Ryobi RY3714 User Manual - Page 8

GENERAL SAFETY RULES  Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all parts of body  Turn off all controls before unplugging. away from openings and moving parts. SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES  Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious injury. Kickback may occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the chain in the cut. Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back toward the operator. If the chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of tool control which can result in serious injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into the tool. As a pruner user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.  With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.  Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, fence, or any other obstruction while you are operating the unit.  Always cut with the engine or motor running at full speed. Fully squeeze the trigger and maintain a steady cutting speed.  Follow the sharpening and maintenance instructions for the chain.  Use only the replacement guide bars and low kickback chains specified for this unit.  Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.  Do not use on a ladder or unstable support. Stable footing on a solid surface enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.  Never let anyone use the tool who has not received adequate instructions in its proper use. This applies to rentals as well as privately owned units and also to the power head it is attached to.  To protect yourself from electrocution, do not operate within 50 ft. of overhead electrical lines.  To protect yourself from falling branches, do not stand directly under the branch or limb being cut. This unit should not be held at an angle over 60° from ground level.  Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture.  Before you start the engine or motor, make sure the chain is not contacting any object.  Shut off the engine or motor and make sure the cutting attachment has stopped before setting the unit down.  DANGER! Serious injury or death from electrocution if power lines are contacted. Never use near any electrical source, wires, or powerlines. The unit has not been designed to provide protection from electric shock in the event of contact with overhead electric lines. Consult local regulations for safe distances from overhead electric power lines and ensure that the operating position is safe and secure before operating the pruner attachment.  Wear face shield and hard hat to protect against falling debris. Always have a clear work area and retreat path. Be aware of limb/branch location to avoid falling limbs and debris. Keep bystanders 50 feet away when operating saw.  Store Idle Appliance Indoors - When not in use, product should be stored indoors in a dry and high or locked up place-out of the reach of children.  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 to prevent misuse of the product and possible injury. NOTE: SEE YOUR POWER HEAD OPERATOR'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS 4 - English