BOSCH GBL18V-450 Leaf Blower Instruction Manual

BOSCH GBL18V-450 Leaf Blower

Specifications

Model: GBL18V-450

Manufacturer: Bosch

Product Information

The GBL18V-450 is a garden blower designed for clearing debris and leaves from outdoor spaces. It is a cordless tool powered by a rechargeable battery pack, providing freedom of movement and convenience.

Product Usage Instructions

Getting to Know Your GBL18V-450 Blower

Before using the blower, familiarize yourself with its components and features. Refer to the user manual for detailed instructions on assembly.

Assembly

Follow the assembly instructions provided in the manual to ensure proper setup of the blower. This may include installing the nozzle tube and inserting/removing the battery pack.

Operation

When using the blower, make sure to follow these steps:

1. Ensure the battery pack is fully charged.
2. Hold the blower securely and switch it on using the designated controls.
3. Direct the airflow towards the debris you want to clear.
4. Adjust the blower settings as needed for different tasks.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance is essential for the longevity of your blower. Follow these maintenance tips:

• Regularly clean the blower after each use to prevent clogging.
• Store the blower in a dry and secure location when not in use.
• Refer to the user manual for specific maintenance guidelines.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the blower in wet conditions?

A: No, it is recommended to avoid using the blower in wet conditions to prevent damage to the tool and ensure user safety.

Q: How long does the battery last on a full charge?

A: The battery life may vary based on usage, but on average, a fully charged battery can last up to X hours of continuous operation.

Call Toll Free for Consumer Information & Service Locations

1-877-BOSCH99 (1-877-267-2499) www.boschtools.com

Safety Symbols

The definitions below describe the level of severity for each signal word. Please read the manual and pay attention to these symbols.

• This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
• DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
• WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
• CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
  SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

General Power Tool Safety Warnings

WARNING
Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provid-ed with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.
SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

1. Work area safety

   • a. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
   • b. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
   • c. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

2. Electrical safety

   • a. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
   • b. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
   • c. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
   • d. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
   • e. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
   • f. If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of an GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

3. Personal safety

   • a. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
   • b. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
   • c. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
   • d. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
   • e. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
   • f. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
   • g. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
   • h. Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
     SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4. Power tool use and care

   • a. Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
   • b. Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
   • c. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
   • d. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users. e. Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
   • f. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
   • g. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
   • h. Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

5. Battery tool use and care

   • a. Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
   • b. Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
   • c. When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws, or other small metal objects that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
   • d. Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
   • e. Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
   • f. Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 265 °F (130 °C) may cause explosion.
   • g. Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

6. Service

   • a. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
   • b. Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.
     SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Garden Blower, Garden Vacuum and Garden Blower/Vacuum Safety Warnings

1. Blower safety warnings:

   • a. Do not use the machine in bad weather conditions, especially when there is a risk of lightning. This decreases the risk of being struck by lightning.

   • b. Wear eye protection and ear protection. Adequate protective equipment will reduce the risk of personal injury.

   • c. While operating the machine, always wear non-slip and protective footwear. Do not operate the machine when barefoot or wearing open sandals. This reduces the risk of injury to the feet.

   • d. Do not wear loose fitting clothing or articles such as scarves, strings, chains, ties, etc., that could get drawn into the air inlets. Tie back or cover long hair to make sure it does not get drawn into the air inlets. If any of these items are drawn into the air inlets, it can increase the risk of personal injury.

   • e. Keep bystanders away while operating the machine. Thrown debris can increase the risk of personal injury.

   • f. Never point the blower nozzle in the direction of people or pets or in the direction of windows. Use extra caution when blowing debris near solid objects, such as trees, automobiles and walls that can cause debris to ricochet. Thrown objects can damage property and increase the risk of personal injury.

   • g. Do not use the machine to blow anything that is burning or smoking, such as cigarettes, matches or hot ashes. These ignition sources may increase the risk of fire.

   • h. Do not touch the fan while still in motion.
     Turn off the machine, wait until the fan stops and unplug the blower, before removing any part that may give access to the fan. This reduces the risk of injury from moving parts.

   • i. When clearing jammed material or servicing the machine, make sure the power switch is off. Unexpected starting of the blower while clearing jammed material or servicing may result in serious personal injury.
     SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Additional Safety Warnings

• Use this blower only as intended. Unintended use may result in personal injury and property damage.

• Do not allow blower to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near children. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children. Do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

• Do not put any objects into the openings of the blower. Objects may be thrown or deflected and may result in personal injury or property damage. Disconnect battery pack from tool before assembly, adjustments, troubleshooting or changing accessories. Such preventative safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally, which may result in personal injury.

• Always observe the following safety precautions in addition to the safety instructions. Failure to do so may result in equipment damage, property damage, or personal injury.

• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.

• Remain on ground and maintian stable footing when operating blower. This enables proper control in unexpected situations.

• Keep bystanders 30ft (10m) away. Objects may be thrown or deflected in any direction.

• Always turn off the tool between blowing. Running blower unintentionally may result in personal injury or property damage.

• Always remove the battery pack before transporting. Carry the tool by the handle.

• To avoid accidents, always disconnect the battery pack from the tool before cleaning or performing any maintenance.

• Never immerse your tool, battery pack, or charger in liquid, or allow liquid to flow inside them.

• NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. Maintenance performed by unauthorized personnel may result in misplacing of internal wires and components which could cause serious hazard. We recommend that all tool service be performed by a Bosch Factory Service Center or Authorized Bosch Service location.

• Certain cleaning agents and solvents damage plastic parts. Some of these are: gasoline,
  carbon tetrachloride, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia and household detergents that contain ammonia.

• Do not use attachments/accessories other than those specified by Bosch. Use of attachments/ accessories not specified for use with the tool described in this manual may result in damage to tool, property damage, and/or personal injury.

• Always wear safety goggles that comply with ANSI Z87.1 (shown on package) before commencing power tool operation. The operation of any power tool can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage.

• WARNING Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• Lead from lead-based paints,

• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and

• Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber.

• Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

Additional Safety Warnings

Disposal
This section is part of Robert Bosch Tool Corporation’s commitment to preserving our environment and conserving our natural resources.

Tool Disposal
Do not dispose of power tools and batteries/rechargeable batteries into household waste!

Battery Disposal

WARNING
Do not attempt to disassemble the battery or remove any components projecting from the battery terminals. Fire or injury may result. Prior to disposal, protect exposed terminals with heavy insulating tape to prevent shorting.

Lithium-Ion Batteries
If equipped with a lithium-ion battery, the battery must be collected, recycled, or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

“The EPA certified RBRC Battery Recycling Seal on the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery indicates Robert Bosch Tool Corporation is voluntarily participating in an industry program to collect and recycle these batteries at the end of their useful life, when taken out of service in the United States or Canada. The RBRC program provides a convenient alternative to placing used Li-ion batteries into the trash or the municipal waste stream, which may be illegal in your area.

Please call 1-800-8-BATTERY for information on Li-ion battery recycling and disposal bans/restrictions in your area or return your batteries to a Bosch/Dremel Service Center for recycling. Robert Bosch Tool Corporation’s involvement in this program is part of our commitment to preserving our environment and conserving our natural resources.”

Intended Use

WARNING
Use this blower only as intended.
Unintended use may Vresult in personal injury and property damage.

WARNING

• Do not allow blower to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near children. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children.
• Do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
• Do not put any objects into the openings of the blower.
  Objects may be thrown or deflected and may result in personal injury or property damage.
  This is a hand-held cordless blower. It is designed to blow or clear out yard debris from various indoor and outdoor surfaces such as grass, brick and stone pavers, concrete driveways and sidewalks, wood and composite decking.

Specifications

+32…+113°F (0…+45°C)

Permitted battery temperature during operation* and storage| ****

-4…+122°F (-20…+50°C)

Permitted ambient temperature during charging| ****

+32…+95°F (0…+35°C)

Optimized for CORE18V with max performance from ≥ 6Ah
*performance is limited at temperatures below +32°F (0°C).

Battery Packs/Chargers
Please refer to the battery/charger list, included with your tool.

SYMBOLS

Important: Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool better and safer.

Getting to Know Your GBL18V-450 Blower

1. Air Speed Trigger
2. Air Speed Control Wheel
3. Trigger Lock-on Button
4. Handle
5. Nozzle Tube
6. Bayonet Lock
7. Air Intake
8. Hanger Slot
9. Battery Pack
10. Battery Pack Release Button

Assembly

WARNING
Disconnect battery pack from tool before assembly, adjustments, troubleshooting, or changing accessories. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally, which may result in personal injury.

Installing the Nozzle Tube

(Fig. 2)

1. Align the slot on the Nozzle Tube 5 to the Bayonet Lock 6 on the blower and slide the Nozzle Tube 5 on.
2. Turn the Nozzle Tube 5 until it locks in place.

Inserting and Removing the Battery Pack

• WARNING Use only Bosch or AMPShare batteries recommended inthe battery/charger list, included with your tool. Use of any other types of batteries may result in personal injury or property damage.
• WARNING Ensure the switch is in the off position before inserting battery pack. Inserting the battery pack into power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.

To Insert the Battery Pack

(Fig. 3)
Slide charged Battery Pack 9 into the housing until the Battery Pack 9 locks into position.
Your tool is equipped with a secondary locking latch to prevent the Battery Pack 9 from completely falling out of the handle, should it become loose due to vibration.

To Remove the Battery Pack
(Fig. 3)
Press the Battery Pack Release Button 10 and slide the Battery Pack 9 from the housing.

Operation

WARNING
Always observe the following safety precautions in addition to the safety instructions on pages 3 through 7. Failure to do so may result in equipment damage, property damage, or personal injury.

• WARNING
  Disconnect battery pack from tool before assembly, adjustments, troubleshooting or changing accessories. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally, which may result in personal injury.

• WARNING
  Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.

• WARNING
  Remain on ground and maintain stable footing when operating blower. This enables proper control in unexpected situations.

• WARNING
  Keep bystanders 30ft (10m) away. Objects may be thrown or deflected in any direction.

• WARNING
  Always turn off the tool between blowing. Running blower unintentionally may result in personal injury or property damage.

Using the Blower
The blower is equipped with Soft Start technology which is a feature that starts the tool slowly then will ramp up to desired speed. This feature protects the battery pack from overheating, which is a result of starting rapidly. It is also intended to reduce the abruptness of rapid starts. For best blower performance, use a fully charged battery pack.

Start/Stop the Blower
(Fig. 4)
To start the blower, firmly hold the blower by the Handle 4 in an upright position, press and hold the Air Speed Trigger 1.
To stop the blower, release the Air Speed Trigger 1.

Air Speed Selection
(Fig. 5)

Although the Air Speed Control Wheel 2 shows 6 speed settings, the blower is equipped with stepless air speed selection.
Turn the Air Speed Control Wheel 2 to the desired setting:

• Forward, towards the + symbol, to increase the airspeed.
• Backward, towards the — symbol, to reduce the airspeed.

Using the Trigger Lock-on Button
(Fig. 6)

• The Trigger Lock-on Button 3 feature may be used to keep the blower in the on position, without having to continuously hold in the Air Speed Trigger 1, to reduce fatigue in prolonged use. To save energy, switch the blower off when not in use. Air speed can be changed while the blower is locked on.
• Hold in the Air Speed Trigger 1 to start the blower, turn the Air Speed Control Wheel 2 to the desired setting, then press in the Trigger Lock-on Button 3 to lock the blower to the on position. The air speed may be adjusted while it’s in the locked position.
• Press in the Air Speed Trigger 1 to release the Trigger Lock-on Button 3.
• If the blower vibrates excessively, check the machine thoroughly for damage.

Hanging the Blower
(Fig. 7)
The Hanger Slot 8 may be used to hang the blower onto hardware that is suitable for the blower’s weight. See Specifications section for tool weight. Do not store or hang blower with battery pack inserted.

Transportation

WARNING
Always remove the battery pack before transporting. Carry the tool by the handle.

Maintenance

WARNING
To avoid accidents, always disconnect the battery pack from the tool before cleaning or performing any maintenance.

WARNING
Never immerse your tool, battery pack, or charger in liquid, or allow liquid to flow inside them.

General Maintenance

Keep your blower, battery pack and charger in good working order by adopting a regular maintenance program. Inspect your blower for issues such as undue noise, air flow obstructions, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, or any other condition that may affect the blower operation.
This blower does not contain user-serviceable parts.
If the blower does not start or operate at full power with a fully charged battery pack, clean the contacts on the battery pack. If the blower still does not work properly, return the blower, charger and battery pack, to a BOSCH service facility for repairs.

Service

WARNING
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. Maintenance
performed by un au thorized personnel may result in misplacing of internal wires and components which could cause serious hazard. We recommend that all tool service be performed by a Bosch Factory Service Center or Authorized Bosch Service location.

Cleaning
WARNING
Certain cleaning agents and solvents damage plastic parts. Some of these are: gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia and household detergents that contain ammonia.
Remove dust and debris from the air intake, nozzle tube, and blower housing using a soft brush. To prevent or remedy air flow blockage, regularly clean the air intake and nozzle tube. To remove any blockage or to clean the inside of the nozzle tube, reverse assembly section “Installing the Nozzle Tube” on page 11. Keep the blower clean, dry and free of oil or grease. Use only mild soap and a damp cloth to clean the blower, since certain cleaning agents and solvents are harmful to plastics and other insulated parts. Some of these include gasoline, turpentine, lacquer thinner, paint thinner, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia and household detergents containing ammonia. Never use flammable or combustible solvents around tools.

Repairs
For repairs, return the blower, battery pack and charger to the nearest Bosch service center, or Authorized Bosch Service location.

Storage
When storing the blower, ensure that air intake, nozzle tube, and housing are clean and clear of debris (see section “Cleaning”). Store the blow-er, in an indoor, dry location, and away from a child’s reach.

Accessories

WARNING
Do not use attachments/accessories other than those specified by Bosch. Use of attachments/accessories not specified for use with the tool described in this manual may result in damage to tool, property damage, and/or personal injury.

Troubleshooting

WARFNING
Disconnect battery pack from tool before assembly, adjustments, trouble- shooting or changing accessories. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally, which may result in personal injury.

Blower does not operate.

| No battery pack inserted/battery pack discharged.| Insert charged battery pack.
Battery pack and tool temperature too high/low.| Allow battery pack and/or blower to reach permitted operating temperature. See “Specifications” section on page 8.
Blower operates intermittently.| Internal error.| Return to Bosch service center for service.

Excessive vibration/noise.

| Blower is damaged.|

Return to Bosch service center for service.

Internal error.
Blowing time per battery pack charge too low.| Battery pack not fully charged.| Charge battery pack.
Battery pack worn.| Replace battery pack.
Blower operates for a short time or at a decreasing rate.| Battery pack power too low.| Charge battery pack.
Blower operates but no air flow.| Nozzle tube obstructed.| Clear nozzle tube.

Reduced airflow.

| Air intake obstructed.| Clear air intake.
Battery pack and/or blower stored outside of permitted temperature.| Allow battery pack and/or blower to reach permitted operating temperature. See “Specifications” section on page 8.

LIMITED WARRANTY
For details on the terms of the limited warranty for this product, go to https://rb-pt.io/PowerToolWarranty or call 1-877-BOSCH99.

© Robert Bosch Tool Corporation 1800 W. Central Road
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056-2230
9016750001 11/2023

References

• Licenses
• Apache License, Version 2.0
• Bosch Power Tools | Boschtools
• Open Source Initiative – The steward of the Open Source Definition, setting the foundation for the Open Source Software ecosystem.

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