STIHL BGE 60 Instruction Manual

For safe operation follow all safety precautions in Instruction Manual - improper use can cause serious injury.

Because a blower is a high-speed electric power tool, some special safety precautions must be observed as with any other power tool to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and personal injury. Careless or improper use may cause serious or even fatal injury.

STIHL's philosophy is to continually improve all of its products. As a result, engineering changes and improvements are made from time to time. If the operating characteristics or the appearance of your blower differ from those described in this manual, please contact your STIHL dealer for information and assistance.

Parts and Controls

• 1. Switch: To switch the machine in position "ON" and "OFF".
• 2. Handle: For control of machine during blowing operation work.
• 3. Power supply cord: Supplies electricity to the appliance.
• 4. Intake screen: Reduces the risk of direct contact with the fanwheel, which is located under the screen.
• 5. Clamp: Secures blower tube to machine.
• 6. Blower tube: Directs airstream.
• 7. Nozzle: Aims and widens the airstream.
• 8. Strain relief flap: Supports extension cord and reduces the likelihood of unintentional disconnection of extension cord and power supply plug.

Diagram description: A simple line drawing shows the rear of the blower unit with the strain relief flap (8) positioned to support an extension cord.

Safety Instructions

General Safety Precautions

• Do not leave appliance when plugged in. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before servicing.
• Do not expose to rain. Store indoors.
• Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used near children.
• Use only as described in this manual. Use only manufacturer's recommended attachments.
• Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair, and anything that may reduce air flow.
• Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers and all parts of body away from openings and moving parts.
• Turn off all controls before unplugging.
• Do not use vacuum attachment on wet surfaces.
• Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking, such as cigarettes, matches, or hot ashes.
• Do not use this appliance in vacuum mode without dust bag in place.
• Unplug before connecting the vacuum attachment.
• Unplug before opening the intake screen or removing the vacuum attachment.

Physical Condition and Work Area

• You must be in good physical condition and mental health and not under the influence of any substance (drugs, alcohol, etc.) which might impair vision, dexterity or judgment. Do not operate a blower when you are fatigued.
• Be alert - if you get tired while operating your machine, take a break. Tiredness may result in loss of control. Working with any blower can be strenuous. If you have any condition that might be aggravated by strenuous work, check with your doctor before operating the machine.
• Minors should never be allowed to use a blower. Bystanders, especially children, and animals should not be allowed in the area where a machine is in use. Never let the unit run unattended.
• Do not lend or rent your machine without the owner's manual. Be sure that anyone using your unit understands the information contained in this manual.
• Good footing is most important. Wear sturdy shoes with nonslip soles.
• To reduce the risk of injury associated with the inhalation of dust, use a face filter mask when using your blower in dusty conditions.
• Never modify a blower in any way. Only attachments supplied by STIHL or expressly approved by STIHL for use with the specific STIHL blower models are authorized. Although certain unauthorized attachments are useable with the STIHL blower, their use may be extremely dangerous.
• The voltage of the power supply must agree with the voltage specified on the blower's machine label. Improper voltage will damage the blower and may cause personal injury.
• Be sure switch is off when plugging the unit into the power supply in order to reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock from arcing and the risk of injury from unintended blowing.
• In order to reduce the risk of serious injury from electrocution, never use your blower in rain. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not handle the plug or the unit with wet hands.
• When using the electric blower, always keep the power supply cord behind you. Always ensure that your power supply cord does not become entangled with obstacles or objects. Damaged cables may cause electrocution. Always disconnect the plug from the power supply when you take a break.
• Inspect the power supply cord and plug before and after each use for signs of damage or aging.
• Your blower is a one-person machine. To reduce the risk of eye or other injury from thrown objects, do not direct air blast towards bystanders, since the high pressure of the air flow could injure eyes and could blow small objects at great speed. Insure that bystanders are at least 50 feet (15 m) away during use.
• Make sure your control handle (and grip for vacuum attachment) are in good condition and free of moisture, pitch, oil or grease.
• Use of this product can generate dust, mists, and fumes containing chemicals known to cause respiratory disease, cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. If you are unfamiliar with the risks associated with the particular dust, mists or fumes at issue, consult your employer, governmental agencies such as OSHA and NIOSH and other sources on hazardous materials. If the substance being blown or vacuumed is a commercial substance, review the material safety data sheet for that substance and / or consult the material manufacturer.
• Dust with silica in its composition may contain crystalline silica. Silica is a basic component of sand, quartz, brick, clay, granite and numerous other minerals and rocks, including masonry and concrete products. Repeated and / or substantial inhalation of airborne crystalline silica can cause serious or fatal respiratory disease, including silicosis. In addition, the state of California and some other authorities have listed respirable crystalline silica as a substance known to cause cancer. When encountering such materials, always follow the respiratory precautions mentioned above.
• Breathing asbestos dust is dangerous and can cause severe or fatal injury, respiratory illness or cancer. The use and output openings rotates whenever the engine is running. In order to reduce the risk of injury from contact with the fan, never operate your unit without a properly mounted intake screen and blower tube. Never insert any foreign object into the air intake or output openings of the machine.
• Pay attention to the direction of the wind, i.e., do not work against the wind.
• To reduce the risk of stumbling and loss of control, do not walk backwards while operating the machine.

Extension Cord Sets

Minimum Wire Gage for Extension Cords (120 Volt Appliances, 6-10 Amps)

Make sure your cord set is in good condition. When using an extension cord set, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. An undersized extension cord set will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. The table above shows the correct size to use depending on cord length and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt, use the next heavier gage. The smaller the gage number, the heavier the cord.

Appropriate extension cords are available in special stores for electrical equipment. Cords should be suitable for outdoor use and marked "Suitable For Use With Outdoor Appliances - Store Indoors".

To reduce the risk of electric shock, this appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the plug from the wall outlet.

To unplug, grasp the plug not the cord.

Transporting and Preparation

Transporting the Electric Blower

• Always switch off the motor before putting down blower.
• When transporting your unit in a vehicle, properly secure it to prevent turnover and damage to the machine.

Preparation for the Use of the Electric Blower

• Always check your electric blower for proper condition and operation before starting, particularly the power supply cord, plug and switch.
• Inspect the power supply cord and plug before and after each use for signs of damage or aging.

Operation

Switching On/Off

• Make sure you have a secure and balanced footing. Hold the unit in your right or left hand.
• To switch on, move the switch to position .
• To switch off, move the switch to position .

Blower Operation

• The unit comes standard as a blower.
• Push the nozzle (1) onto the blower tube (2) as far as stop.
• Rotate nozzle in direction of arrow until lug on blower tube engages.
• Line up the marks and then push the blower tube (3) onto the stub (4).
• Tighten the clamp (5).

Blower Functionality

• Your electric blower is designed for one-handed operation. It can be carried by the molded handle in either the right or left hand.
• The fan-shaped nozzle produces a broad and powerful airstream at ground level which is suitable for a wide variety of clean-up jobs.
• It can be aimed and controlled very accurately.
• This nozzle is highly effective for blow-sweeping sawdust, leaves, grass clippings, etc. on flat surfaces.

Vacuum Attachment

A vacuum attachment for the BGE 60* is available for user installation which can be used to pick up leaves, grass and similar materials. (* Special accessory P/No 4804-007-1002)

Preparations for Vacuuming

• Before using the vacuum attachment for the first time:
• Fit the elbow inside the catcher bag.
• It is necessary to remove the blower tube and fit the elbow with catcher bag in its place.

Fitting the Vacuum Attachment for BGE 60

• Release the clamp.
• Pull the blower tube off the fan housing stub.
• Use screwdriver to press down the tab (6) and open the intake screen (7).
• Line up the dots on the suction tube (8) and fan housing intake (9) - push tube into the housing.
• Rotate tube clockwise to engage bayonet coupling.
• Line up the dots on the elbow (10) and the fan housing stub (2) - push the elbow onto the stub.
• Tighten down the clamp (11).
• Attach the carrying strap (12).
• Vacuum attachment is now ready for use.

Using the Vacuum Attachment

• When using the unit with the vacuum attachment (special accessory), wear the catcher bag's carrying strap over your left shoulder. Hold the unit with your left hand on the assist handle and your right hand on the control handle.
• The large diameter suction tube enables the unit to pick up all kinds of trash, e.g. even large leaves, pieces of cardboard, paper or bark. To avoid damaging the fanwheel, do not attempt to vacuum large, hard objects.
• If the fanwheel becomes blocked - switch off the unit - pull out the plug. Clear the blockage.

Converting Back to Blower

• Remove elbow with catcher bag - as described under "Preparations for vacuuming" - and the suction tube.
• Allow spring action to close the intake screen so that it snaps into position.
• Fit and secure the blower tube.

Diagram description: Shows a plug (1) being inserted into an extension cord coupling (2). A flap (3) is shown being swung outward to allow the cord to be pushed into a recess.

Maintenance and Repair

• Always switch off the motor, disconnect the plug from the power supply and make sure that the fan is stopped before doing any maintenance or repair work or cleaning the blower.
• Do not attempt any maintenance or repair work not described in your owner's manual. Have such work performed by qualified personnel.
• Use only identical STIHL replacement parts for maintenance and repair. Use of parts manufactured by others may cause serious or fatal injury.
• Ensure that the appliance must be identical to the parts they replace.

Storage

• Wipe moisture off the unit with a cloth.
• Store blower in a dry and high or locked location place and out of reach of children.

Specifications

• Weight (without blower tube): 6.4 lb (2.9 kg)
• Weight (with vacuum attachment): 7.7 lb (3.5 kg)
• Dimensions (without blower tube):
  • Length: 14.8 in (375 mm)
  • Width: 8.3 in (210 mm)
  • Height: 13 in (330 mm)
• Bystanders noise per ANSI B 175.2-1990: 63 dB (A)