BlueBird SC18 User Manual

Operator’ s And

Model:

Parts Manual

MANUAL NO. 8530 REV. 01 (07/29/03)

SC18

Forward:

Congratulations on the purchase of your new BlueBird equipment!
Your purchase demonstrates trust in the BlueBird name and exem-

plifies your desire to own durable equipment which is easy to oper­ate and easy to maintain.

To get the full benefit of your purchase, you will need to understand
how to use the controls and many features of your machine. This
operator’s guide has been prepared to assist you in this process.

Please read this guide carefully and familiarize yourself with the ba­sic safety procedures, operating tips, and maintenance information.
Close consideration of the recommendations contained in this
manual will save time, money , and provide years of productivity from
your unit.

As we hope to meet your future needs, please take the time to record
your model and serial number on the back cover of this manual.
This will greatly assist in identification of your model and for future
parts ordering.

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CONTENTS

Index

Operator’s Guide Page

Specifications .............................................................................................. 3

Features and Controls................................................................................. 4

General Operating Instructions.................................................................... 5

Warnings .....................................................................................................5

Operating Instructions Page

Operator’s Tips ............................................................................................ 6

Operating on Hills ........................................................................................ 6

Before Y ou S t art........................................................................................... 6

Transporting ................................................................................................ 6

Sod Cutting.................................................................................................. 7

Maintenance and Service Instructions Page

Safety and Maintenance .............................................................................. 8

Safety .......................................................................................................... 8

Engine Service and Warranty...................................................................... 8

Lubrication Schedule................................................................................... 8

Inspection Schedule .................................................................................... 8

Blade Wear ................................................................................................. 9

Cleaning ...................................................................................................... 9

Adjusting Chain Tension .............................................................................. 9

Storage ........................................................................................................ 9

Parts - Main Frame...................................................................................... 10

Parts - Power Train ..................................................................................... 12

Parts - Blade Drive ...................................................................................... 14

Parts - Blade Depth Control ........................................................................ 16

Trouble Shooting Guide ............................................................................... 17

General Product Information

Warranty...................................................................................................... 21

SPECIFICATIONS

U.S. Metric

Engine - Honda: 5.5 hp 3.8 kw
Net Weight: 328 lbs 149 kg
Shipping Weight: 360 Ibs 164 kg
Width: 24 in 61 cm
Height: 36 in 91 cm
Length: 54 in 137 cm
Cutting Depth (max): 2.5 in 6.3 cm
Cutting Width: 18 in 46 cm

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Antivibration Handle

FEATURES AND CONTROLS

Single

Clutch/Throttle

Depth

Adjustment

Knob

Depth Lock

Knob

Engagement

Shift Control Lever

Blade

Lever

Engine Guard

Engine Start

18-inch Blade

10-inch Tractor T read Tires
Powered by 4-Wheel Drive

Built-in Weight

Oil used in the engine (gray cap) 1. Refer to your engine manual for oil type, viscosity , weight

and capacity.

Oil used in the Clutch/Gear Box 1. Refer to your engine manual for oil type, viscosity , weight

and capacity. Reducer (yellow cap).

Transmission grease used 1. You should not need to service the transmission. Call

Tecumseh or your servicing dealer if needed.

2. Transmission is located directly behind the front axle
underneath the engine.

3. There is no dipstick for transmission.

4. Tecumseh Bentonite Grease part #788067B or equivalent.

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

This manual will assist you in the safe operation and proper maintenance of your BlueBird equip­ment. Read it thoroughly before attempting to operate the machine. Do not hesitate to call your
dealer or BlueBird if additional information is required.

The following safety symbols are used throughout the manual to alert you to information about
unsafe actions or situations:

DANGER: indicates immediate hazards that may result in severe injury or death.

WARNING: indicates unsafe actions or situations that may cause severe injury, death and or

major equipment or property damage.

CAUTION: indicates unsafe actions or situations that may cause injury and/or minor equip­ment or property damage.

This equipment should not be modified without the manufacturer’s prior written authorization. Doing
so without our written permission may not only affect the equipments performance and durability, but
also create safety hazards for the operator and the surroundings. Warranty will be void if changes
are made to the equipment without the manufacturer’s prior written authorization.

SAFETY PROCEDURES

DO:

• Only start with shift lever in neutral.

• Read all maintenance and service instructions before attempting work.

• Follow engine manufacturer operating and maintenance instructions.

• Inspect area to be cut and remove rocks, wire, string and other objects that might present a hazard
before starting.

• Identify and mark all in ground objects to be avoided, such as sprinkler heads, stakes, water
valves, clothes line anchors, etc.

• This machine was designed for sod cutting only. It is not intended for any other use.

DO NOT:

• Do not start in gear .

• Do not cut at high transport speeds.

• Do not use on any surface other than grass.

• Do not operate on slopes exceeding 35% grade.

• Do not place hands or feet near moving or rotating parts.

• Do not run engine in an unventilated area.

• Do not shift with throttle engaged.

• Do not run engine while servicing. Remove spark plug wire before servicing.

• Do not remove guards when operating.

• Do not lift this 330 lb. machine.

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

OPERATOR’S TIPS

• To engage reverse gear you may have to push the machine back and forth while pulling the shift
lever.

• Stop before shif ting gears.

• Cut going down hill on unlevel ground.

• End cuts by pushing the blade engagement lever forward while still holding the throttle to cut the
end of the sod strip as the blade rises.

• Soil conditions will effect cutting depth. Readjusting the blade depth may be required as you move
from hard soil to soft or moist soil conditions.

• Do not attempt sharp turns while cutting.

• Should I water before cutting?
It is usually not necessary to water before cutting. In extreme conditions, such as clay soil that is
very compacted, a simple test as follows will determine if you need to water before cutting. Use a
garden hand spade, weed tool, or even a large screwdriver to test the ground’s hardness. You
should be able to push the tool into the ground 2 to 3 inches with little effort.
If you are unable to do so, then watering may be advisable. Watering the day before should give
sufficient time for the soil to absorb the moisture. Use your hand tool to gauge the effectiveness of
your watering. Allow the grass to dry before cutting to provide adequate traction for sod cutting.

OPERATING ON HILLS

WARNING - DO NOT operate on hills exceeding 35% grade to prevent machine from rolling

over .

Please be aware that when operating on hills, you may experience:

• The need to exert greater effort to steer and maintain the balance of the machine.

• Uneven cutting depth, when operating across a hill. The shifted center of gravity may cause the
downhill side of the blade to penetrate to the maximum depth, while the uphill side may not.

With these factors in mind, you may find it more effective to:

• Operate the machine cutting down rather than across hills. You will achieve even cutting depth, and
enhance stability.

• A void hill side turns. Back up hills in reverse gear, then cut, going down.

BEFORE YOU START

• Read and understand this manual.

• Be sure engine oil is at engine manufacturer’s recommended level. (Refer to engine
manufacturer’s manual.)

• Put the sod cutter into neutral before starting.

• Place blade in transport position before starting.

TRANSPORTING

• Push the blade engagement lever forward to raise the blade.

• Select the desired gear (slow-fast-reverse).

• Pull the throttle while maintaining a firm grip on the handlebar .

• To make turns, push down on the handlebar to do “a wheelie,” then turn.

• Load into truck or trailer by driving up ramps in low gear . DO NOT LIFT! This 330lb machine is not
intended to be lifted by hand.

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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

SOD CUTTING See Figure - Page 4

1. Position the sod cutter at your starting point with the blade out of the ground.

2. Pull the blade engagement lever toward you with one hand while lifting the handlebar with the
other hand.

3. Place the shift lever in slow gear (turtle icon).

4. Pull the throttle while maintaining a slight down pressure on the handlebar and cut a short
distance, then stop. Put shift lever in neutral.

5. Lift the edge of the sod to check the cut depth.

6. To change the depth, push the blade engagement lever forward, unlock the depth lock knob (red
knob), and turn the depth adjustment knob clockwise for less depth, or counterclockwise for
more depth; then lock the depth lock knob.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 as necessary to set depth of cut.

8. End cuts by pushing the blade engagement lever forward while holding the throttle to cut the end
of the sod strip as the blade exits the ground.

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