure 10).

   

   Figure 10

   1. Mounting plate

2. Install the mounting plate to debris blower frame with 4 bolts (1/2 x 1-1/4 inch) and 4 locknuts (1/2 inch) (Figure 11).

   Note: Use the lower set of holes on each side of the mounting plate.

   

   Figure 11

   1. Mounting plate
   2. Bolts
   3. Locknuts

3. Torque the bolts to 92 to 113 N∙m (68 to 82 ft-lb).

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Remove any attachments from the front of the machine.

2. Move the traction unit into position behind the attachment adapter.

3. Raise the traction unit adapter into the attachment adapter.

   Note: Raise the jack stand higher than the castors.

4. Insert the locking pin through the adapters and secure it with a hairpin cotter (Figure 12).

   

   Figure 12

   1. Locking pin
   2. Hairpin cotter

5. Install the drive shaft to the quick attach frame by sliding the quick coupler onto the shaft (Figure 13).

   

   Figure 13

   1. Drive shaft
   2. Quick attach frame shaft

6. Secure the safety chain to the quick attach frame (Figure 13).

7. Remove the dust plugs from the hydraulic couplers and ensure that the couplers are free of any dirt or debris.

8. Connect the attachment hydraulic hose couplers to the hydraulic couplers on the traction unit rear auxiliary hydraulic power kit.

   Important: Whenever the hydraulic hose couplers are disconnected, make sure the dust plugs are cleaned and then installed to prevent contamination from entering either hydraulic system.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Using the hole in the bottom of the front frame, loosely mount the proximity switch with the washers and jam nuts (Figure 14).

   

   Figure 14

   1. Proximity switch
   2. Jam nut and washer
   3. Flange nut
   4. Carriage bolt
   5. Sensor plate

2. Loosely mount the sensor plate to the left lift arm with 2 carriage bolts (5/16 x 1-1/4 inch) and 2 flange nuts.

   Note: Do not tighten the jam nuts at this time.

3. Position the sensor plate as shown in Figure 14.

   Note: Make sure the switch does not contact the sensor plate.

4. Start the machine, raise the blower, then stop the machine.

5. Adjust the sensor plate until it aligns with the proximity switch and tighten the carriage bolt nuts. Ensure that it does not contact the proximity switch.

6. Using the jam nuts, adjust the proximity switch up or down until the gap between the switch plunger and the sensor plate is 3.8 to 4.3 mm (0.150 to 0.170 inch) (Figure 15).

7. Torque the jam nuts to 20 N∙m (15 ft-lb) when the gap is attained.

   

   Figure 15

   1. 3.8 to 4.3 mm (0.150 to 0.170 inch) gap

8. Connect the wires from the proximity switch to the front attachment up switch on the Groundsmaster 360 electrical accessory kit

9. When the switch is adjusted correctly, the blower should shut off if it is raised.

Note: When the traction unit is converted back to a mowing machine, the PTO will not come on when the front attachment is in the fully raised position. To engage the mower, the front attachment must be fully lowered.

Parts needed for this procedure:

Press the front or back of the rocker switch to raise or lower the front attachment (Figure 16).

Press the front or back of the rocker switch to rotate the nozzle to the desired direction (Figure 16).

Figure 16

1. Tap to float the front attachment down. Hold the button to power down the attachment.
2. Press to raise and hold the front attachment.
3. Press to rotate the blower nozzle right.
4. Press to rotate the blower nozzle left.

Note: All references to right and left orientation are determined by normal operating position.

Figure 17

1. Joystick forward
2. Joystick right
3. Joystick back
4. Joystick left
5. Left-hand toggle
6. Right-hand toggle
7. Joystick

The blower nozzle can be operated at a height range from 114 to 216 mm (4.5 to 8.5 inches). To adjust the blower nozzle height, position the castor wheel axles in the upper or lower holes of the castor forks and add or remove an equal number of spacers from the castor forks.

1. Start the engine and raise the blower off the floor so the castor wheels can be changed.

2. Stop the engine and remove the key after the blower is raised.

3. Position the castor wheel axles in the same holes in both castor forks (Figure 19).

   Note: Use the lower castor fork axle mounting holes to attain higher blower nozzle height.

   

   Figure 19

   1. Tensioning cap
   2. Spacers
   3. Shims
   4. Axle mounting holes
   5. Castor Wheel

4. Remove the tensioning cap from the spindle shaft (Figure 19) and slide the spindle out of the castor arm.

5. Put the 2 shims (1/8 inch) onto the spindle shaft as they were originally installed.

   Note: These shims are required to achieve a level across the entire width of the blower.

6. Slide the appropriate number of 1/2 inch spacers onto the spindle shaft to get the desired height; then slide the washer onto the shaft.

7. Push the castor spindle through the castor arm.

8. Install the shims (as they were originally installed) and the remaining spacers onto the spindle shaft.

9. Install the tensioning cap to secure the assembly.

• Practice operating the blower. It is advisable to blow the same direction the wind is blowing to prevent material from blowing back into the cleared area.

• Be alert, slow down, and use caution when making turns. Look behind and to the side before changing directions.

• Be aware of the blower nozzle direction and do not point it at anyone.

• Use care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

• Check carefully for overhead clearances (i.e. branches, doorways, electrical wires) before driving under any objects and do not allow them to contact the blower screen.

• Reduce your speed when making sharp turns and when turning on hillsides.

• Before backing up, look to the rear and ensure that no one is behind the machine.

• Use caution when blowing around newly planted sod as the force of the air could disrupt the grass.

• Stay away from the nozzle opening when the machine is operating. Keep all bystanders away from the nozzle opening and don’t direct discharge toward bystanders.

• Do not take an injury risk. When a person or pet appears unexpectedly in or near the operating area, stop operation. Careless operation, combined with terrain angles, ricochets or improperly positioned guards can lead to thrown object injuries. Do not resume operation until the area is cleared.

Important: Raise the blower before transporting. If the nozzle is left in the down position during transport, the nozzle may contact the ground and damage to the nozzle may occur.

The debris blower has bearings and bushings that must be lubricated regularly. If the machine is operated under normal conditions, lubricate bearings with No. 2 general purpose lithium base grease after every 50 hours of operation. Lubricate fittings immediately after every washing, regardless of the interval listed.

The lubrication points are as follows:

Drive pulley (Figure 20)

Figure 20

Shown with cover removed

Castor wheel shaft (2) (Figure 21)

Figure 21

Drive shaft (Figure 22)

Figure 22

Gear box capacity: 207ml (7 oz).

1. Position the machine and blower on a level surface and lower the blower.

2. Remove the 5 bolts and washers securing the gear case cover to the blower (Figure 23).

   

   Figure 23

   1. Cover
   2. Washer
   3. Screw
   4. Gear box

3. Remove the cover to expose the blower gear case (Figure 23).

4. Remove the check/fill plug from the side of the gear box (Figure 24).

   

   Figure 24

   1. Check/fill plug
   2. Drain plug

5. Check the oil level to make sure it is up to the plug hole in the gear box. If the lubricant level is low, add enough SAE 80-90 weight gear lube to raise the level up to the hole.

6. Install the check/fill plug to the gear box.

7. Install the cover.

Adjust the belt if the belt slips when changing direction of the nozzle.

1. Press the belt, at the center of the longest span, with 30 N∙m (22 lb) of force (Figure 27).

   Note: The belt should deflect 4.8 mm (0.19 inch).

2. If the deflection is incorrect, proceed to the next step. If it is correct, continue operation.

   

   Figure 27

   1. Flange nut
   2. Hex nut
   3. Depress belt here

3. Loosen the hex nut and tighten the flange nut to increase the belt tension (Figure 27).

   Note: Do not over tighten.

4. Tighten the hex nut to lock the adjustment.

1. Remove grass clippings, dirt, and grime from the external parts of the entire blower.

   Important: You can wash the machine with mild detergent and water. Do not pressure wash the machine. Avoid excessive use of water.

2. Check and tighten all bolts and nuts. Replace any worn parts.

3. Paint all scratched or bare metal surfaces. Paint is available from your Authorized Service Dealer.

4. Store the machine in a clean, dry garage, or storage area. Use the jack stand to store the blower in the upright position. Do not lay the blower down on the ground.