Qualcast Cobra 32 User Manual

COBRA 32 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Safety Rules

W ARNING !

Know your controls. Read the user instructions carefully.

Learn how to stop the mower quickly in an emergency.

Explanation of symbols on the lawnmower.

1. General hazard safety alert.

2 . Read Instruction Manual.

3. Bewar e of thr o wn or f lying objects to
bystanders.

4. Keep bystanders a safe distance
away from the machine.

5. Switch of f and remo ve plug fr om
mains before adjusting, cleaning or if
the cable is entangled and before
leaving the lawnmower unattended
for any period. Keep the supply
flexible cord away from the cutting
blade.

6. Sharp blade(s). Beware of severing
toes or fingers.

7. Wait until all m achine components

STOP

Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these
instructions to use the lawnmower . Local regulations
may restrict the age of the operator .

Never mow while people, especially children or pets,
are nearby.

The operator or user is responsible for accidents or
hazards occurring to other people or their property .

Do not operate the lawnmower when baref oot or
wearing open sandals, alw ays w ear substantial
footwear and long trousers.

Thoroughly inspect the area where the lawnmower
is to be used and remove all stones, sticks, wires,
bones and other foreign objects.

Before using, always visually inspect to see that the
blade, blade bolt and cutter assembly are not w orn,
damaged or loose.

Replace worn or damaged blade and bolts in sets
to preserve balance.

Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.

Printed in England F016L69851

have completely stopped before
touching them. The blade continues
to rotate after the machine is switched
off, a rotating blade can cause injury.

8. Do not mow in the rain or leave the
lawnmower outdoors whilst it is raining.

Atco-Qualcast Ltd, Suffolk Works, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1EY , England

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Avoid oper ating the lawnmow er in wet gr ass, where
feasible.

Walk, never run.
Never cut grass by pulling the mow er to w ards y ou.

Mowing on banks can be dangerous:

- Do not mow excessively steep slopes.

- Always be sure of your f ooting on slopes or
wet grass.

- Mow across the face of slopes - ne v er up
and down.

- Exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.

- Use extreme caution when stepping back
or pulling the lawnmower towards y ou.

Stop the mower if the lawnmower has to be tilted f or
transportation when crossing surfaces other than
grass and when transporting the lawnmower to and
from the area to be mowed.

Do not tilt the lawnmower when starting or switching
on the motor, except if the lawnmower has to tilted
for starting in long grass. In this case, do not tilt it
more than absolutely necessary and lift only the
part which is away from the operator.

Switch on the lawnmower with feet well aw ay from
the blade.

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Never operate the lawnmow er without the

grassbox/bag or deflector guard in position.
Never operate the lawnmower with a def ective

deflector guard or a defective grassbox/bag.
Never pick up or carry the lawnmower while the

motor is running.

Remove the plug from the sock et:

- whenever you leave the machine;

- before clearing a blockage;

- before checking, cleaning or working on
the lawnmower;

- after striking a foreign object. Inspect the
lawnmower for dam age and mak e repairs
as necessary;

- if the lawnmower starts to vibrate
abnormally (check immediately).

Keep all nuts, bolts and scre ws tight to be sur e that
lawnmower is in safe wo rking condition.

Check the grassbox/bag frequently for w ear or
deterioration.

Replace worn or damaged parts for safety.
Ensure only replacement parts fitted are Qualcast

approved.

Introduction

Thank you for buying your ne w Qualcast lawnmow er .
This manual gives instructions on the correct
assembly and safe use of your mower. It is important
that you read these instructions carefully.

When fully assembled the machine weighs
approximately 13.5kg. If necessary, obtain assistance
to remove from packaging.

Tak e care when pushing the machine ov er unev en
surfaces. Ne v er lift the m achine unless you f eel it is
comfortably light enough to do so. Obtain assistance
if you have tight areas or obstacles to negotiate.

Please record the following information. It will help
your service agent if you ever need assistance or
spare parts. The information is located on a label on
the rear of the machine.

Model Nº
Serial Nº
Date of purchase

Unpacking

Carefully remove the machine from its pac kaging
and check that you have all the f ollo wing items:

1. Mower

2. Handle top

3. Handle bottom

4. Grassbox and grassbox top

5. A hardware pac k containing:
Mower Operating Instructions,
2 clips, 2 wingnuts, 2 bolts and
Machine Registration Card.

If any components are missing please call the
Consumer Care Hotline on [phone] for
assistance. W e also hav e a wide netw ork of Qualcast
Approved Service Agents who you can contact for
service and advice both within and outside the period
of the guarantee.

For ordering spares/replacements please refer to
the parts diagram supplied.

W ARNING!

SWITCH OFF, REMOVE PLUG FROM

MAINS BEFORE ADJUSTING, CLEANING

OR IF CABLE IS CUT OR ENT ANGLED .

THE BLADE CONTINUES TO ROTATE

FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE

MACHINE IS SWITCHED OFF.

CA UTION - DO NO T T OUCH

ROTATING BLADE.

Electrical Safety

Note: It is recommended for increased electrical

safety to use a Residual Current Device (RCD) with a
tripping current of not more than 30mA. Always
check your RCD every time you use it.

Note: Y our mo wer is fitted with an approved
13A(BS1363/A) electric plug and is protected by a
13A fuse (ASTA Appro ved to BS1362).

If the fitted plug is not suitable for your sock et outlets,
it should be cut off and an appropriate plug fitted in
its place.

The severed plug must be disposed of to avoid a
possible shock hazard and should never be inserted
into a 13A socket elsewhere.

Your mo w er is double insulated f or saf ety and
requires no earth connection. The operating
voltage is 230V ac.50Hz.

Extension cable

Only use an approved extension cable. Contact
your Qualcast Approved Service Agent for details.

The couplings of connection leads must be
protected against splashes and the coupling
sockets on the leads must be made of rubber or
coated with rubber.

Fixing means for the connection leads must be used.
The connection lead must be inspected for signs of

damage at regular intervals and may only be used
if in perfect condition.

Assembly

1. Raise the height of cut to setting 7 (65mm). See
Height of Cut Adjustment.

Fit the handle bottom to the mower Step 1 Fig 1A.
Lineup the holes of the handle bottom and
mower and fit plugs Step 2 Fig 1A, ensuring that
they are fully inserted.

2. Assemble the handle top to the handle bottom
Fig 1B. Ensure that the cable clips are attached
around the intermediate cable before fitting to
the handles Fig 1C.

3. Assemble the grassbox Fig 1D.

Using your Mower

Grassbox

For non grass collection the mower can be used
without the grassbox in position, with the deflector
guard in the down position.

Fitting the grassbox

Lift the deflector guard and hold up Fig 2.
Fit the grassbox Fig 2.

Removing/ Emptying

Lift the deflector guard and hold up - remove gr assbox.

Height of Cut Adjustment

Stop, release switch lever bef ore adjusting height.

Your m achine has sev en settings which give the
following approxi mate height of cuts;

1 = 18 mm 2 = 22 mm 3 = 27 mm
4 = 32 mm 5 = 40 mm 6 = 50 mm 7 = 65 mm

Remove the grassbox to aid adjustment (see
‘Grassbox’).

Press and hold the height of cut button Fig 3.
Lift up or push down the machine until the required

height is indicated Fig 3.
Release the height of cut button to lock the height

of cut setting, a click will be heard when locked.

Starting and Stopping

To aid starting, push handle do wn to lift front wheels.

Starting

Press and hold the safety button Fig 4.

0

Squeeze the switch lever tow ards the handle.

2

1

I

Release the safety button Fig 4.

Stopping

Release the switch lever Fig 4.

Mowing

Place the machine on the edge of the lawn, as
close to the power point as possible. Work away
from the power point Fig 5.

When mowing DO NOT ALLOW THE MOTOR TO
LABOUR, particularly in heavy conditions. When the
motor labours the speed of the motor drops and
you will hear a change in the motor sound, when this
occurs stop mowing, release switch lever and RAISE
THE HEIGHT OF CUT . Failure to do so could dam age
the machine.

Maintenance

Stop, remov e plug from the po w er supply and
remove the grassbox.

Note: To ensur e long and reliable service, carry out

the following m aintenance regularly.
Regularly check for obvious defects such as loose,

dislodged or damaged blade, loose fixings, and
worn or damaged components. Check that co v ers
and guards are undamaged and correctly fitted.

Blade Maintenance

Stop, remov e plug from the po w er supply and
remove the grassbox.

Turn the machine on its right side Fig 6 and inspect
the blade and fan; if blunt or damaged f it a ne w
blade.

Use the following pr ocedure to remove and replace
the blade.

Hold the blade Fig 6A using gardening gloves, use a
spanner (not provided) to remov e the blade nut Fig
6B and blade.

Before fitting the new blade, ensure that the fan
Fig 6C is fitted correctly on the shaft. It will fit in only
one position.

Fit the blade Fig 6A and the blade nut Fig 6B. Ensur e
that the blade is the correct way up and tighten the
blade nut firmly.

After Mowing/Storage

Clean the exterior of the machine thoroughly using a
soft brush and cloth. Do not use water, solv ents or
polishes. Remov e all grass and debris, especially from
the ventilation slots.

Turn the machine on its right side and clean the blade
area. If gr ass cuttings are compacted in the blade
area, remove with a w ooden or plastic implement.

Store the machine in a dry place. Do not place
other objects on top of the machine.

To aid storage loosen the handle wheels Fig 1C and
fold the handles.

Ensure cable is not trapped when folding/unfolding
top handles, DO NOT DROP THE HANDLES.

3

2

CLICK!

1

1

C

B

D

Step

1

A

2

Step

32

1

4

0

I

1

2

0

2

1

2

I

1

5 6

B

C

A

Fault Finding

The following table gives checks and actions that y ou can perform if your m achine does not operate correctly.
If these do not identify/remedy the problem contact your Qualcast approved service agent.

Warning - switch off , remo ve plug fr om mains before in v estigating fault.

Symptom Possible Cause Remedy

Machine fails to operate Pow er turned off Turn power on

Mains socket faulty Use another socket
Extension cable damaged Inspect cable, r eplace if damaged
Fuse faulty/blown Replace Fuse

Machine functions Extension cable damaged Inspect cable, r eplace if damaged
intermittently Machines internal wiring damaged Contact your service agent

Machine leaves Height of cut too low Increase height of cut
ragged finish (see Height of Cut Adjustment)

Cutting blade blunt Replace blade

(see Blade Maintenance)
Underside of machine Clean machine (see After
badly clogged Mowing/Stor age)
Blade fitted upside down Refit blade correctly

(see Blade Maintenance)

Cutting blade not Cutting blade obstructed Clear obstruction
rotating Blade nut/bolt loose Tighten blade nut/bolt

Excessive Blade nut/bolt loose Tighten blade nut/bolt
vibration/noise Cutting blade damaged Replace blade

Declaration of Conformity

Measured values determined according to 2000/
14/EC (sound pressure level at a height of 1.60 m,
1 m distance away) and EN 28 662.

Typically the A-weighted noise level of the product is:
sound pressure level 72 dB (A) ; sound pow er le v el
83 dB (A).

The typical hand/arm vibration is below 2.5 m/s²

We declare under our sole responsibility, that this
product is in conformity with the follo wing standards
or standardization documents: EN60335,EN 836
according to the provisions of the directive s
89/336/EEC, 98/37/EC, 2000/14/EC.

2000/14/EC: The guaranteed sound power le v el L
Wa is low er than 84 dB (A). Conformity assessment
procedure according to Annex VIII

Notified body: .SRL Sudbury, England

Signed at Stowmarket
Date: 2001

The Guarantee

Qualcast guarantees this product against
manufacturing defects. We will repair (or replace at
our option) if a manufacturing defect occurs within
the guarantee period as long as it has only been
subjected to domestic use.

For the purpose of this guarantee, domestic use
means any use of the product on the property
belonging to the purchaser and forming part of the
garden area of his/her dwelling.

The guarantee period is 5 years parts and two years
labour costs from date of purchase.

To obtain a repair under this guarantee:

• Take the product to an appro ved service agent.

• Show your dated proof of purchase.

• Show this guarantee.

The guarantee does not apply if:

i. You cannot pr o vide dated proof of pur chase.
ii. The product has been resold by the original

purchaser (this does not apply in the Republic
of Ireland), or has been used under hire.

iii. The product has been modified to change

the manufacturers specifications, or if non
genuine replacement parts have been fitted.

iv. Any previous repair was undertaken by any one

other than an approved service agent.

v. The fault is due to maladjustment, abuse, neglect

or accidental damage.

vi. The fault is due to lack of lubrication or

maintenance.

vii. Damage to any part, particularly the drive or

cutting mechanism has been caused by
allowing the product to strike solid objects.

viii. The product develops a fault due to abnormal

use.

ix. F ailure is due to normal w ear . The follo wing parts

are considered as wearing parts. Their life is
dependant on regular servicing and they are
not therefore, normally covered by the guarantee:

Blades
Bearings
Cables

The cost of routine maintenance of the product is
not covered by the guarantee.

It is in your best interest to follo w the Operating
Instructions for your machine, as a properly cared for
product should give many years of excellent
service.

Should you require replacement parts, always insist
on genuine Qualcast replacement parts. An y
damage caused to the product through the fitting
of parts not made by Qualcast is not covered b y the
guarantee.

Your statutory rights are not aff ected by this
guarantee.

Environmental Information

Your pr oduct has been manufactured under an
environmental management system using, when
possible, the most environmentally responsible
materials and processes, and with the potential for
recycling at the end of its life. The packaging is also
recyclable.

When the time comes to dispose of this product
please consider the environment and take it to a
recognised recycling facility.

(Please contact your local authority for location
information).