Vibrating hand screed maintenance: cleaning and engine care

The guide is based on Swepac's common operating instructions for FBP/FBE, FBP-H and FBP-HP. FBP and FBP-H have the Honda GX 25 petrol engine, FBP-HP has the Honda GX 35, and FBE has a 230 V electric motor. The profiles are smooth aluminium profiles that are easy to clean.

Before starting

• Check that the safety equipment works normally, and that all bolts are properly tightened. Re-tighten nuts and bolts daily
• Petrol models: check the petrol level and that the oil in the four-stroke engine is topped up. The operating instructions specify unleaded petrol and SAE 10W40 oil, and refer to the engine manufacturer's manual
• FBE: check that the power source has the correct specification and that the cables are in good condition. Do not use damaged extension cables

Daily checks on the petrol engine

• Fuel: top up as needed
• Oil level in the crankcase: check every day. The oil should reach the edge of the filler hole when the screed board is on level ground
• Oil and fuel leaks: check every day. If a leak is found, the machine must not be used until the fault has been put right
• Air filter: check at least once every working week, and daily in dusty conditions

Intervals for the petrol models

The operating instructions give these intervals for periodic maintenance:

• Daily, or every 8 hours: clean the engine and profiles, check bolts and nuts, and check and top up the engine oil
• Weekly, or every 50 hours: change the engine oil (first time after 20 hours), and clean the spark plug and air filter
• Monthly, or every 200 hours: clean the oil filter, and clean and adjust the spark plug
• Every 250 hours: clean and adjust the carburettor, clean the cylinder head and adjust the valves
• Every 12 months, or more often with heavy use: service at an authorised workshop

The idling speed must not exceed 3 000 rpm, and it should be checked and adjusted to 3 000 rpm whenever maintenance is carried out. Check the safety equipment after each maintenance job. Also read the engine manufacturer's manual, which the operating instructions refer to for engine settings.

FBE with electric motor

• Work on the electrical parts must be done by a qualified person, and the machine must be disconnected from the power supply during maintenance
• The motor bearings do not need periodic maintenance
• Check the plug, socket and cables every 100 hours
• Clean the motor housing regularly so that the motor does not overheat. Do not wash the machine with a pressure washer
• Clean the air intake filter weekly, or after 50 operating hours
• Check the carbon brushes regularly and replace them after 120 operating hours
• Check the safety equipment after each maintenance job, and send the screed board to a dealer or service workshop for servicing every 12 months or more often, depending on use

When something does not work

• The engine does not start: check the petrol level and the choke position, and that the fuel tap is open. On the FBE, check the power source, cables, switch and plug
• The screed board does not vibrate: check the engine oil level and the transmission to the vibrator unit
• The electric motor gets too hot: clean the air intake and air outlet, and check that the power supply is of the correct type

If a fault is found, stop work and carry out the necessary maintenance, whether or not the fault makes the machine dangerous to use. That way you avoid danger and more serious damage.

Storage and transport

Store the screed board in a clean, dry place if it will not be used for a long time. During transport, it must not be subjected to knocks or impacts that could damage it, and it should only be lifted by the lifting eye.

If a petrol-powered screed board is to be scrapped, it must first be drained and cleaned of oil and fuel. Used filters, oil and fuel residues must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

Service and parts

According to the operating instructions, servicing must only be carried out by qualified repair personnel, and identical spare parts must be used. 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 can be reached during the day on +47 969 13 856.

If you are considering another screeding method, the guide Floor screeding compares the screed board, the vibrating screed and the modular truss screed.