Engines |
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| Q: | ENGINE WILL NOT START OR STARTS BUT THEN STOPS |
| A: | 1. Check there is sufficient fuel in the tank. 2. Check the oil level (the oil alert will stop the engine if it is too low or the engine is on too great an angle) 3. check the on/off switch is set to ON. 4. Check there is no foreign matter (particularly water) in the carburettor 5. If the engine will only run smoothly on part choke, it is usually that the main jet is partially blocked due to stale fuel residue or water deposit. |
| Q: | HOW DO I KEEP THE DUST FROM MY AIRCLEANER? |
| A: | Important: only genuine air cleaner parts get the best out of your engine! When replacing the SUBARU cyclonic-aircleaner element, a smear of grease around the entire circular base makes the perfect dust-proof seal. Remember to clean the dirty grease build up from the air horn during the next scheduled service. |
| Q: | HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE THE OIL ON MY SUBARU DIESEL ENGINES? |
| A: | DY23 and DY27: Although the owner's handbook specifies no oil change is required before 100 hours of running time has occurred, it is preferable to change the oil at 50 hour intervals. DY30,DY41 AND DY42 The owner's handbook specifies changing the oil at 50 hours and this is sufficient. NOTE: On all models, it is imperative to change the oil at regular intervals, plus clean the filters. |
| Q: | HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHECK THE OIL LEVEL ON MY NEW ENGINE? |
| A: | Regardless of make, model or size of engine, it is imperative that the oil level be checked frequently, e.g. after every tank full of fuel until the motor has properly bedded rings to cylinder. This is even if the motor has a sensor unit, as the location or angle of the machine can cause false readings. |
| Q: | REASONS FOR CARBURETTOR FLOODING? |
| A: | 1. Air vent hole blocked (common on drive units, cement covering carburettor) 2. Foreign matter in carby (make sure tank and filters are kept clean) 3. Pin hole in float 4. Float jammed on stem of carby 5. Incorrect float level NOTE: As all new carburettors are fitted with Neoprene tipped float needles, most flooding problems are caused by numbers 1 and 2 above. When removing float pin, use caution - one end is flat to lock in the leg. This must be pushed away from the centre. |
| Q: | STICKY INTAKE VALVE - DON'T GET STUNG! |
| A: | There are often reports of wasps building nests in the exhausts of small engines. The symptoms indicate a sticky intake valve, whereas it is actually the muffler that is blocked. Usually this problem is usually after a long storage period, though in one instance the muffler blocked over a weekend. |
| Q: | WHAT ARE THE CORRECT TERMINALS FOR CONNECTING BATTERIES TO AN ELECTRIC START MOTOR? |
| A: | The RED WIRE POSITIVE (+) is connected to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the battery. The BLACK WIRE NEGATIVE (-) is connected to the NEGATIVE (-) battery terminal. |
| Q: | WHAT IS AN OVERHEAD CAM? |
| A: | (OHC) A Camshaft Mounted above the Head to Activate the Valves is driven by a timing (cam) chain. Direct valve activation by a cam eliminates the need of pushrods and rocker arms, and their accompanying lash and inertia. Valves respond quicker, valve adjustment can be more accurate, and engine speed can be higher. OHC Engines Offer Mechanical Advantages over Comparable Size Pushrod Engines: |
| Q: | WHAT IS AN OVERHEAD VALVE? |
| A: | (OHV) Valves Located in the Cylinder Head. Valve actuation is via pushrod and rocker arm. In a four-stroke engine, the intake and exhaust valves are in the cylinder head. The valve stems are either at an angle or parallel, and the valve discs face the piston. |
| Q: | WHAT IS THE BEST OIL FOR 4-STROKE SUBARU ENGINES? |
| A: | The best engine oil for your petrol-powered, 4-stroke SUBARU engine is a high-quality, mono-grade 30W oil and NOT a multi-grade. The rings on new engines will not bed properly if a multi-grade oil is used - you will just end up with a beautifully glazed bore! |
| Q: | WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE SMALL ENGINES FOR WINTER? |
| A: | 1. Drain fuel from tank and carburettor 2. Remove spark plug and squirt a small amount of engine oil into the cylinder 3. Replace plug and wind motor over 2 or 3 times 4. Bring the piston up on compression stroke. (If in damp conditions, put tape over the intake and exhaust and give unit a light spray with a mix of diesoline and oil or similar.) |
| Q: | WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF ENGINES 'HUNTING'? |
| A: | The most common cause of engines ‘hunting or surging’ is stale fuel evaporating, leaving residue on the main jet or dirty fuel causing partial blockage of the jet. If the motor runs smoothly on partial choke, this usually indicates main jet restriction. **Other causes can be worn or cracked carburettor insulators or poor sealing gaskets. |
| Q: | WHICH OIL SHOULD I USE FOR THE SUBARU EH025 & EHO35 SERIES ENGINES? |
| A: | These engines are used on brushcutters, blowers, blower vacs and portable vibrator shafts. The owners manual suggests 10w-30 oil. Unfortunately weather temperatures above 20 degrees can cause excess oil in the air filter of these engines. We suggest (as per the service manual) that 30 grade mono be used consistently. |
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Flooring Machines |
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| Q: | CAN THE PORTA-NAILER BE USED TO NAIL VARIOUS THICKNESSES OF TONGUE AND GROOVE FLOORING? |
| A: | Yes. The Porta-Nailer is designed for nailing 33/32" and 25/32" tongue and groove flooring. An accessory nailing shoe is available for nailing 7/16" to 9/16" flooring with the standard 2" Porta-Nail. There is also an angled shoe base available for use with the 401 nailer to nail 25/32" flooring over 3/4" plywood over concrete. |
| Q: | DO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND SET UNSEATED NAILS WITH PORTA-NAILER? |
| A: | No. the Porta-Nailer has a ratcheting feature designed to insure every nail is properly seated. The ram of the nailer will not return to its original position until the nail is seated. If the ram does not return, it is telling you that another blow of the hammer is required. |
| Q: | HOW MANY PORTA-NAILS WILL I NEED TO INSTALL MY NEW TONGUE AND GROOVE FLOOR? |
| A: | 1,000 nails will install approximately 18.5 square metres of flooring. |
| Q: | I AM INSTALLING PRE-FINISHED FLOORING, WILL THE PORTA-NAILER MAR OR SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF THE FLOORING? |
| A: | When installing a pre-finished floor, you need to take care in the handling and installation process. The Porta-Nailer is designed not to damage the flooring. The shoe bases are made of a non-marring material and the hammer rubber cap is made of a non-marring material to protect the pre-finished surface. |
| Q: | I AM NAILING INTO THE GROOVE OF THE FLOORING, IS THIS CORRECT? |
| A: | No. You should be nailing into the tongue of the flooring. |
| Q: | WHEN NAILING, HOW MUCH SPACE SHOULD BE ALLOTTED BETWEEN FASTENERS? |
| A: | You should always refer to the flooring manufacturer's specifications for installation requirements. Generally, every 15 to 20 cms is a good rule of thumb. |
| Q: | WHY ARE NAILS BENDING DURING OPERATION OF THE PORTA-NAILER? |
| A: | 1. It is important to keep at least a 5cm (2") clip of nails in the tool. Individual or loose nails can get out of position and when contact is made with the driver blade, bending can occur. 2. Make sure the tool is being used with the pusher in place. Again, tension needs to be placed on the nails in the tool. 3. The end of the driver blade should be flat. If the end (contact surface) of the driver blade has become worn or rounded this could cause a jam or bending of nails. **If you have checked all of the above items and are still experiencing bent nails, open a different box of nails. If bending is still happening, then this most likely points to a wear issue with the actual tool or perhaps the operator's technique. |
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General Trade |
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| Q: | HOW DO I PREVENT THE THERMOSTAT ON THE EARLEX WALLPAPER STEAMER FROM OPERATING PREMATURELY? |
| A: | To prevent this happening which will cause the unit to stop steaming for short periods of time, make sure you empty the water out after using. This will help to prevent a built up of scale on the elements which is the major cause of this problem. The life of the steamer will also be extended by not leaving water in the tank. |
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Generators |
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| Q: | CAN I RUN MY GENERATOR AT LOWER SPEED TO CONSERVE FUEL? |
| A: | The power supply required to operate Australian appliances is 240 volts. If the set speed is reduced the voltage is reduced proportionally and can result in damage to the appliance. |
| Q: | WHAT IS 'TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION'? |
| A: | There is currently a lot of misleading information in the marketplace regarding “Total Harmonic Distortion” (THD) in relation to generators. Terms such as this, and also “Sine Wave”, are used along with “Clean Power” and “Perfect Wave Form” when referring to the output from generators. One Australian manufacturer is using these terminologies as a marketing tool, advertising their generating sets as “the cleanest power around”, due to their THD percentage. They claim that “most portable generating sets” have over 25% THD. Independent University testing has shown that the Total Harmonic Distortion of CROMMELINS Generators tested is only 6%, well below the “said” 25%! |
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Lawncare Equipment |
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| Q: | GRASS CLIPPINGS ARE NOT DISCHARGED FULLY INTO THE CATCHER BAG ON MY LAWNCOMBER |
| A: | If grass clippings are not discharged fully into the Catcher Bag, the cause is normally because of worn blades. To correct this, rotate the blade carrier as described in the owner’s manual. |
| Q: | HOW DO I MAINTAIN THE RECEIVER WASHER ON MY ROBIN BRUSHCUTTER? |
| A: | You will find this either behind the blades or the bump feed attachment (depending on which model you have). Removal of this washer at regular intervals to empty any trapped grass, weed, etc, will reduce head friction and prolong the life of grease seals for the angle head. |
| Q: | HOW DO I PROLONG CHAIN LIFE ON MY GROUNDHOG T4 TRENCHER? |
| A: | You can prolong the life of your Groundhog T4 Trencher chain with these easy steps: 1. Thoroughly clean digging chain with pressure cleaner and allow to dry. 2. Spary roller links with a dry lube (Promar). 3. After 6 to 8 hires move the chain on drive sprocket one link (sprocket only drives every second link). |
| Q: | WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLADES FOR VERTIMOWERS/LAWNCOMBERS? |
| A: | A Lawn Comber is not designed to cut through the grass into the soil if fitted with Flail blades. If the standard Flail Reel blades that come with this machine are set too low excessive load is placed on the drive belt and causes the machine to bounce and can damage the blades and shafts. The Flail Reel blades are designed to just go through the grass and dip through the surface. If the customer wishes to vertimow deeper into the soil, Delta Blades should be fitted. |
| Q: | WHAT IS THE IDEAL TENSION FOR MY GROUNDHOG T4 TRENCHER CHAIN? |
| A: | The ideal tension on a new Groundhog Trencher digging chain produces 30-35mm travel between chain and chain bar. Remember to allow for wear and tear in the chain and sprocket-drive assemblies with time and that the chain-travel distance will then be the average of several measurements as the chain is moved around the guide bar. |
| Q: | WHY IS OIL DRIPPING FROM THE AIR CLEANER OF MY ROBIN BH2500 BRUSHCUTTER? |
| A: | This is perfectly normal as oil is misted into the filter automatically. If the element is cleaned as per the instruction manual, this leakage will be minimal. You should remove the element after five hours of use and squeeze out the excess oil. |
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Pumps |
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| Q: | I HAVEN'T USED MY FIRE FIGHTING PUMP SINCE LAST SEASON - WHAT SHOULD I DO TO MAKE SURE IT IS READY IF I NEED IT? |
| A: | 1. If not already done at the end of last season, change the engine oil. 2. Drain any fuel left in the tank and fill with fresh petrol. Loosen the fuel bowl retaining bolt on carburettor and allow fresh fuel to flush through. Tighten the bolt. 3. Remove the spark plug and put a couple of squirts or pour a little engine oil in the cylinder. Pull the motor over three or four times. Remove plug and rinse in petrol and replace. 4. Fill pump unit with water and start pump in normal fashion. The engine can be run for 1-2 minutes without connecting to the water tank as long as the pump is full of water. **If the motor does not start or run properly (lack of compression/blocked carburettor) it will be necessary to have the unit checked by your local service agent. |
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Trowelling Machines |
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| Q: | TIPS: |
| A: | TROWELLING MACHINES It is important to maintain frequent lubrication to prevent seizure of blade arms on trowelling machines. This is also advisable for the tilt adjustment knob. |
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