Black & Decker GR380-85, GR385 User Manual

English

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Rotary Lawnmower GR380/GR385

Congratulations!

On your purchase of your Black & Decker rotary lawnmower.

This user manual provides important operating and maintenance instructions for all of the rotary mowers in the Black & Decker GR380 and GR385 ranges.

Know your mower

Read all of this manual carefully, observing all the recommended safety instructions before, during and after using your mower, and maintain your mower in good working order.

Familiarise yourself with the controls on your mower before attempting to operate it, but above all, be sure you know how to stop your mower in an emergency.

Retain this user manual and all other literature supplied with your mower for future reference.

Safety instructions

Training

• Never allow children or persons who are

unfamiliar with this type of mower to use it, nor anyone who has not read this user manual.

Do not allow children, animals or

6m / 20ft

• Remember that the operator is

• Your mower is designed for use on AC

• Plug your mower into a power point -

• Never carry your mower by the cable or

other persons near your mower when in use - always keep them

360

at least 6m (20ft) away from the cutting area.

responsible for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their property.

(mains) electrical supplies only - do not attempt to use it on any other supply.

never a lighting socket.

jerk the cable to separate the connectors. Keep the cable away from heat sources, oils or sharp edges. Check the condition of your cable before use and do not use if damaged.

User manual

Preparation

• To protect your feet, always wear stout

shoes or boots - freshly cut grass is damp and slippery.

• Rubber or man-made footwear will

enhance your safety.

• Do not operate your mower barefoot or

in open sandals.

• Use protective equipment. Wear safety

spectacles or goggles whilst operating your mower. Use ear protection if the sound level seems uncomfortable when using your mower.

• Use a face mask if dusty.

• Wear long trousers to protect your legs -

any debris left on the lawn or cutting path may be picked up and ejected by the blades.

• The power supply cable should be

regularly inspected for signs of damage or ageing, and only used if in good condition.

• Always keep the power supply cable

away from the blades - be aware of its position at all times.

• Always be sure your mower is in a safe

operating condition.

• Before using your mower, disconnect it

from the electrical supply and visually check that the blade, blade bolt and cutter assembly are not worn or damaged. A damaged blade or worn blade bolt is a major hazard and must be replaced. Also check that the blade bolt is securely fastened.

• Always check that your lawn or cutting

path is clear of all sticks, stones, wire and other debris. Contact with such debris may be dangerous or may damage your mower and could be thrown by the blade.

Operation

• When tilting the handle downwards (or to

the side) to start your mower, do not tilt it more than is absolutely necessary. Always ensure that both hands are in the operating position and feet are well away from the blades before returning your mower to the ground.

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Your mower will continue to run for a short time after releasing the switch lever. Always allow your mower to stop on its own.

• Release the switch lever to turn your

mower off and remove the plug from the mains:

• Whenever you leave your mower

unattended.

• Before checking, cleaning, adjusting

or working on your mower.

• Before clearing a blockage.

• If your mower starts to vibrate

abnormally (check immediately).

• After striking a foreign object, inspect

your mower for damage and make repairs as necessary.

• Never run your mower whilst lying on its

side or attempt to stop the blade always allow it to stop on its own.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts.

• Keep clear of discharge openings at all

times.

• Start your mower carefully according to

the instructions and with your feet well away from the blade.

• Do not use your mower in the rain and

do not allow it to get wet. Avoid using your mower in wet grass, if possible.

• Use your mower only in daylight or good

artificial light.

• Do not pull your mower towards you or

walk backwards when in operation.

• Do not cross gravel paths or roads whilst

the blade is rotating.

• Always be sure of your footing,

particularly on slopes.

• Always cut across the face of slopes, never

up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

• Do not cut excessively steep slopes and

always wear non-slip footwear.

• Check the grassbag (if supplied) for wear

or damage and replace if necessary.

• Walk, never run. Do not force your mower.

• Never pick up or carry your mower while

the motor is running.

• Ensure the blade has stopped rotating

and take extreme care before lifting your mower for and during transportation.

• Never operate your mower with defective

guards or shields.

ENGLISH

Maintenance and storage

• Store your mower in a dry place when

not in use, out of the reach of children.

• Do not use solvents or cleaning fluids to

clean your mower - use a blunt scraper to remove grass and dirt.

• Always disconnect from the electrical

supply before cleaning.

• Replace worn or damaged parts for

safety. Do not operate your mower if any parts are defective; discard all defective parts and fit new parts before use.

• Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to

be sure your mower is in a safe working condition.

• Use only Black & Decker recommended

replacement parts and accessories.

Black & Decker’s policy is one of continuous improvement to our products and, as such, we reserve the right to change product specifications without prior notice.

Double insulation

Your mower is double insulated. This means that all external metal parts are electrically isolated from the power supply. This is achieved by placing an extra insulation barrier between the electrical and mechanical parts. Double insulation means greater electrical safety and obviates the necessity of having your mower earthed.

Electrical safety (UK only)

Your mower should always be switched off at the mains before disconnecting any plug

and socket connector or extension cables.

Fuse replacement

If your mower is supplied with cable fitted with a non-re-wireable plug:

• The plug is fitted with a 13 amp fuse

which is the recommended fuse for your mower.

• Only use replacement fuses which are

approved to BS1362.

• When changing the fuse in your plug,

always ensure the fuse cover is refitted. If the fuse cover is missing or damaged do not use the plug.

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Note: Fuses do not give personal protection against electric shock.

Plug replacement

• Disconnect the plug from the supply.

• Cut off the plug and dispose of

immediately. Insertion of a detatched plug into a 13 amp socket outlet may result in electric shock.

• Only fit BS1363A approved plugs fitted

with the correctly rated fuse.

• The cable wire colours, or a letter, will be

marked at the connection points of most good quality plugs. Attach the wires to their respective points in the plug (see below). Brown is for “Live” (L) and blue is for “Neutral” (N).

• Before replacing the top cover of the

mains plug ensure that the cable clamp is holding the outer sheath on the cable firmly and that the two leads are correctly fixed at the terminal screws.

Fit a BS1363A approved resilient plug

Connect blue to N (neutral)

Make sure that the outer sheath of the cable is held firmly by the clamp

Warning! Never connect live or neutral wires to the earth pin marked “E” or .

Note: Do not wire an extension cable directly into your mower yourself. Instead, take your mower to your nearest Black & Decker service agent.

Increased safety can be obtained by having a qualified electrician install a high sensitivity (30mA) circuit breaker in the house wiring. If you do not have such a circuit breaker installed, or you do not wish to have one installed, then we strongly recommend that the electrical power to your mower be supplied through a high sensitivity (30mA) residual current device (RCD). The RCD is designed to provide a high degree of personal protection against harmful electric current should fault conditions occur.

Warning! The use of an RCD or other circuit breaker unit does not release the operator of

your mower from the safety instructions and safe working practices given in this manual.

Fit the recommended

fuse approved

to BS1362

Connect brown

to L (live)

230 volts AC only

Never use a light

socket

Features (Fig. A)

Your purchase of a Black & Decker GR380/

GR385 range lawnmower gives you a product combining quality with modern design and the following features to provide safe, efficient and easy mowing.

• Lock-off safety switch to prevent

accidental starting of your mower.

• A blade brake (AUTOSTOP) for added

safety. Stops the blade rotating within 3 seconds once the switchbox lever is released.

• Large handle nuts for easy assembly

and storage.

• The wheels are in line with the outside of

your mower body which allows cutting right up to the edge of the lawn.

• Conversion to a mulching lawnmower by

simply removing the grassbox.

• Three height of cut positions.

• Tough, durable plastic deck which will

not rust and contributes to low noise and low vibration.

• Powerful and efficient induction motor

which gives effective cutting and bagging in all reasonable conditions and a low noise level as well as low maintenance.

• Ergonomically designed upswept handle

for comfortable use and ease of pushing.

• Easy grassbox removal.

• Cable restraint helps keep the cable out

of the way and prevents the cable socket being accidentally pulled and disconnected.

Carton contents

Mower carton containing:

• Mower body.

• 12m of cable (UK only).

• Grassbox.

Loose parts pack containing:

• 1 spanner.

• User manual including guarantee card.

• Service sheet.

• 2 screws.

Handle assembly (Fig. B)

Remove all the parts from the carton and familiarise yourself with the individual parts of your mower.

The main parts of your mower are your mower body (1) which comprises a motor cover (2), wheels (3) and grass flap (4).

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The handle comprises the upper handle (5), cross bar (20), lower handle (6), switch box (7), switch lever (8), safety lock-off (9), electric cable (10), cable clips (11), wing nut and cup (12) and cable clip (21).

• Insert cross member (20) through cable

clip (21). Assemble left lower leg (6L) and right lower leg (6R) onto cross member (20). Clip upper handle (5) over cross member ends, and fasten into place with nuts (12).

To assemble the lower handle (6) into the correct locations on your mower body (1), proceed as follows:

• Insert the lower handles into the two

holes in your mower body (1) and press down until secure. Secure in position using the screws supplied (19).

Height of cut adjustment (Fig. C)

Before wheel assembly adjustment ensure your mower is disconnected from the mains.

Each of the two axle wheels has its own means of height adjustment which gives 3 cutting height positions.

• To select a height of cut, move the

wheels (3) into the slot required using the spring system (13).

• Fit the other three wheels in the same way.

To ensure an even cut, please make sure that all four wheels are placed in the same position.

Grassbox assembly (Fig. D)

Read the safety instructions at the beginning of this manual before using this accessory.

• The grassbox is a two piece (14 & 15)

plastic construction which needs to be assembled before attaching it to your mower.

To assemble the grassbox, proceed as follows:

• Align both parts together.

• Clip in place.

Fitting the grassbox to your mower:

• The spring loaded grass flap is lifted and

the two arms on the front edge of the grassbox are located behind the two lugs rising up from the rear edge of the cutter deck (Fig. D3).

• The grass flap can now be released to

lock the grassbox into position.

ENGLISH

Removing the grassbox from your mower:

The full grassbox may be removed by raising the grassflap and then either lifting the grassbox up and through the lower handle(s) or by freeing the grassbox from its mounting and then resting it on the lawn, while the grassflap is gently lowered, leaving both hands free to gently lift the full grassbox.

How to use your mower (Fig. E & G)

Observe all of the relevant warnings when using your mower.

We recommend the directional method of

operation to obtain the maximum cutting performance from your mower and to reduce the risk of the trailing extension lead from entering the cutting path.

• Place the bulk of the supply cable on the

lawn close to the starting point (Fig. G, position 1).

• Hold the handle assembly with both

hands.

Your switch box incorporates a cable restraint. To fix the cable to the restraint, proceed as follows:

• Bring the socket end of the extension

cable from behind and connect it to your mower plug.

• Form a loop on your extension cable

close to the switch box.

• Push the loop through the slot from the

opposite side of the restraint hook (Fig. E1), position the loop over the h ook and pull the cable back through the slot. Your cable will now be restrained.

• The extension cable should now fall

away from your mower and behind the operator, ready for use.

Warning! Do not attempt to operate your mower with one hand - you must guide it with both hands.

• Tilt the handle downwards to slightly

raise the front of your mower and to reduce the risk of lawn damage whilst starting, depress the safety lock-off button (18) on the switchbox (7) and whilst still depressed pull the switch lever (8) towards you. Your mower will start and you can now allow the lock-off button to be released and lower your

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