Bolens BL3100 Operator's Manual page 13

Fig. 14
OPERATING AS A VACUUM
Converting to Vacuum
1. Start engine. See Starting/Stopping Instructions.
2. Set the blower/vacuum mode change-over lever to
the down position (Vacuum Mode) (Fig. 17).
NOTE: Never use the unit with the lever in a position half
way between either mode.
3. Place the shoulder harness over your head, onto
your shoulder and adjust it if necessary. Refer to
Installing the Shoulder Harness.
Change-over lever
WARNING: To prevent serious personal injury
or damage to the unit, always install vacuum
tubes, the vacuum bag and make sure the
vacuum bag is completely zipped closed
when operating this unit as a vacuum.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Vacuum
Mode
Blower
Mode
Fig. 17
Vacuum Operation Procedures
Check for the following before operating the unit:
• Operator is wearing proper clothing, such as boots,
safety glasses or goggles, ear/hearing protection,
gloves, long pants and long sleeve shirt
• If the conditions are dusty, operator is equipped with a
dust mask or face mask
• The unit is in good working condition-- the vacuum
tubes and vacuum bag are in place and secure.
• The vacuum bag harness is in place and adjusted
Use the unit for vacuuming up light debris like leaves
and paper. Hold the vacuum, tilting the suction tube
slightly (50-100 mm or 2-4 inches), and use a sweeping
action to collect light debris (Fig. 18). The debris will flow
into the vacuum bag. Items such as small leaves and
small twigs will be mulched as they pass through the fan
housing, allowing the vacuum bag to hold more debris.
When the bag is full, suction will noticeably decrease.
Turn off the unit and allow the impeller to stop before you
unzip the bag. Unzip the bag and empty the contents
before continuing. Refer to Emptying the Vacuum Bag.
WARNING: To avoid serious personal
injury, never unzip the vacuum bag without
stopping the unit first
WARNING: As a vacuum, the unit is
designed to pick up dry material such as
leaves, grass, small twigs and bits of paper.
To avoid serious personal injury, do not
attempt to vacuum wet debris and/or
standing water as this may result in damage
to the blower/ vacuum. To avoid severe
damage to the impeller, do not vacuum metal,
broken glass or similar items.
WARNING: Avoid situations that could
catch the vacuum bag on fire. Do not
operate near an open flame. Do not
vacuum warm ash from fireplaces,
barbecue pits, brush piles, etc. Do not
vacuum discarded cigars or cigarettes
unless the cinders are completely cool.
Fig. 18
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