Ryobi RY70105 - Manual (Page 14)

14
OPERATION
WARNING
Extreme care must be taken when using blades to
insure safe operation. Read the safety information for
safe operation using the blade, refer to “Specific
Safety Rules for Brushcutter and Blade Use” earlier in
this manual.
■ Always hold brushcutter with both hands when operating.
Use a firm grip on both handles.
■ Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position
yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the
kickback reaction of the cutting blade.
■ Inspect and clear the area of any hidden objects such as
glass, rocks, concrete, fencing, wire, wood, metal, etc.
■ Never use blades near sidewalks, fencing, posts,
buildings or other immovable objects.
■ Never use a blade after hitting a hard object without first
inspecting it for damage. Do not use if any damage is
detected.
■ The unit is used as a scythe, cutting from the right to the
left in a broad sweeping action from side to side.
TRI-ARC BLADE
The TRI-ARC blade is suited only for pulpy weeds and
vines. When the blade becomes dull, it can be turned over
to extend the life of the blade. Do not sharpen the TRI-ARC
blade.
Use only TRI-ARC blade, part number 984227001, available
at your local retailer.
CUTTING TECHNIQUE - BLADE
Fig. 15
Exercise extreme caution when using the blade with this
unit. Blade thrust is the reaction that may occur when the
spinning blade contacts anything it cannot cut. This contact
may cause the blade to stop for an instant, and suddenly
“thrust” the unit away from the object that was hit. This
reaction can be violent enough to cause the operator to
lose control of the unit. Blade thrust can occur without
warning if the blade snags, stalls, or binds. This is more
likely to occur in areas where it is difficult to see the
material being cut. For cutting ease and safety, approach
the weeds being cut from the right to the left. In the event
an unexpected object or woody stock is encountered, this
could minimize the blade thrust reaction.
See Figure 15.
OPERATING THE BRUSHCUTTER
Hold the brushcutter with the right hand on the rear handle
and the left hand on the front handle. Keep a firm grip with
both hands while in operation. Brushcutter should be held at
a comfortable position with the trigger handle about hip
height. Maintain your grip and balance on both feet. Position
yourself so that you will not be drawn off balance by the
kickback reaction of the cutting blade.
Adjust the shoulder strap to position the brushcutter at a
comfortable operating position and to assure that the
shoulder strap will reduce the risk of operator contact with
the blade.
See Figure 14.
Fig. 14
APPROACH THE WEEDS
BEING CUT FROM THE RIGHT.
THE WEEDS WILL BE CUT
AGAINST THE LEFT SIDE OF
THE BLADE GUARD.