6 Things You Should Do When You Store Your Equipment

Are you doing everything you should to protect your Billy Goat equipment while it’s in storage? Even if you know you need to keep batteries charged and drain the fuel system, there may be some things you’re overlooking. These tips will help you prevent damage to your equipment while you store it over the winter.

Brush It Off

Dirt doesn’t just look bad, it can hold in moisture, promoting rust. Give your equipment a thorough cleaning before you put it in storage. Avoid getting water on the engine and bearings, as this can contaminate oil and grease. A dry brush and rags are great for getting dirt off of your engine’s cooling fins and the crevices around transmissions, pulleys and handles.

Fog the Metal

Did you know it’s important to lubricate both the inside and outside of your equipment? Fogging oils leave a light layer of petroleum on exposed surfaces, preventing the formation of rust. You should apply a light coat on any unpainted metal parts before putting your equipment in storage.

Close the Engine

Open valves can let moisture get inside the engine, leading to rust and oil contamination. Fortunately, it’s easy to close them. Gently pull on the recoil starter, until you feel resistance. That resistance is caused by the compression stroke. You’re pushing against the air in the cylinder, because both the intake and exhaust valves are closed.

Apply Grease

Pushing fresh grease into bearings pushes out contaminated grease that holds water and contaminants. Do this after you clean your equipment, so you can force out any water that made it inside the bearings.

Keep Off the Pavement

Cement acts like a heat sink, drawing warmth out of anything it touches. This increases temperature fluctuations, which is hard on tires. Insulate your tires by laying down a piece of cardboard and parking your equipment on it. This also helps you find problems when you get your equipment out of storage in the spring. If you have an oil leak, it will be easy to see where it’s coming from.

Don’t Cover It

Putting a cover over your equipment may seem like a good idea. However, instead of protecting your Billy Goat from snow and rain, it can trap moisture inside, creating the perfect conditions for rust.

Fix Your Equipment Now, Before You Need It

If you aren’t using your equipment, you have plenty of time to perform maintenance and repairs before the spring rush starts. When you need parts for your Billy Goat, visit Billy Goat Parts. We’re an authorized dealer for Billy Goat and their manufacturing partners, which means we carry everything from spark plugs to sod blades. Our site even has factory diagrams, so you can see exactly what you’re ordering and where it goes on your machine. Visit us at www.billygoatparts.com. We ship across the USA and Canada.

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Which Billy Goat Brushcutter Should You Buy?

Which Outback brushcutter is right for you? All 8 models look similar, but they have features that make each model work best for specific jobs. Here’s what you should look for when you’re shopping for your next piece of brushcutting equipment.

Which Deck?

A fixed deck adds stability, making it the best choice for thick vegetation, rough surfaces and steep hills. A pivoting deck can follow the terrain, leaving an even finish. The auto-pivoting deck delivers the best finish.

The fixed deck has a cutting height of 3 ¾ inches. Floating decks can be fixed or adjustable, cutting as low as 1 ¾ inches. While you may want to make a high pass to avoid rocks and other obstacles, you may not need to mow after making a lower pass with an adjustable deck.

Engines: More than Just Brand Names

The Honda engines offered on these brushcutters have a lower center of gravity. This allows Honda-equipped models to stay stable on slopes as high as 20 degrees. The Honda engines have a three year warranty, and they’re available with electric starters.

Brushcutters with Briggs & Stratton motors can only handle slopes up to 15 degrees. There is no electric start option, and they only have a two year warranty. If you don’t need to use a brushcutter more than one per week, these engines are more than up to the task, even for professional landscaping.

Transmissions: Geared or Hydrostatic?

The BC26’s geared transmission doesn’t have any linkages that can snag on vegetation. This makes it the best choice for cutting the thickest grass. It has three forward speeds and reverse, so you don’t get as much control over speed.

The Tuff Torque hydrostatic transaxle used on other models lets you adjust speed while keeping the engine in its peak power band. This keeps blade speeds high for better performance. This transmission has “Enhanced Traction Control,” which is another way of saying it’s a limited slip differential. If one wheel starts to slip, the axles lock. This applies power equally to both wheels. Hydrostatic transmissions are the best choice for slopes and uneven ground.

Which Model Should I Buy?

Now that you understand the features, you can pick which model to buy.

BC2600ICH/HEBH/HH/HHFT
– Floating deck
– Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine

BC2601HHC
– Variable height, auto-centering floating deck
– Honda engine

BC2600ICM/HM/HMT
– Fixed deck
– Geared transmission
– Briggs & Stratton or Honda engine

No Matter What You Choose, We’re Here to Help

Billy Goat Parts is a certified dealer for Billy Goat, Honda Engines, Tuff Torq and Briggs & Stratton. That means we carry everything you need for your Outback brushcutter. Our site’s search engine can find parts specific to your model and serial number. It also has built-in factory parts descriptions and diagrams, so you can be sure you’re ordering exactly what you need. Visit us at www.billygoatparts.com. We ship across the United States and Canada.

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Maintaining Your Grazor Crack Cleaner

Driveway sealing season is coming. Is your Billy Goat crack cleaner ready? Here’s what you need to know to keep your Grazor running, from what you need to check to how to replace the brush.

Maintenance Schedule

Before each use: Check the air filter and oil. After starting, check for excessive vibration.
Every 5 hours of use or daily: Check for loose and damaged parts
Every 25 hours: Lubricate the wheel bearings, grease the brush arm mechanism and check the belt for wear.
First month or 20 hours: Change the oil
Every three months or 50 hours: Clean the air filter.
Every 6 months or 100 hours: Clean the sediment cup. Check the spark plug and spark arrester.
Every year or 300 hours: Replace the spark plug and air filter.

Check your engine owner’s manual for detailed information on maintenance. While the intervals remain the same across engines used in this machine, service procedures vary depending on the model and production date of your Grazor’s engine.

Changing the Brush

1. Disconnect the spark plug.
2. Remove the two screws holding on the brush guard, then slide the guard off of the machine.
3. Hold the brush with a heavy cloth or thick glove and use a ¾ inch wrench to remove the nut holding the brush onto the shaft.
4. Inspect the washer. Replace it if it’s worn.
5. Install the new brush. Always use the included nylon bushing, even if the old one looks fine.

Changing the Belt

1. Disconnect the spark plug.
2. Remove the brush guard and pulley guards.
3. Remove the belt. You may need to change the brush position to get the belt off. Set the brush in “store” to get the belt off the front pulley, and “3” to get it off the back pulley.
4. Follow the instructions in reverse order to fit the new belt.

Changing the Pulleys

1. Remove the belt and guards. Loosen the set screws on the pulleys with a 5/32 hex key.
2. Slide the old pulleys off of the shafts, then slide the new ones on. Use a straight edge to align the pulleys with each other.
3. Install the set screws, torquing them to 15 lb-ft.
4. Install the belt and guards.

Do You Need Parts for Your Billy Goat?

Billy Goat Parts can ship OEM parts and accessories to your address, whether you live in the United States or Canada. We’re an authorized dealer for Billy Goat and their engine partners, so we’re able to offer everything you need to maintain and repair your equipment. Not sure what you need? Our search engine can find parts based on your model and serial number. It also has built-in parts diagrams, so you can see exactly what you’re buying. Visit us at www.billygoatparts.com.

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Is the TKV Outdoor Vacuum Right for You?

Leaf blowers are a pain because all they do is move lawn debris around. Sweepers pick up debris, but they’re too big to fit in tight spaces. However, with a lawn vacuum, you can pick up debris almost anywhere, and you can break up leaves into small pieces. That means easier cleanup and less money spent on leaf disposal. If you’re a homeowner, Billy Goat’s TKV Series may be the solution you’re looking for. Though it is aimed at consumers, this outdoor vacuum has the features that make it popular with landscapers and contractors. 

How It Works 

This vacuum uses a Honda GSV190, a hybrid of their GC and GX engines. Like their residential engines, it has an overhead valve head that improves performance and offers better cooling. It also has components borrowed from its commercial line, including a cast-iron cylinder liner and an advanced air filtration system to increase service life. 

The engine spins a 5-blade impeller. This pulls air through the TKV’s 27-inch-wide nozzle at a rate of up to 1,700 cubic feet per minute. Serrations at the end of each impeller blade chop up lawn debris as they pass through, compacting them up to 12:1. Since lawn debris pickup is charged by the bag, this saves you a significant amount of money on cleanup. 

The TKV also has a chipper chute that handles branches up to two inches thick. A set of blades inside the chute slice the wood into small pieces before being passed to the impeller. The handle has a storage bracket, so you can keep a lopper on hand to trim branches before feeding them into the chute. 

Debris falls into a 40-gallon bag lined with a dust skirt. There’s a release flap on the rear of the bag to dump its contents. A simple retention system with pre-sized straps makes it easy to remove the bag for cleaning. 

The TKV weighs 135 lbs., and measures 62 inches long and 26.75 inches wide. This is about the same size and weight as a walk-behind mower. 

Accessories 

While this vacuum is great for most users out of the box, you can upgrade it to fit your needs. 

When you buy this vacuum, you have the option of getting a single-speed gearbox to help push the vacuum up hills. 

Billy Goat offers a hose kit attachment for the opening on the front of the nozzle. This lets you reach in between bushes and around landscaping obstacles for cleanup. 

If you live in an area with sandy soil, you would know how much damage loose dirt can do to equipment. Fortunately, Billy Goat makes a liner sleeve for the impeller chamber, stopping damage from abrasion. In areas with dry, fine soil, you can upgrade to a felt bag, which helps trap fine dust particles. 

Is It Right for My Rental Business? 

Like other Billy Goat products, this vacuum was built with rental businesses in mind. That means you get features like a quick start guide that can be accessed by scanning a QR code next to the controls. This helps your customers get up to speed on proper machine usage and maintenance, and helps avoid mistakes that can damage equipment. 

If you use the TKV650SPH for your rental business, Honda will warranty the engine for one year, while Billy Goat guarantees the rest of the machine for one year, protecting your investment. 

Need Parts for Your Vacuum? 

Billy Goat Parts has everything you need for your equipment, including engine and transmission parts. That’s because we’re a certified dealer for Billy Goat, Honda, and more. Finding parts is easy: we have sections for commonly ordered parts, like impellers and wheels. We also have a search engine that can show you parts, diagrams, and descriptions specific to your model. This is so you can see exactly what you’re buying. Best of all, we can ship your order to any address in the U.S. or Canada. When you need parts or accessories for your Billy Goat, visit us online at www.billygoatparts.com. 

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Replacing Tines on Your Billy Goat Aerator

Is your Billy Goat aerator not performing like it should? In most cases, problems with hole depth and placement are caused by worn or broken aerator tines. Whether you have an AET aerating trailer, a Hydro Aerator, or a PL PLUGR aerator, these tips will help you find and replace worn tines on your machine. 

When Do I Replace My Aerator’s Tines? 

Tines are made of a self-scouring metal. This causes them to wear in a way that keeps the tips sharp while maintaining their overall shape. Eventually, tines do wear down to a point where they’re no longer effective at cutting through the soil. On Billy Goat machines, you should replace tines that are more than one inch shorter than their original length. 

Impacts are inevitable, as tines strike rocks hidden beneath the soil’s surface. This rolls the tip of the tine, widening the cutting surface. Hard impacts can bend tines. Damaged tines aren’t just less effective, they can tear surface soil. In either case, the tine should be replaced. 

Always inspect the tines on your aerator before each use. To get the most life from your tines, clean them after every use. 

Even damaged tines are sharp, so you should wear heavy gloves while handling them. Here’s how you replace tines on every model of Billy Goat aerator. 

Single Tine Replacement on the AE400 and AET Series Aerators 

1. Lift the tines into their transport position. 
2. Loosen the nut and carriage bolt on the outside of the tine, followed by the nut and bolt on the inside. Leave these parts in place. 
3. Push the tine plates apart with a pry bar or a screwdriver. 
4. Remove the worn tine from the reel and replace it with a new tine. 
5. Tighten down the inner carriage bolt, followed by the outer bolt. 

Multiple Tine Replacement on AE400 and AET Series Aerators 

1. Use blocks to support the tine reel. Remove the bolts and nuts holding the reel bearings to the frame. 
2. Lift the reel and slide the drive chain off of the sprocket. 
3. Remove the cotter pin and nut at the end of the reel.
4. You can now slide the tine rows, spacers, and tines off the reel. You may want to take a few photos before disassembly since these parts need to go on in the same order they were removed. 
5. Reassemble the tine reel, replacing worn tines with new ones. 
6. Tighten the end nut to 100 lb-ft. of torque. Try to move the tines by hand to make sure everything is seated. If one of the tines moves, check the nut torque again. 
7. Slide the reel into the aerator, wrapping the drive chain over the cog. Bolt the reel bearings to the frame. 

Replacing Tines on the AE1300 Aerators 

To keep the tine arms balanced, always replace tines in pairs. 

1. Remove the bolt that passes through the tine arm assembly, along with the washer and lock nut. If this bolt is damaged, replace it with a Grade 8 bolt with the same length and thread pitch. 
2. Pull out the worn tines. 
3. Reassemble the tine assembly, alternating between tines and washers. All tines should be turned to face the rear of the aerator. 
4. Insert the bolt, add the washer to the end, and tighten down the lock nut. There is no set torque for this nut, but you should avoid overtightening, as this will bend the tine holders. 

Do You Need Parts for Your Billy Goat Aerator? 

You can get anything you need for your Billy Goat equipment from Billy Goat Parts. We’re an authorized dealer for the brand, as well as their manufacturing partners including Honda and Briggs & Stratton. We carry a full selection of spike and hollow-core tines, as well as replacement parts ranging from washers to wheels. Our search engine lets you find parts by model and serial number, so you can be sure what you order is compatible with your machine. Visit us online at www.billygoatparts.com. We ship across the United States and Canada. 

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The New Hurricane P2000 Stand-On Blower

Billy Goat’s Hurricane stander blowers offer unparalleled performance and speed for debris cleanup, but they can be too big for some jobs. This is why they’re rolling out the new P2000. This new model bridges the gap between the X3000 stander and the municipal-grade F13 walk-behind blower. So, how does it fit into your lawn care needs? 

How Does It Work? 

For the most part, operating the P2000 is like any stander mower. The operator stands on a shock-absorbing footplate and leans against a large thigh pad while holding onto two pairs of fixed handles surrounding the hydrostatic controls. Each hydrostatic lever controls one wheel motor. Varying speed between the motors turns the machine, just like a zero-turning radius mower. This operating position gives the operator a clear view of the surrounding area and makes it easy to step off to open gates and move obstacles. When the operator presence control detects the operator stepping off of the footplate, it automatically returns the vent doors to neutral and activates the parking brake. 

A large impeller draws in air and forces it through chutes on the left, right, and front of the blower. Each vent has two doors. Opening and closing these doors redirects the air side to side while closing them completely blocks air from the vent. It may sound complicated, but control is actually quite easy. The doors for all three vents are connected to a set of foot pedals and a joystick. Just push the pedal for the side you want air to blow, then point the stick where you want the air to go. Air velocity from these vents is over 150 mph, with a maximum flow rate of 3,500 cubic feet of air per minute. 

This blower is powered by a 570cc Vanguard V-Twin making 18 HP. The wheels are powered by a pair of Hydro-Gear 3100 IZT hydrostatic transmissions, propelling the P2000 to a top speed of 8 MPH. The operator tower has an integrated 5-gallon gas tank, which will keep the engine running for a full day of work before refueling. 

Like other Billy Goat products, this blower is designed for easy maintenance. The engine is exposed while lifting the thigh pad provides access to the hydrostatic motors and fluid reservoirs. The battery sits near the front of the frame under an easy-to-remove cover. 

How Does It Compare to Other Leaf Blowers? 

The P2000 moves 1,000 fewer cubic feet of air per minute than the X3000 (the next smallest stand-on blower in the Hurricane lineup) while air velocity is the same. Compared to the F13, Billy Goat’s largest walk-behind blower, it doesn’t have quite as much air velocity, but what it does is move twice as much air. 

Accessories 

The P2000 comes with everything you need to push away debris over large areas. However, there are a couple add-ons to consider that may help this machine better fit your work environment. 

Want to use your blower in low light conditions? Billy Goat makes an LED headlight kit that gives you the visibility you need for overcast skies and long workdays. 

Do you mostly need to clear driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots? By switching to a pavement tire and wheelset, you’ll get a better grip and longer life from your tires. 

New or Old, We Have What You Need for Your Billy Goat 

Billy Goat Parts is your source for everything Billy Goat. We’re an authorized dealer for Billy Goat, as well as their manufacturing partners, including Vanguard and Hydro-Gear. That means we can ship replacements for anything on your blower to any address in the U.S. or Canada. Not sure what you need? Our search engine can show you factory diagrams and parts information specific to the model and version of your equipment. That way, you know you’re ordering exactly what you need. Visit us at our website, www.billygoatparts.com. 

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The New SC240HG 24 Inch Hydro-Drive Sod Cutter

When you manage turf for a living, you have high demands. You need equipment that delivers great results, withstands years of use, and cuts job times. When you deal with sports turf, you also need something that does all that, and won’t damage the turf. Billy Goat’s new SC240HG meets those needs. This new model is 33% wider than other Hydro-Drive sod cutters, yet it’s gentle enough to use on golf courses. The design also brings significant improvements for better performance and reliability. What is it about this new aerator that makes it such a great choice for sports fields, sod farms, and golf courses? 

Power 

The SC240HG is powered by a Honda GSV190. This is a hybrid design, combining features from their commercial GX with the consumer GC engine lines. The result is an engine that has a cast-iron cylinder liner and dual element air cleaner for durability, plus a compact overhead cam head for lower operating temperatures and greater performance. In this application, it produces 6.5 HP.  

The engine sends power to a Hydro-Gear RT-310 hydrostatic transmission. This commercial all-in-one unit is built for heavy commercial work. It’s typically found in large snow throwers, so it should have no trouble pushing the sod cutter’s blade through the soil. Venting around the aerator’s case keeps the transmission cool, further increasing its service life. The steel case surrounding the mechanical components has doors on the front and back for servicing. Billy Goat includes an hour meter, so you can keep on top of maintenance. 

Cutting 

The SC240 uses a new laser-treated blade that lasts up to three times longer than standard blades. It’s also more resistant to abrasion from sandy soils. The blade is raised and lowered using a cast iron gearbox with spiral-cut gears connected to a one-inch stability bar. The one-inch steel jackshaft rides on sealed bearings and is connected to the gearbox by an armor-coated chain that offers excellent corrosion and weather resistance. A 3/8-inch steel subframe with ½ inch lateral supports increases frame rigidity, helping the blade track straight through the soil. 

The SC240HG is 26.5 inches wide and 60 inches long, while the cutting blade is 24 inches wide. With little in the way of overhang, it’s easy to cut close to buildings, fences, and other obstacles. A single lever and clamp set blade height, which can be as deep as 2.5 inches. The machine has a dry weight of 403 bs., helping it push through the soil without requiring additional weight. 

The SC240HG has wide, knobby front wheels for golf turf, spreading out the weight of the machine to minimize scrubbing. A rear caster wheel allows easy turning, again with a focus on minimizing turf damage. 

Comfort and Ease of Use 

Care was taken to make this machine easy to operate. The handle attaches using isolation mounts, limiting the transfer of vibrations. Hydrostatic drive controls are split across two levers, one for forward and the other for reverse. 

A heavy-duty bumper on the front of the machine protects it from impacts. Loading is easy, thanks to teardrop-shaped tie-downs built into the front and back of the frame. This automatically centers ropes and chains, keeping the cutter secure on your trailer. 

Warranty 

Honda covers the engine with a 3-year residential and commercial warranty. Billy Goat covers the rest of the machine for one year of commercial or residential use. 

We Can Help You Keep Your Equipment Running 

Downtime costs money, so it pays to use the best parts when you repair your equipment. Billy Goat Parts is a certified dealer, so we only carry OEM parts from Billy Goat and their suppliers. That means you can get everything you need for your equipment from us, including engine and drivetrain parts. Ordering is easy, too. Just select your model and serial number when you use our search engine, and you’ll see parts information and diagrams specific to your machine. When you need to work on your Billy Goat, visit us at www.billygoatparts.com. We ship anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. 

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Restoring Your Lawn After Heavy Rains

lawn care after floods

Whether you’re facing heavy fall rains, spring snow melts, or were unfortunate enough to get caught in the recent hurricane, it takes special care to make sure your lawn will recover from flooding. With a little work ahead of time and some careful management, you can limit the damage and the cost of restoration.

Addressing Issues that can Make Flooding Worse

Making a few improvements to your lawn now can make a major difference when you’re faced with a major rainfall:

Clay soils don’t readily absorb water, letting it pool on the surface. Mulching grass or adding a thin layer of top soil can add an absorptive layer that can help drain away water.

Compacted soil also won’t absorb water. This can be a major problem around new construction where heavy equipment has been rolling over the ground, but heavy foot traffic can also cause compaction. Aerating can relieve compaction while adding a walkway can help redirect foot traffic away from the turf.

Your lawn’s root system can grow into thatch if it’s thick enough, increasing the damage done by flooding, and wet thatch can support the growth of molds and pests, lengthening recovery time. If the thatch layer is over a half inch thick, it needs to be removed.

In some areas, the water table may be so high that it can be pushed up to the point that the ground becomes saturated. If this is a problem, consider installing a French drain. This device uses a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe to drain off ground water.

Pooling water will do more damage than running water, so it’s important to install drainage in areas where the water can collect, including depressions and slopes. On relatively flat lawns, top soil can be added to fill in depressions, which will both help reduce stagnant water and provide an even surface that will be easier to take care of.

After the Flooding, Let the Lawn Dry Out

It may be tempting to start work right away, but any weight on water-saturated soil can damage the grass blades and lead to compaction that can damage the root structure. Depending on the severity of the flooding, this could take as long as two or three weeks.

Assessing the Damage

Flooding can leave behind a layer of silt that can sit on the grass, choking it. Light layers are easy to deal with, but inches of silt may require complete removal and replacement of the turf. This isn’t just an issue of extra dirt: floods can wash away household chemicals and oils, depositing them on your lawn and poisoning the soil.

Removing Debris

All manner of things from branches to broken glass may end up washed up on your lawn; this debris needs to be removed before you can safely use your lawn care equipment.

Aerating and Silt Removal

If silt built-up is under one inch, core aerating will often be enough to take care of it, while deeper deposits will need to be raked or washed off. Thick deposits will need to be removed with a sod cutter or turned using a tiller to disperse contaminants before replanting the grass.

Fertilizing

Water can wash away nutrients that your grass needs to thrive, particularly nitrogen and calcium. This usually shows up as yellowed grass as nitrogen is needed to make green chlorophyll. A fertilizer can be used to add back these nutrients, or ammonium nitrate can add nitrogen and gypsum can add calcium. These chemicals are less likely to wash out if there are future rains.

Keep Your Equipment Ready for the Fight Against Floods

Flood recovery can be daunting, but Billy Goat’s power rakes, aerators, sod cutters and overseeders can make the process easier. When you need parts for your Billy Goat equipment, visit Billygoatparts.com. We’re an OEM dealer for Billy Goat and their manufacturing partners so we can supply you with everything you need from new tines to engine components. Finding the right part is easy thanks to our search engine which lets you narrow options down by model and serial number and shows you factory parts diagrams and descriptions so you can identify exactly what you need. We ship parts and accessories across the U.S. and Canada.

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F18 Walk-Behind Leaf Blower: Big Power for Big Jobs

Do you need to move a lot of leaves and debris? Does a Hurricane Stander leaf blower seem like overkill? While the F18 is a compact walk-behind blower, it’s output is tremendous. Thanks to a V-Twin engine and large composite impeller, this machine has the power to clear the largest fields.

Power

This leaf blower uses a composite housing and impeller. This lets Billy Goat form complex shapes that have tight tolerances between the blades and inner chamber. The final product eliminates voids and other sources of turbulence that are present in metal housing leaf blowers. This increases power and reduces engine wear. The lack of turbulence also keeps noise down. Despite pushing air through a 6 inch nozzle at almost 200 MPH, the F18 is quieter than many backpack blowers. Maintenance is easier, too. The impeller is cast in a single shot, so there are no fin bolts to work loose.
The F18 is powered by a Vanguard V-Twin making 18 horsepower. This commercial motor sits fully exposed behind the impeller housing, making it easy to work on. The F1802V is a push blower, while the F1802SPV adds a drive system. Despite the giant 570cc engine, this blower weighs just 179-189 lbs, depending on how it’s equipped.

Precision Control

The F18 rolls on a set of 13 x 5 inch pneumatic rear tires and one 10 x 3 inch pneumatic front tire, allowing it to roll over any terrain with ease. An optional caster wheel kit replaces the front wheel, allowing precise turns in tight quarters. Billy Goat fits this blower with a tall, offset handle. This places the operator directly behind the nozzle, so they have a clear view of the air stream and the surrounding leaves. The Aim N Shoot discharge nozzle has a lever mounted on the handle that controls the angle. Aiming down pushes leaves across the ground, while aiming up helps push collected leaves together in a pile.

Accessories

The parking brake kit adds a set of metal forks that clamp down on the right tire. This makes it safe to park the blower on hills.
The quick hold down kit has a cleat that bolts to your trailer. When you set the blower over this cleat, it locks into place, requiring no extra tie downs before transport.
Want to make your blower even easier to maintain? Swap out the front pneumatic tire with an air-free foam filed tire.

Big or Small, if it’s Billy Goat, We Have the Parts You Need

Whether you have an F9, an F18, a Hurricane or anything in between, Billy Goat Parts has everything you need to keep your lawn equipment running. Looking for accessories? We have them. Need engine parts? We carry those, too. Our site can find parts based on your model and serial number, and it has built-in factory parts diagrams. That way, you can be sure you’re ordering parts that fit. Visit us at www.billygoatparts.com. We can ship your order to any address in the U.S. or Canada.

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What You Need to Know About Hydrostatic Drives

Why does Billy Goat use hydrostatic drives in most of their self-propelled equipment? Do you need to do anything to maintain your transmission? Here’s everything you need to know about these drive systems.

How Do Hydrostatic Drive Systems Work?

The drive system has a pump and a motor. All Billy Goat products use drive systems that combine these parts into one case, which is called a “closed coupled” system. This eliminates the need for hydraulic hoses, which are the most common point of failure on these drive systems. Walk-behind equipment uses a single transaxle, while Hurricane stander blowers use a pair of hydraulic motor assemblies.

The motor has a set of pistons attached to an angled wash plate. Hydraulic pressure pushes the pistons, turning the plate and spinning the motor. Increasing the angle of the plate also increases the distance the pistons move, so they turn slower. Reverse the angle of the plate, and the fluid moves the pistons and plate in the opposite direction. This is what controls the speed and direction of the motor. The pump uses the same components, but the wash plate is fixed in place, generating steady fluid pressure for the motor.

Why Do So Many Pieces of Lawn Care Equipment Use Hydrostatic Transmissions?

Since the hydrostatic motor speed is controlled by the wash plate angle, the engine can run at the same speed while the equipment changes speed and direction. This lets the engine drive tools at their ideal speed. Wash plates are infinitely adjustable, so the operator can precisely control movement speed.

The motors in Hurricane blowers act independently. Changing the speed and direction of each motor allows the blower to turn. If one drive wheel spins forward and the other in reverse, the blower spins in place, giving it a zero turning radius. This level of control allows precision maneuvers that are impossible with a steering rack and a regular drive system.

How Do I Maintain My Billy Goat’s Hydrostatic Drive?

Tuff Torq transaxles should be maintenance free for the life of your equipment. However, the pump assembly does get hot with use. If the transaxle is caked in dirt and mud, it can overheat, burning the fluid. Make cleaning your transaxle part of regular maintenance. If you need to replace the fluid, because of a leaking seal, use Tuff Torq’s own hydraulic fluid. This fluid has additives designed for a long service life. In a pinch, you can use 10W30 diesel engine oil.

The Hydro-Gear transaxles on Hurricane blowers have oil tanks that need to be topped up periodically. Both the filter and oil should be changed after the first 75 hours of use, and then every 400 hours. Hydro-Gear recommends using 15W-50 synthetic motor oil.

Where Do I Get Parts for My Billy Goat Equipment?

Go to www.billygoatparts.com. Billy Goat Parts is an authorized dealer for Billy Goat. We carry everything you need for your equipment, including engine and transaxle parts. We have sections of commonly ordered parts, like blades, impellers, and air filters. You can also use our search engine to find parts specific to your model and serial number. We ship across the United States and Canada.

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