Floor grinder dust extractors: filters, cyclone, maintenance

The guide is based on the operating instructions for DC 6000 and DC 3000. The check starts at the grinder: the operating instructions for PG 280, PG 400 and PG 450 say that the filters in the dust extractor should be clean and undamaged, and that you should keep an eye on the dust during use.

Before you open the machine

Turn off the motor switch and unplug the machine before cleaning or carrying out maintenance. On the DC 6000, several of the procedures begin with switching off the machine and waiting 30 seconds. Electrical components must only be checked by an authorised electrician.

Hazardous dust can be spread when the filter is changed. The operating instructions for the DC 6000 say that you should then wear safety glasses, protective gloves and class FFP3 respiratory protection. All equipment that has been used should be regarded as contaminated.

The maintenance schedule for the DC 6000

The intervals are based on daily use, and they change if the machine is not used every day.

• Daily: look for wear, damage and loose connections on the power cable and replace it if necessary, clean the exterior, check the filter and filter housing, and check the dust hose and couplings
• Weekly: check the cyclone and container, the rubber under the cyclone and the metal mesh in the cyclone container, and clean the air compressor filter. If it is clogged, replace it
• Monthly: clean the filter in the compressed air dryer
• Every 6 months or every 1000 hours: wash the filters with a gentle water jet, and replace the filter

The filter: shake it, do not blow it out

Do not use compressed air or sharp objects when cleaning the filters. On the DC 6000, take the filter out of the filter container, put it in a bag and shake it until it is clean. When you refit it, the widest part of the filter should be at the top of the container.

If the filter needs washing, use a gentle water jet. Start at the top of the filter, and do not rub it. The filter should then dry for a week at room temperature or for 14 hours at 70 °C. It must be completely dry when it is fitted.

Vacuum the pre-filter from the inside, using an H-class dust extractor with a pre-filter and a soft brush, so that the filter is not damaged. Take care not to make any holes in the pre-filter, because a damaged pre-filter can spread dust.

Cyclone, container and Longopac

In the DC 6000, the air and dust first pass through a cyclone, where large dust particles are collected and drop into a plastic bag. The small particles go on to the filter system. To inspect it, lower the machine to the transport position, open the three toggle latches on the cyclone container and check that the cyclone is not blocked.

The cyclone screw and the cyclone container can be cleaned with compressed air or a brush. Note the difference: compressed air can be used in the cyclone, but not on the filters.

The dust is collected in Longopac bags, and the bag should only be changed when the filter cleaning cycle has finished. Clean the pre-filter before changing the bag. To change it, fit a cable tie to close off the new bag, shake the dust down into the used one, and fit another cable tie 10 cm below the first to close the used bag. Then cut the bag between the cable ties.

The bag should be empty before the machine is transported, and local regulations apply to disposing of the full bag.

When suction drops

The troubleshooting section and the electrical safety instructions for the DC 6000 point to the same parts as the maintenance schedule:

• The motor runs, but suction is poor: the filter is clogged and must be cleaned or replaced, or the cyclone is blocked and must be cleaned with compressed air or a brush
• Dust is blowing out of the outlet: the filter system is incorrectly fitted, or the filter is loose – adjust or replace the filter. If the filter is damaged, it must be replaced
• Automatic filter cleaning does not work: the compressed air hose is damaged or loose, or the compressed air filter is clogged
• The thermal protection has tripped: switch off, pull out the plug and check for a full dust bag, a blocked hose or a blocked filter. It can take up to 45 minutes for the thermal protection to reset

DC 3000 and DC 1400

DC 3000 has a pleated flat filter that must be in place during vacuuming. If filter cleaning is switched on with the rotary switch, the machine cleans the filter automatically every 7.5 seconds with a blast of air, which can be heard as a pulsing sound. When picking up water from a container, or wet vacuuming with an upholstery or crevice nozzle, the operating instructions recommend switching filter cleaning off. To replace the filter, unplug the machine, open the filter hatch, replace the filter and close the hatch so that it locks in place.

After wet vacuuming, the flat filter should be cleaned using the filter cleaning function, the electrodes cleaned with a brush, and the container cleaned with a damp cloth and dried. DC 3000 should be stored indoors, in a dry room.

DC 1400 also has automatic dust filter cleaning, which prevents clogging during work. The filter is a washable polyester filter.

Cleaning and storage

Clean the DC 6000 before it is moved from the work area, so that hazardous dust is not spread. Wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Do not use water on electrical components, and do not clean the machine with high-pressure air or water.

DC 6000 should be stored indoors, protected from rain and moisture, in a dry, frost-free area away from strong heat. Disconnect the power and lock the wheels.

Service and parts

Repairs on the DC 6000 must be carried out by qualified service personnel, using genuine or equivalent spare parts. Sigurd Stave Maskin AS is Kiwa-verified and certified to carry out annual inspections, and has mobile service technicians based in Oslo and Bergen. The workshop's daytime phone number is +47 969 13 856.

The guide Dust extractors for concrete grinding explains which dust extractor goes with which grinder. Maintenance of the grinder itself is covered in floor grinder maintenance.