BOSCH Universal Rake 900 Metal Tine Lawn Rake Instruction Manual

BOSCH Universal Rake 900 Metal Tine Lawn Rake

Product Information

UniversalRake 900 | UniversalVerticut 1100

The UniversalRake 900 and UniversalVerticut 1100 are garden tools manufactured by Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH. They are designed to be used for removing thatch, moss, and other debris from lawns, as well as for aerating soil. The tools have rotating tines or blades that can be adjusted to different depths to suit specific requirements. They come with a power cord and are suitable for use in small to medium-sized gardens.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Before using the product, read all safety warnings and instructions provided in the manual.
2. Ensure that the area where the tool will be used is free from wildlife, pets, stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects.
3. Wear appropriate safety gear, including hearing protection and safety glasses. Avoid wearing open rubber shoes or sandals.
4. Plug in the power cord and switch on the tool.
5. Adjust the tines or blades to the desired depth as per your requirement.
6. Move the tool slowly over the lawn, making sure that no wildlife, pets, or small tree stumps are hidden in the dense grass.
7. Keep a safe distance from the tool while operating it to avoid injury.
8. Switch off and unplug the tool before adjusting or cleaning it or if the cord is entangled. Wait until all machine components have stopped rotating before touching them.
9. Do not use a high-pressure washer or a garden hose to clean the machine.
10. Store the product out of reach of children when not in use.

Safety Notes

Warning! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Make yourself familiar with the controls and the proper use of the product. Please keep the instructions safe for later use!

Explanation of symbols on the machine

General hazard safety alert.
Read instruction manual.
Make sure that bystanders are not injured by foreign objects being thrown away.
Warning: Keep a safe distance to the product when operating.
Caution: Do not touch rotating blades. Sharp blade(s). Beware of severing toes or fingers.
Switch off and remove plug from mains before adjusting, cleaning or if the cable is entangled and before leaving the garden tool unattended for any period. Keep the power cord away from the raking tines/blades.
Wait until all machine components have completely stopped before touching them. The tines/blades continue to rotate after the machine is switched off, a rotating blade can cause injury.
Do not use the product in the rain or leave it outdoors when it is raining.
Beware electric shock hazard.
Keep supply flexible cord away from cutting means.
Do not use a high-pressure washer or a garden hose to clean the machine.
Carefully check the area where the tool is to be used for wildlife and pets. Wildlife and pets may be injured while the machine is in operation. Thoroughly check the working area and remove any stones, sticks, wires, bones and foreign objects. When using the machine, ensure that no wildlife, pets or small tree stumps are hidden in the dense grass.

Operation

• Never allow children or people unfamiliar with these in-structions to use the product. Local regulations may re-strict the age of the operator. When not in use store the product out of reach of children.
• Never allow children, persons with physical, sensory or mental limitations or a lack of experience and/or know-ledge and/or people unfamiliar with these instructruc-tions to use the product. Local regualtions may restrict the age of the operator.
• Never operate the product when you are tired, ill or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine.
• Never work while people, especially children, or pets are nearby.
• Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the product.
• The user is responsible for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their property.
• Always wear hearing protection and safety glasses when working with the product.
• Do not wear open rubber shoes or sandals when using the product. Always wear sturdy shoes and long trousers. Do not use barefoot.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the product is to be used and remove all stones, sticks, wires, bones and other foreign objects.
• Before using, always visually inspect to see that the tines and tine assembly are not worn, damaged or loose.
• Replace worn or damaged tine and assemblies in sets to preserve balance. On multi-tined machines, take care as rotating one tine can cause other tines to rotate.
• Walk, never run.
• Rake/Verticut only in daylight or in good artificial light.
• If possible, avoid using the product on wet grass or take additional precautions to avoid slipping.
• Do not rake/verticut excessively steep slopes.
• Working on banks can be dangerous.
• Always be sure of your footing on slopes or wet grass. Rake/Verticut across the face of slopes  never up and down.
  • Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Use extreme caution when stepping back or pulling the machine towards you do not overreach and keep balance at all times.
• Always push the product forward when raking/verticut-ting the lawn and never pull it towards the body.
• Wait until the tines/blades stop if the machine has to be tilted for transportation when crossing surfaces other than grass and when transporting the product to and from the area to be raked/verticut.
• Never operate the machine with defective guards or shields, or without safety devices, for example deflectors and/or grass box in place.
• Switch on the motor according to the instructions with feet well away from rotating parts.
• Do not tilt the product when starting or switching on themotor, except if the machine has to be tilted for starting in long grass. In this case, do not tilt it more than absolutely necessary and tilt only the part which is away from the operator. Always ensure that both hands are in the operating position before returning the machine to the ground.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
• Always stand clear of the discharge zone when operating the machine.
• Never pick up or carry the machine while the motor is running.
• When storing, make sure that all 4 wheels of the garden tool stand on the ground/floor.
• Only lift the garden tool with the carrying handle. Use the carrying handle with care.
• Do not modify the machine. Unauthorized modifications can impair the safety of your machine, lead to increased noise and vibrations, and poor performance.
• Be careful during adjustment of the product to prevent entrapment of the feet and hands between moving tines/ blades and fixed parts of the machine.
• Avoid operating the product in bad weather conditions especially when there is a risk of lightning.
• Regularly inspect the machine including the supply cable and any extension cables for damaged casings, cable sheaths, exposed wires and cable grips. Do not connect damaged cables to the supply or touch a damaged cable before it is disconnected from the supply. A damaged cable can lead to contact with live parts. Beware electric shock hazard when inspecting for potential contact between water and electricity.
• Do not touch the tines before the machine is disconnected from the supply and the tines have come to a complete stop.
• Keep supply cables and extension cables away from the tines. The tines can cause damage to the cables and lead to contact with live parts. Beware electric shock hazard when inspecting for potential contact between water and electricity.

Additional safety warnings

• Please read this in conjunction with the instruction manual.
• Use extreme caution when stepping back or pulling the machine towards you do not overreach and keep balance at all times.
• Regularly inspect the machine including the supply cable and any extension cables for damaged casings, cable sheaths, exposed wires and cable grips. Do not connect damaged cables to the supply or touch a damaged cable  before it is disconnected from the supply. A damagedcable can lead to contact with live parts. Beware electric shock hazard when inspecting for potential contact between water and electricity.
• Keep supply cables and extension cables away from the tines. The tines can cause damage to the cables and lead to contact with live parts. Beware electric shock hazard when inspecting for potential contact between water and electricity.
• Only use this product when connected into a socket which is protected by a circuit-breaker that would be actuated by a 30 mA residual current.
• For electrical safety use a Residual Current Device (RCD) with a tripping current of not more than 30 mA. Always check your RCD every time you use it.
• Remove the plug from the socket:
  • Whenever you leave the machine.
  • Before clearing a blockage.
  • Before checking, cleaning or working on the machine.
  • After striking a foreign object. Inspect the machine for damage and change the blade as necessary.
  • If the machine starts to vibrate abnormally (check immediately)..

Connecting to the mains

• The voltage indicated on the rating plate must correspond to the voltage of the power source.
• Only use this product when connected into a socket which is protected by a circuit-breaker that would be actuated by a 30 mA residual current.
• Only use or replace power supply cables for this unit which correspond to the types indicated by the manufacturer. See the operating instructions for the order no. and types.
• Never touch the mains plug with wet hands.
• Do not run over, crush or pull the power supply cord or extension cord, otherwise it may be damaged. Protect the cable from heat, oil and sharp edges.
• The extension lead must have a cross section in accordance with the operating instructions and be protected against splashed water. The connection must not be in water.
• Always wear gardening gloves when handling or working near the sharp blade/tines.

Electrical Safety
Warning! Switch the product off and pull the mains plug before any maintenance or cleaning. The same applies when the mains cable is damaged, cut or entangled.

• The blade/tines continues to rotate for a few seconds after the machine is switched off.
• Caution do not touch the rotating blade/tines.
• Your product is double insulated for safety and requires no earth connection. The operating voltage is 230 V AC, 50 Hz (for non-EU countries 220 V, 240 V as applicable). Contact your Bosch Service Centre for details. If in doubt contact a qualified electrician or the nearest Bosch Service Centre.
• For electrical safety use a Residual Current Device (RCD) with a tripping current of not more than 30 mA. Always check your RCD every time you use it.
• Keep the supply cables away from moving hazardous parts and avoid damage to the cables; this can lead to contact with live parts.
• The connections (plugs and sockets) should be kept dry and off the ground.
• The supply cables must be inspected for signs of damage at regular intervals and may only be used if in perfect condition.
• If the supply cable on the product is damaged, it must only be replaced by a Bosch Service Centre. Only use approved extension cables.
• Use only extension cords, cables, leads and cable reels that comply with EN 61242/IEC 61242 or IEC 60884-2-7 and are of type H05VV-F or H05RN-F.
• If you want to use an extension cable when operating your product, only the following cable dimensions should be used:
  • Nominal conductor area of 1.25 mm2 or 1.5 mm2
  • Maximum length 30 m for a Cord Extension Set or maximum length of 60 m for a Cable Reel with Residual Current Device (RCD).
    Note: If an extension cable is used it must be earthed and connected through the plug to the earth cable of your supply network in accordance with prescribed safety regulations.
    If in doubt contact a qualified electrician or the nearest Bosch Service Centre.

WARNING! Inadequate extension cables can be dangerous. Extension cable, plug andsocket must be of watertight construction and intended for outdoor use.
For products not sold in GB:
WARNING: For your safety, it is required that the plug attached to the product is connected with the extension cord. The coupling of the extension cord must be protectedagainst splash water, be made of rubber or coated with rubber.
The extension cord must be used with a cable strain relief.

Products sold in GB only:
Your product is fitted with an BS 1363/A approved electric plug with internal fuse (ASTA approved to BS 1362).If the plug is not suitable for your socket outlets, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug fitted in its place by an authorised
customer service agent. The replacement plug should have the same fuse rating as the original plug.
The severed plug must be disposed of to avoid a possible shock hazard and should never be inserted into a mains socket elsewhere.
Products that are only sold in AUS and NZ: Use a residual current device (RCD) with a nominal residual current of 30 mA or less.

Maintenance

• Always wear gardening gloves when handling or working near the sharp tines/blades.
• Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to ensure safe working with the product.
• Check the grass box frequently for wear or deterioration.
• Inspect the product and replace worn or damaged parts for safety.
• Ensure replacement parts fitted are Bosch-approved.
• Before storing, make sure that the product is clean and free of residue. If necessary, clean with a soft dry brush.

Symbols
The following symbols are important for reading and understanding the original instructions. Please take note of the symbols and their meaning. The correct interpretation of the symbols will help you to use the product in a better and safer manner.

Intended Use

• The garden tool is intended for domestic lawn raking, verticutting or aerating.
• The garden tool is not intended for hedge cutting, trimming, shredding, etc.
• The garden tool is intended for use at ground level.

Technical Data

Raker/Verticutter/UniversalRake 900/UniversalVerticut 1100

–  Double wound tines

–  Pivoting blades

| | ●

–

| –

●

Collection system| | Jet Collect| Jet Collect
Height of cut| mm| +10/+5/0/-5| +5/0/-5/-10
Weight according to EPTA‑Procedure 01:2014| kg| 10.0| 10.5
Protection class| | / II                                    / II
Serial number| see type plate on garden tool

The specifications apply to a rated voltage [U] of 230 V. These specifications may vary at different voltages and in country-specific models.
All values in this manual are measured for usage below or equal to 2000 meters above nominal sea level.

Noise/Vibration Information

3 600 H8A 0../3 600 H8A 1..

Noise emission values determined according to EN 50636-2-92.
Typically the A-weighted noise levels of the product are:

Vibration total values ah (triax vector sum) and uncertainty K determined according to EN 50636-2-92

Mounting and Operation

• Do not connect the product to the mains socket before it is completely assembled.

Action/Figure/Page

Assembly

Connecting the extension cable

| B| 24
Assembling the grassbox| C| 25
Grassbox assembly| D| 25
Adjusting the working height| E| 26
Switching On and Off UniversalRake 900| F| 26
Switching On and Off UniversalVerti- cut 1100| G| 27
---|---|---
Maintenance, Cleaning and Storage| H| 27

Working Advice

Raking/Verticutting

Place the product on the edge of the lawn, as close to the mains socket as possible.
Work away from the mains socket.
Position the cable to opposite side (already raked/verticut lawn) at the end of each turn.
When raking/verticutting do not overload the motor.

UniversalRake 900:
In case of overload, the speed of the motor drops and the motor sound changes. In this case, stop, release the start/ stop lever and adjust to a higher working height. Failure to do so could damage the machine.

UniversalVerticut 1100:

The motor is protected by a safety cut out, which is activated when the blades become jammed, clogged or if the motor is overloaded. When this occurs, switch the product off. The safety cut out is only reset when the start/stop lever is released. Pull the mains plug, remove any blockages and wait one minute before restarting the product so that the safety cut out can reset itself.

• Always wear gardening gloves when handling or working near the sharp tines/blades.
• Note: When waiting for a reset of the safety cut out and actuating the start/stop lever too early with the product plugged into the socket outlet, the reset time of the safety cut out will increase.
• If the product cuts out again, increase the working height or postpone use until conditions improve. Please refer to the Trouble Shooting Chart” and “Raking/Verticutting Tips”.

Raking/Verticutting Tips

Optimum conditions for raking/verticutting are when the grass is short and slightly moist. Raking or verticutting the lawn when the soil is very soft or hard can damage it and cause the product to collect poorly.

• Kill moss with a commercially-available moss killer before raking/verticutting.
• Start the product at the highest working height and lower it as required.
• Rake/Verticut the lawn in the one direction, then proceed at right angles a week later until the whole lawn has been completed.
• Depending on the condition of the lawn, raking/verticutting moss and dead plant parts can lead to ragged and bare patches.

Note: In conditions with excessive tree debris (e. g. leaves, twigs, etc.), first clear the surface by using the product with the working height set to 3 or 4.
For best results mow the lawn before reseeding. Promote the spread of grass into bare and weak areas with good quality lawn seed after raking/verticutting. Allow fresh grass seed to root and establish before fertilising, where necessary water to prevent fresh seeds drying out. Ideal times for raking/verticutting are spring and late autumn. Lawns can also be maintained by raking/verticutting on a higher setting after every six cuts.

Troubleshooting

The following chart lists problem symptoms, possible causes and corrective action, if your product does not operate properly.
If these do not identify and correct the problem, contact your service agent.

• Warning: Switch off and remove plug from mains before investigating fault.

working height
| Obstructed rotor| Clear obstruction (always wear protective gloves)
| Blocked side grilles| Clear debris from the outside of the side grilles
| Grassbox full| Empty the grassbox regularly
Garden tool runs inter-| Extension cable damaged| Inspect cable, replace if damaged
mittently| Internal wiring of garden tool defective| Contact Bosch customer service agent
| Worn/Missing tines/blades| Contact Bosch customer service agent
| Conditions too wet| Increase working height (see “Tips for Raking/Ver- ticutting Lawns”)
| Too much debris on the ground| See below A)
| Possible clog| Check underneath the garden tool and clear out as necessary (always wear protective gloves)
| Setting for raking/verticutting too low for the con- ditions| Increase working height
| Grass too long| Cut grass
| Very uneven surface| Increase working height
| Grassbox full| Empty the grassbox regularly
Garden tool runs stiffly or belt squeaks| Working height too low| Increase working height (see “Adjusting the Work- ing Height”)
Cutting tines/blades| Cutting tines/blades obstructed by grass| Clear obstruction (always wear protective gloves)
not rotating| Belt slipping or damaged| Contact Bosch customer service agent
Excessive vibrations/ noise| Cutting tines/blades damaged| Contact Bosch customer service agent
Poor work perform- ance| Ground too moist for raking/verticutting| Increase working height (see “Tips for Raking/Ver- ticutting Lawns”)
| Setting for raking/verticutting too low for the con- ditions| Increase working height
| Possible clog| Check underneath the garden tool and clear out as necessary (always wear protective gloves)
| Blocked side grilles| Clear debris from the outside of the side grilles
| Missing tines (only UniversalRake 900)| Contact Bosch customer service agent

• A) In conditions with excessive tree debris (e. g. leaves, twigs, etc.), first clear the surface by using the product with the working height set to 3 or 4.

Maintenance and Service

After-Sales Service and Application Service
Our after-sales service responds to your questions concerning maintenance and repair of your product as well as spare parts. You can find explosion drawings and information on spare parts at: www.bosch-pt.com
The Bosch product use advice team will be happy to help you with any questions about our products and their accessories. In all correspondence and spare parts orders, please always include the 10‑digit article number given on the nameplate of the product.

Great Britain

• Robert Bosch Ltd. (B.S.C.)
• P.O. Box 98
• Broadwater Park
• North Orbital Road
• Denham Uxbridge
• UB 9 5HJ
• At www.bosch-pt.co.uk you can order spare parts or arrange the collection of a product in need of servicing or repair.
• Tel. Service: (0344) 7360109
• E-Mail: boschservicecentre@bosch.com
• You can find further service addresses at: www.bosch-pt.com/serviceaddresses

Disposal

The product, accessories and packaging should be sorted for environmental- friendly recycling..
Do not dispose of products into household waste!

Only for EU countries:
According to the European Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and its implementationinto national law, power tools that are no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
If disposed incorrectly, waste electrical and electronicequipment may have harmful effects on the environment and human health, due to the potential presence of hazardous substances.

Only for United Kingdom:
According to The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3113) (as amended), products that are no longer usable must be collected separately anddisposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Raker Article number
Verticutter

We declare under our sole responsibility that the stated productscomply with all applicable provisions of the directives and regulations listed below and are in conformity with the following standards.

UniversalRake 900 3 600 H8A 001
UniversalVerticut 1100 3 600 H8A 101

• 2006/42/EC
• 2014/30/EU
• 2011/65/EU
• 2000/14/EC
• EN 60335-1:2012+A11:2014+A13:2017+A1:2019+A2:2019+A14:2019
• EN 50636-2-92:2014
• EN 55014-1:2017+A11:2020
• EN 55014-2:2015
• EN IEC 61000-3-2:2019
• EN 61000-3-3:2013+A1:2019
• EN IEC 63000:2018
• 3 600 H8A 0.. : 2000/14/EC: Measured sound power level 94 dB(A), guaranteed sound power level 96 dB(A)
• 3 600 H8A 1.. : 2000/14/EC: Measured sound power level 94 dB(A), guaranteed sound power level 96 dB(A)
• Conformity assessment procedure in accordance with annex V. Product category: 49 Technical file at: *

Declaration of Conformity

• Lawn Raker/Verticutter Article number
• UniversalRake 900 3.600.H8A.071
• UniversalVerticut 1100 3.600.H8A.171

We declare under our sole responsibility that the stated products comply with all applicable provisions of the regulations listed below and are in conformity with the following standards.
Technical file at: Robert Bosch Ltd. (PT/SOP-GB), Broadwater Park, North Orbital Road, Uxbridge UB9 5HJ, United Kingdom

• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
• The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016
• The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
• The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001
• EN 60335-1:2012+A11:2014+A13:2017+A1:2019+A2:2019+A14:2019
• EN 50636-2-92:2014
• EN 55014-1:2017+A11:2020
• EN 55014-2:2015
• EN IEC 61000-3-2:2019
• EN 61000-3-3:2013+A1:2019
• EN IEC 63000:2018

The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001:
3.600.H8A.071: Measured sound power level 94 dB(A), guaranteed sound power level 96 dB(A)
3.600.H8A.171: Measured sound power level 94 dB(A), guaranteed sound power level 96 dB(A)
Conformity assessment procedure in accordance with schedule 8. Product category: 49

Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH, 70538 Stuttgart, Germany
represented (in terms of the above regulations) by
Robert Bosch Limited, Broadwater Park, North Orbital Road,
Uxbridge UB9 5HJ, United Kingdom
Vonjy Rajakoba
Managing Director – Bosch UK
Martin Sibley
Head of Sales Operations and Aftersales

Robert Bosch Ltd. Broadwater Park, North Orbital Road, Uxbridge UB9 5HJ, United Kingdom, as authorised representative
acting on behalf of Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH, 70538 Stuttgart, Germany
Place of issue: Uxbridge Date of issue: 01/04/2023

• Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH
• 70538 Stuttgart
• GERMANY
• www.bosch-pt.com

References

• Invented for life | Bosch Global
• Location selection | Bosch Power Tools
• Service worldwide

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