Billy Goat KV Vacuum

Posted on May 30, 2018 by admin
KV Vacuum

Tired of raking leaves? Wish there was an easier way to clean up after aerating or dethatching your lawn? The KV is the smallest model in Billy Goat’s vacuum lineup, but it still has the features and power that makes their other models a favorite of professional landscapers, groundskeepers and construction crews. It even adjusts for different debris heights so you can use it on both turf and paved surfaces.

Vacuum

Most residential vacuums have problems with clogging, but the KV avoids this by using a wide 27-inch nozzle. Debris is sucked in by a 5-blade impeller with serrated edges chops up and compacts leaves and grass. Each blade is armor-plated, smashing and tearing aluminum cans and glass bottles that would stall or damage lesser vacuums. At full throttle, this machine draws in up to 1,700 cubic feet of air per minute. The KV is also the only vacuum Billy Goat makes with the option of a two-inch chipper, letting the vacuum mulch small branches for complete lawn cleanup.

With four height positions, the nozzle can be moved up and down to vacuum debris off of turf and paved surfaces. Changing the height is easy: just pull the adjuster cable and lift or lower the handle to change the nozzle position.

Bagging

Debris passes by an integrated skirt that captures dust then drops into a 40-gallon bag. This bag uses a zipperless design that’s easy to remove for unloading: unlatch the two hooks on the operator handle, then pull up on the handle over bag opening. A spring-loaded door automatically covers the impeller outlet.

Models

The KV Vacuum is available with or without a drive system. Self-propelled models aren’t just easier to operate, they move faster, letting these machines cover a little under a half acre per hour.

Buyers also have a choice of two engines. The 190cc Briggs & Stratton Professional straddles the consumer and professional small engine segments. It’s designed to last 60% longer than the company’s E-Series engines, but it still has an automatic choke for easy starting. The Honda GSV 190 is also a prosumer engine, combining high-quality components with a design that targets low noise and reduced vibration. The two-inch chipper is only available with this engine.

Briggs & Stratton Professional
KV601 – 116 lbs.
KV600SP – Self-propelled, 129 lbs.

Honda GSV 190
KV650H – 98 lbs.
KV650SPH – Self-propelled, 98 lbs.
TKV650SPH – Self-propelled with a two-inch chipper, 141 lbs.

Accessories

The hose kit makes it easy to vacuum debris around bushes, flowerbeds, and other obstacles. When the blanking plate is attached to the vacuum nozzle, airflow is redirected to the port on the front of the machine. A metal nozzle on the hose resists scraped and impacts, while a long handle gives the operator plenty of reach.

Other accessories are designed to tailor the KV’s performance to fit your needs:

Need to pick up fine dust and dirt? The felt bag has fine pores for better dust control.
Do you live in a place with sandy soil? Adding a liner sleeve will protect the impeller housing from abrasion.
Mostly work on paved areas? The nozzle wear kit adds metal plates to protect the nozzle while adding a caster kit makes the vacuum easier maneuver and reduces wear on the wheels when turning.
Do you mostly use your vacuum to pick up leaves? The shredder screen traps leaves in the housing to give the impeller more time to chop them up, resulting in a 12 to 1 reduction. This leaves you with fewer bags of yard waste to dispose of.

Warranty

Billy Goat guarantees the vacuum for one year of residential or commercial use. Briggs & Stratton guarantees the Professional engine for one year of residential or 90 days of commercial use, while Honda guarantees the GCV190 for two years of residential use or one year of commercial use.

Everything You Need for Your Billy Goat is Just a Few Clicks Away

Need parts or accessories for your vacuum? Billygoatparts.com is a certified dealer for Billy Goat, Briggs & Stratton and Honda engines. That means you can get everything you need from one source. Our site has built-in diagrams and descriptions straight from the manufacturers so you can be sure you’re ordering exactly what you need. We ship across the U.S. and Canada.

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Billy Goat MV Vacuum

Posted on May 23, 2018 by admin
Billy Goat MV Vacuum

Just because you need to clean up both turf and paved surfaces doesn’t mean you need to have two separate machines. Billy Goat’s MV Multi-Surface Vacuum uses an adjustable nozzle that works great on both surfaces, making it a great choice for homeowners and commercial operators that want an all-in-one vacuum.

Flexibility by Design

Debris is drawn in through a 29-inch nozzle that adjusts for concrete and turf use. A large crank at the rear of the base adjusts the nozzle height, while a separate lever moves the gobbler door, adjusting the nozzle opening to pick up anything from pine needles to leaf piles up to 5 inches high

Debris is sent to a 40-gallon bag that holds up to 50 lbs. This bag is top loading, sliding in and out of rails molded into the exhaust hood. There are no zippers to mess with: just release the two latches on the back and slide out the bag to empty it. The bag design also reduces backpressure for better overall performance, and it can be filled to the top before having to be emptied. Air is pushed downward as it exits the bag, keeping dust away from the operator’s face.

Perfect for Flat Surfaces and Hills

With large wheels and a weight just a little over 200 lbs, this vacuum is surprisingly easy to move over flat surfaces. If you need to tackle hills, Billy Goat offers the MV with a three-speed drive system, letting you pick up debris at your own pace.

Models

Billy Goat makes the MV vacuum in three versions:

The MV601SPE is powered by a 190cc Briggs & Stratton Professional engine and is self-propelled. This engine is intended for residential use, but it borrows some design features from commercial engines including a dual sealed air filter. By the company’s own estimates, this engine should last 60% longer than their standard E-Series powerplants. With no choke or priming bulb to worry about, this engine can be started with one or two pulls.

The MV650H is a push vacuum powered by a Honda GX190. This commercial engine has a reputation for unfailing reliability, and its design reduces vibration and noise, making it comfortable for all day use. Starting is easy thanks to an automatic decompression system.

The MV650SPH pairs the Honda GX190 with an electric starter and a self-propulsion system.

Accessories

Need to bag debris? Billy Goat offers disposable liners that fit inside the debris bag, letting you load debris directly, then tie the top of the liner and lift it out of the bag for disposal.

The optional hose kit makes it easy to get leaves and debris out of hard-to-reach places. The hose attached to a port on the gobbler door and mounts over the top of the machine, so the vacuum can be used normally. When it’s time to use the hose, the airflow can be redirected from the nozzle by moving a lever. A long metal tube and handle lets the operator reach into corners with minimal stooping, and the clear hose makes it easy to find blockages.

Warranty

The GX190 is guaranteed by Honda for three years of residential or commercial use, while the Professional is guaranteed by Briggs & Stratton for two years of residential use or 90 days of commercial use. Billy Goat covers the rest of the MV vacuum for two years of residential use or one year of commercial use.

Get the Parts and Accessories You Need for Your Billy Goat Equipment

Billygoatparts.com is a certified dealer for Billy Goat and their manufacturing partners including Honda Engines and Briggs & Stratton so you can get everything you need for your vacuum from one source. We have sections for vacuum bags, accessories and common parts on our front page, or you can search by your model and serial number. We have factory exploded diagrams built into our site, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for, and we can ship your order to any location in the United States or Canada.

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F13 Blower

Posted on May 16, 2018 by admin
F13 Blower

Billy Goat’s Force leaf blowers take the effort out of clearing debris by putting commercial engine and large composite fans together into an easy-to-use package. The F13 blower, aimed at contractor and light municipal use, recently received a few changes, simplifying the model lineup while still delivering enough power to replace several backpack blowers.

Delivering More Power and Less Noise

When it comes to blowers, the design of the fan can be more important than the engine for getting performance. Billy Goat has used composite fans and housings for years now, and thanks to refinements to the design, the F13 has over 6 times the clearing power of the best backpack blower.

The engine spins a 16 blade closed face fan. That’s twice as many blades as competing blowers, and since it’s cast in a single shot, there’s nothing that can loosen under use. This fan is housed in a composite shell that forms a close fit, eliminating turbulent and stagnant areas found in metal designs. That means more power, less engine wear, less vibration and less noise, all while moving air at speeds nearing 200 mph.

The efficient fan design coupled with a four-stroke engine results in 90 dB of noise at operator’s position, less than many backpack blowers. This level of sound still requires hearing protection, but since this noise drops off significantly with distance, sound levels drop below 65 dB at a distance of around 20 feet. That’s low enough to meet most municipal ordinances.

Air exits the fan chamber via a 5-inch Aim-N-Shoot nozzle. The angle of the nozzle can be adjusted using a lever on the handle or it can be locked into place. That handle is offset, giving the operator a clear view of the air path. A rubber forward discharge elbow is also included that snaps over the nozzle for cleanup next to buildings and fences.

Models

Billy Goat has phased out the Vanguard and Subaru engines on the F13, leaving the 393cc Honda GX400 as the sole engine option. Despite this, improvements to the fan design let this motor match the output of the larger Vanguard.

The walk-behind F1002H weighs 160 lbs, up slightly from its predecessor but still well below that of similar metal case blowers. The F1002SPH adds a self-propulsion system, taking some of the strain off the operator while increasing overall speed by 30%. It weighs just 5 lbs. more than the standard model.

Accessories

The front wheel can be replaced with a caster to make it easier to steer the blower around obstacles. If you’ll be using the blower in areas likely to contain nails and other sharp objects, the standard pneumatic tire can be replaced with a flat-free foam-filled tire.

Need to step away from your blower when working on slopes? The parking brake has metal tines that clamp down on the rear tires to keep this machine from rolling. This also makes the blower easier to secure during transport, as does the quick hold down kit that provides a fixed mount that attaches to your trailer.

Warranty

Billy Goat guarantees the housing for 5 years of use and the rest of the F13 for two years of use. Honda guarantees the engine for three years.

Getting Parts and Accessories for Your Billy Goat Blower

You can get everything you need for your Billy Goat equipment at www.billygoatparts.com. We’re a certified Billy Goat and Honda Engines dealer, which means we carry replacements for everything on the company’s Force wheeled blowers. Our site has factory diagrams and descriptions built into the search engine, making it easy to find what you need to get the most from your equipment. We ship across the U.S. and Canada.

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QV Quietvac Contractor Vacuum

Posted on May 9, 2018 by admin
QV Quietvac Contractor Vacuum Billy Goat

The QV Quietvac was introduced 6 years ago, but this contractor vacuum isn’t the same one that debuted in 2012. Updates have improved overall performance to maintain its place as the quietest vacuum of its kind on the market while helping it remove even more dust for better results. Not only is it great for paved areas including parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and streets, its filtration system can safely remove harmful silica dust.

How Quiet is the Quietest Vacuum?

No matter the engine, the noise from this machine is just 77 dB at full RPM and 76 dB at 2,800 RPM. That’s as loud as a car passing by at highway speeds. This doesn’t just make operation more pleasant: in many cases, the QV can be used at full power without violating noise ordinances. This lets operators work faster when working in residential and business districts.

Performance

Debris is drawn in through a 33-inch nozzle. A crank adjusts the height from ½ inch to three inches, letting this vacuum clean fresh cement pads, remove thin layers of leaves and cut grass from parking lots and everything in between.

Negative air pressure is generated by an impeller with 6 armor plate blades. As debris passes through the volute chamber, they can be reduced up to 12:1 in dry conditions. The impeller chamber uses a replaceable steel liner to withstand impacts from large debris. At maximum power, this vacuum can draw in up to 1.775 cubic feet of air per minute.

Superior Filtration

As debris and air leave the impeller chamber, they pass through a cyclonic chamber that slows down the flow rate. By reducing air velocity, more dust falls out of suspension, reducing the amount of material that has to be trapped by the bag. After passing through the bag’s pores, any remaining dust is trapped by a fine dust sock. Used together in dry conditions, the vacuum can trap dust particles as small as 0.1 micron, making it safe for removing silica dust left over from construction involving cement and masonry. The vacuum can also be used in moist, low dust applications by removing the dust sock. Once the 36-gallon collection bag is full, it’s easy to unload and reattach thanks to a four latch system mounted around the cyclonic chamber.

Maneuverability

The front of the QV rides on 6-inch caster wheels. Billy Goat offers a hydrostatic drive option that can propel the vacuum to a maximum of 3 mph going forward and 1.5 mph in reverse. The shift-on-the-fly control uses a pair of handles to engage forward and reverse, eliminating the need for a gear shift. This makes it easy to maneuver the vacuum in tight quarters. An optional hose kit attaches to the front of the nozzle, redirection air flow through a 5-inch by 10-foot hose with a metal nozzle. Using the nozzle’s long handle, the operator can reach over obstacles and into corners with minimal stooping.

Models

Billy Goat makes four versions of the QV Quietvac, giving buyers a choice of engines and drive systems:

QV550: 205 cc Briggs & Stratton Professional
QV550H: 160 cc Honda GX
QV550HSP: 160 cc Honda GX and hydrostatic drive
QV900HSP: 270 cc Honda GX and hydrostatic drive

Warranty

Honda and Briggs & Stratton guarantees their engines for three years, while Billy Goat guarantees the rest of the vacuum for one year.

Getting Parts and Accessories for Billy Goat Vacuums

Billygoatparts.com is a certified dealer for Billy Goat, Honda Engines, and Briggs & Stratton, making us your one-stop shop for everything on your vacuum. Finding the right part is easy: our site lets you search for parts based on your model and serial number, and you can see exploded diagrams and descriptions direct from the factory. From small parts to impellers, we can ship the parts and accessories you need to any address in the U.S. or Canada.

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LB352 “Little Billy” Vacuum

Posted on May 2, 2018 by admin

LB352 Little BillyLitter vacuums don’t have to be limited to clearing out big yards and parking lots. Originally designed for the needs of European customers, the “Little Billy” LB352 vacuum’s compact footprint is perfect for turf care and light construction work. Its narrow width lets it reach more places than Billy Goat’s larger models, but it still comes with a steel impeller that can withstand impacts from cans and other hard debris.

Engine

Billy Goat recently updated this model’s powerplant, replacing the 160cc engine with a new 140cc Briggs & Stratton 500e Series engine. Despite the decrease in displacement, the 500e offers similar peak performance along with a wider torque band. Together with the mechanical governor, this keeps the engine from bogging down under heavy load. It’s also 30% lighter than similar engines on the market, giving the LB352 a total weight of just 57 lbs. That’s about the same as the most basic walk-behind lawn mower.

The engine is fed by a float carburetor, but it has a primer bulb instead of choke. Push the bulb a couple times, and the carburetor will use a rich fuel mixture for starting without having to slowly open a choke lever while waiting for the engine to warm up. Everything from the ignition to the intake is designed to let the engine start after a single pull.

Maintenance has also been simplified. The air filter cover can be removed without tools for a quick cleaning after working in dusty areas, and after the initial break-in, most engine servicing only needs to be done annually.

Vacuum

Instead of having an adjustable nozzle, the nozzle and base are built as one unit. To change the nozzle position, there’s a single lever the adjusts the height of all four wheels. The height range lets the LB352 get close enough to clean up on hard surfaces or have space to hover over grass for turf vacuuming. The engine and impeller pull air through the 20-inch nozzle at a rate of 743 CFM. Since the wheels are placed inboard on the base, the unit is only as wide as the nozzle itself.

After passing through the impeller housing, debris is collected in a 28-gallon bag. The opening of the bag has a quick attach mount for quick dumping, while the top of the bag attaches to the handle using a harness that’s easy to clip into place.

Accessories

The LB352 comes with an opening to add a hose kit. This redirects the airflow, pulling debris through a four-inch by 7-foot hose with a steel nozzle. A long handle lets the operator reach into corners and remote areas with minimal stooping. The length of the hose can be doubled with an additional hose and hose connector kit.

Using this vacuum primarily for lawn cleanup? By increasing the number and size of holes in the fabric, the grass bag needs less frequent cleaning than the standard bag when used in low dust applications.

Warranty

Billy Goat guarantees the LB352 for two years of commercial use, while Briggs & Stratton guarantees the 500e for two years of residential use or 90 days of commercial use.

Getting Parts and Accessories for Your Billy Goat

From the LB352 to the QV Quietvac, if it’s Billy Goat, you can get what you need for it at www.billygoatparts.com. As a certified dealer for Billy Goat and engine manufacturers like Briggs & Stratton, we’re able to ship parts and accessories for their equipment across the U.S. and Canada. Finding the right part is easy, too: once you select your model, you can see exploded diagrams straight from the factory so you can match what you’re ordering to what’s on your equipment.

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BC26 Outback Brushcutter

Posted on April 25, 2018 by admin
BC26 Outback Brushcutter

Do you need a machine that’s tough on thick grass and brush and is easy to operate on difficult terrain? Billy Goat’s BC26 Outback Brushcutter can slice tall growth and saplings with ease, while its drive system and swiveling deck make it easy to handle on any surface.

Deck

The BC26 uses a deck with a 26 cutting width and an average cutting height of 3.75 inches. Inside, the spindle is mounted to a base that is reinforced in four directions to withstand impacts with hidden objects including rocks, stumps, and even tires. The spindle drives a ¼ inch reinforced blade that can cut saplings up to two inches wide and brush up to 6 feet tall. A large brush guard ahead of the deck pushes down grass and branches to help the deck climb over them. The PTO uses a Kevlar belt that can absorb impacts when the blade strikes hard objects.

The entire deck is surrounded by metal: even the front is shielded by swinging metal plates. This lets vegetation get chopped up and dropped on the ground instead of being thrown. On the rear of the deck, rubberized trim extends the guards while increasing stump clearance.

A pivoting mount lets the deck tilt left or right up to 12 degrees. The hinge design returns to neutral automatically, so the deck always follows the shape of the ground for an even cut without operator intervention.

Engine

Both versions of this model are powered by a Honda GX390. Well known throughout the industry for its rugged, reliable design, its features also improve the BC 26’s performance. The fuel and oiling systems can maintain power and lubrication at severe angles, letting this brushcutter operate at slopes up to 20 degrees. This powerplant sits directly over the wheels for maximum traction and stability.

Billy Goat makes two versions of this brushcutter: the BC2600HH uses an engine with a pull starter, while the BC2600HEBH’s engine has a built-in electric starter.

Drive

The Outback uses a Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission with automatic Enhanced Traction Control (ETC.) This acts like a limited slip differential, locking the wheels when one of them starts to spin. The brushcutter rides on a pair of 16 ½ inch off-road tires that provide extra grip on soft soil and rocky surfaces. On average, owners can expect to cover around ¾ of an acre per hour of operation.

Control

The operator steers the brushcutter using plow style handles with padded grips and knuckle guards. This lets the user maintain a comfortable operating position with plenty of leverage to lift and dip the deck.

The hand controls allow the transaxle to go between forward and reverse without having to stop to shift. Lightly pulling a drive handle allows power to be feathered in when operating when making precise movements around obstacles.

Warranty

Billy Goat guarantees the BC 26 for one year of commercial use, while Honda guarantees the GX390 for three years.

Getting Parts for Your Outback Brushcutter

From blades to bearings, if it’s part of your Billy Goat equipment, you can get replacement parts from www.billygoatparts.com. Our site can show you parts for your specific model and serial number together with factory diagrams and descriptions so you know you’re ordering exactly what you want. Need engine parts? We’re also a certified Honda Engines dealer. We ship across the U.S. and Canada.

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Goodbye Subaru: Small Engine Production Comes to an End

Posted on April 18, 2018 by admin

 SubaruWhen you buy a piece of Billy Goat equipment, you often get to choose from a variety of engines made by Briggs & Stratton, Honda or Subaru. However, one of those options is going away. Late last year, Subaru announced that they were pulling out of the small engine market. What does this mean for owners of Subaru-powered equipment, and what are your alternatives if you’re looking for new equipment?

Why Did Subaru Power Shut Down?

Subaru Power may not have been the biggest engine manufacturer, but they found a niche with their EX-Series engines. Compact, efficient and unfailingly reliable, this engine was one of the few real competitors to Honda’s ubiquitous GX-Series.

Subaru also has divisions that build aerospace parts and alternative energy devices. However, these pale in comparison to their automotive division. With a decade of record growth behind them, Subaru’s vehicle manufacturing capabilities have been pushed to the limit. Meanwhile, like other automakers, they’re trying to make the transition to electric power. Together with Mazda and Toyota, they’re developing new electric powertrains that should be in production in the next four years. With their other divisions committed to supplying their manufacturing partners for years to come, the only way to free up resources for their booming car business was to shut down the small engine division.

Can I Still Get Parts for My Engine? What About the Warranty?

Subaru handed off the division to Industrial Power Products of America, Inc. This distributor already has a network in place to support Yamaha industrial products, and they’ll use this to supply Subaru Power dealers with parts. The company will also continue to honor engine warranties. As part of the deal, the company even took over Subaru’s websites, so you’ll be able to download owners manuals and other information just like before. This new parts and warranty coverage includes Subaru products as well as older Robin and Subaru Robin engines.

What are My Alternatives to Subaru-Powered Billy Goat Equipment?

Like many manufacturers, Billy Goat is rolling out updates models with engines from other manufacturers. With engine support still available, a Subaru-powered model is still a good option if it’s available, but there are plenty of other options that can fit your needs.

F6 Force Wheeled Blower
Subaru: F601S
Briggs & Stratton: F601X
Vanguard: F601V

While other Subaru models are still on the market, the F601S is already being phased out. The F601X uses a Professional Series engine. Despite the name, it’s a consumer-level design, making it a good choice for residential users who want the power of a Force blower without the cost of a commercial engine. For professional users, the F610V comes with a 6.5 hp engine from Briggs & Stratton’s commercial Vanguard line.

F9 Force Wheeled Blower
Subaru: F902S, F902SPS
Honda: F902H

A Honda GX270 provides similar output to the outgoing Subaru EX-powered F902S. Billy Goat has not yet released a version of this blower with the F902SPS’s self-propulsion system.

Debris Loaders
DL14/18
Subaru: DL1401SE
Vanguard: DL1801V, DL1801VE

The DL18 uses V-twin engines with more power than the DL14, but they’re still sold at a similar price point. If you don’t mind having a pull start engine, the DL1801V costs only slightly more than the DL1401SE. If you like the idea of having the DL14’s electric start, get the DL1801VE.

DL25/35
Subaru: DL2500S
Vanguard: DL3500V
The difference between the DL25 and DL35 is much wider than the DL 14 and 18. In this application, choosing the Vanguard V-Twin brings with it an extra 10 hp. If you don’t need something that powerful, you may want to consider the DL18.

Where Can I Get Parts for My Billy Goat’s Engine?

Whether your equipment is powered by an engine from Subaru, Honda or Briggs & Stratton, you can get parts for it at www.billygoatparts.com. We are a certified dealer for Billy Goat and the manufacturers who make their engines, and we will continue to support Subaru Power products. We ship across the U.S. and Canada.

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Cleaning Buildings with a Pressure Washer

Posted on April 11, 2018 by admin
Cleaning Buildings with a Pressure Washer Billy Goat

A Billy Goat pressure washer is great for cleaning pavement and vehicles, but what about buildings? While it may not be as straight forward due to the range of materials used, pressure washing makes it easy to make structure look better or get them ready for paint. Here’s what you need to know to get the best results.

Preparing the Area for Pressure Washing

Steps need to be taken to protect the area from water and detergent:

– Watering nearby plants will keep them from absorbing soapy water
– Exterior lights, power outlets, and other electrical devices should be covered to prevent contact with water.
– Electrical power to the area should be shut off to prevent shorts.

For the best results, use a long-handled broom to remove cobwebs and loosen heavy dirt before spraying.

General Use

Always use biodegradable detergents when working outdoors to prevent damage from runoff. When you clean, you’re also mixing in dirt, oil and a variety of other chemicals into the water from the surfaces you’re cleaning. Depending on local regulations, you may also need to direct runoff away from storm drains even if your detergent is environmentally safe.

Start with a wide nozzle, spraying two feet from the surface. Slowly work your way forward until you get the pressure you want. If you’re a foot away and not getting results, switch to a narrower tip. Pointing the tip at a slight angle will help push dirt away from the surface.

Bricks

The strength of brick can vary significantly from location to location, even if the brick itself seems to be the same. Bricks become more porous and brittle as they age, so extra care should be taken on older buildings.

Mortar is softer than brick, making it easier to damage. Cement blocks are usually cemented together with high strength Type S mortar, while bricks are laid with Type S or softer Type N mortar.

Sand-faced brick has a surface that can peel off, changing the brick color. It may be better to hand wash the brick or use very light water pressure, relying mostly on the cleaning power of the detergent.

Bricks and blocks are porous, letting them absorb dirt and grime that will leach out during the cleaning process. To help move things along, pre-soak the brick with a cleaning agent before spraying. The first pass will lift dirt out of the pores, leaving a dirty surface. Follow this up with a second pass using a wider spray tip to remove surface debris without leaching out more material.

Vinyl Siding

While mold growth indicates a moisture problem, even dry vinyl can accumulate mold, giving the surface a lightly dusted, green-tinged look. When cleaning vinyl siding, the goal should be to both remove the surface spores and kill off any remaining mold through chemical means.

While homemade mixtures using oxygenated bleach or vinegar are effective when hand washing, these chemicals may damage your power washer’s pump. Instead, pick up a pressure washer detergent made specifically for vinyl cleaning. These formulas will include a fungicide that will help keep the mold at bay. Follow the directions on the bottle, pre-soaking the surface before blasting off the dirt and mold.

Metal

Solutions formulated to work on wood and vinyl can damage metal siding. Most general purpose pressure washer formulas are safe on metal, but be sure to check the label before use.

Overhead doors are not watertight. Clean them by hand to avoid spraying water through to the inside of the building.

Wood

Make repairs to nails and rotted board before pressure washing. If the top surface isn’t sealed, water can work its way through the wood to the inside of the wall. This is another material that should be cleaned with a specialized detergent. As long as light water pressure is used, deck and fence cleaner will leave the varnish intact while lifting off oil, dirt, and sap.

Paint

In the US, lead was banned from use paint in 1978. If you’re working with a building that was constructed before this ban, have the paint tested to make sure cleaning is safe.

A 15 or 25-degree nozzle will safely remove chalking paint from the surface without damaging the underlying structure. Removing this layer will both improve the look of the paint and make it ready for a coat of fresh paint.

Getting Parts for Your Billy Goat Pressure Washer

Missing a nozzle? Need to replace a hose or do some engine work before you start cleaning? Billygoatparts.com is a certified dealer for Billy Goat and their manufacturing partners including AR Pumps and Briggs & Stratton so we can ship anything you need to any address in the U.S. or Canada.

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Construction Cleanup with Billy Goat Vacuums, Blowers and Pressure Washers

Posted on April 4, 2018 by admin
Billy Goat MV

Land cleanup isn’t limited to landscaping: from groundbreaking to putting in the final touches, a clean work area is critical in construction. Billy Goat makes a range of equipment that can save time and improve the quality of your work.

Dust Collectors, Silica and New OSHA Regulations

OSHA has instituted new standards for respirable silica that they started enforcing late last year for construction. Silica is found in almost everything made from the earth’s crust from concrete to glass. It’s a recognized carcinogen, and inhaling silica dust it is like stabbing your lungs with tiny knives. The scar tissue left behind by these tiny cuts reduces lung function, causing a condition called silicosis. With enough exposure, this damage can be disabling or lethal. Workers who experience frequent light exposure can suffer from silicosis after 15 to 20 years, while heavy exposure can cut that time to 5 years or fewer.

Dust needs to be at least 40 microns to be visible, but respirable silica dust can be as small as three microns. This dust is present whenever concrete, stone, bricks, mortar or concrete is drilled or crushed. To remove the silica from the work area, it needs to be removed with a dust extractor with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. A shop vac is not a dust extractor, and neither is the QV Quietvac, despite its dust collection system. If you’ve been using one of these devices for cleanup around high dust applications, you need to upgrade to a HEPA vacuum, not only to meet regulations but to protect yourself and your coworkers.

Vacuums

A HEPA vacuum can handle tiny particles, but for general use, the QV Quietvac offers more power and flexibility when cleaning flat, paved surfaces. The head is designed to skim across cement and tarmac, lifting debris that would be missed by a lawn vac. It also has a hose that can be used to reach corners for thorough cleaning. Since it doesn’t have a heavy filtration system, it can pick up anything from leaves to cans, and the impeller can compact this debris for less frequent bag emptying.

This vacuum also has a dust sock that can be fitted over the bag. This traps fine particles, capturing dirt and keeping both the operator and the surrounding area clean when used in dry conditions.
Need more flexibility? The KV and MV multi-surface blowers don’t have the dust sock, but they will work on paved and unpaved surfaces.

Leaf Blowers and Debris Loaders

When you need to clean off a large area quickly, it’s hard to beat a walk-behind leaf blower. With at least 7 times the power of a backpack leaf blower, these units are ideal for moving large quantities of organic debris including wood chips left behind by tree removal.

In rural areas, these materials can be buried or burned, but in most cases, the debris needs to be disposed of. A debris loader uses an impeller design similar to a lawn vacuum, just scaled up to move massive amounts of material from the ground to a truck bed or trailer. Billy Goat makes models that can be used on anything from small pickups to large commercial vehicles.

Pressure Washers

If it’s outdoors, it can be cleaned with a pressure washer. While useful for washing away dirt from building extensions, they really shine at cleaning up concrete. The force of the water stream helps cleaners penetrate the porous surface of the pavement, removing dirt to create a clean work surface.

When selecting a detergent, keep in mind that chemicals that can remove oil stains can damage concrete. Biodegradable chemicals may be required in the area you’re operating in, as well as diversions away from storm drains to prevent cleaning chemicals and any from entering waterways.

Cut Job Times By Keeping Your Equipment In Good Running Condition

When you need to work on your Billy Goat equipment, you can get everything you need from www.billygoatparts.com. We’re a certified dealer for Billy Goat and their manufacturing partners including engine and pump manufacturers, so you know you’ll always get quality OEM parts. Our site can show you factory diagrams and parts descriptions for your model and engine, making it easy to find exactly what you need. We can ship your order to any location in the USA or Canada.

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Controlling Spring Weeds With Your Billy Goat Seed Spreader

Posted on March 28, 2018 by admin
Controlling Spring Weeds With Your Billy Goat Seed Spreader

Overseeding is popular in landscaping because it keeps turf covered in young grass, giving it a thicker, more lush look than lawns with mature plants. However, it can also be an effective technique for reducing weeds. These tips will help you maximize grass growth so weeds can’t get a foothold.

Get a Soil Test Before You Fertilize

For your new grass to succeed, you need to make the soil has a good balance of nutrients to promote growth. Getting the right mix will increase grass growth while discouraging weeds that thrive in poor soil.

Overseed Early

If drainage is good, you can overseed in the early spring, letting the grass get a foothold before weeds germinate and turf wear becomes an issue. Keep in mind that severe rains can wash away seeds, and freezes can damage them. If you’re not sure if the weather will hold, you may want to wait.

Read the Instructions

How much seed should you be putting down? Check the instructions on the seed bag. There’s no need to go for the intensive overseeding of a golf course, nor should you go light in areas that already have grass. Getting the right drop rate is easy: your Billy Goat overseeder has instructions on the inner flap of the hopper, and the rate is set using a single dial on the front of the machine.

Minimize Soil Disruption

Your new seed needs to make good contact with the soil to germinate, but getting that contact can help weed seeds reach the soil. Bag lawn clippings the last time you mow to remove any germinating weeds. If you need to dethatch beforehand, let the lawn fully recover before overseeding. Your Billy Goat overseeder will do the rest: it uses a verticutting system, making thin slices that keep anything but the newly dropped grass seed penetrate the soil.

Use the Right Seed for Fast Growth

Bermuda grass is the fastest growing grass seed, but due to different climate and soil conditions across the country, it’s not always the best solution. Choose seed based on how its weather, disease, drought and erosion resistance characteristics match your local climate and conditions. If you need help, contact your local extension office: they’ll know exactly what will work in your area.

Keep Herbicides that Won’t Attack New Grass

Most broadleaf treatments are pre-emergent, and they have no problem working on the seeds you want to grow as well as the ones you don’t. If you don’t have enough time to delay overseeding after applying a herbicide, go for a grass safe chemical like 2, 4-D or Trycopyr.

Use the Right Techniques when Watering

There are two good reasons to water early in the morning:

Plants are designed to absorb water better at this time to take advantage of dew that has collected over the night. As the sun goes up, the grass will seal itself to retain moisture when faced with increasing heat.

Fast evaporation during sunlight hours keeps plants dry once they’ve had their fill of water. This discourages the growth of plant diseases.

Always balance watering with rainfall. If the soil isn’t allowed to dry out completely after watering, the roots will have shallow growth. This is the most common cause of persistent weed problems after mower scalping.

Overseed, Even if Conditions Aren’t Ideal

Aside from getting a lush lawn, overseeding takes over spaces where weeds can grow. While you may encourage broadleaf growth if you wait too long to overseed, there will still be fewer weeds to deal with than if you’d done nothing.

Keep Your Equipment Working at its Best

If you need some parts for your overseeder or want to add seeding capability to your power rake, go to www.billygoatparts.com. As a certified dealer for Billy Goat and their manufacturing partners, we’re able to offer accessories and OEM parts for everything on your equipment. Our site can show you parts lists and factory diagrams for your model, making it easy to get exactly what you need. We ship to both the U.S. and Canada.

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