RYOBI RY40606 40 Volt Hedge Trimmer User Manual

RYOBI RY40606 40 Volt Hedge Trimmer

GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS

WARNING!

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery- operated (cordless) power tool.

WORK AREA SAFETY

• Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
• Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of elec-tric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
• When operating a power tool outdoors, use an exten-sion cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suit-able for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
• If operating a power tool in a damp location is un-avoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use com-mon sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inatten-tion while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal in-juries.
• Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewel-lery. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
• If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
• Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be drawn into air vents.
• Do not use on a ladder or unstable support. Stable footing on a solid surface enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
• Wear heavy, long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Do not wear loose fitting clothing, short pants, sandals, or go barefoot. Do not wear jewelry of any kind.

POWER TOOL USE AND CARE

• Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
• Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
• Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
• Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
• Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or bind-ing of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly main-tained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
• Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
• Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool
• in unexpected situations.

BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE

• Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
• Use power tools only with specifically designated bat-tery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
• When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
• Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, ad-ditionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
• Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
• Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or exces-sive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 265°F may cause explosion.
• Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

SERVICE

• Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
• When servicing a power tool, use only identical re-placement parts. Follow instructions in the Mainte-nance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance instructions may create a risk of shock or injury.
• Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.

HEDGE TRIMMER SAFETY WARNINGS

• Keep all parts of the body away from the cutter blade. Do not remove cut material or hold material to be cut when blades are moving. Make sure the switch is off when clearing jammed material. Blades coast after turn off. A moment of inattention while operating the hedge trimmer may result in serious personal injury.
• Carry the hedge trimmer by the handle with the cutter blade stopped. Proper handling of the hedge trimmer will reduce possible personal injury from the cutter blades.
• When transporting or storing the hedge trimmer al-ways fit the cutting device cover. Proper handling of the hedge trimmer will decrease the risk of personal injury from the blades.
• When clearing jammed material or servicing the unit, make sure all power switches are off and the battery pack is removed or disconnected. Unexpected actua-tion of the hedge trimmer while clearing jammed material or servicing may result in serious personal injury.
• Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only, because the cutter blade may contact hidden wiring. Cutter blades contacting a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
• Keep all power cords and cables away from cutting area. Power cords or cables may be hidden in hedges or bushes and can be accidentally cut by the blade.
• Do not use the hedge trimmer in bad weather condi-tions, especially when there is a risk of lightning. This decreases the risk of being struck by lightning.
• DANGER — Keep hands away from blade. Contact with blade will result in serious personal injury.
• WARNING — Only use with handle and guard properly assembled to hedge trimmer. The use of the hedge trim-mer without the proper guard or handle provided may result in serious personal injury.
• Use both hands when operating the hedge trimmer. Using one hand could cause loss of control and result in serious personal injury.
• Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. Following this rule will re-duce the risk of serious personal injury.
• 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 serious personal injury.
• Before starting the hedge trimmer, make sure the blade is not in contact with any object.
• Stop the unit, remove the battery pack, and make sure the blade has stopped before setting the unit down.
• Never use water or any liquids to clean or rinse off your product and do not expose the product to rain or wet conditions. Store indoors in a dry area. Corrosive liquids, water, and chemicals can enter the product’s electronic components and/or battery compartment and damage electronic components and/or the battery pack, which can result in a short circuit, increased risk of fire, and serious personal injury. Remove any buildup of dirt and debris by wiping the product clean with a dry cloth oc-casionally.
• Never cut any material with a diameter larger than 1.5 in.
• Always stop the motor when cutting is delayed or when walking from one cutting location to another.
• Keep unit clean of clippings and other materials. They may become lodged in the cutting blades.
• If hedge trimmer is equipped with a debris remover, do not use the debris remover as a gripping surface.
• Store the unit inside in a dry place, either locked up or up high to prevent unauthorized use or damage. Keep out of the reach of children or untrained individuals.
• Replace scabbard when unit is not in use.
• Never douse or squirt the unit with water or any other liquid. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from debris. Clean after each use; see storage instructions.
• Secure the unit while transporting.
• Battery operated units do not have to be plugged into an electrical outlet; therefore, they are always in operating condition. Be aware of possible hazards even when unit is not operating.
• Remove the battery pack before making any adjustments, cleaning, storing, or removing material from the unit, or when not in use.
• Use this product only with batteries and chargers listed in tool/appliance/battery pack/charger correlation supple-ment 988000-842.
• Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and use them to instruct others who may use this tool. If you loan someone this tool, loan them these instructions also.

SYMBOLS

DANGER: Indicates a hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury .
WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation, that, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE: (Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates information considered important, but not related to a potential injury (e.g. messages relating to property damage).

Some of the following symbols may be used on this product. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the product better and safer.

• Safety Alert Symbol Indicates a potential personal injury hazard.
• Read Operator’s Manual To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand operator’s manual before using this product.
• Eye Protection Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
• Wet Conditions Alert Do not expose battery, battery compartment, or electronic components to rain, water, or liquids. Do not charge battery or expose product to rain or damp locations.
• Rain Symbol Do not expose to rain.
• No Hands Symbol Failure to keep your hands away from the blade will result in serious personal injury.
• Keep Bystanders Away Keep all bystanders at least 50 ft. away.
• Gloves Wear non-slip, heavy-duty protective gloves when handling the blades.
• Operate With Two Hands Hold and operate the hedge trimmer properly with both hands.
• Moving Parts Keep hands away from moving parts.

FEATURES

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

• Motor …………………………………………………………….40 V DC
• Blade Length …………………………………………………….. 26 in.
• Cutting Capacity……………………………………………….. 1.5 in.
• Cutting Speed ……………………………..up to 3,200 cuts/min.

KNOW YOUR HEDGE TRIMMER

See Figure 1.
The safe use of this product requires an understanding of the information on the tool and in this operator’s manual as well as a knowledge of the project you are attempting. Before use of this product, familiarize yourself with all operating features and safety rules.

ANTI-JAM TECHNOLOGY

If the blades become jammed, the motor will automatically reverse slightly to unjam the blades before stopping. Release the switch trigger and depress again to resume operation.

DEBRIS DEFLECTOR

When installed, the debris deflector makes removal of cut debris easier.

GUARD

The guard helps to deflect chips or other debris away from the operator’s hands.

ROTATING REAR HANDLE

The rear handle can be rotated to lock at either side in 45° or 90° angles for ease of use when trimming. This is useful when trimming vertically or along the sides of shrubbery.

SCABBARD

The scabbard keeps the operator from coming in contact with the sharp blades when the tool is not in use. It also helps keep the blades from being nicked or damaged when the tool is in storage.

TWO-SPEED

The hedge trimmer is designed for LOW (1) or HIGH (2) speeds.

ASSEMBLY

UNPACKING
This product has been shipped completely assembled.

• Carefully remove the product and any accessories from the box. Make sure that all items listed in the Packing List are included.

WARNING:

Do not use this product if it is not completely assembled or if any parts appear to be missing or damaged. Use of a product that is not properly and completely assembled could result in serious personal injury.

• Inspect the product carefully to make sure no breakage or damage occurred during shipping.
• Do not discard the packing material until you have care-fully inspected and satisfactorily operated the product.
• If any parts are damaged or missing, please call
  1- 800-525-2579 for assistance.

PACKING LIST

• Hedge Trimmer
• Debris Deflector
• Scabbard
• Operator’s Manual

WARNING:

• If any parts are damaged or missing do not operate this product until the parts are replaced. Use of this product with damaged or missing parts could result in serious personal injury.
• Do not attempt to modify this product or create acces-sories not recommended for use with this product. Any such alteration or modification is misuse and could result in a hazardous condition leading to possible serious personal injury.
• To prevent accidental starting that could cause serious personal injury, always remove the battery pack from the product when assembling parts.

OPERATION

WARNING:

• Do not allow familiarity with this product to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict serious injury.
• Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into your eyes resulting in possible serious injury.
• Do not use any attachments or accessories not recom-mended by the manufacturer of this product. The use of attachments or accessories not recommended can result in serious personal injury.

NOTICE:
Before each use, inspect the entire product for damaged, missing, or loose parts such as screws, nuts, bolts, caps, etc. Tighten securely all fasteners and caps and do not operate this product until all missing or damaged parts are replaced. Please contact customer service or an authorized service center for assistance.

APPLICATIONS

You may use this product for the purpose listed below:

• Trimming and shaping hedges and shrubbery

INSTALLING DEBRIS DEFLECTOR

See Figure 2.
NOTE: Always wear non-slip, heavy-duty gloves when in-stalling or removing the debris deflector.

• Remove the battery pack and scabbard, if installed.
• Place the hedge trimmer on a sturdy flat surface.
• Align the angled edge of the debris deflector with the grooves on the guide bar.
• Slide the deflector completely onto the guide bar so the angled edge of the deflector rests beneath the guard.

WARNING:

Never use the debris deflector as a handle or attempt to hold or guide the hedge trimmer by gripping the debris deflector. Always keep both hands on the hedge trimmer handles. Improper handling of hedge trimmer could result in serious injury.

INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERY PACK

See Figure 3.

WARNING:

Always remove battery pack from your tool when you are assembling parts, making adjustments, cleaning, or when not in use. Removing battery pack will prevent accidental starting that could cause serious personal injury.

To install:

• Insert the battery pack into the product as shown.

WARNING:

Make sure the latch on the battery pack snaps in place and the battery pack is fully seated and secure in the bat-tery port before beginning operation. Failure to securely seat the battery pack could cause the battery pack to fall out, resulting in serious personal injury.

NOTICE:

When placing battery pack in the tool, be sure raised rib on battery pack aligns with the bottom of the tool and latches into place properly. Improper installation of the battery pack can cause damage to internal components.

To remove:

• Depress the latch on the battery pack and remove from the hedge trimmer.

WARNING:

Battery tools are always in operating condition. Remove battery pack when transporting or carrying hedge trim-mer to avoid accidental starting, which may result in serious injury.

For complete charging instructions, see the operator’s manu-als for your battery pack and charger.

STARTING AND STOPPING THE HEDGE TRIMMER

See Figure 4.
To start:

• Remove the scabbard, if installed.
• Grasp the front handle to release the trigger lock-out.
• Place the speed switch in either the LOW (1) or HIGH (2) position.
• Depress the switch trigger to begin operation.

To stop:

• Release the switch trigger to stop the hedge trimmer.
• Release the front handle to re-engage the trigger lock-out.

ROTATING HANDLE

See Figure 5.
The handle can be rotated 45° or 90° to the left or to the right.

To rotate handle:

• Remove the battery pack.
• Press on the rotating handle lever lock.
• Turn handle to the right or to the left.
• Release the rotating handle lever lock.
• Keep turning handle until it locks into place in one of the 45° or 90° positions.

NOTE: The trimmer will only operate at one of these locked positions. The handle is locked when the rotating handle lever lock is securely in place and the handle will no longer move to either side.

HOLDING THE HEDGE TRIMMER

See Figure 6.
The unit has both a front and rear handle. With the blade directed away from you, hold the unit by both handles.

WARNING:

Always keep both hands on the hedge trimmer handles. Never hold shrubs with one hand and operate the hedge trimmer with the other. Improper operation of the hedge trimmer may result in serious injury.

CUTTING TIPS

See Figure 7.

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 elec-tric cords or lines will result in death by electrocution or 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 serious personal injury.

• Before starting the hedge trimmer, hold the unit with both hands with the cutting blades directed away from you. Always use the hedge trimmer properly.
• Do not force the hedge trimmer through heavy shrubbery. This can cause the blades to bind and slow down. If the blades slow down, reduce the pace.
• Do not try to cut stems or twigs that are larger than 1 in. thick, or those obviously too large to feed into the cutting blade. Use a non-powered hand saw or pruning saw to trim large stems.
• If blades do become jammed, stop the motor, allow the blades to stop and remove the battery pack before at-tempting to remove the obstruction.
• If desired, you can use a string to help cut your hedge level. Decide how high you want the hedge. Then, stretch a piece of string along the hedge at this height. Trim the hedge just above this guide line of string. Trim the side of a hedge so that it will be slightly narrower at the top. More of the hedge will be exposed when shaped this way, and it will be more uniform.
• Always hold hedge trimmer with both hands when op-erating. Use a firm grip on the handles. The unit is used for cutting in either direction in a slow, sweeping action from side to side.
• Wear gloves when trimming thorny or prickly growth.
• When trimming new growth, use a wide sweeping action, so that the stems are fed directly into the cutting blade. Older growth will have thicker stems and will be trimmed easiest by using a sawing movement.

MAINTENANCE

WARNING:

• To avoid serious personal injury, always remove the battery pack from the product before inspecting, cleaning or performing any maintenance.
• Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into your eyes resulting in possible serious injury.
• When servicing, use only identical replacement parts. Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage.
• Never use water or any liquids to clean or rinse off your product and do not expose the product to rain or wet conditions. Store indoors in a dry area. Corrosive liquids, water, and chemicals can enter the product’s electronic components and/or battery compartment and damage electronic components and/or the battery pack, which can result in a short circuit, increased risk of fire, and seri-ous personal injury. Remove any buildup of dirt and debris by wiping the product clean with a dry cloth occasionally.

NOTICE:
Periodically inspect the entire product for damaged, missing, or loose parts such as screws, nuts, bolts, caps, etc. Tighten securely all fasteners and caps and do not operate this product until all missing or damaged parts are replaced. Please contact customer service or an authorized service center for assistance.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents and may be damaged by their use. Use clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc.

WARNING:

Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline, petroleum-based products, penetrating oils, etc., come in contact with plastic parts. Chemicals can damage, weaken or destroy plastic which may result in serious personal injury.

TRANSPORTING AND STORING

• Always place the scabbard on the blade before storing or transporting the hedge trimmer. Use caution to avoid the sharp teeth of the blade.
• Clean the hedge trimmer thoroughly before storing. Store the hedge trimmer indoors, in a dry place that is inacces-sible to children. Keep away from corrosive agents such as garden chemicals and de-icing salts.

LUBRICATING THE BLADES
See Figure 8.

WARNING:

Always allow the blades of the hedge trimmer to come to a stop and remove the battery pack before lubricating. Failure to do so could result in accidental starting causing possible serious personal injury.

For easier operation and longer blade life, lubricate the hedge trimmer blade before and after each use.

• Remove the battery pack from the hedge trimmer.
• Lay the hedge trimmer on a flat surface. Apply light weight machine oil along the edge of the top blade.

NOTE: If you will be using the hedge trimmer for an extended time, it is advisable to oil the blade periodically.

• Stop the hedge trimmer.
• Remove the battery pack.
• Lubricate the hedge trimmer as described above.
• Reinstall the battery pack and resume use.

SHARPENING THE BLADE
See Figure 9.

• Allow the blades of the hedge trimmer to come to a stop in the position shown. This will allow clearance for the file between the cutter teeth and the guard teeth.
• Remove the battery pack from the hedge trimmer.
• Clamp the blade assembly in a vise and file the exposed cutting surface of each blade tooth with an 8 in. smooth round file, 1/4 in. or 7/32 in. in diameter. Be sure to retain the original angle of the tooth when filing.
• Remove the hedge trimmer from the vise, replace the battery pack, and restart the hedge trimmer. Allow the blades of the hedge trimmer to come to a stop so that the unsharpened edges on the other side of the cutter blade teeth are exposed.
• Remove battery pack from hedge trimmer and repeat the sharpening procedure as described above.

CLEANING THE HEDGE TRIMMER

• Remove the battery pack.
• Slide the scabbard over the blade.
• Clean dirt and debris from the body of the hedge trimmer, using a damp cloth with a mild detergent.

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.

• Moisture can cause a shock hazard. Wipe off any moisture with a soft dry cloth.
• Use a small brush or the air discharge of a small vacuum cleaner brush to clear dust or debris from the air vents on the motor housing.

STORING THE HEDGE TRIMMER

See Figure 10.

• Clean the hedge trimmer thoroughly before storing. Store the hedge trimmer in a dry, well-ventilated place that is inaccessible to children. Keep away from corrosive agents such as garden chemicals and de-icing salts.
• Always place the scabbard on the cutting blades before storing.

CALL US FIRST

For any questions about operating or maintaining your product, call the RYOBI Help Line! Your product has been fully tested prior to shipment
to ensure your complete satisfaction.

This product has a Five-year Limited Warranty for personal, family, or household use (90 days for business or commercial use). For warranty details, visit www.ryobitools.com
or call (toll free) 1-800-525-2579.

References

• REIMAGINE WITH RYOBI - RYOBI Tools

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>