Ryobi RYAC701, Operator'S Manual

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3 — English
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common
sense when operating a power cultivator. Do not use
cultivator while tired, upset, ill, or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention
while operating cultivators may result in serious personal
injury.

Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.

Dress properly — Do not wear loose clothing, scarves,
or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts.

Use of rubber gloves and substantial footwear is
recommended when working outdoors.

Secure long hair so it is above shoulder level to prevent
entanglement in any moving parts.

Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect
the cultivator’s operation. If damaged, have the cultivator
serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by
poorly maintained cultivators.

Keep the cultivator and its handle dry, clean, and free
from oil and grease. Always use a clean cloth when
cleaning. Never use brake fluids, gasoline, petroleum-
based products, or any strong solvents to clean your
cultivator. Following this rule will reduce the risk of loss
of control and deterioration of the enclosure plastic.

Always wear safety glasses with side shields. Everyday
glasses have only impact resistant lenses. They are NOT
safety glasses. Following this rule will reduce the risk of
eye injury.

Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to
comply with ANSI Z87.1 along with hearing protection
when operating this equipment. Following this rule will
reduce the risk of serious personal injury.

Protect your lungs. Wear a face or dust mask if the
operation is dusty. Following this rule will reduce the risk
of serious personal injury.

Don’t expose cultivators to rain. Water entering a
cultivator will increase the risk of electric shock.

Never spray water directly into the motor compartment
of the cultivator.

Wear heavy long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves.
Avoid loose garments or jewelry that could get caught in
moving parts of the machine or its motor.

Wear rubber boots when operating the cultivator.
Protective footwear will protect your feet and improve
your footing on slippery surfaces. Do not go barefoot or
wear sandals.

Keep firm footing and balance. Do not overreach.
Overreaching can result in loss of balance.

Store Idle Cultivators Indoors — When not in use,
cultivator should be stored indoors in a dry, locked up
place — unplugged and out of the reach of children.

Do not hang unit so that the switch trigger is depressed.

Cultivator service must be performed only by qualified
repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by
unqualified personnel may result in a risk of injury.

When servicing a cultivator, use only identical replacement
parts. Replace or repair damaged cords. Follow
instructions in the
Maintenance
section of this manual.
Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow
Maintenance
instructions may create a risk of shock or injury.

Check the work area before each use. Remove all objects
such as rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, or string which
can be thrown or become entangled in the machine.

For household use only.

Use the right appliance — Do not use the cultivator for
any job except that for which it is intended.

Do not force the cultivator — It will do the job better and
safer at the rate for which it was designed.

Do not use near underground electric cables, telephone
lines, pipes, or hoses. If in doubt, contact your utility or
telephone company to locate underground services.

Rotating tines can cause severe injury; do not allow
hands, feet, or any other part of the body or clothing
near the rotating tines or any other moving part. The tines
begin to rotate once the lock-out button is depressed and
switch trigger is pulled. The tines continue to rotate until
the switch trigger is released.

Maintain a firm grip on both handles while cultivating. Use
extreme caution when reversing or pulling the machine
towards you. Never operate the equipment on a slope.

If the cultivator should start to vibrate abnormally or
become noisy, stop the motor and check immediately
for the cause. Abnormal noise is generally a warning of
trouble.

Keep all fasteners tight to be sure the cultivator is in safe
working condition.

Check that the lock pins are fully inserted into the tine
shaft before each use.

Exercise extreme caution when crossing gravel surfaces.
Stay alert for hidden hazards or traffic.

Be extremely careful when tilling in hard ground. The
equipment may unexpectedly bounce upward or jump
forward if the tines should strike buried obstacles such
as large stones, roots, or stumps.

Do not overload the capacity of the machine by attempting
to till too deep or at too fast a speed.