Black & Decker Leaf Hog Blower Vac

Key Information

• Ensure blower or vacuum tube assembly is locked in place before operating.
• Power switch must be OFF to depress the release button for changing tube assemblies.

Save this manual for future reference.

Important Safety Warnings and Instructions

Please read and understand all instructions carefully before using the unit.

To Reduce Risk of Injury:

• Ensure all users read and understand safety instructions before use.
• Save and review instructions frequently.
• Follow basic safety precautions for electrical appliances.

California Proposition 65 Warnings:

WARNING: Some dust created by this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Examples include compounds in fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, and arsenic/chromium from chemically treated lumber. Wear approved safety equipment like dust masks.

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

General Safety Warnings and Instructions for all Tools:

• Read and follow all instructions.
• Do not place inlet or outlet near eyes or ears.
• Appliance is double-insulated. Use only identical replacement parts.
• Store idle tools in a dry, locked place, out of reach of children.
• Maintain proper footing and balance; do not overreach.
• Do not pick up burning or smoking items (cigarettes, matches, hot ashes).
• Maintain tool with care; keep fan area clean.
• Do not attempt to repair the blower/vac yourself. Refer to authorized service centers.
• Do not operate in gaseous or explosive atmospheres.
• Do not use to pick up flammable or combustible liquids (e.g., gasoline).
• Use extra care when cleaning on stairs.
• Do not leave appliance plugged in when unattended. Unplug when not in use and before servicing.
• Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near children.
• Do not attempt to clear clogs without unplugging the tool first.
• Use only as described in this manual and with manufacturer's recommended attachments.
• Do not use with damaged cord or plug. Return to service center if damaged or malfunctioning.
• Do not pull or carry by cord; use cord as a handle, or pull around sharp edges. Keep cord away from heated surfaces.
• Do not unplug by pulling on cord; grasp the plug.
• Do not put objects into openings; keep openings free of dust, lint, hair, etc.
• Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and body parts away from openings and moving parts.
• Turn OFF all controls before unplugging.
• Do not vacuum water, other liquids, or wet objects. Never immerse any part of the tool in liquid.
• Do not handle plug or appliance with wet hands.
• Keep children, bystanders, and animals at least 30 feet (10 meters) away from the work area.
• Inspect the area before use; remove debris and hard objects (rocks, glass, wire) that can ricochet or cause injury.

Electrical Safety:

• WARNING: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose to rain, do not use on wet surfaces. Store indoors.
• WARNING: Turn off and unplug unit, then wait at least 10 seconds for the fan to stop before removing tube assemblies.

Servicing of Double Insulated Appliances:

The Blower/Vac is double-insulated for added safety. It uses two systems of insulation instead of grounding. Servicing requires extreme care and knowledge; only qualified service personnel should perform repairs. Replacement parts must be identical.

The appliance is marked with "double insulated" or the [double insulation symbol].

Safety Rules and Instructions: Extension Cords:

Use only round jacketed extension cords listed by UL or CSA. If used outdoors, the cord must be suitable for outdoor use. Ensure adequate wire size (AWG) to prevent power loss and overheating. Inspect cords for damage before use.

Extension Cord Gauge Chart:

Safety Rules and Instructions: Polarized Plug:

This equipment has a polarized plug (one blade wider than the other) for reduced shock risk. Use with a suitable polarized extension cord. Ensure receptacle slots match plug blades. If plug doesn't fit, reverse it. If it still doesn't fit, obtain a suitable extension cord or contact an electrician. Do not alter the tool or extension cord plug.

Before Operating

Securing Power Supply Cord: Secure the extension cord in the tool's built-in cord retainer as shown in Figure 7 [cord retainer diagram].

Switch

On/Off Switch (Fig. 1)

The blower/vac has a two-speed switch on the powerhead handle.

• Position 0: Off
• Position I: Low Speed (move switch fully to the rear)
• Position II: High Speed (move switch to off, then fully forward)

Note: The switch will not operate if the release button (Fig. 1) is depressed.

To turn ON, slide switch forward. To turn OFF, slide switch to the middle position.

Assembly

For Blower Use: Always wear safety glasses. Wear a filter mask if the operation is dusty. Rubber gloves and substantial footwear are recommended when working outdoors. For household use only.

WARNING: When turning the tool off for tube installation or any other reason, wait 10 seconds for the fan to stop rotating before disassembly.

Vacuum Tube Assembly (Fig. 4)

• Vacuum tubes must be assembled together before use.
• Apply soapy water solution to the joint area to ease assembly.
• Align notches and triangles on upper and lower tubes (Fig. 4 [vacuum tube diagram]).
• Push the lower tube firmly into the upper tube until triangles click into place. Never operate tubes separately.
• For safety, tubes are not intended to be separated once assembled.

Blow Tube Assembly (Fig. 2)

• Blow tube must be assembled to the blow clamshell before use.
• Align circles on the clamshell and the tube.
• Push the tube firmly onto the clamshell until circles click into place.

Cord Retainer (Fig. 7)

A cord retainer is incorporated into the rear of the powerhead. Insert the cord and flip the retainer lever against the plug to hold it. To release, depress the side button and pull up the lever.

Using Your Product (Fig. 8)

Always wear safety glasses when using as a blower or vacuum. Wear a filter mask if using in dusty conditions.

Blow Mode:

• Ensure the product is switched OFF and disconnected from the power supply.
• Attach the blow clamshell and tube to the powerhead (Fig. 3 [attaching blow tube diagram]). Locate the blower as indicated by the arrow, then pivot until the locking/release catch is fully engaged.
• Hold the blow tube approximately 7 inches (180mm) above the ground. Switch the product ON and use a sweeping motion from side to side, advancing slowly to keep debris/leaves in front of you (Fig. 9 [sweeping motion diagram]).
• Once debris/leaves are in a pile, convert to vacuum mode to collect them.
• Installing the concentrator (Fig. 12 [concentrator diagram]) will help remove matted debris and leaves.

Removing Blow/Vacuum Tube:

• Switch OFF and disconnect from power supply.
• To disconnect the blow clamshell or vacuum tube, depress the release button, ensuring the tube does not fall.
• The release button will not depress if the power switch is ON (Fig. 1 [switch diagram]).

Carrying Strap Assembly:

Fit the carrying strap to the powerhead if required and adjust for the user. The shoulder strap is designed for comfort in vacuum mode.

1. Dual Point Attachment: Clip the hook through the eyelet on the powerhead (Fig. 10 [strap attachment diagram]) and clip the hook through the eyelet on the rear of the powerhead (Fig. 11 [strap attachment diagram]).

Vacuum Mode:

• Switch OFF and disconnect from power supply.
• To fit the bag assembly: Locate the bag rim into the bag holder channel, ensuring the front of the bag is over the vacuum outlet (Fig. 5 [bag attachment diagram]). Slide the bag fully into the channel and depress the latch to lock the handle into the bag top (Fig. 6 [bag latch diagram]).
• Position the tube slightly above the debris/leaves. Switch ON and use a sweeping motion to suck up debris/leaves, which will be mulched and deposited into the collection bag (Fig. 8 [vacuuming diagram]).
• For matted debris/leaves, use the scraper incorporated in the vacuum tube to loosen debris before vacuuming.
• As the bag fills, suction power decreases. Switch OFF and unplug.
• To remove the bag, depress the latch to disengage from the bag holder and slide the bag out.
• To empty, hold the plastic handle and the nylon handle on the underside of the bag. Turn the bag upside down and shake out debris (Fig. 5C [bag emptying diagram]).
• For easier use in vac mode, fit the tool using the shoulder strap (Fig. 8).

CAUTION: NEVER REMOVE THE COLLECTION BAG WITHOUT FIRST TURNING OFF AND UNPLUGGING THE VACUUM.

Note: If suction decreases and the bag is not full, the vacuum tube is likely clogged. Turn OFF and unplug the vacuum and clear the tube.

Operation

• Do not use in vacuum mode without vacuum tubes and collection bag in place.
• Always switch OFF and remove the plug from the electrical supply when:
  • Changing from blower to vacuum mode.
  • The supply cable is damaged or entangled.
  • Leaving the product unattended.
  • Clearing a blockage.
  • Checking, adjusting, cleaning, or working on the product.
• Use the product only in daylight or good artificial light.

Maintenance

Cleaning and Storage

TURN OFF AND UNPLUG TOOL! (Unplug extension cord at power source.)

Use only mild soap and a damp cloth to clean the tool. Clean out any accumulated clippings. The fan chamber should remain clean with dry leaves. If damp earth or debris is ingested, particles may build up, decreasing performance. Clean this area by wiping with a damp rag after disconnecting from the power source. Store your Blower/Vac in a dry place.

CAUTION: DO NOT POUR OR SPRAY WATER ON THE TOOL IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAN.

Do not store the tool on or adjacent to fertilizers or chemicals, as this can cause rapid corrosion of metal parts.

Never let liquid get inside the tool; never immerse any part of the tool into a liquid.

Important Information

To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance, and adjustments (other than those listed) should be performed by authorized service centers or qualified service organizations using identical replacement parts.

Service Information

Black & Decker offers a network of company-owned and authorized service locations. For technical advice, repair, or genuine parts, contact your nearest Black & Decker location. Refer to the yellow pages under "Tools-Electric" or call 1-800-54-HOW-TO (1-800-544-6986).

Full Two-Year Home Use Warranty

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. warrants this product for two years against defects in material or workmanship. Defective products will be replaced or repaired at no charge by returning to the retailer (if participating) or by sending prepaid to a Black & Decker owned or authorized Service Center. Proof of purchase may be required. This warranty does not apply to accessories. It gives you specific legal rights which may vary by state.

Specifications

• Voltage: 120 V AC
• Power: 700 W
• Frequency: 60 Hz
• Current Draw: 6.6 A

Service Locations

For repair and service of your electric tools, please contact the nearest Service Center. (List of cities and phone numbers provided in original document - can be summarized or omitted if too long).

For other locations, call: (55) 5326-7100.

For service and sales, see "Tools-Electric" in the yellow pages.

Contact Information

Imported by: Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., 701 E. Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21286 U.S.A.

Website: www.blackanddecker.com

Customer Service: 1-800-544-6986