HSS Hire 555 Operating & Safety Manual

Continue to squeeze the
start/stop lever towards the
upper handle and release the
lock-off button.

Lower the product to its proper operating position and
commence raking.

Note: There are two start/stop levers fitted. Either one can
be used for starting the product.

Do not use the start/stop levers intermittently.

STOPPING MACHINE

To stop the machine simply release the start/stop levers.

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Raking the lawn helps aerate the soil, prevent diseases, it also
improves surface drainage and promotes a healthier thicker
lawn.

There are several types of mosses, which can cause problems
to your lawn. Moss as well as being detrimental to the
appearance of your lawn, will smother grass, make the lawn

spongy, make it difficult to mow, hold water and
encourage disease. Moss spores are released during spring

and autumn.

Thatch is decaying organic matter that builds up on the base
of the lawn. Like moss thatch is detrimental to the appearance
of your lawn and can cause bad surface drainage, encourage

weeds, prevent air circulation and encourage disease.

To safeguard against damage to property by possible
flying debris, try to point the unit away from such items
when in use.

On your first use choose a medium height to start with,

and then adjust the height setting to suit your lawn and
use.

Start the lawnrake at
the edge of the lawn,

close to the power point,
and work away from the
power point. Make

straight passes in
overlapping strips,

until the entire area has
been covered. For a greater effect, repeat on the same
setting but across the lawn.

As the collection box becomes full, stop the unit and
disconnect from power supply and empty the unit.

For best results use your lawnrake regularly particularly at
the beginning of the season to encourage good growth
and at the end of the season to prepare the lawn for winter.
The lawn should be raked in autumn leaving some time
for the lawn to thicken and recover before winter.

When you have finished the raking, do not be alarmed if
the lawn looks almost bald. This is quite normal, as all that
remains is good healthy grass and within 2 – 3 weeks the
lawn will have recovered.

EQUIPMENT CARE

Never push the equipment beyond its design limits. If it
will not do what you want with reasonable ease and speed,
assume you have the wrong equipment for the job. Contact
your local HSS Hire for advice.
Keep the equipment clean - you will find this less of a
chore if you clean it regularly, rather than wait until the end
of the hire period.

When not in use, store the equipment somewhere
clean, dry and safe from thieves.

FINISHING OFF

Release the Start/Stop lever. Wait for the blades to stop
rotating, then unplug the unit from its power supply.

Give the unit a final clean up ready for return, to your local
HSS Hire.

... have you been trained

The law requires that personnel using this type of equipment

must be competent and qualified to do so. Training is available at

HSS Training Solutions

0845 766 7799

…any comments?

If you have any suggestions to enable us to improve the

information within this guide please e-mail your comments or

write to the Safety Guide Manager at the address below

e-mail: [e-mail]

©HSS Hire Service Group Ltd 2010 No. 555/02

Group Office: 25 Willow Lane, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TS

Web Site: http://www.hss.com

555/02

555/02

Operating & Safety Guide 555

Operating & Safety Guide 555

Lawnrake

Lawnrake

For removing dead thatch, moss and

most weeds from your lawn.

Code 62312

GENERAL SAFETY

1

2

3

4

5

6

For advice on the safety and suitability of this equipment
contact your local HSS Hire.

There is a serious risk of personal injury if you do not
follow all instructions laid down in this guide.

The hirer has a responsibility to ensure that all
necessary risk assessments have been completed prior
to the use of this equipment.

This equipment should only be used by an operator
who has been deemed competent to do so by his/her
employer.

This equipment should be used by an able bodied,
competent adult who has read and understood these

instructions. Anyone with either a temporary or permanent
disability, should seek expert advice before using it.

Keep children, animals and bystanders away from the
work area. Cordon off a NO GO area using cones and
either barriers or tape, available for hire from your local
HSS Hire.

drugs.

that could catch in moving parts, tie back long hair.
Make sure you know how to switch this equipment OFF

before you switch it ON in case you get into difficulty.
Do not work near flammable gases or liquids, petrol or
paint thinner fumes for example. Keep combustible
materials at a safe distance - at least 5m.

Check the condition of the equipment before use. If it
shows signs of damage return it to your local HSS Hire.

Do not use the machine unless you are able to call for
help in the event of an accident.

Always keep the product on the ground when using.

Tilting or lifting the product may cause stones to be thrown
out.
Always remove plug from mains before adjusting,
cleaning or if cable is entangled or damaged. Keep the

cable away from the tines.
Do not touch any moving parts. Wait until all machine

components have completely stopped before touching
them.
Beware of sharp tines. Tines continue to rotate after motor

is switched off.

The rakers tines can cause serious injury. Always keep
feet and hands well away from the tines taking special

care when emptying the collection box.

Do not use in the rain or leave the product outdoors
while raining.
Be careful if your view is obstructed, avoid using the

raker under low branches where you are forced to crouch to
pass under.
Do not attempt to rake up metal or plastic items, this
machine is only for normal lawn growth!

Do not operate on banks or steep slopes.
Always switch off before pushing the product over
surfaces other than grass.

Never use this equipment if you are ill, feeling
tired, or under the influence of alcohol or

Wear practical, protective clothing, gloves and
footwear. Avoid loose garments and jewellery

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

HSS Lawnrakes plug into a standard 240v 13amp power
socket.

If the equipment fails, or if its power supply cable or
plug becomes damaged, return it. Never try to repair it
yourself.

Keep flexes out of harm’s way, and clear of the work area.
Never carry the product by the cable.
Never pick up or carry the product when it is operating

or still connected to the mains supply.
Extension leads should be fully unwound and loosely

coiled, away from the equipment. Never run them through

water, over sharp edges or where they could trip someone.
Keep the equipment dry, using electrical equipment in

very damp or wet conditions can be dangerous.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, use a suitable
RCD (Residual Current-Operated Device) available

from your local HSS Hire. Alternatively power the
equipment from a mains circuit with a built in RCD.

Ensure the Lawnrake and power socket are switched
OFF before plugging into the power supply.

IDENTIFIER

Start / Stop lever

Upper handle

Collection box

Deck

Switch box

Lower handle

Height
adjustment
handle

GETTING STARTED

Never use the Lawnrake until you have fully read and
understood this User Guide and the machine has been
properly set up using the information it contains.

Clear the area to be raked of everything that could get
in the rakers way – sticks, stones, washing lines &
garden furniture etc.

Any long grass should be cut and cleared, as this

machine is designed to work over low grass.
Use the product only in daylight or good artificial light.
Avoid operating your product in wet grass, where

feasible. If you have to operate in wet grass, take special
care as you may lose your footing.

Place the unit on firm level ground, away from structures
which could be damaged by flying debris, a green house for
example.

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

To adjust the raking height lift the lever out of location and
rotate to the desired position.

1 - 2 (Low) The low settings
should be used to collect

material from the base of
the lawn. This setting is ideal

for removing moss and
thatch. After removing the
thick patches of moss and
thatch the lawn may look
bare in some patches. These
patches in the lawn will start
to recover now that the moss and thatch has been
removed.

3 - 4 (Medium) The medium settings should be used for
moderate raking. This setting is ideal for lifting flattened

grass prior to mowing and for collecting grass cuttings after
mowing. It can also be used for light raking of moss and
thatch.

5 - 6 (High) The high settings are for light raking and
should be used for clearing the lawn. This setting is ideal
for collecting light debris such as fallen leaves, twigs and
grass cuttings without damaging the lawn.

STARTING MACHINE

Connect plug to mains.
Tilt the handle downwards to slightly raise the front of the

product and to reduce the risk of lawn damage whilst
starting.

The switch box is provided with a

lock-off button to prevent
accidental starting.

Lock-off button

button on the switch box, then
squeeze one of the Start/Stop levers

towards the upper handle.

Press and hold
the lock-off

Start / Stop lever