Ryobi RLM46160S User manual

ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Petrol Self-Propelled
Lawn Mower
RLM46160S

Important!
It is essential that you read the instructions in this manual before assembling,
maintaining, and operating the product.
Subject to technical modications.

User Manual
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Safety, performance, and dependability have been given
top priority in the design of your petrol lawn mower.
INTENDED USE
The petrol lawn mower is only intended for use outdoors.
The product is designed for domestic lawn mowing. The
cutting blade should rotate approximately parallel to the
ground over which it is being wheeled. All four wheels
should touch the ground while mowing.
The product is a pedestrian-controlled, walk-behind mower
designed to be pushed by hand, or be guided by the
operator when using the self-propel feature.
The product should never be operated with the wheels off
the ground. It should not be pulled or ridden on. It should
not be used to cut anything other than domestic grass
lawns.
Do not use the product for any other purpose.
GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS
WARNING
When using the product, the safety rules must be
followed. For your own safety and that of bystanders,
please read these instructions before operating the
product. Please keep the instructions safe for later use.
WARNING
To avoid serious personal injury, do not attempt
to use the product until you read thoroughly and
understand completely the operator’s manual. If you
do not understand the warnings and instructions in
the operator’s manual, do not use this product. Call an
authorised service centre for assistance.
PERSONAL SAFETY
■The product is capable of amputating hands and feet,
and of throwing objects. Failure to observe all safety
instructions could result in serious injury or death.
■Be familiar with the controls and the correct use of the
product.
■Ensure before each use that all controls and safety
devices function correctly. Do not use the product if the
off switch does not stop the engine.
■Never allow children or people with reduced physical,
sensory, or mental capabilities or persons not familiar
with these instructions to operate, clean, or maintain the
product. Local regulations may restrict the age of the
operator. Children should be adequately supervised to
ensure they do not play with the product.
■Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common
sense when operating the product. Do not operate the
product when you are tired, ill, or under the influence of
drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention
while operating the product may result in serious
personal injury.
■Wear heavy, long trousers, long sleeves, and sturdy
anti-slip footwear. Do not wear short trousers, sandals,
or go barefoot. Avoid wearing clothing that is loose
fitting or that has hanging cords or ties.
■Always wear safety glasses with side shields.
■Wear hearing protection and safety glasses at all
times while operating the product. Use a face mask if
operation is dusty.
■Use of hearing protection reduces the ability to hear
warnings (shouts or alarms). The operator must pay
extra attention to what is going on in the work area.
■Operating similar tools nearby increases both the risk
of hearing injury and the potential for other persons to
enter your work area.
■Always be sure of your footing, especially on slopes.
Keep firm footing and balance. Do not overreach.
Overreaching can result in loss of balance.
■Use the product across the face of slopes, never up
and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.
■Do not use the product near drop-offs, ditches,
excessively steep slopes, or embankments. Poor
footing could cause a slip-and-fall accident.
■Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
towards roads, public pavements, bystanders and
the like. Avoid discharging material against a wall or
obstruction, which may cause the material to ricochet
towards the operator.
WORK AREA SAFETY
■Never use product while people, especially children, or
pets are within 15 m because of the danger of objects
being thrown by contact with the blade.
■Objects struck by the lawn mower blade can cause
severe injuries to persons. Thoroughly inspect the area
where the product is to be used and remove all rocks,
sticks, metal, wire, bones, toys, or other foreign objects.
Remember, string or wire may entangle with the cutting
means.
■Always use the product in the daylight or in good
artificial light. The operator requires a clear view of the
work area to identify potential hazards.
■Do not operate the product in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or
dust. The product creates sparks which may ignite the
dust or fumes.
■Do not operate the product on wet grass or in the rain.
■Do not use the product when there is a risk of lightning.
■Keep in mind that the operator or user is responsible
for accidents or hazards occurring to other people or
their property.
■Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to

User Manual
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the product and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them.
■Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator, be alert and turn the product off if a child
enters the area.
■Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects including overhanging
shrubs, which may block your view.
■Keep work area clean. Cluttered or dark areas invite
accidents.
LAWN MOWER SAFETY WARNINGS
■Before use, always visually inspect to ensure blades,
blade bolts, and cutter assembly are not worn or
damaged.
■Replace worn or damaged blades and bolts in sets to
preserve balance.
■If engine does not stop when throttle level is set in
“Stop” position, do not operate the product.
■Do not operate the product without the entire grass
catcher or the guard of the self-closing discharge
opening in place.
■The blade on the product is sharp. Use extreme caution
and wear heavy-duty gloves when fitting, replacing,
cleaning or checking bolt security.
■Bring the product to an authorised service centre to
replace damaged or unreadable labels.
■Check all nuts, bolts, and screws at frequent intervals
for proper tightness to be sure that the product is in safe
working condition.
■Check the grass catcher frequently for wear, holes,
or deterioration. This can cause objects to be thrown
towards the operator.
■Replace worn or damaged parts before operating the
product.
■Switch on the engine carefully with the user behind the
handlebars in the operator safety zone. Never start the
product if:
●all four wheels are not on the ground
●the grass discharge chute is exposed and is not
protected by the grass box and grass discharge
chute cover
●hands and feet of all persons are not clear of the
cutting enclosure
■Do not force the product. It will do the job better and
safer at the speed for which it was designed.
■Do not overload the product. Mowing long, thick grass
may cause the engine speed to drop or the power to cut
out. When mowing in long thick grass, set a high cutting
height on your first cut to help reduce the load.
■Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces.
■Do not pull back the product unless absolutely
necessary. If you must back the product away from a
wall or obstruction, first look down and behind to avoid
tripping or pulling the product over your feet.
■Stop the engine and allow the blade to stop if the
product has to be tilted for transportation when crossing
surfaces other than grass, and when transporting the
product to and from the area to be mowed.
■Never use the product with defective guards or shields,
or without safety devices, such as deflectors and/ or
grass catchers, in place.
■Do not tilt the product when starting the engine or while
the engine is running. This exposes the blade and
increases the probability of objects being thrown.
■Start the engine carefully according to instructions and
keep hands and feet away from cutting area. Do not
put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep
clear of the discharge opening at all times. Do not start
the product when standing in front of the discharge
opening.
■Never pick up or carry the product while it is running.
■When not in use, store the product in a well-ventilated,
dry, or locked-up place that is out of the reach of
children.
■Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper
operation and installation of accessories. Only use
accessories approved by the manufacturer.
■Do not operate the engine in a confined space where
dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.
■Do not change the engine governor settings or over-
speed the engine.
■Stop the engine, wait until the blade comes to a
complete stop, allow the product to cool down, and
disconnect the spark plug wire:
●whenever you leave the product unattended
(including disposal of grass clippings).
●before cleaning a blockage or unclogging discharge
chute
●before checking, cleaning or working on the product
●after striking a foreign object; inspect the product
for damage and make repairs as necessary before
restarting and operating the product
●before removing the grass box or opening the grass
discharge chute cover
●before refuelling
■If the product starts to vibrate abnormally, check
immediately to:
●inspect for damage, particularly the blades
●replace or repair any damaged parts
●check for and tighten any loose parts
■If the product strikes a foreign object, follow these
steps:
●Stop the product and disconnect the spark plug
wire.
●Thoroughly inspect the mower and grass catcher
for any damage.
●Repair any damage before restarting and continuing
to operate the mower

User Manual
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■Avoid holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, property stakes, or
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could cause a
slip-and-fall accident.
■Allow engine to cool down before storing in any
enclosure.
■To reduce the risk of fire, keep the engine, silencer, and
petrol storage area free of grass, leaves, and excessive
grease.
■If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done
outdoors.
■Disconnect the spark plug wire before making any
adjustment, transporting, or storing the product. Such
preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting
the product accidentally.
■The product is noisy and permanent hearing loss
or damage may result if precautions to limit your
exposure, reduce noise, and wear hearing protection
are not strictly adhered to.
SERVICE
■Service on the product must be performed by qualified
repair personnel only. Service or maintenance
performed by unqualified personnel could result in a
risk of injury to the user, or damage to the product.
■When servicing, use only original manufacturer’s
replacement parts. Use of unauthorised parts may
create a risk of serious injury to the user, or damage
to the product.
NOTE: Only perform the tasks listed in this manual. For
other service or repair, bring the product to an authorised
service centre.
Save this manual for future reference. Refer to them
frequently and use them to instruct others who may use
the product. If you loan the product to someone, loan them
these instructions also.
RESIDUAL RISKS
Even when the product is used as prescribed, it is still
impossible to completely eliminate certain residual risk
factors. The following hazards may arise in use and the
operator should pay special attention to avoid the following:
■Injury caused by vibration
●Always use the right tool for the job. Use designated
handles and restrict working time and exposure.
■Injury caused by noise
●Exposure to noise can cause hearing injury. Wear
ear protection and limit exposure.
■Injury from contact with the blades
■Injury caused by thrown objects
RISK REDUCTION
It has been reported that vibrations from handheld tools
may contribute to a condition called Raynaud’s Syndrome.
Symptoms may include tingling, numbness, and blanching
of the ngers, usually apparent upon exposure to cold.
Hereditary factors, exposure to cold and dampness, diet,
smoking, and work practices are all thought to contribute to
the development of these symptoms. There are measures
that can be taken by the operator to possibly reduce the
effects of vibration:
■Keep your body warm in cold weather. When operating
the product, wear gloves to keep the hands and wrists
warm. It is reported that cold weather is a major factor
contributing to Raynaud’s Syndrome.
■After each period of operation, exercise to increase
blood circulation.
■Take frequent work breaks. Limit the amount of
exposure per day.
If you experience any of the symptoms of this condition,
immediately discontinue use and see your physician.
WARNING
Injuries may be caused, or aggravated, by prolonged
use of a tool. When using any tool for prolonged periods,
ensure you take regular breaks.
SYMBOLS
Some of the following symbols may be used on the product.
Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper
interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the
product better and safer.
Precautions that involve your safety.
To reduce the risk of injury, user must
read and understand operator’s manual
before using this product.
To avoid injury, stay away from moving
parts at all times.
Danger! Keep hands and feet away.
Danger of Ricochet. Keep all
bystanders at least 15 m away.
Before performing maintenance,
remove the spark plug socket.
STOP
Remove objects that could be thrown by
the rotating blade.
Keep bystanders at a safe distance
away from the product.