Getting to know the machine. Mitox 260BX Premium Leaf Blower

260BX Premium Blower

280BVX Premium Blower/Vacuum

SAFETY REGULATIONS

This machine is extremely noisy and operators must wear acoustic protection equipment.

A) TRAINING

1) W A RNING! Read these instructions carefully before operating the machine. Become acquainted with the controls and the proper use of the machine. Learn how to stop the engine quickly.

2) Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these instructions to use the machine. Local laws can restrict the minimum age of the operator.

3) Never use the machine if the user is tired or unwell, or has taken medicine, drugs, alcohol or any substances which may slow their reflexes and compromise his judgment.

4) Bear in mind that the operator or user is responsible for accidents or unexpected events occurring to other people or their property.

5) If the machine is sold or lent to others, make sure that the operator reads the user instructions contained in this manual.

B) PRELIMIN A RY OPERATIONS

1) A lways wear adequate clothing which does not hamper movements when using the machine.

• A lways wear slim-fitting protective clothes, anti-vibration gloves, protective goggles, half-mask respirator, protective earplugs, anti-shear safety boots with non–slip soles

• Never wear scarves, shirts, necklaces or any hanging or flapping accessory that could catch in the machine

• Tie your hair back if it is long

2) W A RNING: D A NGER! Petrol is highly flammable

• Keep the fuel in containers which have been specifically manufactured and homologated for such use

• A dd fuel, using a funnel, only outdoors; do not smoke during this operation and each time fuel is handled

• Slowly open the fuel tank to allow the pressure inside to decrease gradually

• A dd fuel before starting the engine; never remove the tank cap or add fuel while the engine is running or when the engine is hot

• A lways put the tank and fuel container caps back on and tighten well

• Immediately clean up all traces of fuel spilt on the machine or on the ground

• Never start the machine in the same place you refilled it with fuel; the engine must be started in an area at least 3 meters from where you refilled the fuel tank

• Make sure your clothing does not come into contact with the fuel, if this happens, change your clothes before starting the engine

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4) Replace faulty or damaged silencers.

5) Before using the machine, carry out an accurate inspection of the machine's efficiency and in particular:

• the throttle trigger must move freely, it must not need forcing and should return automatically and rapidly back to the neutral position

• the engine stop switch must easily move from one position to the other

• the electric cables and in particular the spark plug cable must be in perfect condition to avoid the generation of any sparks and the cap must be correctly fitted on the spark plug

• the machine handgrips and protection devices must be clean and dry and well fastened to the machine

• the guards must never be damaged

• the rotor must never be damaged

• the bag must never be damaged

6) Thoroughly inspect the whole work area and use a rake or yard brush to manually loosen debris and remove anything that could be projected by the machine (when used as a blower) or block the vacuum tube (when used as a vacuum collector) or be a hazardous source (stones, branches, wire, bones etc.)

C) DURING USE

1) Do not operate the engine in a confined space where dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can develop.

2) Work only in daylight or with good artificial light in good visibility conditions.

3) When working in dry dusty soil conditions, it is recommended to moisten the surface slightly.

4) Try not to cause any disturbance. Use this machine at reasonable times of the day only (not early morning or late evening when the noise could cause disturbance).

5) Do not mount equipment or accessories on the machine not foreseen or approved by the manufacturer.

6) Never use the machine: Without mounting all the accessories required for each use (as blower or vacuum collector); when people, especially children or pets are nearby; In confined spaces, in the presence of fumes, in an explosive environment or close to inflammable materials or electrical equipment.

7) Take on a firm and well-balanced position:

• where possible, avoid working on wet, slippery ground or in any case on uneven or steep ground that does not guarantee stability for the operator

• never run, but walk carefully paying attention to the lay of the land and any eventual obstacles

• assess the potential risks of the ground to be worked and take all necessary precautions to ensure your own safety, especially on slopes or on bumpy, slippery or unstable ground

8) Make sure the machine is securely held when you start the engine:

• check that there is nobody within at least 15 metres of the machine’s range of action

• do not direct the silencer and therefore the exhaust fumes towards inflammable materials

9) Do not change the engine settings or over-speed the engine.

10) Do not strain the machine too much and do not use a small machine for heavy-duty works.

If you use the right machine, you will reduce the risk of hazards and improve the quality of your work.

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260BX Premium Blower

280BVX Premium Blower/Vacuum

11) Ensure the machine does not come into contact with foreign bodies and possible flying debris and dust being thrown up by the air flow; do not direct the air jet in the direction of people or animals.

12) When used as a blower always pay the utmost attention to prevent removed material or dust from injuring people or animals or damaging property. A lways assess wind direction and never work against the wind. A lways extend the blower tube correctly so that the air flow works close to the earth.

13) Never insert objects into the vacuum inlet (when being used as a vacuum collector) and avoid the intake of large objects that could damage the rotor.

14) During use keep your hands well away from the intake grille and from the air outlet and do not obstruct the air vents.

15) Stop the engine:

• when mounting or removing accessories for blowing or collecting

• whenever you leave the machine unattended

• before refuelling

• when moving between work areas

16) Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug cable:

• before checking, cleaning or working on the machine;

• after the intake of a foreign body. Inspect the machine for any damage and make repairs before restarting it again;

• if the machine starts to vibrate abnormally (find and rem ve the cause of the vibration immediately);

• when the machine is not in use.

17) To avoid the risk of fire, do not le ve the machine with the engine hot on leaves, dry grass or other inflammable material

18) W A RNING – If something breaks or an accident occurs while working, turn off the engin immediately and move the machine away to prevent further damage; if an accident occurs with injuries or third parties are injured, carry out the first aid measures most suitable for the situatio immediately and contact the medical authorities for any necessary health care. Carefully remove any debris that might cause damage or harm persons or animals should they not be seen.

19) W A RNING The noise and vibration levels shown in these instructions are the maximum levels for use of the machine. Insufficient maintenance has a significant impact on vibration and no emissions. Consequently, it is necessary to take preventive steps to eliminate possible damage due to high levels of noise and stress from vibration. Maintain the machine well, wear ear protection devices, and take breaks while working.

20) Rotating parts can cause serious injury, avoid contacting the rotating parts when they are still rotating.

21) Don't operate the machine near open windows.

22) Operating the machine with a stable speed and gripping the handle firmly with suitabl force can decrease the vibration level. Low engine speed means low-noise level, so operate the machine at the lowest engine speed necessary to accomplish the task. During a working day, you should take frequent and adequate breaks to prevent damage from vibration and damage to the ears.

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23) Prolonged exposure to vibrations can cause injuries and neurovascular disorders (also called

“Raynaud’s syndrome” or “white hand”), especially to people suffering from circulation disorders

The symptoms can affect the hands, wrists and fingers and are s wn through loss of sensitivity, torpor, itching, pain and discolouring of or structural changes to the skin. These effects ca be worsened by low ambient temperatures and/or by gripping the handgrips excessively tightly.

If the symptoms occur, the length of time the machine is used must be reduced and a doctor consulted.

D) MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE

1) W A RNING: Before cleaning or doing maintenance work, disconnect the spark plug cap and read the relevant instructions. Wear proper clothing and protective gloves whenever your hands are at risk.

2) W A RNING: Never use the machine with worn or damaged parts. Faulty or worn-out parts must always be replaced and not repaired. Only use original spare parts: the use of non-original and/or incorrectly fitted parts will jeopardize the machine, impair safety and may cause accidents or personal injuries for which the Manufacturer is under no circumstance liable or responsible.

3) A ny adjustments or maintenance operations not described in this manual must be carried out by your Dealer or a specialized Service Centre with the necessary knowledge and equipment to ensure that the work is done correctly maintaining the machine’s original safety level. A ny operations performed in unauthorized centres or by unqualified persons will totally invalidate the

Warranty and all obligations and responsibilities of the Manufacturer.

4) Keep all nuts and screws tight to be sure the machine is always in a safe working condition.

Routine maintenance is essential for safety and for maintaining a high performance level.

5) Do not perform any work on the machine that is not described in this manual unless adequately skilled with appropriate tools.

6) Do not store the machine with fuel in the tank in an area where the fuel vapours could reach an open flame, a spark or a strong heat source.

7) A llow the engine to cool down before storing the machine in any enclosure.

8) To reduce fire hazards, keep the engine, exhaust silencer and fuel storage area free from sawdust, branches, leaves, or excessive grease; never leave containers with the debris inside the storage area.

9) If the fuel tank has to be emptied, this should be done outdoors once the engine has cooled down.

10) Wear work gloves when performing all maintenance.

11) Before putting the machine away, check you have removed wrenches or tools used for maintenance.

12) Store the machine out of the reach of children!

13) Often inspect the bag to avoid wear and a decrease in quality.

E) TRANSPORTATION AND HANDLING

1) Whenever the machine is to be handled or transported you must:

• Turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug cap

• Only hold the machine using the handgrips and position the tubes so that they do not obstruct

2) When using a vehicle to transport the machine, remove the tubes and position it so that it can cause no danger to persons and fasten it firmly in place to avoid it from tipping over, ensure the machine is drained of fuel before transporting.

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260BX Premium Blower

280BVX Premium Blower/Vacuum

F) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Environmental protection should be a priority of considerable importance when using the machine, for the benefit of both social coexistence and the environment in which we live. Try not to cause any disturbance to the surrounding area.

• Scrupulously comply with local regulations and provisions for the disposal of oils, petrol, damaged parts or any elements which have a strong impact on the environment; this waste must not be disposed of as normal waste, it must be separated and taken to specified waste disposal centres where the material will be recycled.

• A t the time of decommissioning, do not pollute the environment.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. PREPARE THE MACHINE

The machine can be used as both a blower and a vacuum collector; for both of these uses it is necessary to correctly arrange the appropriate accessories included with the equipment.

Unpacking and completing the assembly should be done on a flat and stable surface, with enough space for moving the machine and its packaging, always making use of suitable equipment.

IMPORTANT The safety systems prevent the engine from starting if the vacuum or blower tubes are not assembled correctly.

1.1 USE AS A BLOWER (Fig. 1)

– A lign the protrusions of the first blower tube

(1) with the air outlet nozzle compartments (2), then push the tube until it is firmly in place

– A lign the compartment of the second blower tube (3) with the protrusion (4) of the first tube, push the tube in and rotate it 90 degrees clockwise to one of the two available positions, until it is firmly in place

NOTE Fit the second tube with a flat or round end depending on the type of work to be accomplished; flat for a wider stream of air and higher velocity; round for more accuracy and a higher volume of air. To remove the first tube (1), insert the screwdriver included in the kit in the hole (5) and press firmly until you can slide the tube out from the air outlet nozzle.

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1.2 USE AS A VACUUM COLLECTOR (Fig. 2)

– A lign the protrusions of the bag coupling tube (1) with the air outlet nozzle compartments (2), then push the tube until it is firmly in place

– Insert the end nozzle of the coupling tube (1) into the bag inlet (3) and close the inlet with the velcro fastener provided (4).

– Connect the first vacuum tube (5) to the second (6), aligning the t o reference arrows (7) and pushing it as far as possible until the protrusion (6a) of the second tube is firmly inserted in th hole (5a) of the first vacuum tube

– Insert the screwdriver included in the kit in the hole (8) and press to release the catch and open the intake grille (9).

– A lign the reference plugs (10) with their respective compartments (11) on the firs vacuum tube and turn it counter clockwise, until it is firmly i place.

– Position the bag over the shoulder and use the adjustable shoulder strap to regulate the height.

Only available with 280BVX Blower/Vacuum

NOTE The machine is correctly assembled when the rounded part of the chute curves down towards the base of the machine.

2. PREPARING TO WORK

2.1 CHECKING THE MACHINE

Before starting work please:

– check that all the screws on the machine are tightly fastened

– when used as a vacuum collector, make sure the bag is fitted correctly and that the zipper is closed

– check that the air filter is clean

– check that the hand grips are well fastened

– prepare accessories according to the type of work (as blower or vacuum collector) and make sure they are correctly mounted

– fill with fuel as indicated below

2.2 PREPARING THE FUEL MIXTURE

This machine is fitted with a t o-stroke engine which requires a mixture of petrol and 2-Stroke oil.

IMPORTANT Using petrol alone will damage the engine and is cause for invalidation of the warranty.

IMPORTANT Use only quality fuels and oils to maintain high performance and guarantee the duration of the mechanical parts over time.

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260BX Premium Blower

280BVX Premium Blower/Vacuum

2.2.1 Petrol characteristics

Only use unleaded petrol with a fuel grade of at least 90 RON.

IMPORT A NT Ethanol in Unleaded petrol creates deposits in the container and machine if left for more than 1 month. A lways use fresh petrol!

2.2.2 Oil characteristics

Only use top quality synthetic oil specifically for two-stroke engines. Your Dealer can provide you with oils which have been specifically developed for this type of engine, and which are capable of guaranteeing a high level of protection.

2.2.3 Preparation and preservation of the fuel mixture

Petrol and the fuel mixture are highly inflammable!

– Keep the petrol and fuel mixture in homologated fuel containers, in a safe place, away from any flames or heat sources

– Never leave the containers within the reach of children.

– Never smoke whilst preparing the mixture and avoid inhaling the petrol fumes.

Two-Stroke Fuel

Refuel outdoors on bare ground, restart the engine at least 5m away from the refuelling stop.

The engine is lubricated by oil mixed into petrol. Prepare a mixture of Unleaded petrol and semi-synthetic two-stroke oil that meets the specifications of: API TC, ISO-L-EGC, JASO FC (Low

Smoke) oil.

Recommended mixing ratio is 40:1

FUEL WITH NO OIL (RAW PETROL) will cause severe damage to the engine which is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Use fresh, unleaded petrol (90 RON) and semi-synthetic oil specially made for high performance two-stroke engines. Mix in a ratio of 40 parts petrol to 1 part oil. By using two-stroke oil specially made for two-stroke engines you will reduce the formation of ash and carbon deposits on the spark plug, piston, exhaust muffler and cylinder as well as reducing emissions of harmful exhaust gases.

Oil for 4-cycle engines should not be used as two-stroke lubrication oil as it can cause fouling of the spark plug, exhaust port blocking, piston ring sticking and other internal engine damage.

NOTE

Due to increased Ethanol content in petrol we recommend the use of B3C Ethanol Shield 2-Stroke Oil, or Ethanol Shield Fuel Stabiliser to protect your MITOX® engine against the harmful effects of

Ethanol.

Visit www.b3cfuel.co.uk

for more information.

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