Ryobi RHT-500, Owner'S Operating Manual

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STARTING AND STOPPING (Fig. 2)
1. To start the tool, squeeze the hand safety switch (3) and
switch trigger (7) simultaneously.
2. Release either switch to stop the tool.
CUTTING
DANGER!
Never cut near electric cords or lines. If blade jams on any
electrical cord or line, DO NOT TOUCH THE BLADE! IT CAN
BECOME ELECTRICALLY LIVE AND VERY DANGEROUS.
Continue to hold the hedge trimmer by the insulated rear
handle or lay it down and away from you in a safe manner.
Disconnect the electrical service to the damaged line or cord
before attempting to free the blade from the line or cord.
Contact with the blade, other conductive parts of the hedge
trimmer, or live electric cords or lines will result in death
by electrocution or serious injury.
WARNING!
Always keep both hands on the hedge trimmer handles.
Never hold shrubs with one hand and operate hedge trimmer
with the other. Improper handling of hedge trimmer could
result in serious injury.
WARNING!
Clear the area to be cut before each use. Remove all objects
such as cords, lights, wire, or loose string which can become
entangled in the cutting blade and create a risk of electric
shock and serious personal injury.
CUTTING SEQUENCE
When trimming new growth, use wide sweeping action so
that the stems are fed directly into the blade. Do not try to cut
branches that are thicker that 10mm or those obviously too
large to feed into the blade. Use looping shears, a hand saw
or pruning saw to cut out thick branches first. If a radical cut
is necessary, cut a little at a time in several passes. Cut both
sides of the hedge first and then the top.
CUTTING TECHNIQUES
Horizontal cut (Fig. 3)
Hold the trimmer with the blade tilted 5-10 degrees to your
cutting object makes the operation easier and assures a
better cutting.
Vertical cut (Fig. 4)
Start trimming at the bottom and sweep up for even cutting.
Swing the blades in an arc towards the outsides of the hedge
so that the cuttings are swept on the ground.
WARNING!
When servicing, use only identical replacement parts. Use of
any other parts can create a hazard or cause product
damage.
WARNING!
Before inspecting, cleaning, or servicing the machine,
disconnect the plug from power source and wait for all
moving parts to stop. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING!
Before inspecting, cleaning, or servicing the machine,
disconnect the plug from power source and wait for all
moving parts to stop. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
NOTE:
Do not oil while the hedge trimmer is running.
NOTE:
Do not use any strong detergents on the plastic housing or
the handle. They can be damaged by certain aromatic oils
such as pine and lemon, and by solvents such as kerosene.
LUBRICATING THE BLADE (Fig. 5)
For easier operation and longer blade life, lubricate the
hedge trimmer blade before and after each use.
1. Stop the motor and disconnect from power supply.
2. Lay the hedge trimmer on a flat surface. Apply light weight
machine oil along the edge of the top blade. If you will be
using the hedge trimmer for an extended period, it is
advisable to oil the blade during use.
SHARPENING THE BLADE
The blade must be re-sharpened if cutting performance and
behavior begin to deteriorate (i.e. if blades frequently snag on
branches).
1. Stop the motor and disconnect from power supply, and
clamp the blade in a vice.
2. File the exposed cutting surface of each blade tooth with
a smooth round file. Be sure to retain the original angle of
tooth when filing.
3. Remove the blade from the vise, and restart it and stop it
so that unshaped edges of the blade teeth are exposed.
4. Disconnect the trimmer from the power supply and repeat
the sharpening procedure if necessary.
CLEANING THE HEDGE TRIMMER
1. Stop the motor and disconnect from power supply.
2. Clean dirt and debris from the body of the hedge trimmer,
using a damp cloth with a mild detergent.
TRANSPORTING AND STORING
1. Always place the blade cover on the blade before storing
or transporting the hedge trimmer. Use caution to avoid
the sharp teeth of the blade.
2. Clean the hedge trimmer thoroughly before storing.
Store the hedge trimmer indoors, in a dry place that
is inaccessible to children. Keep away from corrosive
agents such as garden chemicals and de-icing salts.
5
MAINTENANCE
2. The unit is held firmly with both hands. The right arm is
slightly bent and is holding the rear handle (4), and the
left arm is straight and is holding the front handle (2).
3. Make sure you have a safe footing and hold the garden
trimmer so that the cutting blades always clear of your
body.