Ryobi P2603 - Manual (Page 11)

9 — English
OPERATION
WARNINg:
When servicing, use only identical replacement parts.
Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause
product damage.
WARNINg:
Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to
comply with ANSI Z87.1. If operation is dusty, also wear
a dust mask.
WARNINg:
To avoid serious personal injury, always remove the
battery pack from the product before inspecting, cleaning
or performing any maintenance.
MAINTENANCE
gENERAL MAINTENANCE
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 call 1-800-860-4050 or contact an authorized service
center for assistance.
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.
CUTTINg TIPS
See Figures 5 - 6.
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:
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
3/8 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
attempting 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
operating. 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.