Graco Foam-Cat Foam Gun, 217373 Instructions-parts List Manual

Instructions – Parts List

Foam-Catr Foam Gun

1500 psi (10.5 MPa, 105 bar) Maximum Working Pressure

Model 217373, Series E

Order a needle/nozzle kit separately. See page 5.

U.S. Patent No. 4,427,153
U.K. Patent No. 0,116,613
Patented Bréveté 1986 Canada
Other Foreign Patents Pending.

Read warnings and instructions.

See page 2 for Table of Contents.

307546T

GRACO INC.ąP.O. BOX 1441ąMINNEAPOLIS, MNą55440-1441

Copyright 1982, Graco Inc. is registered to I.S. EN ISO 9001

Table of Contents

Symbols 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Warnings 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spray Nozzle Performance Chart 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pour Nozzle Performance Chart 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installation 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Safety 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Grounding 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Optional O-rings 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installing a Needle/Nozzle Kit on a New Gun 8. . . . .

Connecting Hoses 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operation 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pressure Relief Procedure 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Adjusting Cleanoff Air 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Spray Pattern Adjustment 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Effects of Fluid Temperature and Pressure 13. . . . . .

Observing the Effects of Varying Fluid Temperature

and Pressure 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

About Surface Texture 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

About Poured Foam Texture 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Surface Texture Descriptions 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Replacing the Needle/Nozzle Assembly 15. . . . . . . . . .

Cleaning the Nozzle 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foam Spraying Nozzles 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foam Pouring Nozzles 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Maintenance 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Keeping the Gun Clean While Spraying 18. . . . . . . .

Fluid Buildup on Nozzle 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fluid Buildup on Needle 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cleaning the Fluid Manifold 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shutdown 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Flushing 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Troubleshooting 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Service 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Needle Valves 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Piston 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Check Valve 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Air Valve 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parts 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accessories 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Technical Data 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nozzle Kit Summary 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graco Standard Warranty 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graco Information 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 307546

Symbols

Warning Symbol

WARNING

This symbol alerts you to the possibility of serious
injury or death if you do not follow the instructions.

WARNING

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD

Improper grounding, poor air ventilation, open flames, or sparks can cause a hazardous condition and
result in a fire or explosion and serious injury.

D Ground the equipment and the object. See Grounding on page 7.
D Provide fresh air ventilation to avoid the buildup of flammable fumes from solvent or the fluid being

dispensed.

D Extinguish all the open flames or pilot lights in the dispense area.
D Keep the dispense area free of debris, including solvent, rags, and gasoline.
D Do not turn on or off any light switch in the dispense area while operating or if fumes are present.

Caution Symbol

CAUTION

This symbol alerts you to the possibility of damage to
or destruction of equipment if you do not follow the
instructions.

D Do not smoke in the dispense area.
D Do not operate a gasoline engine in the dispense area.
D If there is any static sparking while using the equipment, stop dispensing immediately. Identify

and correct the problem.

INJECTION HAZARD

Spray from the gun, hose leaks, or ruptured components can inject fluid into your body and cause
extremely serious injury, including the need for amputation. Splashing fluid in the eyes or on the skin
can also cause serious injury.

D Fluid injected into the skin might look like just a cut, but it is a serious injury. Get immediate medi-

cal attention.

D Do not point the gun at anyone or at any part of the body.
D Do not put hand or fingers over the gun nozzle.
D Do not stop or deflect fluid leaks with your hand, body, glove, or rag.
D Be sure the gun trigger safety operates before dispensing.
D Lock the gun trigger safety when you stop dispensing.
D If the nozzle clogs, stop dispensing, lock the gun trigger safety, and follow the instructions of page

17 to clean the nozzle.

D Keep the tip of the nozzle and the nozzle head free of foam buildup. Foam buildup on the nozzle

can cause foam shots to be misdirected and splash foam in the eyes or on the skin.

D Follow the Pressure Relief Procedure on page 11 whenever you: are instructed to relieve pres-

sure; stop dispensing; clean, check, or service the equipment; and install or clean the nozzle.

D Tighten all the fluid connections before operating the equipment.
D Check the hoses, tubes, and couplings daily. Replace worn, damaged, or loose parts immediately.

Permanently coupled hoses cannot be repaired; replace the entire hose.

307546 3

INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING

EQUIPMENT MISUSE HAZARD

Equipment misuse can cause the equipment to rupture, malfunction, or start unexpectedly and result
in a serious injury.

D This equipment is for professional use only.
D Read all the instruction manuals, tags, and labels before operating the equipment.
D Use the equipment only for its intended purpose. If you are uncertain about usage, call your Graco

distributor.

D Do not alter or modify this equipment. Use only genuine Graco parts and accessories.
D Check the equipment daily. Repair or replace worn or damaged parts immediately.
D Do not exceed the maximum working pressure of the lowest rated system component. See the

front cover or the Technical Data for the maximum working pressure of your gun model.

D Route the hoses away from the traffic areas, sharp edges, moving parts, and hot surfaces.
D Do not use the hoses to pull the equipment.
D Use only Graco approved hoses. Do not remove hose spring guards, which help protect the hose

from rupture caused by kinks or bends near the couplings.

D Use fluids or solvents that are compatible with the equipment wetted parts. See the Technical

Data section of all the equipment manuals. Read the fluid and solvent manufacturer’s warnings.

D Comply with all applicable local, state and national fire, electrical and other safety regulations.

PLURAL COMPONENT MATERIAL HAZARD

Before using this equipment, read the material manufacturer’s warnings and determine all facts relat­ing to the materials used, including any of the potential hazards relating to toxic fumes, fires, explo­sions, reactions times, and exposure of humans to the individual components or their resultant mix­tures.

D Wear appropriate protective clothing, gloves, eyewear, face mask, and respirator.
D Know the specific hazards of the fluid you are using. Read the fluid manufacturer’s warnings.
D Graco does not manufacture or supply any of the reactive chemical components that may be used

in this equipment and is not responsible for their effects. Graco assumes no responsibility for loss,
damage, expense or claims for personal injury or property damage, direct or consequential, arising
from the use of such chemical components.

D Store hazardous fluid in an approved container. Dispose of hazardous fluid according to all local,

state, and national guidelines.

HOT MATERIAL HAZARD

Heated foam can cause severe burns and can cause equipment surfaces to become very hot. To
avoid a burn or injury from the foam adhering to the skin:

D Wear protective gloves and clothing when operating the equipment in a heated system.
D Do not come in contact with the dispensed material until it has cooled and cured.
D Allow the equipment to cool thoroughly before servicing.
D If you are burned, get emergency medical care at once. Do not pull the foam from your skin.

4 307546

Spray Nozzle

Pour Nozzle

Performance Chart

DELIVERY

Nozzle Kit
No.

217420 0.125

217421 0.114

217423 0.089

217424 0.073

217425 0.083

217426 0.102

217428 0.060

Needle
Diameter
In. (mm)

(3.18)

(2.90)

(2.26)

(1.85)

(2.11)

(2.59)

(1.52)

1

Outlet
Pressure
psi (bar)

1200 (83)
950 (66)
750 (53)

1200 (83)
950 (66)
750 (53)

1000 (70)
750 (53)

1000 (70)
750 (53)

1000 (70)
750 (53)

1200 (83)
950 (66)
750 (53)

1200 (83)
950 (66)
750 (53)

2

Flow Rate
lb/min
(kg/min)

52 (23.4)
45 (20.3)
37 (16.7)

41 (18.4)
35 (15.8)
29 (13.1)

19 (8.6)
15 (6.6)

10.5 (4.7)

8.5 (3.8)
15 (6.8)

12 (5.4)
29 (13.1)

25 (11.3)

21.5 (9.7)
8 (3.6)

6 (2.7)
4 (1.8)

3

Diameter
in. (mm)

20 (508)

18 (457)

17 (432)

12 (305)

16 (406)

17 (432)

9 (228)

Pattern

Performance Chart

DELIVERY

1

Nozzle Kit No.

217427
220616

Needle
Diameter
In. (mm)

0.187 (4.75)

0.073 (1.85)

Outlet
Pressure
psi (bar)

700 (48)
700 (48)

NOTES:

1

Select a nozzle that will not exceed the maximum

recommended flow rate of your foam spray system as
the desired working pressure. Too high a flow rate may
exceed the performance capabilities of the foam
heater and other sprayer components, causing poor
foam development and equipment problems.

2

Flow rate test conditions:

D 2.7 lb (1.22 Kg) foam
D ISO viscosity of 200 cps (200 mPa.s) at 77_F

(25_C)

D RES viscosity of 650 cps (650 mPa.s) at 68_F

(20_C)

2

Flow Rate
lb/min
(kg/min)

16–20 (7–9)
6–8 (2.7–3.6)

D heater and hose temperature of 85–95_F

(29–35_C) for Pour Nozzle Kits 217427 and 220616

D heater and hose temperature of 115_F (43_C) for

all Spray Nozzle Kits

D Pump outlet pressure as indicated in chart

3

At the recommended spraying distance:

D 18–24 in. (457–610 mm) for Pour Nozzle Kits

217427 and 220616

D 30 in. (762 mm) for all Spray Nozzle Kits

307546 5

Installation

The Graco Foam-Catr Gun has been designed and
manufactured to withstand rugged use. However, the
interior surfaces and cavities of the gun, and the
needle and nozzle, do require care during installation,
maintenance and service to avoid nicks and scratches.

The following tools are supplied with the gun:

D 3/16 in. hex, T–handle hex key wrench (48)
D 3/32 in. hex, T–handle hex key wrench (47)
D 7/16 in. x 1/2 in. open end wrench (53)
D Pin vise (51) for cleaning pin supplied with Needle/

Nozzle Kits

D Nut driver (50)
D 1/4 in. open end wrench (52)

In addition, you will need to purchase an air valve hook
(O) to service the air valve, a pressing tool (P) to
service the piston (see Accessories, page 28), and a
small adjustable wrench (A). See Fig. 1.

You will also need a solvent flushing system to clean
the gun. See page 28 to order an accessory solvent
flush kit.

50

O

A

Fig. 1

48

53

51

50

47

52

6 307546

Installation

)

Safety

For your safety, read all of the warnings and instruc­tions in this manual, all system component manuals,
and the chemical manufacturer’s literature before
installing or operating the equipment. The warnings,
cautions and instructions are designed to help all
operators use this equipment with safety and confi­dence.

This gun has a trigger safety latch. To engage the
trigger safety latch (ON SAFE) and make the trigger
inoperative, pul out on the trigger safety latch (B) and
turn it so it is perpendicular to the gun body. To disen­gage the trigger safety latch (OFF SAFE) turn it so it is
parallel to the gun body. See Fig. 2.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious bodily injury from
injection of high pressure fluid, always engage the
trigger safety latch (ON SAFE) whenever you stop
spraying and close the needle valves (C) complete­ly with the nut driver (50).

Trigger Safety (B
shown in ON
SAFE position

C

Grounding

When used with Graco Heated Hose, this gun is
grounded through hose connections. For other types of
hoses, be sure the hose you use is static grounded, or
attach a grounding wire between a metal part of the
gun and a true earth ground.

Optional O-rings

This gun is supplied with flourocarbon o-rings (44)
installed in the gun check valves, for use with methy­lene chloride solvent. A set of silicone o-rings (60) is
also included (not installed) for use with DMF (Dime­thyl Formamide) and Cellosolver solvents.

Trigger Safety (B)
shown in OFF
SAFE position

Fig. 2

307546 7

Installation

Installing a Needle/Nozzle Kit on a New Gun

The needle/nozzle kit includes the parts shown in Fig.
3, except the pin vise (51) which holds the cleaning pin
(H), and the nozzle retainer (23).

KEY

23 Nozzle Retainer
51 Pin vise
D Needle
E Nozzle
F Packing
G Packing Nut

G

F

23

H

E

Fig. 3

To install the nozzle kit:

1. Use the 3/16 in. wrench (48) to remove the caps­crew (7) from the fluid manifold (26) and to remove
the two capscrews (7) from the nozzle housing (2).
See Fig. 4.

D

51

KEY

1 Gun body
2 Nozzle housing
7 Capscrew
26 Manifold
48 Wrench

48

Fig. 4

KEY

2 Nozzle housing
23 Nozzle retainer
53 Wrench
D Needle
E Nozzle
F Packing
G Packing nut

2

26

1

2

7

7

G

23

F

D

E

2. Trigger the gun, then pull the housing straight off
the gun body (1).

3. Use the 1/2 in. end of the wrench (53) to remove
the nozzle retainer (23) from the back of the
housing (2). Refer to Fig. 5.

4. Insert the nozzle (E), tapered end first, into the
back of the housing. See Fig. 5.

5. Slide the packing nut (G), nozzle retainer (23), and
packing (F) onto the needle (D). Screw the packing
nut (G) into the nozzle retainer (23) until the top
threads of the packing nut is flush with the back of
the retainer. See Fig. 6.

6. Slide the needle assembly through the nozzle and
into the nozzle housing. Refer to Fig. 6.

CAUTION

Do not overtighten the nozzle retainer. This can
compact the nozzle and damage it or cause it to seat
improperly, resulting in spray pattern distortion.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

53

E

23

F

Top thread of packing nut
(G) must be flush with
back of retainer (23)

KEY

23 Nozzle retainer
E Nozzle

G

F Packing
G Packing nut

8 307546

Installation

7. Adjust the needle so it protrudes 1–3/4 in. (44 mm)
from the rear of the housing. See Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

8. Screw the nozzle retainer (23) snugly into the back
of the housing. Tighten using the open end wrench
(53). Torque to 25–35 in-lb (2.8–3.9 NSm).

9. Guide the needle of the nozzle assembly into the
front opening (J) of the gun body (1). The piston
(20) rod has a socket in the side of it which must
face down. Tilt the nozzle assembly up and swing
the ball of the needle (D) into the piston rod
socket. See Fig. 8.

10. Push the nozzle assembly further into the front
opening (J) until the back of the assembly meets
the gun body. Refer to Fig. 8.

11. Use the 3/16 in. wrench (48) to install the two
capscrews (7) firmly into the nozzle housing.
Torque to 40 in-lb (4.5 NSm). Refer to Fig. 9.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious bodily injury from fluid
injection, be sure the trigger safety latch (B) is
engaged (ON SAFE) before proceeding. Refer to
Fig. 2 on page 7.

12. Screw on the air cap (24). Connect an air line (K)
to the inlet bushing (9) of the gun. See Fig. 9.

43

7

KEY

1 Gun body
20 Piston
D Needle
J Front opening

Fig. 8

20

1

24

7

25

9

J

D

KEY

7 Capscrew
9 Bushing
24 Air cap
25 Manifold
32 Plug
40 O-ring
K Air line

32

K

Fig. 9

307546 9