BOSCH GBH 4-32 DFR Rotary Hammer Instruction Manual
Rotary Hammer

Safety instructions

General Power Tool Safety Warnings

WARNING Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/ or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mainsoperated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

Work area safety

  • Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
  • Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
  • Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety

  • Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modifythe plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs andmatching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
  • Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
  • Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
  • Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
  • When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
  • If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety

  • Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
  • Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
  • Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
  • Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
  • Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
  • Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

Power tool use and care

  • Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
  • Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
  • Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
  • Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
  • Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
  • Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
  • Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
  • Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

Service

  • Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

Hammer Safety Warnings
Safety instructions for all operations

  • Wear ear protectors. Exposure to noise can cause hearing loss.
  • Use auxiliary handle(s), if supplied with the tool. Loss of control can cause personal injury.
  • Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces, when performing an operation where the cutting accessory or fasteners may contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Cutting accessory or fasteners contacting a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.

Safety instructions when using long drill bits with rotary hammers

  • Always start drilling at low speed and with the bit tip in contact with the workpiece. At higher speeds, the bit is likely to bend if allowed to rotate freely without contacting the workpiece, resulting in personal injury.
  • Apply pressure only in direct line with the bit and do not apply excessive pressure. Bits can bend, causing breakage or loss of control, resulting in personal injury.

Additional safety information

  • Use suitable detectors to determine if utility lines are hidden in the work area or call the local utility company for assistance. Contact with electric lines can lead to fire and electric shock. Damaging a gas line can lead to explosion. Penetrating a water line causes property damage or may cause an electric shock.
  • Always wait until the power tool has come to a complete stop before placing it down. The application tool can jam and cause you to lose control of the power tool.
  • Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped withclamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than byhand.

Products sold in GB only:
Your product is fitted with an BS 1363/A approved electric plug with internal fuse (ASTA approved to BS 1362). If the plug is not suitable for your socket outlets, it should be cut off and an appropriate plug fitted in its place by an authorised customer service agent. The replacement plug should have the same fuse rating as the original plug. The severed plug must be disposed of to avoid a possible shock hazard and should never be inserted into a mains socket elsewhere.

  • Do not touch any application tools or adjacent housing components shortly after operation. These can become very hot during operation and cause burns.
  • The application tool may jam during drilling. Make sure you have a stable footing and hold the power toolfirmly with both hands. Otherwise you could lose control of the power tool.
  • Take care when carrying out demolition work using the chisel. Falling fragments of the demolition material could injure you or any bystanders.
  • Hold the power tool firmly with both hands and make sure you have a stable footing. The power tool can be more securely guided with both hands.

Product Description and Specifications

Read all the safety and general instructions.
Failure to observe the safety and general instructions may result in electric shock, fire
and/or serious injury. Please observe the illustrations at the beginning of this operating manual.

Intended Use
The power tool is intended for hammer drilling in concrete, brick and stone, as well as for light chiselling work. It is also suitable for drilling without impact in wood, metal, ceramic and plastic. Power tools with electronic control and right/left rotation are also suitable for screwdriving.

Product Features
The numbering of the product features refers to the diagram of the power tool on the graphics.
Product Instruction

  1. Keyless quick-change chucka)
  2. SDS plus quick-change chuck
  3. SDS plus tool holder
  4. Dust protection cap
  5. Locking sleeve
  6. Locking ring for quick-change chuck
  7. Impact/mode selector switch
  8. Vibration damping
  9. On/off switch
  10. Rotational direction switch
  11. Button for depth stop adjustment
  12. Auxiliary handle (insulated gripping surface)
  13. Depth stop
  14. Handle (insulated gripping surface)
  15. Front sleeve of the keyless quick-change chucka)
  16. Retaining ring of the keyless quick-change chucka)

a) Accessories shown or described are not included with the product as standard. You can find the complete selection of accessories in our accessories range.

Technical Data

Rotary hammer GBH 4-32 DFR
Article number 3 611 C32 1..
Rated power input W 900
Speed min-1 0–780
Impact rate min-1 0–3600
Impact energy per stroke according to EPTA-Procedure 05:2016
J 4.2
Tool holder SDS plus

Noise/Vibration Information
Noise emission values determined according to EN IEC 62841-2-6.
Typically, the A-weighted noise level of the power tool is: Sound pressure level 90 dB(A); sound power level 101 dB(A). Uncertainty K = 3 dB.

Wear hearing protection!
Vibration total values ah (triax vector sum) and uncertainty K determined according to EN IEC 62841-2-6:
Hammer drilling into concrete: ah=12.7 m/s2 , K=1.5 m/s2,
Chiselling: ah=11.4 m/s2 , K=1.5 m/s2,
The vibration level and noise emission value given in these instructions have been measured in accordance with a standardised measuring procedure and may be used to compare power tools. They may also be used for a preliminary estimation of vibration and noise emissions. The stated vibration level and noise emission value represent the main applications of the power tool. However, if the power tool is used for other applications, with different application tools or is poorly maintained, the vibration level and noise emission value may differ. This may significantly increase the vibration and noise emissions over the total working period. To estimate vibration and noise emissions accurately, the times when the tool is switched off or when it is running but not actually being used should also be taken into account. This may significantly reduce vibration and noise emissions over the total working period. Implement additional safety measures to protect the operator from the effects of vibration, such as servicing the power tool and application tools, keeping their hands warm, and organising workflows correctly.

Assembly

  • Pull the plug out of the socket before carrying out any work on the power tool.

Auxiliary handle

  • Do not operate your power tool without the auxiliary handle (12).
  • Make sure that the auxiliary handle is always tightened. Otherwise you could lose control of the power tool when working.

Swivelling the Auxiliary Handle
You can swivel the auxiliary handle (12) to any angle for a safe work posture that minimises fatigue.

  • Turn the lower gripping end of the auxiliary handle (12) anticlockwise and swivel the auxiliary handle (12) into the required position. Then turn the lower gripping end of the auxiliary handle (12) clockwise to retighten it. Make sure that the retaining strap of the auxiliary handle slots into the corresponding groove of the housing.

Selecting drill chucks and tools
For hammer drilling and chiselling, you will need SDS plus tools, which insert into the SDS plus drill chuck. For drilling without impact in wood, metal, ceramic and plastic as well as for screwdriving, tools without SDS plus are used (e.g. cylindrical shank drill bits). A keyless chuck is required for such drilling tools.

Changing the drill chuck
Removing/inserting the quick-change chuck
Removing the Quick-Change Chuck (see figure A)
Inserting quick-change

  • Pull back on the quick-change chuck locking ring (6), hold it in this position and pull the SDS plus quick-change chuck (2) or the keyless quick-change chuck (1) out from the front.
  • Once the quick-change chuck is removed, protect it from dirt.

Inserting the quick-change chuck (see figure A)

  • Use only model-specific original equipment and pay attention to the number of identification grooves. Only quick-change chucks with two identification grooves are permitted. If an unsuitable quick-change chuck is used, the application tool can fall out during operation.
    • Before insertion, clean the quick-change chuck and lightly grease the shank.
    • Wrap your whole hand around the SDS-plus quick-change chuck (2) or the keyless quick-change chuck (1). Use a turning motion to push the quick-change chuck into the drill chuck holder until you hear it click into place.
    • The quick-change chuck is automatically locked. Check that it is locked by pulling on the quick-change chuck.

Changing the Tool
The dust protection cap (4) largely prevents the penetration of drilling dust into the tool holder during operation. When inserting the tool, make sure that the dust protection cap (4) does not become damaged.

  • Replace a damaged dust protection cap immediately. It is recommended that you have use an after-sales service for this.

Changing the tool (SDS plus)
Inserting SDS-plus application tools (see figure B)
Changing Tool

The SDS-plus drill chuck enables you to change the application tool easily and conveniently without needing to use additional tools.

  • Clean and lightly grease the insertion end of the application tool.
  • Insert the application tool into the tool holder while turning it until it locks automatically.
  • Check the latching by pulling the tool

As a requirement of the system, the SDS-plus application tool can move freely. This causes a certain radial run-out at no-load, which has no effect on the accuracy of the drill hole, as the drill bit centres itself upon drilling.

Removing SDS-plus application tools (see figure C)
Removing Tools

  • Push the locking sleeve (5) back and remove the application tool.

Changing the keyless quick-change chuck
Inserting the application tool (see figure D)
Inserting Tool

Note: Application tools that do not have SDS plus must not be used for hammer drilling or chiselling. Tools without SDS plus and their drill chucks are damaged by hammer drilling or chiselling.

  • Insert the keyless quick-change chuck (1).
  • Hold the retaining ring (16) of the keyless quick-change chuck firmly in place. Open the tool holder by turning the front sleeve (15) in the direction of the RELEASE, OFF symbol.
  • Insert the application tool into the keyless quick-change chuck (1). Hold the retaining ring of the keyless quickchange chuck (16) in place and turn the front sleeve (15) in the direction of the GRIP, ON symbol.
  • Check that it is seated securely by pulling on the tool.

Note: If the tool holder was unscrewed all the way, a scraping sound may be heard while retightening the tool holder and it may not fully tighten.
In this case, turn the front sleeve (15) in the opposite direction to the arrow by one full turn. This will allow the tool holder to be fully tightened.

  • Turn the impact/mode selector switch (7) to the “drilling” position.

Removing the application tool (see figure D)

  • Hold the retaining ring (16) of the keyless quick-change chuck firmly in place. Open the tool holder by turning the front sleeve (15) in the direction of the RELEASE, OFF symbol.
  • Remove the application tool.

Dust/Chip Extraction
Dust from materials such as lead-containing coatings, some wood types, minerals and metal can be harmful to one’s health. Touching or breathing-in the dust can cause allergic reactions and/or lead to respiratory infections of the user or bystanders.
Certain dust, such as oak or beech dust, is considered carcinogenic, especially in connection with wood-treatment additives (chromate, wood preservative). Materials containing asbestos may only be worked by specialists.

  • Provide for good ventilation of the working place.
  • It is recommended to wear a P2 filter-class respirator.
    Observe the relevant regulations in your country for the materials to be worked.
  • Avoid dust accumulation at the workplace. Dust can easily ignite.

Operation

  • Products that are only sold in AUS and NZ: Use a residual current device (RCD) with a nominal residual current of 30 mA or less.

Start-up

  • Pay attention to the mains voltage. The voltage of the power source must match the voltage specified on the rating plate of the power tool. Power tools marked with 230 V can also be operated with 220 V.

Setting the Operating Mode
The operating mode of the power tool is selected using the impact/mode selector switch (7).

  • To change the operating mode, turn the impact/mode selector switch (7) to the required position.
    Note: Only change the operating mode when the power tool is switched off. Otherwise, the power tool may become damaged.

Drilling Position for drilling without impact in wood, metal, ceramic and plastic and for screwdriving

Hammer Drilling Position for hammer drilling into concrete or stone

Vario-Lock Vario-Lock position for adjusting the chisel position The impact/mode selector switch (7) will not engage in this position.

Chiselling Position for chiselling.

Setting the Rotational Direction
The rotational direction switch (10) is used to change the rotational direction of the power tool. Always set the rotational direction to clockwise rotation for hammer drilling, drilling and chiselling.

  • Rotate clockwise: Turn the rotational direction switch (10) until it stops in the position.
  • Rotate anticlockwise: Turn the rotational direction switch (10) until it stops in the position.

Switching On/Off

  • To start the power tool, press the on/off switch (9) and keep it pressed.
  • To switch off, release the on/off switch (9). For low temperatures, the power tool reaches the full hammer/impact capacity only after a certain time.

Adjusting the Speed/Impact Rate
You can adjust the speed/impact rate of the power tool when it is on by pressing in the on/off switch (9) to varying extents.
Applying light pressure to the on/off switch (9) results in a low rotational speed/impact rate. Applying increasing pressure to the switch increases the speed/impact rate.

Changing the chiselling position (Vario-Lock)
You can lock the chisel in 12 different positions, so you can select the optimum working position for each task.

  • Insert the chisel into the tool holder.
  • Turn the impact/mode selector switch (7) to the “VarioLock” position.
  • Turn the application tool to the required chisel position.
  • Turn the impact/mode selector switch (7) to the “chiselling” position. With this, the tool holder is locked.
  • Set the rotational direction for chiselling to clockwise.

Practical Advice

  • Only apply the power tool to the screw/nut when the tool is switched off. Rotating tool inserts can slip off.

Setting the drilling depth (see figure E)
Setting Drilling Depth

You can use the depth stop (13) to set the required drilling depth X.

  • Press the button for depth stop adjustment (11) and insert the depth stop into the auxiliary handle (12). The fluting on the depth stop (13) must face downwards.
  • Insert the SDS-plus application tool into the SDS-plus tool holder (3) to the stop. Otherwise, the movability of the SDS-plus drilling tool can lead to incorrect adjustment of the drilling depth.
  • Pull the depth stop far enough out that the distance between the drill bit tip and the edge of the depth stop corresponds to the required drilling depth X.

Overload clutch

  • If the application tool jams or snags, the power transmission to the drill spindle will be interrupted. Always hold the power tool firmly with both hands to withstand the forces this may create and adopt a position with stable footing.
  • Switch the power tool off immediately and remove the application tool if the power tool becomes blocked.

Vibration damping
The integrated vibration damping function reduces the generated vibration.

  • Do not continue to use the power tool if the damping element is damaged.

Maintenance and Service

Maintenance and Cleaning

  • Pull the plug out of the socket before carrying out any work on the power tool.
  • To ensure safe and efficient operation, always keep the power tool and the ventilation slots clean. In order to avoid safety hazards, if the power supply cord needs to be replaced, this must be done by Bosch or by an after-sales service centre that is authorised to repair Bosch power tools.
  • Replace a damaged dust protection cap immediately. It is recommended that you have use an after-sales service for this.
    • Clean the tool holder (3) after each use.

After-Sales Service and Application Service
Our after-sales service responds to your questions concerning maintenance and repair of your product as well as spare parts. You can find explosion drawings and information on spare parts at: www.bosch-pt.com The Bosch product use advice team will be happy to help you with any questions about our products and their accessories. In all correspondence and spare parts orders, please always include the 10‑digit article number given on the nameplate of the product.

Disposal

The power tool, accessories and packaging should be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
Disposal Icon Do not dispose of power tools along with household waste.

Only for EU countries:
According to the European Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and its implementation into national law, power tools that are no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. If disposed incorrectly, waste electrical and electronic equipment may have harmful effects on the environment and human health, due to the potential presence of hazardous substances.

Only for United Kingdom:
According to The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3113) (as amended), products that are no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Great Britain
Robert Bosch Ltd. (B.S.C.)
P.O. Box 98
Broadwater Park
North Orbital Road
Denham Uxbridge
UB 9 5HJ
At www.bosch-pt.co.uk you can order spare parts or arrange the collection of a product in need of servicing or repair.
Tel. Service: (0344) 7360109
E-Mail: boschservicecentre@bosch.com

You can find further service addresses at:
www.bosch-pt.com/serviceaddresses

Documents / Resources

BOSCH GBH 4-32 DFR Rotary Hammer [pdf] Instruction Manual
GBH 4-32 DFR Professional, GBH 4-32 DFR, GBH 4-32 DFR Rotary Hammer, Rotary Hammer, Hammer

References

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