KARCHER K 3 High Pressure Washer Instruction Manual

: June 3, 2024
: Karcher

K 3 Home Pressure Washer
Instruction Manual
www.kaercher.com/welcome

Safety

Please read these original operating instructions and the enclosed safety instructions prior to the initial use of your device. Proceed accordingly. Keep both booklets for future reference or subsequent owners.

Proper use

This high-pressure cleaner is designed for domestic use only.

for cleaning machines, vehicles, buildings, tools, facades, terraces, gardening tools, etc. by means of a high-pressure water jet (if necessary, with additional cleaning agents).
with accessories, replacement parts, and cleaning agents approved by KÄRCHER. Please observe the information accompanying the cleaning agents.

Hazard levels

DANGER
Pointer to immediate danger, which leads to severe injuries or death.

WARNING
Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to severe injuries or death.

CAUTION
Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to minor injuries.

ATTENTION
Pointer to a possibly dangerous situation, which can lead to property damage.

Symbols on the machine

The high-pressure jet must not be directed at persons, animals, live electrical equipment or at the appliance itself.
Protect the appliance against frost.

The appliance must not be directly connected to the public drinking water network.

Safety Devices

CAUTION
Safety installations serve the protection of the user and may not be modified or bypassed.

Appliance switch

The appliance switch prevents unintentional operation of the appliance.

Lock trigger gun

This lock locks the lever of the trigger gun and prevents the inadvertent start of the appliance.

Overflow valve with pressure switch

If the lever on the trigger gun is released the pressure switch turns off the pump, the high-pressure jet is stopped. If the lever is pulled the pump is turned on again.

Environmental protection

Notes about the ingredients (REACH)
You will find current information about the ingredients at:
www.kaercher.com/REACH

The packaging material can be recycled. Please arrange for the environmentally appropriate disposal of the packaging.

Old appliances contain valuable recyclable materials that should be recycled properly. Please arrange for the environmentally appropriate disposal of the old devices.
Electrical and electronic devices often contain components that could potentially pose a danger to human health and the environment if handled or disposed of incorrectly. However, these components are necessary for the proper operation of the device. Devices marked with this symbol must not be disposed of with regular household rubbish.

Cleaning operations that produce oily wastewater, e.g. engine washes, and underbody washes may only be carried out using washing stations equipped with an oil separator.
Work with detergents must only be performed on liquid-tight work surfaces with a connection to the sewer system. Do not let release detergent into the waters or the earth.

Description of the Appliance

These operating instructions describe the maximum equipment. Depending on the model, there are differences in the scopes of delivery (see packaging).
The scope of delivery of your appliance is illustrated on the packaging. Check the contents of the appliance for completeness when unpacking.
In the event of missing accessories or any transport damage, please contact your dealer.

Illustrations on the fold-out page!

High-pressure connection
Appliance switch „0/OFF“ / „I/ON“
Storage hook for the mains connection cable
Storage for high-pressure hose
Transport handle
Water connection with integrated sieve
Detergent suction hose with detergent filter and lid
Detergent Tank
Coupling element for water connection
Storage for spray lance
Storage for trigger gun
Mains cable with mains plug
Bearing wheel
Trigger gun
Lock trigger gun
Clamp for high-pressure hose
High-pressure hose
Spray lance with pressure regulation (Vario Power)
Carrying out the most common cleaning tasks.
The working pressure can be continuously increased from “SOFT” to “HARD”. To adjust the working pressure, release the trigger gun lever and turn the spray lance to the desired position.
Suitable for use with detergents.
Spray lance with Dirtblaster
For strong contaminations.
Optional
20 Washing brush
Suitable for use with detergents.
Foam nozzle
For effective detergent foam.
Detergent
Additionally required
Fabric-reinforced water hose with commercially available coupling.
- Minimum diameter, 1/2 inch (13 mm).
- Minimum length 7.5 m.

Assembly

Mount loose parts delivered with appliance prior to startup.

Illustrations on the fold-out page!

Illustration A
- Insert the transport wheels and lock them.
Illustration B
- Insert the transport handle and screw in.
Illustration C
- Screw the coupling element to the water connection on the appliance.
Illustration D
- Pull out the clamp for the high-pressure hose from the trigger gun.
Illustration E
- Connect a high-pressure hose to the trigger gun.
- Push the clamp in until it locks. Check the secure connection by pulling on the high-pressure hose.

Startup

Park the appliance on an even surface.
Illustration F
Connect the high-pressure hose to the high-pressure connection of the appliance.
Insert the mains plug into the socket.

Water supply from mains

For connection values, see type plate/technical data.
Observe regulations of water supplier.

ATTENTION
Impurities in the water can damage the high-pressure pump and the accessories. For protection, the use of the KÄRCHER water filter (optional accessory, order no. 4.730-059) is recommended.

Attach the water supply hose to the coupling on the water connection.
Connect the water supply hose to the water supply.
Completely open the water tap.

Operation

ATTENTION
Dry running of more than 2 minutes leads to damage of the high-pressure pump. If the appliance does not build up pressure within 2 minutes, switch the appliance off and proceed in accordance with the instructions in Chapter “Troubleshooting”.

High pressure operation

CAUTION
Keep a distance of at least 30 cm when using the jet for cleaning painted surfaces to avoid damage.

ATTENTION
Car tyres, paint or sensitive surfaces such as wood should not be cleaned with the dirt blaster, as there is a risk of damage.
Illustration **G

**

Push the spray lance into the trigger gun and fasten it by turning it through 90°.
Turn on the appliance “I/ON”.
Unlock the lever on the trigger gun.
Pull on the lever of the trigger gun; the device will switch on.

Note: Release the lever of the trigger gun; the device will switch off again. High pressure remains in the system.

Operation with detergent

Note: Detergent can only be added when the device is operated in low- pressure mode.

DANGER
When using detergents, the material data safety sheet issued by the detergent manufacturer must be adhered to, especially the instructions regarding personal protective equipment.
Illustration **H

**

Fill the detergent solution in the detergent tank (observe dosage instructions on the packaging of the detergent).
Illustration I
Close the detergent tank with the lid.
Lock the detergent tank in place on the appliance.
Illustration J
Use spray lance with pressure regulation (Vario Power).
Turn the spray lance as far as it will go in the direction of “SOFT”.
Note: This will mix the detergent with the water stream.

Optional
Illustration K

Connect the detergent tank to the foam nozzle.
Connect the foam nozzle to the trigger gun.

Recommended cleaning method

Spray the detergent sparingly on the dry surface and allow it to react, but not to dry.
Spray off loosened dirt with the high-pressure jet.

Operation with a washing brush

ATTENTION
Risk of damage to the paintwork
When working with the washing brush, it must be free of dirt or other particles.

Push the washing brush into the trigger gun and fasten it by a 90° turn.
Note: If required, the washing brushes can be used to work with detergent.

Interrupting operation

Release the lever on the trigger gun.
Lock the lever on the trigger gun.
Insert the trigger gun in its holder.
During longer breaks (more than 5 minutes), also turn the appliance off using the “0/OFF” switch.

Finish operation

CAUTION
Only separate the high-pressure hose from the trigger gun or the appliance when there is no pressure in the system.

After operation with detergent: Run the machine for approximately 1 minute for a clear rinse.
Release the lever on the trigger gun.
Turn off the appliance “0/OFF”.
Disconnect the mains plug from the socket.
Turn off tap.
Press the lever on the trigger gun to release any remaining pressure in the system.
Lock the lever on the trigger gun.
Detach the appliance from the water supply.

Transport

CAUTION
Risk of personal injury or damage!
Mind the weight of the appliance during transport

When transporting by hand

Pull the appliance by its transport handle.

When transporting in vehicles

Empty detergent tank.
Secure the appliance against shifting and tipping over.

Storage

CAUTION
Risk of personal injury or damage!
Consider the weight of the appliance when storing it.

Storing the Appliance

Prior to extended storage periods, as during the winter, also observe the instructions in the Care section.

Park the machine on an even surface.
Push the casing of the quick coupling for the high-pressure hose toward the rear and disconnect the high-pressure hose from the appliance.
Press the disconnect on the trigger gun and remove the high-pressure hose from the trigger gun.
Insert the trigger gun in its holder.
Engage the spray lance in its holder.
Stow away the mains cable, the high-pressure hose and accessories on the appliance.

Frost protection

ATTENTION
Appliances and accessories that are not completely drained can be destroyed by frost. Completely drain appliances and accessories and protect them against frost.

To avoid damage:

Completely drain all water from the appliance:
Switch the appliance on with a detached high-pressure hose and a detached water supply (max. 1 minute) and wait, until no more water exits at the high- pressure connection. Turn off the appliance.
Store the appliance and the entire accessories in a frost-free room.

Care and maintenance

DANGER
Risk of electric shock.

Prior to all work on the appliance, switch off the appliance and pull the power plug.

Clean the sieve in the water connection

Clean the sieve in the water connection regularly.

Remove coupling from the water connection.
Illustration L

ATTENTION
The sieve must not be damaged.

Pull the sieve out using flat pliers.
Clean the sieve under running water.
Reinsert the sieve into the water connection.

Cleaning the detergent filter

Prior to longer periods of storage, e.g. in the winter:

Remove filter from suction hose for detergent and clean under running water.

Troubleshooting

You can rectify minor faults yourself with the help of the following overview.
If in doubt, please consult the authorized customer service.

DANGER
Risk of electric shock.

Prior to all work on the appliance, switch off the appliance and pull the power plug.

The appliance is not running

Pull on the lever of the trigger gun; the device will switch on.
Check whether the voltage indicated on the type plate corresponds to the voltage of the main supply.
Check the mains connection cable for damages

Pressure does not build up in the appliance

Check to set at the spray lance.
Check water supply for adequate delivery rate.
Pull out the sieve in the water connection using flat nose pliers and clean under running water.
Appliance ventilation: Switch the appliance on with the high-pressure hose detached and operate (max. 2 minutes) until the water exits the high-pressure connection without bubbles. Switch off the appliance and reconnect the high-pressure hose.

Strong pressure fluctuations

Clean high-pressure nozzle: Remove dirt and debris from the nozzle bore, using a needle and rinse through with water from the front.
Check water flow quantity.

Appliance is leaking

Slight leakage from the appliance pump is normal.
If the leakage increases contact the authorized customer service.

No detergent infeed

Use spray lance with pressure regulation (Vario Power).
Turn the spray lance as far as it will go in the direction of “SOFT”.
Clean the detergent suction hose filter.
Check the detergent suction hose for kinks.

Accessories and Spare Parts

Only use original accessories and spare parts, they ensure the safe and trouble-free operation of the device.
For information about accessories and spare parts, please visit www.kaercher.com.

Warranty

The warranty terms published by the relevant sales company are applicable in each country. We will repair potential failures of your appliance within the warranty period free of charge, provided that such failure is caused by faulty material or defects in manufacturing. In the event of a warranty claim please contact your dealer or the nearest authorized Customer Service centre.
Please submit the proof of purchase.
Addresses can be found under:
www.kaercher.com/dealersearch

Technical specifications

Electrical connection

Voltage 220-240 V 1~50-60 Hz
Power consumption 6 A
Protection class IPX5
Protective class II
Mains fuse (slow-blow) 10 A

Water connection

Max. feed pressure 1,2 MPa
Max. feed temperature 40 °C
Min. feed volume 8 I/min

Performance data

Working pressure 8 MPa
Max. permissible pressure 12 MPa
Water flow rate 5,5 I/min
Max. flow rate 6,3 I/min
Detergent flow rate 0,3 I/min
Recoil force of trigger gun 12 N

Dimensions and weights

Length 279 mm
Width 275 mm
Height 803 mm
Weight, ready to operate with accessories 7,0 kg

Values determined as per EN 60335-2-79

Hand-arm vibration value <2,5 m/s2
Uncertainty K 0,3 m/s2

Sound pressure level LpA 74 dB(A)
Uncertainty KpA 3 dB(A)

Sound power level LWA + Uncertainty KWA 90 dB(A)

Subject to technical changes.

EU Declaration of Conformity

We hereby declare that the machine described below complies with the relevant basic safety and health requirements of the EU Directives, both in its basic design and construction as well as in the version put into circulation by us. This declaration shall cease to be valid if the machine is modified without our prior approval.

Product: High-pressure cleaner
Type: 1.601-xxx

Relevant EU Directives
2000/14/EC
2014/30/EU
2006/42/EC (+2009/127/EC)
2011/65/EU

Applied harmonized standards
EN 50581
EN 55014–1:2017
EN 55014–2: 2015
EN 60335–1
EN 60335–2–79
EN 61000–3–2: 2014
EN 61000–3–3: 2013
EN 62233: 2008

Applied conformity evaluation method
2000/14/EC: Appendix V

Sound power level dB(A)
Measured: 87
Guaranteed: 90

The signatories act on behalf of and with the authority of the company management.
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