RIDGID HD16400 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac Owner's Manual

Introduction

This RIDGID Wet/Dry Vac is intended for household use. It may be used for vacuuming wet or dry media and may be used as a blower. Read this Owner's Manual to familiarize yourself with the product features and to understand the specific usage of your new Vac.

Getting to Know Your Wet/Dry Vac

Familiarize yourself with the accessories included with the Vac. Each accessory may be used in various ways for vacuuming and blowing debris. Here is a list of the accessories and their uses:

• Tug-A-Long Positive Locking Hose with Dual-Flex: Provides transfer of vacuum or blowing capability to the work site. Provides the means of attaching extension wands and nozzles.
• Extension Wands: These wands can be connected together and provide additional length.
• Utility Nozzle: General purpose nozzle for most vacuuming applications.

Assembly

Caster/Caster Foot Assembly

NOTE: Remove Powerhead Assembly from Dust Drum prior to assembly of Casters and Caster Feet.

1. Place Caster Foot (F) upside down on the floor.
2. Place the Caster (G) into the Caster Foot (F): Insert the Caster Stem into Caster Foot Socket.
3. Push on the Caster until the Caster Ball end snaps fully into the Caster Foot Socket and the Caster swivels freely. Repeat for other Three Casters and Caster Feet.
4. Turn Dust Drum (B) upside down on floor.
5. Place Caster Foot with Caster over Dust Drum Post and press firmly in place. Repeat for the other Three Caster/Caster Foot Assemblies (F & G).
6. Turn the Dust Drum (B) upright.

Wet/Dry Vac Assembly

1. Attach Powerhead Assembly to Dust Drum: Line up front of Powerhead Assembly (A) with the Vac Inlet Port located on the front of the Dust Drum (B).
2. Place Powerhead Assembly (A) on top of Dust Drum (B) and push down on the top of the Powerhead Assembly snapping the Flexible Locking Tabs of the Dust Drum into the Powerhead Assembly Latch Lock Holes.
3. Be sure Powerhead Assembly completely covers the top of the Dust Drum and the Flexible Locking Tabs are fully snapped into place to avoid any leakage and to prevent the Powerhead Assembly from coming off.
4. To Remove Powerhead Assembly: Push in on the Flexible Locking Tabs, disengaging them from the Powerhead Assembly Latch Lock Holes and pull up on the Powerhead Assembly.

Carry Handle / Power Cord Wrap Assembly

1. Locate the Carry Handle / Power Cord Wrap (D) and the Two #10 x 3/4" Pan Head Screws (E) in loose parts bag.
2. Position the Carry Handle / Power Cord Wrap (D) on top of the Powerhead Assembly (A), with the Carry Handle / Power Cord Wrap Extended Flange to the rear of the Powerhead Assembly, as shown.
3. Insert a #10 x 3/4" Pan Head Screw (E) through the Hole at each end of the Carry Handle / Power Cord Wrap (D) and into the Powerhead Assembly (A). Tighten securely.

Attaching and Removing Vacuum Hose

1. To Insert Hose: Locate the end of the Tug-A-Long Positive Locking Hose with Dual-Flex (I) and align the Hose Locking Tab with the Dust Drum Vac Inlet Ridges. Push the Hose cuff straight into the Vac Inlet Port until the Hose Locking Tab fully engages the Dust Drum Vac Inlet Ridges.
2. To Remove Hose: Rotate the end of the Tug-A-Long Positive Locking Hose with Dual-Flex (I) in either direction to release the Hose Locking Tab from the Dust Drum Vac Inlet Ridges. You may also press the Hose Locking Tab and pull the Hose end straight out of the Vac Inlet Port.

Operation

Vacuuming Dry Materials

1. The Filter must always be correctly installed to avoid leaks and possible Vac damage.
2. To maintain peak performance when vacuuming fine dust, clean the Dust Drum and Filter regularly.
3. NOTE: Do not use a wet Filter when picking up dry material. The Filter will quickly clog and be difficult to clean.
4. If the Filter is wet, you must allow it to dry completely or replace it with a dry Filter before using the Vac to pick up dry material.

Vacuuming Liquids

1. Vacuuming up small amounts of liquid (less than 2" (5 cm) collected in Dust Drum) does not require Filter removal.
2. When larger amounts of liquid are to be picked up, remove all dry use only Paper Filter(s) and replace with a RIDGID wet application Foam Filter. Do Not remove the Filter Cage or Float. The Foam Filter is specifically designed for high volume liquid pick up. If the paper Filter is used and becomes saturated, you may see "mist” coming from the Blowing Port.
3. When the Dust Drum is "full" the Float will rise and cut off airflow. The motor sound will rise in pitch and its speed will increase indicating the Dust Drum is "full". Turn OFF the Vac and unplug the power cord before emptying the Dust Drum.

Emptying the Dust Drum

1. Unplug Power Cord from power source.
2. The Vac comes equipped with a Drain for easy emptying of liquids. Position the Vac near a suitable drain or receptacle and remove the Drain Cap (C).
3. To Remove Powerhead Assembly: Push in on the Flexible Locking Tabs, disengaging them from the Powerhead Assembly Latch Lock Holes. Pull up on the Powerhead Assembly and set aside.
4. Empty Dust Drum (B) into a proper waste disposal container.
5. The Dust Drum (B) should be emptied and cleaned before storing your Vac.

Blowing Feature

Your Vac features a Blowing Port. It can blow sawdust and other debris. Follow the steps below to use your Vac as a Blower.

1. Locate the Blowing Port, at the rear of the Wet/Dry Vac Powerhead Assembly (A).
2. Align the Hose Locking Tab of the Tug-A-Long Positive Locking Hose with Dual-Flex End (I) with the Blower Port Ridges. Push the Hose Cuff straight into the Blower Port until the Hose Locking Tab fully engages the Blower Port Ridges.
3. (Optional) Attach the Extension Wand (J) to swivel end of the Hose (I).
4. Turn the Vac ON and you are ready to use your Vac as a Blower.
5. To Remove Hose: Rotate Hose Cuff in either direction to disengage Blower Port Ridges.
6. Press the Hose Locking Tab and pull the Hose Cuff straight out of the Blower Port.

Storage

When vacuuming is complete, your RIDGID Wet/Dry Vac has convenient storage locations.

Accessory Storage

1. For Storage: Slide the Extension Wands (J) and the Utility Nozzle (K) onto the Caster Feet Posts.
2. To Remove Wands and Accessories: Lightly rotate and pull upward.

Cord Storage

1. To Store Cord: Wrap Power Cord around the top Carry Handle / Power Cord Wrap (D) beneath the Two Tabs.
2. Secure the Power Cord using the Cord Clip on the Polarized Plug.

Hose Storage

1. The Tug-A-Long Positive Locking Hose with Dual-Flex (I) may be stored around the Powerhead Assembly (A) and secured into the Two Hose Storage Clips.

Locking Accessories

Your RIDGID Wet/Dry Vac includes Locking Accessories to prevent the Accessories from falling off when in use.

1. To Connect the Locking Accessories: Align the Nozzle Ridges of the Accessory with the Locking Tab of your Extension Wand (J). Press to secure the Nozzle to the Extension Wand.
2. To Disconnect the Locking Accessories: Twist the Nozzle and Extension Wand to disengage the Nozzle Ridges and pull. You may also press the Locking Tab and pull to disengage.

Maintenance

Filter

NOTE: The Filter (H) is made of high quality paper designed to stop small particles of dust. The Filter can be used for dry pick up or small amounts of liquid. Handle the Filter carefully when removing or installing it. Creases in the Filter Pleats may occur from installation but will not affect the performance of the Filter.

Removal & Installation of the Qwik Lock™™ Filter

1. To Remove Filter: Place fingers under the Two Filter Tabs.
2. While pressing down with one thumb on the Qwik Lock™™ Stud, that protrudes through the center of the Filter Plate, lift up on the Tabs until Filter releases.
3. Slide Filter off Filter Cage. Filter Cage and Float should not be removed.
4. IMPORTANT: To avoid Blower Wheel and Motor Damage always reinstall Filter before using Vac for dry pickup.
5. To Install Filter: Slide the Qwik Lock™™ Filter (H) over the Filter Cage while aligning the Qwik Lock™™ Stud on the Filter Cage with the center hole in the Qwik Lock™™ Integrated Filter Plate.
6. Make sure the Rubber Gasket at the bottom of the Qwik Lock™™ Filter (H) seats around the base of the Filter Cage.
7. Firmly press the Qwik Lock™™ Integrated Filter Plate down around the Qwik Lock™™ Stud until it snaps into place.
8. NOTE: Failure to properly seat the bottom Gasket and Integrated Filter Plate to the Filter Cage could result in debris bypassing the Filter.

Your Filter should be cleaned often to maintain peak Vac performance.

Cleaning a Dry Filter

1. Some removal of dry debris can be accomplished without removing the Filter from the Vac. Slap your hand on top of the Lid while the Vac is turned OFF.
2. For best cleaning results due to accumulated dust, clean the Filter outdoors in an open area.
3. After Filter removal from Vac, remove the dry debris by gently tapping Filter against the inside wall of your Dust Drum. The debris will loosen and fall.
4. For thorough cleaning of Dry Filter with fine dust (no debris), run water through Filter as described under "Cleaning A Wet Filter”.

Cleaning a Wet Filter

After Filter is removed, run water through the Filter from a hose or spigot. Take care that water pressure from the hose is not strong enough to damage Filter.

IMPORTANT: After cleaning, check the Filter for tears or small holes. Do not use a Filter with holes or tears in it. Even a small hole can allow dust to come out of your Vac. Replace it immediately.

Allow the Filter to dry completely before reinstalling and storing the Vac or picking up dry debris.

Repair Parts

The RIDGID parts are available online at store.ridgid.com/wetdry. Always order by Part Number - Not by Key Number.

Safety Warnings

WARNING: SERVICING OF DOUBLE-INSULATED WET/DRY VAC

In a double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac, two systems of insulation are provided instead of grounding. No grounding means is provided on a double-insulated appliance, nor should a means for grounding be added. Servicing a double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac requires extreme care and knowledge of the system, and should be done only by qualified service personnel. Replacement parts for a double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac must be identical to the parts they replace. Your double-insulated Wet/Dry Vac is marked with the words "DOUBLE INSULATED" and the symbol (square within a square) may also be marked on the appliance.

To reduce the risk of injury from electrical shock, unplug power cord before servicing the electrical parts of the Wet/Dry Vac.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from electrical shock, unplug power cord before servicing the electrical parts of the Wet/Dry Vac.

WARNING: All disassembly and repairs should be performed by qualified personnel.

Warranty Information

This product has a 90 day Satisfaction Guarantee Policy as well as a Limited Lifetime Warranty. For Warranty and Policy details go to RIDGID.com/VacWarranty or call 1-800-4-RIDGID.