768r Flail Head Trimmer OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 1-800-345-8746 in U.S. or 1-800-265-6778 in CANADA www.ryobi.
INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS THANK YOU I. California Emission Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Thank you for buying this quality product. This modern outdoor power tool will provide many hours of useful service. You will find it to be a great labor-saving device. This operator’s manual provides you with easy-to-understand operating instructions. Read the whole manual and follow all the instructions to keep your new outdoor power tool in top operating condition.
CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS This unit meets the 1995 to 1998 California emissions regulations for small off-road engines. These units are identified by the label on the engine of your product. A typical identification label is shown. To ensure that your unit continues to meet these regulations, refer to the following information and instructions in this operator’s manual.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION DANGER: Failure to obey a safety warning will result in serious injury to yourself or to others. Always follow the safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury. The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols, and their explanations, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by themselves eliminate any danger.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • This unit has a clutch. The cutting attachment remains stationary when the engine is idling. If it does not, have the unit adjusted by an authorized service technician. Adjust the D handle to provide the best grip. Be sure the cutting attachment is not in contact with anything before starting the unit. Use the unit only in daylight or good artificial light. Avoid accidental starting.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS This operator's manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product. Read the operator's manual for complete safety, assembly, operating and maintenance and repair information. SYMBOL MEANING • SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL Indicates danger, warning, or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION SYMBOL MEANING • THROWN OBJECTS AND ROTATING CUTTER CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY WARNING: Do not operate without the cutting attachment shield in place. Keep away from the rotating cutting attachment. • ON/OFF STOP CONTROL ON / START / RUN • ON/OFF STOP CONTROL OFF OR STOP • HOT SURFACE WARNING Do not touch a hot muffler or cylinder. You may get burned. These parts get extremely hot from operation. When turned off they remain hot for a short time.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION KNOW YOUR UNIT Gas Cap APPLICATIONS As a trimmer; • Cutting grass and light weeds. • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. With Flailhead; • Cutting weeds and light brush of up to 1/2 inch in diameter.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS ASSEMBLING THE FLAIL HEAD INSTALLING THE HARNESS WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury, never attempt to start the unit when standing and the unit clipped to the shoulder strap. Always follow the starting procedures as described in the Operation section. Flail Head Parts Flail Head Top 1. Push the strap through the center of the buckle. 2. Pull the strap over the cross bar and down through the slot in the buckle (Fig. 1).
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 3. Press the Flail Head Bottom on by matching the pin guides with the Pivot Pins (Fig. 7). Flail Head Bottom REMOVING THE CUTTING ATTACHMENT 1. Align the shaft bushing hole with the locking rod slot and insert the locking rod into the shaft bushing hole (Fig. 9). 2. While holding the locking rod, remove the cutting attachment by turning it counterclockwise off of the output shaft (Fig. 9). Store the cutting attachment for future use. Cutting Attachment Pivot Pins Pin Guides Fig.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 2. Align the blade driver hole with the locking rod slot and insert the locking rod into the blade driver hole (Fig. 11). Cutting Attachment Shield Locking Rod Locking Rod Slot INSTALLING THE CUTTING ATTACHMENT NOTE: To make installing or removing the cutting attachment easier, place the unit on the ground or on a work bench. WARNING: The gear housing gets hot with use and can result in injury to the operator. When the unit is turned off it remains hot for a short time.
OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION OIL AND FUEL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS Old and/or improperly mixed fuel are the main reasons for the unit not running properly. Be sure to use fresh, clean unleaded fuel. Follow the instructions carefully for the proper fuel/oil mixture. Definition of Blended Fuels Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol or MTBE (ether). Alcohol-blended fuel absorbs water. As little as 1% water in the fuel can make fuel and oil separate.
STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS STARTING INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: Avoid accidental starting. Be in the starting position when pulling the starter rope (Fig. 16). The operator and unit must be in a stable position while starting to avoid serious personal injury. NOTE: When using the shoulder harness, have it on and adjusted, but not clipped to the support fitting prior to starting unit. See Installing the Harnes, Pg. 9. 1. Mix gas with oil. Fill fuel tank with fuel/oil mixture.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HOLDING THE TRIMMER WARNING: Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 17). Check for the following: • The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing. • The right arm is slightly bent, and the hand is holding the shaft grip. • The left arm is straight, and the hand is holding the handle. • The unit is below waist level.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS DECORATIVE TRIMMING OPERATING THE FLAIL HEAD Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around trees, posts, fences, etc. Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting attachment is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 19). Your unit can be equipped with a Flail Head that is better suited for use on thick grass and weeds (Fig. 20). Fig. 20 Fig. 19 WARNING: The cutting attachment shield must be installed when operating either the cutting attachment or flail head.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS LINE INSTALLATION Always use genuine Ryobi 0.080 inch (2.03 mm.) replacement line. Larger line may make the engine overheat or fail. 4. Use a clean cloth to clean the the inner reel, spring, shaft, and inner surface of the outer spool (Fig. 23). WARNING: Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, or rope, etc.. These can break off and become a dangerous projectile. There are two methods to replace the trimming line.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS 9. Place the spring in the inner reel. Insert the ends of the line through the eyelets in the outer spool and place inner reel inside the outer spool (Fig. 28). Push the inner reel and outer spool toghther. While holding the inner reel and outer spool, grasp the ends and pull firmly to release the line from the holding slots in the spool. NOTE: The spring must be assembled on the inner reel before reassembling the cutting attachment. Fig. 25 7.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE 2. Remove the air filter from behind the air filter/muffler cover. (Fig. 29). Removing the Air Filter/Muffler Cover WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your trimmer off and allow it to cool before you clean or do any maintenance on it. 1. Place the choke lever in the PARTIAL choke position (B). NOTE: The choke lever must be in the PARTIAL choke position (B) (Fig. 28) to remove the air filter/muffler cover. Air Filter 2.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS 5. Squeeze the filter to spread and remove excess oil (Fig. 32). Fig. 32 Adjust Idle Speed Screw WARNING: The cutting attachment may be spinning during idle speed adjustment. Wear protective clothing and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury. If after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter the engine still will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows. 1.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG Use a Champion RDJ7Y spark plug (or equivalent). The correct air gap is 0.020 in. (0.5 mm.). Remove the plug after every 50 hours of operation to check its condition. 1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the plug wire firmly and pull the cap from the spark plug. 2. Clean dirt from around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head by turning a 5/8 in. socket counterclockwise.
TROUBLESHOOTING ENGINE WILL NOT START CAUSE ACTION Ignition switch is OFF Turn switch to ON Empty gas tank Fill fuel tank Primer bulb wasn't pressed enough Press primer bulb fully and slowly 5-7 times Engine flooded Use starting procedure with choke lever in the RUN position, Pg.
SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE Engine Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Cooled, 2-Cycle Stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.25 in. (31.75 mm.) Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 cu. in.
CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS The California Air Resources Board and Ryobi Outdoor Products (ROP), are pleased to explain the emission control system warranty on your 1995 and later small off-road engine. In California, new small off-road engines must be designed, built and equipped to meet the State's stringent anti-smog standards.
LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY RYOBI OUTDOOR PRODUCTS warrants each new RYOBI Product for two (2) years according to the following terms. This warranty extends to the original retail purchaser only and commences on the date of original retail purchase. Any part of the RYOBI Product manufactured or supplied by RYOBI and found in the reasonable judgement of RYOBI to be defective in material or workmanship will be repaired or replaced by an authorized RYOBI service dealer without charge for parts and labor.
