1.1. Carefully read this user manual ELIET machines are designed for safe and reliable use if they are operated in accordance with the instructions provided. Carefully read these operating instructions before using the machine. Failure to do so may result in personal injury or damage to the equipment.
Welcome to the family of ELIET users. We thank you for the trust that you have placed in ELIET and we are convinced that you have purchased the very best machine. The operating life of your ELIET machine depends on how you care for your machine.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..........................3 1.1. Carefully read this user manual......................3 1.2. Identification Data – ELIET C550 ZR Collector ................3 2. Warranty ............................3 2.1. Registration of your machine ......................3 3. Welcome ............................4 4. Table of Contents..........................5 5.
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9.8. After finishing the work ........................30 9.8.1. Cleaning the machine ......................30 9.9. Lawn treatment after dethatching ....................31 9.10. Fault diagnosis ............................32 9.10.1. The engine fails to start after idle periods..............32 9.10.2. Engine stalls during operation ...................33 9.10.3. A trail of damage to the lawn.....................34 10.
Safety symbols ELIET cannot anticipate every situation in which a risk or danger can occur. As such, the war- nings in this operating manual and the labels on the machine are not comprehensive. Although minimal, some risk will always remain. If you apply a working method, operation or technique as the operator of the machine that is not explicitly recommended by ELIET, ensure in any case that this will not present a danger for third parties.
Main machine parts To fully understand the content of this operating manual, you need to be familiar with the ter- minology used for the descriptions. This chapter refers to a broad range of machine parts and identifi es their names. We recommend that you take the time to study the machine prior to use for a better understanding of the descriptions provided in this operating manual.
For your information: Your ELIET dealer remains at your service for any main- tenance or advice, so that your ELIET machine is always in perfect condition.
Safety instructions 7.1. Safety messages The safety messages are clearly indicated on the machine with stickers or relief pictograms. Please take note of the symbols and warning messages displayed.
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On the front of the machine, near the height adjustment, two safety pictograms are displayed: • This pictogram warns of the risk of foot injuries. This is a serious hazard if your foot comes under the housing. As such, keep your feet or hands well clear of the edge of the housing.
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(BQ 505 010 540) Caution: If due to cleaning or use, safety stickers or parts displaying safety information have been damaged, removed or become illegible, they must be replaced immediately. Stickers and parts can be obtained from your official ELIET dealer.
7.2. Safety features Dead man’s lever: When the dead man's lever is released, the drive of the blades and the discharge jack are disconnected from the engine and both machine parts come to a standstill after a few seconds. Steel housing and discharge jack: The blades are enclosed in a sturdy steel housing.
• If the instructions stated in this manual are not clear to you, do not hesitate to contact your ELIET dealer for further explanation. In addition, the ELIET help desk is at your service during office hours to answer any questions you may have (EU +32 56 77 70 88).
• Dethatching must only be done in a forward travelling direction. In view of general safety, ELIET advises against dethatching in a backward direction. • Never dethatch when the ground is frozen. • It is recommended to work a dry lawn. Wet lawns increase the risk of accidents; extra care is necessary in these conditions.
• To protect eyesight and hearing, ELIET recommends hearing protection and safety goggles. • Dethatching can produce a considerable amount of dust. ELIET recommends using a dust mask if this agitates your respiratory airways (masks should comply with the 89/686/EEC standard).
• Since wearing hearing protection can impair the ability to hear warning sounds (such as yelling, signal tones, etc.), increased alertness is required under these circumstances. • ELIET advises against using a GSM, smartphone or a portable MP3 player while operating the machine.
8.1. Unpacking the machine • ELIET machines are packaged in accordance with standard rules for proper transportation. Deliveries are always ex works. Consequently, ELIET cannot be held liable for any damage that occurs during transport. • If the packaging is damaged upon receipt of the goods, check the state of the machine to en- sure it is not damaged.
8.2. Positioning the handlebar • Loosen the fastening parts on each side of the handlebar support. To do this, turn the screw button (anti-clockwise) completely out of the hinging axis. • Now place the left-hand handlebar end in the inner cavity of the handlebar support. For this, press the handlebar tube into the opening between the two springs.
• The dealer must make a final test drive and check that all devices are working properly. • The dealer must check that all safety features work perfectly. • Every ELIET dealer warrants the long life span of ELIET machines. They will lubricate the hinges before delivering the machine to the client.
Operating instructions 9.1. Preliminary checks Caution: Before commencing work, it is recommended to get into the habit of checking the following points: Checklist • Check the machine’s hours of operation and compare this number with the maintenance table (read § 11.2; page 38) •...
• Never refuel with the engine running. Always allow the engine to cool off for several minutes prior to fuelling. • Use fresh petrol only. ELIET is environmentally conscious and, as such, recommends using unleaded petrol. Additives may be used for extended fuel freshness.
• Clean off the area around the cap of the fuel tank and remove it. Do not fill the tank completely. Fill up to approximately 10 millimetres from the brim. In other words, never fill it to the brim. • Always use a funnel or a spout for refuelling. Special funnels are available from your ELIET dealer.
9.5. Starting the engine Caution: Never start the machine when dust has settled on the engine or between its cooling fins. This reduces proper cooling of the engine and can cause a fire. Warning: The blade axle spins as soon as the engine engages and the red operation handle is pulled towards the handlebar.
Caution: The engine must be running in order to move the machine. If the en- gine is running, there is a risk that the blades will be engaged and cause damage. Do not under any circumstances touch the decoupling lever of the blade drive while driving.
deposited on the previous strip. This makes it possible to collect the material from two strips on one verge. It is therefore important to choose the circuit in such a way that the machine's discharge can be picked up on the next strip. As such, before starting work, think about the spot on the lawn where you will begin.
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Note: Tilting the machine backwards to slightly lift the blades while steering is recommended. This is to avoid damaging the lawn. • When you reach the end of a strip and want to turn around to work the adjoining strip, you push the handlebar down slightly to lift the blades from the surface.
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To cross small distances (paths or terraces), the following procedure must be followed: • Release the blade clutch. • Push the handlebar down slightly to lift the blades off the ground. The blades should be lifted approximately 3 to 4 centimetres from the surface. •...
Caution: maintenance of the machine, such as cleaning, must only be carried out when the engine is switched off. ELIET recommends cleaning the machine after each use. We recommend performing an inspec- tion each time you clean the machine to check component and machine integrity. This allows timely intervention and prevention of any defects.
Any necessary replacement and/or repair works must be undertaken immediately. Ask your aut- horised ELIET dealer to carry out repairs (find an authorised ELIET dealer near you at www.eliet.eu). 9.9. Lawn treatment after dethatching •...
acidity and type of grass. Ask advice from a supplier of fertilising products. • Aeration: The soil under the lawn has often been compressed from walking or driving on it. The grass does not get enough air as a result. This also prevents easy drainage of rain water and fertilisers.
Caution: be careful, even stale petrol can still be extremely flammable. c. Bad spark plug Without proper ignition, it will be impossible to get the engine up and running. As such, check the spark plug. (read § 11.5.2; page 45) d.
Neither ELIET, nor the engine manufacturer, shall accept warranty claims based on a lack of oil in the machine. If slopes are a recurring factor in a particular area, adding 0.2 litres of extra oil to the tank will resolve the problem.
10. Transporting the machine • To move the machine, push the handlebar down slightly to lift the blades from the surface. • The machine can be moved over a short distance with the engine switched off, by pushing it down. This is the safest method. •...
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When going up a slope, move the machine forwards. When going down a slope, still move the machine forwards. • The machine's ground clearance is 40 mm, excluding the blades. • When crossing differences in height between 40-60 mm, it is recommended going backwards over them with the machine.
(find an authorised ELIET dealer near you at www.eliet.eu). Your ELIET dealer is at your service for maintenance and advice at all times. They stock original ELIET replacement parts and lubri- cants. Their staff can always obtain advice and service from ELIET’s help desk in order to provide you with an impeccable after-sales service.
11.2. Periodic maintenance schedule a. Routine check before each operation • Visual check of the state of the machine • Oil level check • Clean the air filter • Check and set the depth control • Clean the machine. (read § 9.8.1; page 30) b.
• If problems are found, carry out the necessary repairs first. Consult your authorised ELIET service centre for assistance if necessary or to obtain spare parts. Find an ELIET service centre near you at www.eliet.eu. 11.4.2. Checking and topping up the engine's oil level If the oil level in the engine drops below a certain level, the engine will automatically switch off.
Caution: Bear in mind that it will take a while for the oil to fully descend into the crankcase. Make sure you leave small intervals when filling the oil so that the dipstick gives the correct oil level reading. Oil shortages cause severe, irrepara- ble engine damage.
11.4.5. Checking the belt tension The machine has two belts for the blade drive, one belt for the traction roller drive, and one belt for the discharge jack drive. After a number of working hours, stretching will occur (only with new belts), causing it to lose its tension.
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Belt drive from the engine to the blade axle Caution: To adjust the belt tension, the engine must always be switched off. To adjust the belt tension for the drive to the blade axle, remove the large protec- tive cap. (read § 15.1; page 56) There are 2 belts to drive the blade axle.
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• After adjusting, check whether the drive decouples sufficiently when it is switched off. To do this, let the engine run without the protective cover so that you can see the decoupling. Warning: For this test, make sure that there are no bystanders in a 10 m radius around the machine.
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• If the belt becomes slack due to stretching, it can also slip under loads and produce a squeaking sound. If you notice that the jack no longer rotates under load, this may also indicate that the belt is insufficiently tensioned. •...
• Remove the machine from its maintenance support and place it on flat ground. • Refill the engine with fresh 4 stroke oil. For this, ELIET recommends using high-quality oil with a high detergent level: SAE 10 W 30 API sj.
11.5.3. Change the air filter This procedure is exactly the same as for cleaning the air filter (read § 11.4.3; page 40) New, suitable air filters are available from your ELIET dealer or an authorised service centre of the relevant engine brand.
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• Where possible, the hinging parts must be disassembled for proper cleaning of all elements within. • To dissolve lubricant, ELIET recommends using NOVATIO KLEENSPRAY-S. Spray the product onto the hinging parts. Leave the product for a few minutes to enable it to perform its degrea- sing action.
• Apply new lubricant to the friction areas. Ensure that it covers the entire contact surface. • ELIET recommends NOVATIO CLEAR LUBE-S in this regard. This is a lubricant with an extremely long operating time, excellent adhesion and resistance to high pressure. It is available in spray cans for easy application.
11.5.6. Lubricating the cable guides A lot of dust can be produced during dethatching. This dust settles on the parts of the machine. This dust also ends up on the cables and in the cable guides where it can accumulate and cause the cable to glide less smoothly over time.
• To clean the chain, use a grease solvent cleaner (e.g. NOVATIO KLEENSPRAY-S) to inject the chain. • Allow the cleaner to work in for 1 minute so that the grease adhering to the chain will soak off. • Wipe away the old lubricant from the chain with a rag. Together with the old lubricant, all ad- hering dirt must be wiped off.
Caution: When checking the chain tension, also check the chain and the sp- rocket for wear and tear. If the teeth are worn the sprockets and chain must be replaced. Contact your authorised ELIET dealer for assistance. Caution: Use this maintenance to lubricate the chain (read §...
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• We strongly recommend NOT to replace only one or just a few blades since this interferes with a uniform operation of the machine across the entire width. • If a bent blade is detected, a pair of pliers can be used to straighten it, so that it is aligned again with the other blades.
• To avoid rust on the machine, touch up all chipped areas or treat them with anti-rust grease. Original paints/enamels in the appropriate colours are available from your ELIET dealer. • Store the machine in a cool, dry place, away from possible rain. If necessary, cover it with a tarpaulin.
PrEN 13684 Garden equipment - Pedestrian controlled lawn aerators and scarifiers - Safety DIN 33402: Body measures The ELIET machine factory hereby declares that after performing a hazard analysis, it is fully aware of the potential hazards and risks associated with the machine. Based upon this know- ledge, the necessary steps have been taken in line with Machine Directive 2006/42/EEC in order to ensure full operator safety when the machine is used correctly.
15. Appendices 15.1. Removing protective covers Caution: Removing protective covers is considered to be a maintenance ope- ration. As such, always switch off the engine, remove the spark plug cover and wear appropriate clothing. Caution: Protective covers are intended to shield off dangerous areas to avoid accidents.
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that the holes line up with the bolts. • Once all the bolts are screwed in, they can be tightened. • To attach the cover without vibrations, make sure that the rubber strips are placed on the edges of the cover when installing.
At ELIET, the design and production of our products are subject to strict quality rules. The purpose of these rules is to guarantee a long service life and permanent safety. That is why ELIET is happy to repair any hidden defects or faults during the whole run-in period (i.e. the warranty period) free of charge, provided the prescribed procedure is followed.
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Faulty components automatically become the property of ELIET. • Step 8: If a warranty claim is found to be valid, ELIET will credit the parts under warranty. Cus- tomers are never entitled to a refund of labour costs.
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