AL-KO 3600 E (01) PDF MANUAL

Based on the product’s illustration, the operating parts of the AL-KO 3600 E are:

1. Clamping grip

2. Hinged tension handle

3. Control lever

4. Frame

5. Two-hand safety switch

6. Safety handle

7. Safety cable grip

8. Adjusting hand wheel

9. Cable and Bowden cable

10. Start button

11. Wear indicator

12. Cable guide

13. Housing handle

Please adhere to the following safety instructions for the AL-KO 3600 E:

Before Starting: Always read the instruction handbook before starting the machine.

Power Cable: Disconnect the mains plug immediately if the power cable or extension cable is damaged or severed. Keep the power cord away from the cutting tools.

Maintenance: Disconnect the mains plug before carrying out any maintenance work.

Bystanders: Keep bystanders, especially children and animals, away from the danger zone.

Personal Safety: Keep fingers and feet away from the sharp, rotating cutting tool. Always wear sturdy shoes and long trousers when working. Do not work barefoot or in light sandals.

Coasting Motor: Be aware that the cutting tool continues to rotate for a short time after switching off the motor.

Cleaning: To prevent damage to the equipment, never clean the electrical equipment under running water, especially not with high pressure.

Disabling Devices: Never disable safety devices (switch handle, safety covers). The safety devices mounted on the implement are not to be removed or bypassed.

Work Area: Check the work area before starting and remove any foreign bodies (e.g., stones, branches). Check for foreign bodies whilst working.

Operating Conditions: Only use the unit in daylight or with ample artificial lighting. Never use the equipment in the rain or in damp, wet conditions. Do not work immediately adjacent to a swimming pool or garden pond.

The AL-KO 3600 E lawn aerator is designed for working on lawns and grassland in private house and hobby gardens. It is not designed for industrial use in public green spaces, parks, sporting locations, alongside roads, or in the agricultural and forestry sectors.

Due to a risk of injury, the implement is not to be used as a motor hoe or for levelling out uneven patches, such as molehills.

Adherence to the instructions for use is a precondition for the proper use of the equipment. The instructions also include operating, care, and maintenance instructions.

Only use approved extension cords made of PVC (code H05 VV-F) or rubber (code H05 RN-F) with a maximum length of 15 m (3 x 1.5 mm²).

The power supply socket must be protected with a minimum of 16 A.

The AL-KO 3600 E is packed in a pre-assembled state. To assemble the guide handle:

1. Remove the implement from the packaging.

2. Pull the Z-shaped, folded drag links apart and tighten the cross-tie tension handle in position.

3. Allow the drag links to engage at the required height and screw it firmly to the hinged tension handle to the left and right.

Warning: Ensure that you do not trap the cable and Bowden cable.

Warning: Only adjust the working depth when the AL-KO 3600 E is disconnected from the mains. The working depth is pre-adjusted and should only be readjusted with care, as a too deep insertion into the ground can result in overloading the implement. The correct aerating depth is less than 3 mm.

The working depth can be continuously adjusted with the adjusting hand wheel. The adjusted working depth depends on the blade wear and can be read from the display. To do so, the implement must be switched off and the control lever set to Position D (Drive).

Note: The setting should always be inspected and adjusted on flat ground. When the control lever is at position D, the blade points should make slight contact with the ground. If the lawn is cultivated and level, the adjustment hand wheel can be turned 1/4 rotation in the direction of “+”.

Only adjust the working depth when the motor is switched off.

Use	Working Depth
cultivated lawn, no stones, soft ground	adjust to ground level
stony uncultivated ground	adjust to ground level, adjust to a lower working depth in case of stone impact
uncultivated areas with a high moss content	commence with a low working depth

Warning: The aerator is not to be tilted when switching the motor on, the exception being if the aerator needs to be lifted during the process. In this case, tilt it only as far as absolutely necessary and only lift up the side which is facing the user.

1. Before starting, switch the control lever to P (Park).

2. To start, press the start button and pull the safety gripper in the direction of the guide cross-tie with the other hand.

3. After the motor has started up, release the start button.

4. Hold onto the aerator when switching the aerator cylinder to the working position.

5. Push the control lever forwards to Position D (Drive); the aerator cylinder is switched to the working position. The aerator will move forwards.

To deactivate the working position of the aerator cylinder, pull the control lever back to Position P (Park). The aerator cylinder is no longer in use.

Aeration is the process of aerating, cleaning, and de-felting so that the lawn can fully take in fertilizer, water, and air. This process removes damaging lawn felt, moss, and flat-growing weeds, and loosens the scaly top lawn layer.

When to Aerate: Aeration is normally carried out once or twice during the mowing periods, in April or September, depending on the weather. The lawn soil must be dry.

Preparation: Before commencing, mow the lawn down to a height of approx. 3 cm.

Aerator Height: The aerator height must be adjusted so that the blades scratch the top grass layer. A deep insertion of the blades into the soil must be avoided.

Operation:

• Only move in a straight line, not cross-wise or diagonally.

• Whilst aerating, hold the implement back slightly and go over the lawn at a normal walking speed.

• Do not pull the running implement back when aerating.

• To turn at the end of a strip, switch the working position off, then turn the implement around and switch the working position on again.

• Never lift or carry an aerator when the motor is running.

Post-Aeration: Immediately after aeration, brush the lawn off thoroughly and repeat the mowing with the same height setting. Subsequent fertilization and watering are very important.

Slopes: On slopes, the cutting strip should be at an angle to the slope. A slightly diagonal position in an upwards direction prevents the implement from slipping. Do not aerate on extremely steep slopes.

The grass box for the AL-KO 3600 E is available as an accessory. The grass box must be emptied as soon as lawn felt remains on the lawn during the work.

Warning: Before removing the grass box, switch the motor off and wait until the cutting tool has come to a complete standstill.

To remove the grass box, release the safety gripper; the motor will switch itself off. The grass box can be removed at the handle with one hand.

Note: To guarantee a good filling result, you should clean the grass box and especially the ventilation grid after use.

Warning: Do not remove any deposits from the housing by hand or with your shoe, but with suitable aids, e.g. a brush.

After emptying the grass box, replace it in the retainer provided. Only replace the grass box when the motor is switched off and the cutting tool is stationary.

Maintenance and Care:

• Regular checks for firmly attached screwed connections, cracks, and damage can prevent accidents and equipment failure. Replace damaged or worn parts.

• Dirt and grass residue can be removed easiest directly after aeration. Disconnect from the mains and lay the implement on its side. Clean with a brush.

• Warning: The aerator is not to be cleaned with running water, especially not under high pressure.

• Have your aerator regularly serviced by an authorized service point or specialist workshop.

Storage:

• Allow the motor to cool down before placing the machine in an enclosed space.

• The guide bar can be folded together to save space. Set the control lever to Position P (Park) so that there is no contact made with the ground.

• Warning: When folding together, ensure that the cable is not bent or trapped.

• Store the equipment in a dry, frost-proof location where children cannot gain access.

Faults usually occur if the AL-KO 3600 E has not been handled, cared for, or maintained properly. The following table contains common faults and remedies.

Fault	Possible Cause	Remedy
Unusual noises, the implement rattles.	The motor screws, its fixture or the blade shafts are loose.	Tighten bolts. Contact specialist workshop / service centre.
Erratic running.	Toothed belt jumps.	Contact specialist workshop / service centre.
Erratic running, the implement vibrates strongly.	Blade shaft damaged (out-of-balance), fixture at the bearings loose.	Retighten the bearing screws. Have damaged parts replaced by the specialised workshop / service station.
Motor not running.	No power supply.	Check power is available.
The blade shaft does not rotate.	Toothed belt defect.	Contact specialist workshop / service centre.