Ryobi RPHD43O Operator's Manual page 17

Stand comfortably with both feet of firm ground having the left foot slightly forward of the right
foot. Lean the frame of the engine in front of the safety bar on your left thigh.
Always keep a firm grip with both hands while in operation.
The post hole digger should be held at a comfortable position with the left and right handles
no higher than waist level.
The throttle trigger helps control the speed of the auger to suit various ground conditions.
Always pay full attention to your operation. Serious injuries may result if contact is made with the
rotating auger.
NOTE: Your post hole digger is supplied with a 300mm extension shaft to be used for
deeper hole digging. DO NOT start digging a hole with the extension attached.
The hole should always be started with the auger bit only fitted. Once the hole is deep enough
and the handles are at least 300mm below waist level, stop the engine, attach the extension
shaft between the power head and the auger to enable deeper hole digging.
WARNING!
WARNING!
See figure 12
Never use the post hole digger with the handles above waist level.
Operating with the handles above waist level restricts control and can cause serious
chest injuries if a hard object is struck.
HOW THE SAFETY DEVICE WORKS
See figure 13
Your post post hole digger is built with a safety device which can prevent excessive backwards
rotation in the case of jammed drill.
When the post hole digger is operated normally, the auger bit is driven into soil in a clockwise
direction. If the bit contacts large roots or rocks which stops rotation, the inertia of the rotating
engine will be in the opposite direction (anticlockwise).
The rotating inertia of the engine will result in the safety bar contacting the user's left thigh. The
change in the angle of the safety bar will be detected by the mechanism inside the safety device
control box which will operate and reduce the engine speed. As a result, the post hole digger will
not rotate anticlockwise any further.
NOTE: Always test the safety device before operating the auger bit.
WARNING! WARNING!
Use only original manufacturer's replacement parts, accessories and attachments. Use only original manufacturer's replacement parts, accessories and attachments.
Failure to do so can cause possible injury, poor performance and may void your Failure to do so can cause possible injury, poor performance and may void
warranty.
your warranty.
MAINTENANCE
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