Karcher K 260 M User Manual

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Using the Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Working with Detergents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Shut Down and Clean-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Taking a Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Winterizing and Long-Term Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Cleaning Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

Optional Cleaning Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

Model K 260 M Part No. 1.189-301.0

High Pressure Washer Operator Manual

Specifications

Operating pressure 1300 PSI
Water volume 1.5 GPM
Voltage 120 V
Amp draw 14 AMPS

French ................... 13

1

NEVER!

Model K 260 M OVERVIEW

Never point nozzle at people or animals.

Never drink alcohol or use drugs while operating this equipment.

Never operate while standing in water.

Never touch plug with wet hands.

Never let electrical connections rest in water.

Never operate pressure washer without the water turned on

Never use hot water

Item Description

1. High/Low Spray wand

2. Rotating spray wand

3. Spray wand extension

4. Soap nozzle

5. Trigger gun

6. Trigger gun safety lock

7. High pressure hose

8. Mobile adapter bracket with wheel (qty. 2)

9. Handle

10. Hose Caddy

11. On/Off switch

12. Detergent suction tube

13. Detergent filter

14. High pressure outlet

15. Water inlet

16. Package of 8 screws (not pictured)

2

1

3

9

12

8

7

15

14

5

6

13

11

10

4

2

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS – Read First!

Safety Warnings

When using this product basic precau­tions should always be followed:

• Read all the instructions before using
the product.

• High pressure jets can be dangerous
if subject to misuse. The jet must not
be directed at persons, animals, electri­cal devices, or the machine itself.

• To reduce the risk of injury, do not
operate the machine near children.

• Learn how to stop the machine and
release pressure quickly. Be thoroughly
familiar with the controls.

• Stay alert — watch what you are
doing.

• Wear safety goggles.

•

Do not use acids, solvents, or any other
flammable material in this product. These
products can cause physical injuries to
the operator and irreversible damage to
the machine

.

• Do not operate the product when
fatigued or under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.

• Do not stand on unstable surfaces.
Stand with both feet balanced at
all times.

• To reduce the risk of electrocution,
keep all connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plug with wet
hands.

• The Gun Safety Lock PREVENTS the
trigger from accidentally being engaged.
This safety feature DOES NOT lock
trigger in the on position.

Extension Cords

Use a sufficient gauge: Up to 25 ft = 12/2
AWG; 25 to 50 ft = 10/2 AWG. Use only
extension cords that are intended for out­door use. These extension cords are
identified by the marking “Acceptable for
use with outdoor appliances; store
indoors while not in use.” Use only exten­sion cords having an electrical rating not
less than the rating of the product. Do
not use damaged extension cords.
Examine extension cord before using and
replace if damaged. Do not abuse exten­sion cord and do not yank on any cord to

disconnect. Keep cord away from heat
and sharp edges. Always disconnect the
extension cord from the receptacle before
disconnecting the product from the
extension cord. If you are using an exten­sion cord, it should always be completely
unwound from the cable drum.

Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter Protection

To comply with the National Electrical
Code (NFPA70) and to provide additional
protection from the risk of electrocution,
this high pressure washer should only be
connected to a receptacle that is protect­ed by a ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI). For best results, unit should be
plugged into an unshared outlet.

This Product Is
Double Insulated

In a double-insulated product, two sys­tems of insulation are provided instead of
grounding. No grounding method is pro­vided on a double-insulated product, nor
should a method for grounding be added
to the product. Servicing a double-insu­lated product requires extreme care and
knowledge of the system, and should be
done only by qualified service personnel.
Replacement parts for a double-insulated
product must be identical to the parts
they replace. A double-insulated product

is marked with the words, “DOUBLE
INSULATED.”

Caution

• Follow the maintenance instruc­tions specified in the manual.

• This machine has been designed
for use with cleaning detergent
supplied or recommended by the
manufacturer. The use of other
cleaning detergents may affect the
operation of the machine and void
the warranty.

You will need a standard screw driver OR a Torx T-25 screw driver

Step 4 Slide the spray wand

extension into the gun. Turn the wand
collar clockwise onto the gun threads
until tight.

3

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Step 3 Slide the hose caddy into the handle

slots and snap into place.

Step 1 Attach the mobile adapter brackets to

the pressure washer. Align holes on the bottom
of the pressure washer as shown and tighten the
4 screws.

Step 2 Spread handle sides

apart and align with slotted areas of
mobile adapter brackets and snap into
position. Tighten the 4 screws.

Water Supply
(Cold Water Only)

• Water hose must be at least 3/4 inch in
diameter.

• Flow rate of water supply must not fall
below 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute).

• Flow rate can be determined by running
the water for one minute into an empty
5-gallon container.

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS –

continued

• The water supply temperature must not
exceed 104°F/40°C.

• Never use the pressure washer to draw in
water contaminated with solvents, e.g.
paint thinners, gasoline, oil, etc.

• Always prevent debris from being drawn
into the unit by using a clean water source.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

4

Step 1 Connect the high pressure hose to

the unit’s high pressure outlet.

Step 2 Insert the spray wand of

your choice into the wand extension.
Push in and turn clockwise to lock
spray wand in place.

Step 3 Connect garden hose to unit’s

water inlet.

Step 4 Connect garden hose to

the cold water source and turn water
on completely.

Step 5 Plug the power cord into the power

outlet. Trigger the gun to eliminate trapped air,
wait for a steady flow of water to emerge from
the spray nozzle.

Step 6 Turn on the pressure

washer. The motor starts only if
the trigger of the gun is pulled and
shuts off when the trigger is
released.

USING THE ACCESSORIES

5

The pressure washer has two fully automatic pressure settings, depending on the wand or
nozzle installed.

Turn the wand nozzle clockwise for high
pressure. Turn counter clockwise for low
pressure.

This wand features two positions. The high
setting provides a steady powerful 15º high
pressure spray pattern, for general cleaning.
The low setting creates a wider 40º low
pressure fan spray pattern.

High/low spray wand

High 15º

Low 40º

This nozzle attaches directly to the spray
wand extension and is used to apply deter­gents to the work area.

Soap Nozzle

WARNING TO AVOID

SERIOUS INJURY, NEVER
POINT SPRAY NOZZLE AT
YOURSELF, OTHER PERSONS
OR ANIMALS

This wand features a 0º pencil jet which
rotates 360º for maximum dirt cutting
action, effectively increasing cleaning per­formance up to 50%. This wand combines
the cleaning performance of a 0º pencil jet
with the surface coverage of a wide angle
nozzle. Not recommended for soft materi-

als, siding painted surfaces, decks or
autos.

Rotating spray wand

6

WORKING WITH DETERGENT

Karcher Pressure washers operate at two pressures. The high pressure setting is used for
cleaning, you cannot apply detergents when working at high pressure. To apply detergents
you must be operating at low pressure.

Caution

Never use:

• Bleach, Chlorine products and other
corrosive chemicals

• Liquids containing solvents
(i.e., paint thinners, gasoline, oils)

• Tri-sodium phosphate products

• Ammonia products

• Acid-based products

These chemicals will harm the unit and
will damage the surface being cleaned.

Step 1 To Install soap nozzle simply

insert into the spray wand extension. Push
in and turn clockwise to lock into position.

Step 2 Fill a container with Karcher

detergent. Place the filter end of detergent
suction tube into the container.

Step 3 Turn on the pressure washer.

Pull trigger to operate unit: Liquid detergent
is drawn into the unit and mixed with water.
Apply detergent to work area. Do not allow
detergent to dry on surface.

For best results see Cleaning
Tips on pages 8 & 9 for specific
information on how to clean
different surfaces.

Always Use Karcher
Detergents for Best Results.

Karcher biodegradable detergents are
specially formulated to protect the environ­ment and your pressure washer. Special
formula won’t clog the suction tube filter
and will protect the internal parts of the
pressure washer for a longer life.

For
Karcher Detergents, check your retailer
or call:

1-800-537-4129

The following Karcher detergents are
available:

• Vehicle Wash • House Wash

• Degreaser • Deck Wash

• All Purpose Cleaner

SHUTTING DOWN & CLEAN-UP

7

WINTERIZING AND LONG-TERM STORAGE

1. Disconnect all water connections.

2. Turn on the machine for a few seconds,
until the water which had remained in
the pump exits. Turn off immediately.

3. Do not allow high pressure hose to
become kinked.

4. Store the machine and accessories in
a room which does not reach freezing
temperatures.

Caution: Failure to follow the above
directions will result in damage to the
pump assembly and accessories.

TAKING A BREAK... five minutes or more

Step 1 Remove de-

tergent suction tube from
container and insert into
1 gallon of fresh water.
Siphon water at low
pressure for one minute.

Step 2

Turn the switch to
off position and
unplug cord from
outlet.

Step 3

Turn off the water
source.

Step 4

Press trigger to
release water
pressure.

Step 5 Disconnect

the garden hose from the
water inlet on the unit.

Step 2

Turn pressure
washer to off
position.

Step 6 Disconnect the high pressure hose from the

high pressure outlet and engage the gun safety lock.

Step 1

Engage gun
safety lock.