Alpha Tool.Com.HK Limited Grinder ECG125 User Manual

							11
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS FOR USING  
THE ECOGRINDER
In addition to the general safety notes described on the preceding pages, please read 
and observe the following precautionary notes before using the Ecogrinde\
r.
  DANGER!
 SAFETY ADVICE
•	 Please	note	safety	instructions	on	Page	3-5.
•	 Do	not	pierce	the	motor	housing	as	this	could	damage	the	double	insulation.
•	 Always	remove	plug	from	 the	outlet	 before	 making	 any	changes	 to	the	 settings	 or	
performing maintenance.
•	 Ensure	the	tool	is	switched	off	prior	to	plugging	in.
•	 Keep	 power	cable	clear	from	working	 area	of	the	 machine.		 The	power	 cable	should 	
always lead away from you and behind the operating area.
•	 Before	 use,	check	 the	machine,	 cable	and	plug	 for	any	 damages	 or	material	 fatigue.	
Only authorized service agents should perform repairs.
•	 After 	switching	 off,	the	machine	 will	not	idle	 down	 immediately.	 Allow	the	machine	 to	
come to a complete stop before putting it down.
•	 Always	 wear	safety	 glasses	 and	ear	protection	 when	working	 with	this	machine.		 It	
is further recommended to wear safety gloves, apron, as well as sturdy non-slipping 
shoes.
•	 Only	 use	grinding	 wheels	whose	permitted	 speed	is	at	 least	 as	high	 as	the	 highest 	
no-load speed of the machine.
•	 Be	 sure	wheels	 fit	tool	 properly	 and	securely.	 Do	not	 modify	 the	tool	 to	force	 fit	the 	
wheel. Do not remove wheel cover.
•	 Check	 grinding	tools	before	 use.		The	grinding	 wheel	must	be	properly	 mounted	 and	
turn freely.  Perform a test run for at least 30 seconds without any load.  Do not \
use 
damaged, out of round or vibrating grinding tools.
•	 Immediately	 switch	off	the	 machine	 in	case	 of	considerable	 vibrations	or	if	 other	
malfunctions	occur.		Check	the	machine	in	order	to	find	out	the	cause.
•	 Always	 use	and	 store	 the	grinding	 wheels	according	 to	the	 manufacturer’s	 instructions.	
The	flange	bolt	must	be	tightened	before	starting	to	work	with	the	machine.
•	 The	work	piece	 must	be	secured	 if	it	is	 not	 heavy	 enough	 to	prevent	 movement.
•	 Do	not	use	emery	wheel.   
						

							12
HOW TO GRIND
  WARNING!
1. During operation, be sure to wear safety glasses and hearing protection.\
2.  Some dust created when using this grinder contains chemicals known to cause cancer, 
birth defects or other reproductive harm.  Some example of these chemicals are:
  a. Lead based paints
 b. Crystalline silica found in cement, bricks and other masonry products
 c. Arsenic and chromium coming from pressure treated wood
 d.  Pesticides and other chemicals that could have been applied to the work \
area
3.  An approved dust mask that protects the operator against these chemicals should be 
worn	 at	all	 times.	 These	 dust	masks	 are	designed	 to	filter	 out	microscopic	 particles.
 
  DANGER!
1.  If you accidentally drop the machine, do not use until checking that the machine and 
grinding wheel are not cracked, deformed, or damaged.
2.  Grinding wheels used on this tool should be rated at or above the no load rating m\
arked 
on	this	 tool.		 Running	 grinding	wheels	over	their	 rated	 speeds	 can	fly	apart	 and	cause 	
injury.
  CAUTION!
1. Do not press the lock pin while the wheel is rotating.
2. Do not turn the switch on with the lock pin pressed down.
 HOW TO HANDLE THE GRINDER
1.  It is not necessary to apply more force onto the machine than the force created by the 
weight of the machine itself.
2.  Applying excessive force may damage the grinding wheel and burn up the motor.  Such 
action	 may	decrease	 the	rotation	 speed	which	reduces	 the	efficiency	 of	dust	 suction, 	
because its power is driven by the spindle.
3.	 When	 used	properly	 the	unit	 should	 float	on	top	 of	the	 brush	 ring,	if	excessive	 force	is	
applied the brush will be crushed and wear out.
4.	 Hold	 the	tool	 with	 both	 hands	 while	starting;	 the	torque	 from	the	motor	 will	cause	 the	
tool to jerk.
5.  The motor and vacuum system should be running at full speed before apply\
ing it to 
the work surface.
6.	 When 	the 	grinding 	wheel 	first 	comes 	into 	contact 	with 	the 	work 	surface 	or 	when 	the 	
wheel is new, make contact slowly.
7.  Keep moving the tool in a circular motion to prevent grooving in the work surface.   
						

							13
8.  Hold the unit tightly to prevent it from walking, and remove the high spots in the work 
surface from the top down.
9.  This grinder is designed to be used dry, if the surface is wet the dust will not be able 
to pass through the fan and a breakdown will result.
ECOGRINDER OPERATION
  CAUTION!
Always be sure that the tool is switched off and unplugged before adjusting or checking 
function on tool.
 MAIN CONNECTION
Connect	 only	to	single-phase	 AC	current	 supply	and	only	 to	the	 main	 voltage	 specified	 on	
the rating plate. 
 SWITCHING ON AND OFF
  CAUTION!
Before plugging in the tool, always check the working voltage and be sur\
e that the voltage 
specified	 is	on	 the	 name	 plate.		 Before	 plugging	 in	the	 tool,	 always	 check	to	see	 that	 the	
trigger	switch	actuates	properly	and	returns	to	the	“OFF”	position.
Switching on and Off:  
Intermittent Use:
Switching on: Press the trigger switch
Switch off: Release the trigger switch
Continuous Use:
Switching on: Press the trigger switch and 
then the locking button, then release the 
trigger switch 
Switching off: press the trigger switch, then 
release
 
On/Off Trigger Switch
Figure-3
Locking Button
On/off Switch and Locking Button   
						

							14
CIRCUIT BREAKER
  CAUTION!
If the tool stops during operation you need to switch the unit off befor\
e resetting the circuit 
breaker.  Resetting the circuit breaker with the trigger lock on can cause an accident.
Note:  If the circuit breaker stops the tool repeatedly, this could be an indication that excessive 
pressure is being applied to the tool, slowing the motor and causing it \
to overheat.  
Use less force and allow the tool to do the work.  The circuit breaker c\
an also trip, if 
the carbon brushes are completely worn and need to be replaced.
The Ecogrinder is supplied with an in-line circuit breaker.  In the event that the breaker is 
tripped, push the button to reset.  Once you are able to reset the circuit breaker, run the tool 
in a no-load condition allowing air to pass over the motor and cool it d\
own.
BEFORE USE
  DANGER!
Before using the machine, check the following items.  In particular, check items 1 to 5 before 
plugging the power supply cord into the power outlet.
1. Check the working voltage.
–	 Be	 sure	the	voltage	 specified	 on	the	 rating	 plate	is	the	 voltage	 available	 at	the 	
power	 outlet.		 If	the	 machine	 is	used	 with	higher	 voltage	 than	specified,	 the	motor 	
will burnout.  Any attempts to do so may damage the polisher and/or cause an 
accident.
In-line Circuit Breaker
Reset Button
Figure-4   
						

							15
2. Make sure the ON/OFF switch is off.
–  If you plug in the power supply cord without realizing that the switch is ON, the 
machine will start and may cause an accident. Make sure the on/off switc\
h trigger 
is out and the locking button is not engaged.
3.  Inspect the protective wheel cover.
– Do not remove the wheel cover.  It will protect you if the grinding wheel 
breaks. 
–	 Be	sure	to	firmly	attach	the	grinding	wheel	or	any	optional	accessory.
4.  Inspect the grinding wheel.
–	 Check	if		you	have	a	specified	wheel.
– Never use cracked, chipped, or any damaged wheels.
–	 Follow	 the	procedures	 specified	in	the	 instruction 	manual	 to	properly	 attach	
applicable accessories.
5. Check the power outlet.
–  When the plug of the power supply cord is easily pulled out of the power\
 outlet, 
the outlet should be replaced.  For such task, consult an electrician.  \
If the power 
outlet is used on a continuous basis, it may overheat and cause accidents. 
6.  Perform test runs.
  WARNING!
1. Before turning the switch ON, make sure the rotating parts are not touch\
ing    
anything. If the switch is turned ON while they are in contact with anyt\
hing    
else, the wheel may get damaged and may cause injuries.
2. When a new wheel is attached and the switch is turned ON, keep your body\
  
 well away from the exposed sides of the wheel for a moment until the mac\
hine  
 reaches its full speed.
It is very dangerous to perform grinding operations using cracked, chipp\
ed or damaged 
wheels. Before starting grinding operations, keep the wheel away from anyone nearby. Be 
sure to perform a few test runs to check whether there are any abnormali\
ties.
Test run duration:
•	After replacing a wheel..........……………………at leas\
t 3 minutes
•	Before starting operations each day...................at least 1 minute  
						

							16
  ABOUT DOUBLE INSULATION
This machine is designed with double insulation. Two insulations are used between the 
conductor and the outer body of the machine.  An electric machine with the double insulation 
highly	improves	 safety	from	electric	 shocks.		 Do	not	 attach	 or	replace	 unspecified	 parts	and	
do not assemble incorrectly. This may cause the  insulation to malfunction.   
   LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF NOISE LEVELS
Please observe local laws and regulations regarding noise level in order\
 to avoid disturbing 
surrounding	 areas.		Install	a	soundproof	 wall	if	required	 to	comply	 with	the	local	 laws	and	
regulations. 
USING THE TOOL 
  OPEN SURFACE GRINDING
Under normal operation, the slide cover assembly should remain in the closed position, 
shielding the grinding wheel inside the protective housing. (See Figure\
 5)
   
Slide Cover Assembly closed
Slide Locking Knob Nut
Figure-5 Figure-6
Slide Cover Assembly Closed/Open
Slide Cover Assembly open
  EDGE GRINDING
  CAUTION!
When you grind close to a wall, turn the locking knob nut counter clockw\
ise to loosen and  
slide the cover all the way open. Turn the locking knob nut clockwise to tighten.  
When edge grinding and the slide cover assembly is open, the front of th\
e tool should be 
held against the wall to contain the dust and small fragments inside of the protective wheel 
cover.  Caution should be taken because small fragments can rebound off of th\
e wall into 
the operator.   
						

							17
With the slide cover as-
sembly open, the unit can 
now be pushed up against 
the wall allowing the hous-
ing to ride along the edge. 
(See Figure 6: Slide Cover 
Assembly Open).  With the 
slide cover assembly open, 
extra care should be taken 
to	hold	 the	unit	 flat	to	prevent 	
grooving along the wall.
Edge	grinding 	will 	work	 best	with 	our 	5”	 grinding 	wheel.		 This	configuration 	allows	 you	about 	
1mm clearance between the grinding wheel and the wall.
DUST HOSE AND BAG INSTALLATION 
1.	 Install	 the	back-flow	 preventer	
assembly to the Ecogrinder 
exhaust port, with the dust gate 
in	the	 upright	 position,	 so	flap	
will close when the tool is turned 
off.
2.  Slide the dust hose onto the 
backflow	 preventer	 assembly,	
twist and turn until the hose is 
up against the shoulder of the 
back-flow	preventer	assembly. 	
Dust Gate
Figure-8
Back-Flow Preventer w/Dust Gate
Dust Hose
Back-flow	Preventer
Assembly Shoulder
Figure-9
Back Flow Preventer Assembly and Dust Hose
Figure-7
Edge Grinding / 1mm Wall Clearance1mm  
						

							18
3. With the dust hose attached 
to the tool, you can now install 
the dust bag onto the dust bag 
holder.
4.  Open up the hook and loop strap 
and slide the hose end into bag 
until the end of the bag is even 
with shoulder on the hose end.  
Tighten the hook and loop strap 
so the strap is behind the raised 
lip	on	the	hose	fitting.
 5.  When in use, the dust bag and 
hose	 should	 lie	flat	 on	the	 ground.		 When	the	bag	 is	new	 it	will	 not	inflate 	
immediately.	 As	the	 pores	 in	the	 bag	 become	 clogged,	 the	bag	 will	start	 to	inflate.
Note:	 As	the	 bag	 fills	up	and	 creates	 backpressure,	 the	suction	 will	decrease.		 When	dust	
is not being removed from the work surface, you should check the fan bel\
ts and/or 
replace the bag.
Hook & Loop Strap
Dust Bag Hose 
Shoulder
Dust Bag Holder Raised LipFigure-10
Dust Bag Holder and Dust Bag
Figure-11
Hose Fitting with Hook & Loop Strap Secured
Figure-12
Dust Bag  
						

							19
ECOGRINDER MAINTENANCE 
  DAILY
1. Before daily start-up inspect grinder, power cord, circuit breaker assembly, and grinding 
wheel looking for chips and cracks.  Inspect the dust bag for holes or if it is full and 
needs to be replaced.
2. If damage has occurred, repair affected areas before use.
3. Turn	the 	unit 	on 	to 	ensure	 that	the 	fan 	is 	running 	and 	the 	dust 	bag 	is 	inflating. 	A 	new 	
bag	will	not	inflate	until	the	pores	in	the	material	start	to	fill	with	stone	dust.
4. After daily use of the tool, clean and blow off the exterior of tool and around air intake 
vents on rear handle.
  PERIODIC
 
  WARNING!
Preventive maintenance performed by unauthorized personnel may result in misplacing of 
internal wires and/or components which voids the warranty and could caus\
e serious hazards.  
We recommend that tool service and repairs not covered in the manual be preformed by 
an Alpha® Authorized Repair Center.
Periodic maintenance is done to check the tool and to minimize down time.  \
These checks 
are done based on hours of operation and operating conditions.  Operatin\
g conditions can 
vary depending on the work surface and job being preformed.  If the tool\
 is not used for a 
long period of time, the carbon brushes should be checked and the commut\
ator cleaned, 
before putting the tool back into operation.
  BEARINGS AND GEARS
To minimize your tool’s down time and expensive tool repairs, it is recommended to send 
the tool back to an Alpha® Repair Center after about 300 to 400 hours of operation or every 
second carbon brush change.  The bearings should be replaced and the gea\
rs should be 
checked.  If your tool starts to sound differently, this could be an indication of a worn bearing. 
Continuing to use the tool in this condition could result in overheating or motor failure.
   
						

							20
REPLACING AND CHECKING THE CARBON BRUSHES
In order to keep your tool running correctly, you need to check your carbon brushes after 
every one hundred hours of use.  Carbon brushes wear out over time based on the grinder’s 
usage.  If a carbon brush is worn out, it may cause the motor to malfunc\
tion or fail to run.  The 
carbon brushes should be replaced before the twisted wire reaches the bottom of the slot.
 
  DANGER!
Be sure to unplug the power cord from the outlet before servicing the un\
it, to prevent electri-
cal shock or starting the tool accidentally.
1. Remove the four self-tapping Phillips screws holding on the rear handle.\
2.  Split handle and turn it on its side to get access to the carbon brush h\
older.  Remove 
the small Phillips screw to remove the carbon brush holder.
4 Self-tapping Screws in handle
Carbon Brush
Coil 
Spring
Carbon 
Brush HolderPhillips
Screw
Motor
Housing
Figure-13
Figure-14
Handle Removal / Selt-tapping Screws
Carbon Brush Assembly Parts