Ryobi RYAC490 Operator's Manual page 12

STARTING THE LOG SPLITTER
See Figures 6 - 7.
WARNING:
Operator must be positioned in the right rear area of the
log splitter as facing the log splitter controls and never
directly behind the ram when operating. Failure to follow
these instructions could result in serious personal injury
from a dislodged log or piece of wood.
NOTICE:
Failure to loosen the bleed screw prior to operation of this
product may cause the seals in the hydraulic system to
blow out. Blown seals could cause permanent damage
to the log splitter.
 This tool is designed for home use only.
 Operator should be positioned in the operator zone, which
is in the right rear area as facing the log splitter controls
and never directly behind the ram as shown.
 Place your left hand on the hydraulic control lever and
your right hand on the on/off switch.
 Push down and hold the on/off switch.
 While continuing to hold down the on/off switch, push
down and hold the hydraulic control lever.
NOTE: Both hands are required to start this product. The
combination of both steps starts the ram which pushes
the log into the wedge.
 To stop the log splitter, release both controls to return the
ram to the starting position.
NOTE: If only one hand is removed from either the switch
or the lever, the log splitter will freeze in place. When both
the switch and the lever are released, the ram will return to
the starting position.
SPLITTING LOGS
See Figures 8 - 9.
WARNING:
Never attempt to split logs larger than 10 in. in diameter
or 20-1/2 in. in length. Only split dry whole logs and not
partial, unevenly shaped, logs that will not sit flat on the
work table, or logs that will not sit flat against the ram.
Only split one log at a time and do not attempt to split
stacked logs. Some types of wood are harder to split than
others. If the log splitter is having trouble splitting a log,
never continue to try for longer than five seconds. Failure
to follow these instructions can result in the log or piece
of wood dislodging and cause serious personal injury.
OPERATION
WARNING:
Never place your hands or any body part in between the
log and ram or log and wedge or allow anyone else to hold
a log that is being split. Keep children and bystanders at
least 10 feet away. Contact between the moving ram and
log or log and wedge can result in serious personal injury.
Only place logs onto the log splitter that have flat cuts on
the ends and make sure all limbs are removed. Always place
logs lengthwise so that the log will sit as evenly as possible
on the work table and resting firmly on the side supports
with one end against the wedge. Place logs flat and in the
direction of the grain. Never angle the log to split it or place
the log crosswise on the splitter. Never split more than one
log at a time.
NOTICE:
Never keep pressure on the wood by trying to force the
log splitter for more than five seconds. After five seconds,
the oil will heat and can damage the tool.
 Place log lengthwise and lying flat on the work table.
NOTE: If the log is small, place it against the wedge before
starting the log splitter.
 Using your right hand, push down and hold the on/off
switch.
 Push down and hold the hydraulic control lever with
your left hand. With both the lever and the on/off switch
activated, the ram will push the log into the wedge and
split the wood.
 Once the log is split, release both controls to return the
ram to the starting position.
FREEING A JAMMED LOG
See Figures 10 - 11.
 Release both controls.
 Insert a wood wedge slightly under the jammed log after
the ram is back at the starting position.
 Start the log splitter to push the wood wedge completely
under the jammed log until it is completely freed.
 If the log is still jammed, repeat the above steps as
needed using a thicker angled wood wedge until the log
is completely freed.
 Do not place the wood wedge under the log so that the
log is completely lifted off of the work table.
WARNING:
Never try to knock the jammed log off the splitter. Doing
so can damage the tool or could cause the log to fly up
and hit someone causing serious personal injury.
10 — English