Ryobi RY40204, Operator'S Manual

Page: 9 / 56

7 — English
OPERATION
INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERY PACK
See Figure 7.
To install:
 Align raised ribs on battery pack with grooves in the
trimmer’s battery port and place the battery pack in the
trimmer.
WARNING:
Make sure the latch on the bottom of the battery pack
snaps in place and the battery pack is fully seated and
secure in the trimmer battery port before beginning
operation. Failure to securely seat the battery pack could
cause the battery pack to fall out, resulting in serious
personal injury.
To remove:

Press and hold the battery latch button at the bottom of
the battery pack.

Remove battery pack from the trimmer.
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, always remove the
battery pack and keep hands clear of the lock-out button
when carrying or transporting the tool.
For complete charging instructions, see the operator’s
manuals for your battery pack and charger.
STARTING/STOPPING THE STRING TRIMMER
See Figure 8.
To start:

Press and hold the lock-out button.

Depress the switch trigger.
To stop:

Release the switch trigger to stop the string trimmer.

Upon release of the switch trigger, the lock-out button
will automatically reset to the locked position.
OPERATING THE TRIMMER
See Figure 9.
Follow these tips when using the string trimmer:

Hold the trimmer with your right hand on the rear handle
and your left hand on the front handle.

Keep a firm grip with both hands while in operation.

Trimmer should be held at a comfortable position with
the rear handle about hip height.

Cut tall grass from the top down. This will prevent grass
from wrapping around the boom housing and string head
which may cause damage from overheating.
If grass becomes wrapped around the string head:

Remove the battery pack.
 Remove the grass.
WARNING:
Always hold the string trimmer away from the body
keeping clearance between the body and the string
trimmer. Any contact with the string trimmer cutting head
while operating can result in serious personal injury.
CUTTING TIPS
See Figures 10 - 11.

Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut; this is
the best cutting area.

The string trimmer cuts when passing the unit from right
to left. This will avoid throwing debris at the operator.
Avoid cutting in the dangerous area shown in figure 10.

Use the tip of the line to do the cutting; do not force string
head into uncut grass.

Wire and picket fences cause extra line wear, even
breakage. Stone and brick walls, curbs, and wood may
wear line rapidly.

Avoid trees and shrubs. Tree bark, wood moldings, siding,
and fence posts can easily be damaged by the line.
ADVANCING LINE
NOTE: The trimmer is equipped with an auto-feed head.
Bumping the head to try to advance the line will damage
the trimmer and void the warranty.

With the trimmer running, release the switch trigger.
 Wait two seconds, and press the switch trigger.
NOTE: The line will extend approximately 1/4 in. with each
stop and start of the switch trigger until the line reaches
the length of the cut-off blade.
 Resume trimming.
ADVANCING THE LINE MANUALLY
See Figure 12.

Remove the battery pack.
 Push the black button located on the string head while
pulling on line to manually advance the line.
LINE CUT-OFF BLADE
See Figures 13.
This trimmer is equipped with a line cut-off blade on the grass
deflector. For best cutting, advance line until it is trimmed to
length by the line cut-off blade. Advance line whenever you
hear the engine running faster than normal, or when trimming
efficiency diminishes. This will maintain best performance
and keep line long enough to advance properly.
This trimmer is currently set at the 10 in. cutting swath. To
adjust to a cutting swath of 12 in.:
 Remove the battery pack.

Loosen the blade screw then rotate the line cut-off
blade 180°.

Tighten the blade screw.