Billy Goat Lawn Mower AE551 AE551H User Manual User Manual

Patent Pending

T h a n k Yo u f o r S e l e c t i n g

The Powerful

EZ AIR ^RAERATOR

Operator Owner's Manual

AE551, AE551H

Specifications

AE551

AE551H

ENGINE: H.P.

ENGINE: TYPE

5.5 (4.1 kW)

B&S OHV

HONDA OHV

ENGINE: FUEL CAP.

ENGINE: OIL CAP.

UNIT WEIGHT

3.0 qt. (2.84 L)

0.66 qt. (0.62 L)

290# (131.8 kg)

36# (16.4 kg)

326# (148.2 kg)

471# (213.6 kg)

3.88 qt. (3.41 L)

0.69 qt. (0.65 L)

294# (133.6 kg)

36# (16.4 kg)

REMOVABLE WEIGHT

NET UNIT WEIGHT

WEIGHT: SHIPPING

330# (150.0 kg)

476# (215.9 kg)

Page 1 of 12

Part No. 360178

Form No. F121203A

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GENERAL SAFETY

For your safety and the safety of others, these directions should be followed:

Do not operate this machine without first reading

owner's manual and engine manufacturer's manual. ·DO NOT operate a machine that exhibits excessive vibration.

·DO NOT operate this machine on slopes greater than 19°.

·DO NOT use this unit on any surface other than grass lawns.

·DO NOT allow children to operate this equipment.

Use of Ear Protection is recommended while

operating this machine.

Use of Eye and Breathing protection is recommended

when using this machine, especially in dry and dusty

conditions.

-DO read all maintenance and operating instructions before

begining work.

-DO read all engine manufacturers operating and maintenance

instructions.

Wearing gloves is recommended while

operating this machine.

-DO inspect lawn before begining work. Remove all rocks, wire,

string, or other objects that can present a hazard during work prior to

starting.

·DO NOT place hands or feet underneath unit, near debris

outlet or near any moving parts.

·DO NOT start engine without tine height adjust lever in up

position and clutch bail disengaged.

-DO identify and mark all fixed objects to be avoided during work,

such as sprinkler heads, water valves, buried cables, or clothes line

anchors, etc.

·DO NOT start or operate machine with guards removed.

·DO NOT perform any service on the unit without removing

the spark plug wire.

ASSEMBLY

3. SECURE the upper handle bypositioning the lowermost mounting hole

over the chosen handle mounting stud and tightening the nut on the

handle pivot bolt to secure the handle in position.

Read all safety and operating instructions

before assembling or starting this unit.

4. REPLACE the lock nuts that were removed in step one and fully

tighten them to complete securing the handle in place.

PUT OIL IN ENGINE BEFORE STARTING

5. ATTACH the lift rods, one on each side of the unit. Remove the hair

pins that are shipped in free end of the rods. Pivot the rods up and along

the side of the unit and slip the free end of the rod into the lift link bars

one on each side of the unit. With the rods in position, replace the hair

pins in the holes that they were removed from to lock the lift rods in

place.

Your Billy Goat EZ-Air aerator is shipped from the factory in one

carton, completely assembled.

1. REMOVE lock nuts from the upper handle mounting stud. These

will be reused.

5. CHECK engine oil level and fill to proper level. See engine owners

manual for type and amount of oil to use. Move the tine height adjust

lever to the down position, to level engine during checking.

6. CONNECT spark plug wire. HONDA ONLY: Set the engine stop switch

to the on position. You will use the stop switch on the handle during

operation.

2. UNFOLD the upper handle and pivot it back into the operating

position. NOTE: There are two height positions that the handle can

be set in. The lower stud places the handle in the highest position

the upper stud places the handle in the lowest operating position.

PACKING CHECKLIST

These items should be included in your carton. If any

of these parts are missing, contact your dealer.

Per Model

Check

Briggs & Stratton

5.5 Intek OHV

Engine

Manual Per

Model

Honda 5.5 OHV

Check

Owner's

Manual

360178

Literature

Assembly

360177

Check

Warranty

Card 400972

EU Declaration

of Conformity &

EU Distributor

List 360194

Page 3 of 12

Part No. 360178

Form No. F121203A

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CONTROLS

Engine speed is set by using the throttle control lever,

located in the middle of the operators handle.

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

HONDA ENGINE CONTROLS

B & S ENGINE CONTROLS

Increase

Speed

Decrease

Speed

Decrease

Speed

Increase

Speed

Throttle lever on handle

Set lever to choke position when

starting a cold engine

RUN

CHOKE

CHOKE LEVER

FUEL VALVE

ENGINE LABELS

INSTRUCTION LABELS

These labels should be included on your Aerator. If any of

these labels are damaged, replace them before putting this

equipment into operation. Item and part numbers are given to

help in ordering replacement labels.

Briggs & Stratton

THIS ENGINE EQUIPPED WITH

LOW OIL SENSOR, IF ENGINE WILL

NOT START, CHECK OIL LEVEL

WARNING

EXPLOSIVE FUEL

STOP ENGINE AND ALLOW TO

COOL BEFORE REFUELING.

RUN

CHOKE

Label Hot Engine

Part No.400268

Label Danger

Keep Hands

and Feet Away

Part No.400424

Read and follow Operating

Instructions before running engine.

Gasoline is flammable. Allow engine

to cool at least 2 minutes before fueling.

OFF

Engines emit carbon monoxide,

DO NOT run in enclosed area.

WARNING

LIFT HERE

THE UNIT WEIGHS OVER 300 LBS.

LIFT HERE WITH CAUTION

Honda

Label LIFT HERE

Part No.360187

Label Warning Unit Weight

Part No.360188

WARNING

Label Throttle Control

Part No.810656

Label Danger Guard

Part No.900327

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE STARTING, MAKE SURE:

TO START, MOVE ENGINE STOP SWITCH TO "ON" AND PULL ROPE.

NOTE: IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO USE THE ENGINE CHOKE IF

ENGINE IS COLD.

TINE DEPTH CONTROL BAIL IS IN UP POSITION.

ALL GUARDS ARE ATTACHED.

PUSH FORWARD ON TINE LIFT HANDLE TO ENGAGE TINES

IN GROUND.

PUSH FORWARD ON OPERATOR’S BAIL TO ENGAGE DRIVE AND

START AERATING.

DURING OPERATION PUSHING DOWN ON OPERATOR’S HANDLE

WILL MAXIMIZE CORING DEPTH.

RELEASE BAIL TO STOP UNIT.

FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

CHECK ENGINE OIL DAILY.

INSPECT AND CLEAN ENGINE AIR FILTER DAILY.

REPLACE AS NEEDED.

GREASE ALL BEARINGS AND CHECK GEAR REDUCTION

OIL LEVEL ON EVERY ENGINE OIL CHANGE.

OIL ALERT

READ OWNERS MANUAL

BEFORE OPERATING

NOTE: ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN WITH BAIL DISENGAGED.

TO TURN UNIT, PULL BACK ON TINE LIFT HANDLE TO LIFT TINES

OUT OF GROUND. GRADUAL TURNS CAN BE MADE WITHOUT

LIFTING THE TINES.

WITH TINES UP, PUSH FORWARD ON OPERATOR’S BAIL TO

ENGAGE WHEELDRIVE FOR ASSISTED TURNING.

TO STOP ENGINE MOVE ENGINE STOP SWITCH TO "OFF".

ALWAYS:

INSPECT MACHINE BEFORE EACH USE AND REPLACE ANY

WORN AND DAMAGED PARTS.

PROPERLY SECURE EQUIPMENT BEFORE TRANSPORTING.

DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE BEFORE SERVICING UNIT.

USE ONLY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO SERVICE THIS MACHINE.

WHEN OIL LEVEL LOW,

ENGINE STOPS IMMEDIATELY.

USE PERSONAL

PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Label Instructions AE - Part No. 360191

Part No. 360178

Form No. F121203A

Page 4 of 12

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Operation

INTENDED USE: This machine is designed for aerating

established lawns and large grass covered areas. The

machine should not be used for any other purpose than

that stated above.

TINES RAISING/LOWERING

The tines are raised or lowered into the ground by operating

the tine engagement lever on the upper handle. Tine

penetration is very dependent on surface preparation. READ

the operation section before aerating.

DO NOT operate if excessive vibration occurs. If excessive

vibration occurs, shut engine off immediately and check for

damaged or worn tine reel, loose pulley bolts or set screws,

loose engine or lodged foreign objects. (See trouble

shooting section on page 12).

TINES UP

TRANSPORT

Like all mechanical tools, reasonable care must

be used when operating machine.

Inspect machine work area and machine before operat-

ing. Make sure that all operators of this equipment are

trained in general machine use and safety.

TINES DOWN

RUNNING

STARTING ENGINE

ENGINE: See engine manufacturer’s instructions

for type and amount of oil and gasoline used.

Engine must be level when checking and filling oil and

gasoline.

GEAR REDUCTION: See engine manufacturer’s instruc-

tions for type and amount of oil used. Engine must be level

when checking and filling the gear reduction case. The

engine is shipped from the factory with oil in the gear case.

It shoudl be checked before first use.

AERATING OPERATION

DO NOT- Use this machine on any surface other than a lawn or

similar area.

ENGINE SPEED: Controlled by throttle lever on the upper

handle. Under normal conditions, operate at the minimum

throttle speed to accomplish your task.

DO NOT- Use this machine on slopes in excess of 19°.

DO NOT- Allow persons unfamiliar with this equipment to operate it.

DO NOT- Allow children to operate this equipment.

NOTE: The unit ground speed varies with the engine speed.

FUEL VALVE: Move fuel valve to "ON" position

Honda: Located below the air cleaner on the engine.

Briggs: Located on face of the engine.

MOW: Mow the lawn to it's normal cut height.

WATER: For the best performance and maximum tine

penetration the lawn should be thoroughly watered the day

before aeration.

ENGINE STOP SWITCH: Move to "ON" position

Honda only: Located on side of engine. During normal

operation use the remote stop switch on the operators

handle.

INSPECT lawn before begining work. Remove all rocks, wire,

string, or other objects that can present a hazard during work

prior to starting.

IDENTIFY and mark all fixed objects to be avoided during

work, such as sprinkler heads, water valves, buried cables, or

clothes line anchors, etc.

CHOKE: Engage the choke when starting a cold engine.

Honda: Located below the air cleaner on the engine.

Briggs: Located on top of the air cleaner on the engine.

START ENGINE: See above.

THROTTLE: Move the throttle control on the upper handle

to fast position. Pull starting rope to start engine.

SET SPEED: The ground speed of your aerator varies with

the engine speed. Set the engine at approximately half

throttle to start. Speed may be increased based on the turf

conditions (i.e. large flat areas) and operator experience.

Speed should be lowered when operating under adverse turf

conditions (i.e. fenced areas, hills, or slopes).

IF YOUR UNIT FAILS TO START:

See Troubleshooting on page 12.

NOTE: Honda engines are equiped with a low oil sensor to

prevent engine damage. When it senses a low oil condition

(i.e. unit is operating or sitting on a steep slope) the engine

shuts down. The low oil condition must be corrected before

the engine can be restarted. See the engine owners

manual for more information.

MOVE: Be sure the tine engagement control is in the up

position (tines out of the ground) and engage the wheel drive

by squeezing the operators clutch bail against the handle.

Transport the aerator to the work area.

Page 5 of 12

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Part No. 360178

Form No. F121203A

OPERATION continued

AERATOR OPERATION CON'T

AERATING TIPS

ENGAGE TINES: With the aerator in the work area, release

the clutch bail and push forward on the tine engagement

lever, lowering the tines into the dirt.

WATER: For the best performance and maximum tine

penetration the lawn should be thoroughly watered the day

before aeration.

SLOPES: Do not operate the aerator on steep slopes. Use

extreme caution when operating on any sloped surface.

For lesser sloped areas operate the unit, traversing up and

down at a 45 degree angle to the slope rather than straight

across. Extended operation on steep slopes can cause

engine damage.

AERATE: Engage the operators clutch bail by pushing it

forward to the handle, and start aerating.

NOTE: For maximum tine penetration apply downward

pressure on the handle.

TURNING: At the end of an aerating run, release the clutch

bail and pull back on the tine engagement control to lift the

tines out of the ground. Using the handle swivel the rear of

the unit to bring it around and line up for the next pass.

NOTE: Engage the clutch bail to use the front wheel drive to

aid in turning the unit.

NOTE: DO NOT release the operators clutch bail when

operating on a slope. This will allow the unit to free wheel

and allow the unit to roll down the slope.

NOTE: Honda engines are equiped with a low oil sensor to

prevent engine damage. When it senses a low oil condition

(i.e. unit is operating or sitting on a steep slope) the engine

shuts down. The low oil condition must be corrected before

the engine can be restarted. See the engine owners

manual for more information.

TRANSPORT: Be sure to lift the tine engagement lever (tine

out of the ground) before transporting away from the work

area.

HANDLING & TRANSPORTING

CAUTION: This unit is heavy. It requires at least two people to lift it.

TINE PENETRATION: Maximum tine penetration is

achieved by applying downward pressure on the handle

during operation.

REMOVE: The aerator is equiped with a removable rear weight.

Remove the weight when loading and unloading the unit. The weight

can be removed by rotating the locking tabs on the weight mounting

pins and lifting it straight up. See Fig. 1 below.

TURNING: At the end of a pass the tines can be lifted out of

the ground to turn by lifting straight up on the operators

handle.

NOTE: The removable weight is also heavy and should handled

carefully and secured in place during transport.

LIFTING: The aerator is equiped with lift handles. After removing the

weight lift the unit with two people one on each side of the unit. Grip

the unit at the points marked "LIFT HERE" when lifting. Lift using

your legs and not your back. See Fig. 2

USING RAMPS: Use ramps that are of adequate strength for a unit

of this weight. When loading the aerator using ramps be sure the

ramp is not too steep and that the surface of the ramp provides good

traction.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Part No. 360178

Form No. F121203A

Page 6 of 12

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