• Clear path to the electrical outlet that does not
contain any sources of heat or oil, sharp edges or
moving parts that may damage electrical cord.
• Dry place for machine and operator. Do not use
the machine while standing in water.
• Level ground.
2. Clean up the work area prior to setting up any equip-
ment. Always wipe up any oil that may have splashed
or dripped from the machine or oiler to prevent slips
and falls.
3. Set up the Power Drive on a flat, level surface.
• For a Power Drive mounted on a 1206 Stand,
open legs of stand and push down on the tray.
Legs should be stiff and stand should not wobble.
NOTE! To increase or decrease leg stiffness, refer to
instructions on “Mounting On 1206 Stand”.
4.. If the workpiece extends more than four (4) feet
beyond the Power Drive, use one or more pipe stands
to prevent tipping and the oscillation of the pipe.
5. If the workpiece extends beyond the Power Drive, set-
up guards or barricades to create a minimum of
three (3) feet of clearance around the Power Drive
and workpiece. This “safety zone” prevents others
from accidentally contacting the machine or workpiece
and either causing the equipment to tip or becoming
entangled in the rotating parts.
6. If necessary, fill the 418 Oiler with RIDGID Thread
Cutting Oil. Position the oiler under the front of the
Power Drive
(Figure 3).
7. Make sure FOR/OFF/REV switch is in the OFF posi-
tion.
8. Position the foot switch so that the operator can
safely control the machine, tools and workpiece. As
shown in
Figure 8,
it should allow the operator to do
the following:
• Stand facing the directional switch.
• Use the foot switch with his left foot.
• Have convenient access to the directional switch,
tools and chucks without reaching across the
machine.
Machine is designed for one person operation.
9. Plug the Power Drive into the electrical outlet making
sure to position the power cord along the clear path
selected earlier. If the power cord does not reach
the outlet, use an extension cord in good condition.
940-600.015.10_REV. D
7
5. Inspect the power cord and plug for damage. If the
plug has been modified, is missing the grounding
pin or if the cord is damaged, do not use the Power
Drive until the cord has been replaced.
6. Inspect the Power Drive for any broken, missing,
misaligned or binding parts as well as any other con-
ditions which may affect the safe and normal opera-
tion of the machine. If any of these conditions are pre-
sent, do not use the Power Drive until any problem
has been repaired.
7. Lubricate the Power Drive spindle bearings if neces-
sary according to the Maintenance Instructions.
8. Use tools and accessories that are specifically
designed for your Power Drive and meet the needs of
your application. The correct tools and accessories
allow you to do the job successfully and safely.
Accessories suitable for use with other equipment
may be hazardous when used with this Power Drive.
9. Clean any oil, grease or dirt from all handles and
controls. This reduces the risk of injury due to a tool or
control slipping from your grip.
Inspect the cutting edges of your tools and dies. If
necessary, have them replaced prior to using the
Power Drive. Dull or damaged cutting tools and
dies can lead to binding, tool breakage and poor
quality threads.
10. Clean metal shavings and other debris from the chip
tray of the 418 Oiler. Check the level and quality of the
thread cutting oil. Replace or add oil if necessary.
NOTE! Thread cutting oil lubricates and cools the threads
during the threading operation. A dirty or poor
grade cutting oil can result in poor thread quality.
Machine and Work Area Set-up
WARNING
To prevent serious injury, proper set-up of the
machine and work area is required. The following
procedures should be followed to set-up the ma -
chine:
1. Locate a work area that has the following:
• Adequate lighting.
• No flammable liquids, vapors or dust that may ignite.
• Grounded electrical outlet.
300 Power Drive
