Daily Maintenance and Servicing Methods for Leaf Collectors

Daily Maintenance and Servicing Methods for Leaf Collectors

The core of daily maintenance for leaf collectors (including leaf suction type and integrated crushing-collection type) lies in cleaning and dust removal, component fastening, lubrication and rust prevention, as well as inspection and replacement of wearing parts. Implementing hierarchical maintenance by frequency—**after each operation, weekly, monthly and quarterly—can effectively extend equipment service life and ensure operational efficiency. Detailed methods are as follows:

I. Post-Operation Maintenance (Mandatory Items)

1. Comprehensive Cleaning to Remove Residual Materials

1. Cut off the power source

For electric models: Unplug the power cord. For fuel-powered models: Shut down the engine and wait for the machine body to cool to room temperature to avoid high-temperature scalds or electric shocks.

2. Clean the machine body and pipelines

– Leaf suction type**: Disassemble the suction hose, rinse residual leaves and dust inside with a high-pressure air gun (or clean water), and reinstall after drying. Wipe off debris on the surface of the machine shell, handrails and wheels to prevent material adhesion and corrosion.

– Integrated crushing-collection type**: Open the machine cover, clear residual leaf residue and branch debris from the feed inlet, discharge outlet, screen and blades. Use a brush to remove attachments on the fan impeller (**never touch the blades directly with hands).

3. Clean material collection components

Empty materials in the leaf collection bag/bin. Clean the filter screen of the leaf collection bag (to avoid blockage that reduces suction power) and store it after drying.

2. Basic Inspection to Eliminate Immediate Hazards

– Inspect the power cord (electric models): Check for cable damage or loose plugs. Repair damaged parts with insulating tape or replace the cord if necessary.

– Inspect hoses and protective covers: Check the suction hose for cracks and ensure the interface clamps are fastened. Verify that all equipment protective covers are intact and the fixing screws are not loose.

– Inspect walking components (walk-behind/self-propelled models)**: Remove entanglements (e.g., weeds, ropes) from the wheels to ensure flexible rotation.

II. Weekly Maintenance (Routine Items)

1. Component Fastening and Condition Inspection

– Tighten screws: Inspect all fixing bolts on the machine body, feed inlet, blades and impeller one by one. Tighten loose parts with a wrench to prevent component detachment during high-speed operation.

– Check the condition of wearing parts

– Blades (crushing models): Check for edge curling or chips. Sharpen slightly worn blades; mark severely worn ones for replacement during monthly maintenance.

– Screen (crushing models): Check for clogged mesh holes or deformation. Rinse clogged screens with high-pressure water; straighten or replace deformed ones promptly.

– Suction hose**: Check for aging cracks and ensure airtight interface sealing to prevent air leakage that reduces suction efficiency during operation.

2. Basic Power System Maintenance

– Electric models: Check for blockages in the motor heat dissipation vents; clean dust with a brush to ensure good heat dissipation. Verify the integrity of the grounding protection wire.

– Fuel-powered models (gasoline/diesel): Check the oil level and refill to the marked line if insufficient. Inspect the fuel tank for leaks and clean the fuel cap vent hole (to prevent fuel supply obstruction). Wipe carbon deposits on the spark plug surface to ensure normal ignition.

3. Walking and Transmission System Maintenance

– For walk-behind/self-propelled models: Apply a small amount of grease to the wheel bearings to ensure smooth rotation. Check the tightness of the transmission belt (if equipped). Adjust the tension pulley if the belt slips; replace the belt if it is cracked.

III. Monthly Maintenance (In-Depth Items)

1. Replacement and Repair of Wearing Parts

– Blade replacement: For integrated crushing-collection models, replace blades in pairs if they have severe chips, edge damage or wear exceeding 3mm (to ensure cutter shaft balance and avoid vibration during operation). After replacement, tighten the fixing bolts and perform a dynamic balance test.

– Filter replacement: Replace leaf collection bag filters if they are damaged or have excessively large holes. Clean or replace the filter cotton in the suction channel (if equipped) to prevent dust from entering the motor/engine.

– Hose replacement: Timely replace severely aged or cracked suction hoses with ones of the same specification to avoid detachment during operation.

2. In-Depth Power System Maintenance

– Electric models: Check the wear condition of motor carbon brushes; replace them if the length is less than 1/3 of the original. Inspect motor bearings; apply grease or replace bearings if abnormal noise is detected during rotation.

– Fuel-powered models

– Oil replacement: Replace the engine oil with the recommended grade specified in the equipment manual and replace the oil filter (if applicable).

– Air filter cleaning: Remove the air filter and blow dust off from the inside out with compressed air. Replace the filter if it is damaged (to prevent dust from entering the cylinder).

– Fuel filter inspection: Clean impurities on the filter surface; replace the filter if it is severely clogged.

3. Lubrication and Rust Prevention Treatment

– Apply lithium-based grease to all rotating parts of the equipment (including cutter shaft, fan shaft, wheel bearings and handrail adjustment shaft) to prevent rust and jamming.

– Spray rust inhibitor on exposed metal parts of the machine body (e.g., feed inlet edges, bolts), with special focus on protection after operation in humid environments.

IV. Quarterly/Long-Term Storage Maintenance (Seasonal Items)

1. Comprehensive Inspection and Cleaning

– Complete all post-operation, weekly and monthly maintenance items. Thoroughly clean all residual materials inside and outside the equipment to ensure no leaf residue or dust remains.

– Inspect all equipment components; repair or replace damaged parts to ensure the equipment is in good condition.

2. Special Power System Maintenance

– Electric models: Coil the power cord properly to avoid extrusion and folding. Cover the motor with a dust cover to prevent dust ingress.

– Fuel-powered models

– Drain remaining fuel from the fuel tank. Start the engine and let it idle until it stalls automatically (to empty fuel in the pipeline and prevent fuel deterioration and blockage).

– Remove the spark plug, inject a small amount of engine oil into the cylinder, pull the recoil starter 2-3 times (to lubricate the cylinder wall and prevent rust), then reinstall the spark plug.

– Clean the engine surface and cover it with a dust cover.

3. Storage Requirements

– Store the equipment in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and flammable/explosive materials.

– Place the equipment on flat ground. For self-propelled models, engage the parking brake and elevate the machine body (to prevent wheel deformation due to long-term pressure).

– Cover the entire machine with a dedicated dust cover to prevent dust and rainwater from entering. Clean and dry the leaf collection bag before storing it separately.

V. Maintenance Notes

1. All maintenance operations must be performed after cutting off the power source. For fuel-powered models, wait for the machine body to cool completely to prevent scalds or fuel ignition by open flames.

2. Use grease and engine oil of the grades specified in the equipment manual; do not mix oils of different specifications.

3. Wear cut-resistant gloves when sharpening or replacing blades to avoid cuts. Professional personnel are recommended for internal maintenance of motors and engines.

4. Establish a maintenance log to record the date of each maintenance, replaced components and troubleshooting details for future traceability.