CURB MACHINE KIT WITH FORMS 94634 ASSEMBLY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com Read this material before using this product. Failure to do so can result in serious injury. Save this manual. Copyright© 2006 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Electrical Requirements 115 V~ / 60 Hz Amperage 5.5 (Start-Up) / 3.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY 1. Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user. 2.
. Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury. 5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations. 6. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES 1. Maintain labels and nameplates on the Curb Machine. These carry important information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement. 2. Always wear safety impact eye goggles, heavy work gloves, a dust mask or respirator, non-skid shoes or boots, and a hard hat when using the Curb Machine. Using personal safety devices reduce the risk for injury.
14. Inspect the concrete before feeding it into the Hopper of the Curb Machine. To avoid damaging the machine, make sure the concrete does not contain metal, large rocks, or any other foreign material. 15. Avoid accidental electrical shock. Keep all electrical connections dry and off the ground. Do not handle the Power Switch or Power Cord Plug with wet hands. 16. Performance of this Curb Machine (if powered by line voltage) may vary depending on variations in local line voltage.
GROUNDING WARNING! Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with the tool. Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the tool if the power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by a service facility before use.
2. Double insulated tools may be used in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in the preceding illustration. (See Figure B.) Extension Cords 1. Grounded tools require a three wire extension cord. Double Insulated tools can use either a two or three wire extension cord. 2. As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a serious drop in voltage, resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage.
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS* (120 or 240 VOLT) NAMEPLATE AMPERES EXTENSION CORD LENGTH (at full load) 25 Feet 50 Feet 75 Feet 100 Feet 150 Feet 0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16 2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14 3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12 5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12 7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 - 12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - - 16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - - FIGURE C * Based on limiting the line voltage drop to five volts at 150% of the rated amperes.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW The Curb Machine is an electrically-driven concrete extruder. 1. The machine operates on common household current of 115 volts. 2. The machine produces continuous concrete edging, borders, and mower strips without the use of form work or guide rails. 3. The machine can produce in excess of 500 feet per hour under ideal conditions with constant feeding. 4.
5. Wheel Brackets: The two Wheel Brackets (28) must be adjusted (up or down) so that the front of the Slip Form (1A, 1B, 1C) is on the ground and the back of the Slip Form is raised about 1/4 inch above the ground. To adjust the Wheel Brackets, turn the two Handles (34) clockwise or counterclockwise. (See Figure E.
10. Gear Box: The Gear Box (24) is located under the Motor (25) and has a shaft protruding out the left side. The Gear Box is factory sealed and requires no maintenance. (See Assy. Diagram.) 11. Crank Arm: The Crank Arm (53) is connected to the Gear Box (24) shaft. The Crank Arm has two holes in it to adjust the stroke speed and length of the Compaction Ram (64). The Crank Arm is factory preset on the longest and fastest stroke length.
SETTING UP THE CURB MACHINE 1. It is recommended that you first test the Curb Machine in your driveway or garage. Experiment by running concrete sand or mortar sand (slightly moist and without cement) to get an idea of how to run the Curb Machine. This experiment is done without risk since it will not set up or need to be troweled. 2. Make sure the following parts are properly attached to the machine and adjusted: a. The Rear Wheel Brackets (28). (See Figure E.) b. The desired Slip Form (1A, 1B, 1C).
GROUND PREPARATION 1. Make sure the ground and the trench are firm and compacted. 2. If you have straight lines, make sure to set a string-line (not included) to keep the Curb Machine from wandering off line. Trenching Guide (New Landscape Before Sod) Mower Style Without Top Soil FIGURE G 3.
MIXING THE CONCRETE 1. It is extremely important to have a consistent mix. If it is too wet, it will slump. If it is too dry, it will crack. 2. The sand should be “rough sand”, not having gravel much larger than a match head. The sand should be free of dirt and debris. 3. Mortar sand is recommended. Do not use silica sand. Crystalline silica contains chemicals known (to the State of California) to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. 4.
7. Feed the concrete mix shovel by shovel into the Hopper. Do not allow the mix to stack up in the Hopper. The Curb Machine will propel itself against the concrete and will stop when the Hopper is empty. 8. The operator should be aware of the following: a. That he steers the Curb Machine where it should be going. He can see the inside of the Slip Form (1A, 1B, 1C) through the small window above the Motor and Gear Box. Make sure not to get the machine hung up on roots or the sod. (See Figure E.) b.
3. After the section has been extruded, remove the string and place it in line directly over the curb. Portions which are still not straight can be pushed into place with the back of a shovel. Installing Curved Curbing: 1. It is important for the control of the Curb Machine, as well as for the protection of the landscape, that you do not make curves too tight. Gentle curves look best, and will allow you to be more efficient with the Curb Machine. 2.
3. It is also recommended that on sharp turns a control joint be cut on the sharpest portion of the curve to relieve the pressure in case of ground movement. The purpose of this control joint is to allow the concrete to move with the ground rather than forcing hairline cracks in the concrete. Sealing: Once the job is finished, you may wish to use a spraying canister and apply a concrete sealer (neither included). Sealers aid the concrete in curing and seal out water and other concrete damaging elements.
INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND CLEANING 1. WARNING! Make sure the Power Switch (14) of the Curb Machine is in its “OFF” position and the machine is unplugged from its electrical outlet before performing any inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures. 2. Before each use, inspect the general condition of the Curb Machine. Check for loose screws, misalignment or binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, damaged electrical wiring, and any other condition that may affect its safe operation.
TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Possible Solution Curb Machine will not turn on. 1. Make sure the Power Switch is in its “ON” position. 2. Make sure to use the proper size extension cord. 3. Make sure the extension cord is connected to a working, 115 volt, grounded, electrical outlet. 4. Have a qualified service technician examine the machine. Curb Machine extrudes poorly. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. SKU 94634 Make sure to properly mix the cement, sand, and water.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT.
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM 30 31 29 32 33 34 35 28 36 38 37 32 44 43 49 39 40 10 8 27 26 9 1715 14 18 65 17 18 17 19 16 17 41 20 17 18 21 49 22 22 1A, 1B, 1C 60 24 17 6 46 47 9 53 3 2 2 8 54 55 2 58 57 10 56 58 62 59 63 49 64 2 50 51 52 22 61 5 3 4 30 31 6 9 7 37 49 29 48 11 18 8 45 34 17 13 66 11 10 25 23 12 42 39 33 51 3 5 3 4 5 NOTE: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not available individually as replacement parts.
Limited 1 Year warranty Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of one year from the date of purchase (90 days if used by a professional contractor or if used as rental equipment).
