This document is an owner's guide for 5 and 8 H.P. shredders, specifically covering models 243-645B000, 243-648B000, 243-650B000, and 243-651B000. It provides comprehensive instructions for assembly, operation, maintenance, and parts, and emphasizes safety throughout. The guide meets ANSI safety standards.
Function Description:
The device is a chipper-shredder designed to process vegetation found in a normal yard, such as branches, leaves, and twigs. It features both a hopper for shredding smaller materials and a chipper chute for larger branches. The shredded material is collected in an attached catcher bag. The unit is powered by an internal combustion engine, with specific instructions provided for both Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh engines.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Engine Horsepower: Available in 5 H.P. and 8 H.P. configurations.
- Shredding Capacity (Hopper): Accommodates leaves and small branches up to 1/2" in diameter.
- Chipping Capacity (Chipper Chute): Handles bulky material, stalks, or heavy branches up to 3" in diameter.
- Fuel: The unit is shipped without gasoline or oil, requiring the user to service the engine with appropriate fuel and oil as per the separate engine manual.
- Spark Arrester: Equipped with an internal combustion engine, the unit requires a spark arrester for use on unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land, as mandated by local, state, and federal laws (e.g., California Public Resources Code Section 4442). A spark arrester for the muffler is available through authorized service dealers.
- Blade Tightening Torque: When reassembling the shredding blade, it should be tightened to between 550 and 650 inch-pounds.
Usage Features:
- Assembly: The shredder comes partially assembled, with the hopper, lower and upper leaf ramp sections, chute deflector, and catcher bag requiring user installation. Tools needed include a Phillips screwdriver, 1/2" wrenches (one socket wrench recommended), and 7/16" or adjustable wrenches.
- Controls: Key controls include a Release Bar for the leaf ramp, a Choke Lever for starting a cold engine, a Starter Handle for manual engine start, and a Throttle Control for engine speed and stopping.
- Starting Procedure: Involves placing the shredder on a level surface, attaching the spark plug wire, servicing the engine with fuel and oil, opening the fuel shut-off valve (8 H.P. Briggs & Stratton only), setting the throttle to FAST, moving the choke lever to CHOKE (if cold), priming the engine (Tecumseh only), and pulling the starter rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.
- Stopping Procedure: Involves moving the throttle control lever to STOP, disconnecting the spark plug wire, and closing the fuel shut-off valve (8 H.P. Briggs & Stratton only).
- Material Feeding:
- Hopper (Raised Position): For leaves and small branches up to 1/2" diameter. A small diameter stick (not exceeding 1/2") can be used to push material.
- Leaf Ramp (Lowered Position): For raking in leaves and small twigs up to 1/2" diameter.
- Chipper Chute: For bulky material, stalks, or heavy branches up to 3" in diameter. The leaf ramp must be raised when using the chipper chute.
- Safety Precautions: Emphasizes wearing safety glasses or eye shields, avoiding placing hands or body parts near moving components, not operating in enclosed areas due to carbon monoxide, handling gasoline with care, and ensuring guards and deflectors are in place. The guide also warns against feeding foreign objects (metal, rocks, bottles, cans) into the shredder and against altering engine governor settings.
Maintenance Features:
- General Maintenance:
- Lubrication: Pivot points on the release bar, leaf ramp, chute deflector, and chipper chute should be lubricated once a season with light oil.
- Engine Maintenance: Refer to the separate engine manual for detailed instructions on oil, air cleaner, and spark plug.
- Cleaning: The shredder can be cleaned by running water through the hopper and chipper chute with the engine running. The catcher bag should be washed periodically and air-dried.
- Flail Screen: If the discharge area clogs, the flail screen needs to be removed and cleaned. This involves stopping the engine, disconnecting the spark plug wire, loosening hand knobs on the chute deflector, removing hairpin clips and clevis pins, and lifting the screen from inside the housing.
- Chipper Blades: To sharpen or replace, disconnect the spark plug wire, remove the flail screen and chipper chute, then rotate the impeller assembly to access and remove the blades. Ensure equal material removal if sharpening and reassemble with the sharp edge facing the slotted opening.
- Shredding Blade: To sharpen or replace, disconnect the spark plug wire, lower the leaf ramp, block up the housing, remove hex lock nuts and washers, separate the shredder into two halves, and remove the back-up plate. The blade can be tested for balance on a round shaft screwdriver or nail.
- Flails: Located inside the housing, flails can be reversed when dull. This procedure is recommended to be performed by an authorized dealer.
- Carburetor Adjustment: Minor adjustments may be needed for fuel, temperature, altitude, or load differences. A dirty air cleaner can cause rough engine operation. Refer to the engine manual for specific instructions.
- Off-Season Storage: Includes cleaning and lubricating the shredder, following engine storage instructions, coating metal parts with light oil or silicone if storing in an unventilated or metal shed, and storing in a dry, clean area away from corrosive materials or open flames/sparks.
The guide also includes a troubleshooting section for common issues like engine failure to start, loss of power, engine overheating, excessive vibration, and discharge problems, providing possible causes and corrective actions. It strongly advises contacting an authorized service dealer for repairs beyond minor adjustments.
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