OPERATOR'S MANUAL 15 in. (381 mm) String Trimmer RY41002 Series EL15 (RY41002) Your new trimmer has been engineered and manufactured to Ryobi's high standard for dependability, ease of operation and operator safety. Properly cared for, it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance. WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator's manual. Thank you for buying a Ryobi trimmer. SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 General Safety Rules .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Specific Safety Rules ........................................................................................................................................... 3-4 Symbols ................................................................................................................................................................ 5-6 Specifications .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Unpacking ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Features .................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Assembly ............................................................................................................................................................ 9-10 Operation .......................................................................................................................................................... 11-13 Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................................... 14-15 Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 Accessories ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Customer Service Information ............................................................................................................................... 18 INTRODUCTION Your trimmer has many features that make using this product more pleasant and enjoyable. We have given safety, performance, and dependability top priority in the design of this product, making it easy to maintain and operate. Page 2 GENERAL SAFETY RULES WARNING: When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury, including the following: Use the right product. Use the product for the intended purpose only. Do not handle the product with wet hands. Do not use the product if the switch does not turn the product on or off. A product that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired. Avoid accidental starting; never carry the product with your finger on the trigger. Stay alert and pay attention to what you are doing. Use common sense when using this product. Do not force the product. It will do a better job with less likelihood of a risk of injury when you operate it at the rate for which it was designed. Use the product for cutting grass and light weeds only. Do not use for any other purpose. Before starting the product, position it so that the line does not come in contact with anything you do not intend to cut. Keep the grass deflector in place at all times while operating the product. The product may overheat without the grass deflector in place. Stop the product immediately, unplug it, and check for damage if you strike or become entangled with foreign objects. Do not operate the product before having any damage repaired. Keep hands away from the cutting line. Do not attempt to remove cut material or to hold material to be cut when the line is moving. Be sure the unplug the product and the release the trigger when clearing jammed material from the line. Do not grasp the line when picking up or holding the product. Be cautious after turning off the product. The line coasts after turning off the product. Disconnect the product from the power supply when it is not in use, before servicing, and when changing accessories. READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS GENERAL SAFETY RULES Clear the work area before each use. Remove all objects, such as rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, or string that can be thrown or become entangled in the cutting line. Wear heavy, long pants, boots, and gloves. Do not wear loose fitting clothing, short pants, or go barefoot. Do not wear jewelry of any kind. Secure hair above shoulder level to prevent entanglement in moving parts. Do not allow children or untrained individuals to use this product. Keep all bystanders, children, and pets at least 50 ft. (15 m) away. Do not operate this product when you are tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Do not operate in poor lighting. Keep firm footing and balance. Do not overreach. Overreaching can result in loss of balance or exposure to hot surfaces. Keep all parts of your body away from moving parts. Inspect the product before use. Replace any damaged parts before use. Do not operate the product in damp or wet locations. Do not use the product in the rain. Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1 standard when operating this product. SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES SPECIFIC TRIMMER SAFETY RULES Replace the trimmer head if cracked, chipped, or damaged in any way. Be sure the trimmer head is properly installed and securely fastened. Make sure all guards, straps, deflectors, and handles are properly and securely attached. Use only the manufacturer's replacement line in the trimmer head. Never operate the product without the grass deflector in place and in good condition. Maintain a firm grip on both handles while trimming. Keep the trimmer head below waist level. Never cut with the trimmer head over 30 in. (76 cm) or more above the ground. Page 3 SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES ELECTRICAL SAFETY RULES Make sure the cord is located so that it will not be stepped on, tripped over, or otherwise subjected to damage or stress. Do not abuse the power cord. Never carry the product by the cord. Never yank the plug out of the receptacle. Keep the cord away from heat, oil, and sharp edges. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, use only roundjacketed extension cords approved for outdoor use, such as cords of type SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOWA, SJOW-A, SJTW-W, or SJTOW-A. Since this tool is double insulated, you may use a 2-wire extension cord (an extension cord without a ground). However, you may also use a 3-wire extension cord (an extension cord with a ground) that has a NEMA-type connector (parallel blade, U ground). Extension cords are available from your local retailer. Be sure to use a cord that is heavy enough to carry the current that your product will draw. The correct cord size depends on cord length and amperage rating (see figures below). An undersized cord set will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. Use of an improper extension cord could result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make sure: a. That pins on plug of extension cord are the same number, size and shape as those on the plug on the charger. b. That the extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition; and c. That the wire size is large enough for the AC ampere rating of the product as specified below: Cord Length (Feet) 25' 50' 100' Cord Size (AWG) 16 14 12 Note: AWG = American Wire Gage To reduce the risk of electrical shock, this product has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) and requires the use of a polarized extension cord. This product's plug fits into a polarized extension cord in only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the extension cord, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, obtain a correct polarized extension cord. Use of a polarized extension cord requires use of a polarized wall outlet. This product's plug fits into a polarized wall outlet in only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the wall outlet, reverse the plug. If the plug still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper wall outlet. Do not change the product plug, the extension cord receptacle, or the extension cord plug in any way. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuits(s) or outlet(s) used for this product. Receptacles with built-in GFCI protection are available and may be used. Inspect extension cords for deterioration, cuts, or cracks in the insulation. Repair or replace the cords if any defects appear. A nameplate on the product indicates the unit's voltage. Never connect the product to an AC voltage that differs from this voltage. MAINTENANCE RULES Maintain the product with care. Follow instructions for changing accessories. Keep the product dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. Release the trigger, allow the motor to stop, and unplug the product before making adjustments or repairs. Do not use the product if parts have been damaged. Check the product to make sure that it will operate properly and perform the intended function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the unit's operation. Inspect the unit's power connection. Any part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by a Homelite authorized service center. Keep the product clean of grass clippings and other materials that may become lodged in the cutting lines. Never douse or squirt the product with water or any other liquid. Keep handles dry, clean and free from debris. After each use, clean with a soft, dry cloth. SERVICE RULES Service on this product must be performed by qualified repair personnel only. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in injury to the user or damage to the product. Such service may also void your warranty. Use only identical replacement parts when servicing the product. Follow the instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions may create a risk of shock, serious injury to the user, or damage to the product. Such use may also void your warranty. STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION RULES Stop the motor when you are waiting to cut or when you are walking from one cutting location to another. Store the product inside in a dry place. Store the product up high or lock it up to prevent unauthorized use or damage. Keep the product out of the reach of children. Secure the product when transporting it. Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and use them to instruct others who may use this product. If you loan someone this product, loan these instructions also. Page 4 SYMBOLS Some of the following symbols may be used on your tool. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the tool more safely and effectively. SYMBOL NAME EXPLANATION Safety Alert . Ricochet Precautions that involve your safety. Thrown objects can cause severe injury. Wear protective clothing and boots. Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and a full face shield when operating this product. Keep all bystanders at least 50 ft. (15 m) away. Eye Protection 50' 15m Keep Bystanders Away No Blade Do not install any type of blade on this product. Class II Construction Double-insulated construction. Wet Conditions Alert Do not expose to rain or use in damp locations. Read Operator's Manual To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand operator's manual before using this product. Page 5 SYMBOLS The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product. SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in serious injury. Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. (Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that may result in property damage. DANGER: WARNING: CAUTION: ` ...