Ryobi RYAC701 Operation Manual - Page 8

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS. Failure to follow all instructions listed below and on the machine may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.  Know your cultivator. Read operator's manual carefully. Learn its applications and limitations, as well as the specific potential hazards related to this cultivator. Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls quickly. Following this rule will reduce the risk of electric shock, fire, or serious injury.  Do not permit children to use cultivator. It is not a toy. Do not allow uninstructed adults to use this machine.  Powered walk-behind cultivator work is strenuous. You must be in good physical condition and mentally alert. If you have any condition that might be aggravated by strenuous work, check with your doctor before operating a powered walk-behind cultivator.  Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model described in this manual. Accessories that may be suitable for one cultivator may create a risk of injury when used on another cultivator. Use only as described in this manual.  Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any opening blocked; keep free of dust, lint, hair, and anything that may reduce air flow.  Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers, and all parts of body away from openings and moving parts.  Avoid Dangerous Environment - Don't use appliances in damp or wet locations.  Do not operate in poor lighting.  To reduce the risk of electric shock, this product has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) and will require the use of a polarized extension cord. The plug will fit into a polarized extension cord 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. A polarized extension cord will require the use of a polarized wall outlet. This plug will fit into the polarized wall outlet 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 equipment plug, extension cord receptacle, or extension cord plug in any way.  Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is grounded.  Make sure your extension cord is in good condition. When using an extension cord, be sure to use one heavy enough to carry the current your product will draw. A wire gauge size (A.W.G.) of at least 14 is recommended for an extension cord 50 feet or less in length. If in doubt, use the next heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the heavier the cord. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating.  WARNING: Use outdoor extension cords marked SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A, SJTW-A, or SJTOW-A. These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of electric shock.  Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should be provided on the circuit(s) or outlet(s) to be used for the product. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI protection and may be used for this measure of safety.  This product is designed with a cord retainer that prevents the extension cord from being pulled loose while using.  If cord is damaged in any manner while plugged in, pull extension cord from wall receptacle. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electric shock.  Don't Abuse Cord - Never carry cultivator by cord or yank it to disconnect from receptacle. Keep cord from heat, oil, sharp edges, and rotating parts.  Keep hands away from moving parts.  Never pick up or carry the cultivator while the tines are turning or the motor is running. Don't grasp the exposed cutting blades or cutting edges when picking up or holding the appliance.  Avoid Unintentional Starting - Do not carry plugged in appliance with finger on trigger. Be sure the switch trigger is not engaged before plugging in.  Do not use tool if switch trigger does not turn it on or off. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch trigger is dangerous and must be repaired.  Do not operate cultivators in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Cultivators create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.  Keep bystanders, children, and visitors at least 100 ft. away while operating a cultivator. Distractions can cause you to lose control.  Start the cultivator carefully according to instructions from a normal operating position and with feet well away from the tines.  If appliance is not working as it should, has been dropped, damaged, left outdoors, or dropped into water, return it to a service center. 2 - English