Ryobi P2503 - 18 VOLT RECIPROCATING PRUNING SAW Manual

To reduce the risk of injury, the user must read and understand the operator's manual before using this product.

SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS

Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term "power tool" in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

WORK AREA SAFETY

• Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
• Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric shock.
• When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
• If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
• Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
• If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
• Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
• Do not use on a ladder or unstable support. Stable footing on a solid surface enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.
• Wear heavy, long pants, long sleeves, boots, and gloves. Do not wear loose fitting clothing, short pants, sandals, or go barefoot. Do not wear jewelry of any kind.

POWER TOOL USE AND CARE

• Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
• Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
• Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
• Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
• Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool's operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
• Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
• Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.

BATTERY TOOL USE AND CARE

• Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.
• Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
• Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature above 265°F may cause explosion.
• Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
• When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
• Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
• Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

SERVICE

• Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
• Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the manufacturer or authorized service providers.
• When servicing a power tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance instructions may create a risk of shock or injury.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECIPROCATING SAWS

• 
  Keep hands away from blade. Contact with blade will result in serious personal injury.
• Maintain a firm grip on handle while cutting.
• Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1, along with head protection. Following this rule will reduce the risk of serious personal injury.
• Clear the area to be cut before each use. Remove all objects such as cords, lights, wire, or loose string which can become entangled in the cutting blade and create a risk of serious personal injury.
• Before starting the power tool, make sure the blade is not in contact with any object.
• Stop the unit, remove the battery pack, and make sure the blade has stopped before setting the unit down.
• Never cut any material with a diameter larger than 3 in.
• Always stop the motor when cutting is delayed or when walking from one cutting location to another.
• Keep unit clean of clippings and other materials. They may become lodged in the cutting blades.
• Store the unit inside in a dry place, either locked up or up high to prevent unauthorized use or damage. Keep out of the reach of children or untrained individuals.
• Never douse or squirt the unit with water or any other liquid. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from debris. Clean after each use; see storage instructions.
• Secure the unit while transporting.
• Do not use the saw in bad weather conditions, especially when there is a risk of lightning. This decreases the risk of being struck by lightning.
• Keep all power cords and cables away from cutting area. Power cords or cables may be hidden and can be accidentally cut by the blade.
• Hold the saw by insulated gripping surfaces only, because the blade may contact hidden wiring. Blades contacting a "live" wire may make exposed metal parts of the saw "live" and could give the operator an electric shock.
• Keep all parts of the body away from the blade. Do not remove cut material or hold material to be cut when blades are moving. Blades continue to move after the switch is turned off. A moment of inattention while operating the saw may result in serious personal injury.
• When clearing jammed material or servicing the saw, make sure the power switch is off and the battery pack is removed or disconnected. Unexpected actuation of the saw while clearing jammed material or servicing may result in serious personal injury.
• Carry the saw by the handle with the blade stopped and taking care not to operate the power switch. Proper carrying of the saw will decrease the risk of inadvertent starting and resultant personal injury from the blades.
• When transporting or storing the saw, always fit the blade cover. Proper handling of the saw will decrease the risk of personal injury from the blades.
• Don't grasp the exposed cutting blades or cutting edges when picking up or holding the appliance.
• Battery operated units do not have to be plugged into an electrical outlet; therefore, they are always in operating condition. Be aware of possible hazards even when unit is not operating.
• Remove the battery pack before making any adjustments, cleaning, storing, or removing material from the unit, or when not in use.
• Use this product only with batteries and chargers listed in tool/appliance/battery pack/charger correlation supplement 987000-432.
• Keep hands away from blades.
• Save these instructions. Refer to them frequently and use them to instruct others who may use this tool. If you loan someone this tool, loan them these instructions also.

SYMBOLS

The following signal words and meanings are intended to explain the levels of risk associated with this product.

SYMBOL & SIGNAL	MEANING
	Indicates a hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
	Indicates a hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
	Indicates a hazardous situation, that, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE:	(Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates information considered important, but not related to a potential injury (e.g. messages relating to property damage).

Some of the following symbols may be used on this product. Please study them and learn their meaning. Proper interpretation of these symbols will allow you to operate the product better and safer.

FEATURES

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Stroke Length: 20 mm (.78 in.)
No Load Speed: 0-2,600 /min (SPM)
Recommended Cut Capacity: 3 in.

KNOW YOUR RECIPROCATING PRUNING SAW

See Figure 1.

1. Saw blade
2. Branch hook
3. Blade release lock
4. Lock-off button
5. Variable speed switch trigger
6. Branch hook lever
7. Branch hook release latch

The safe use of this product requires an understanding of the information on the tool and in this operator's manual as well as a knowledge of the project you are attempting. Before use of this product, familiarize yourself with all operating features and safety rules.

BLADE

The reciprocating pruning saw comes with a 6 in. blade that can be used to cut small limbs and branches.

ASSEMBLY

UNPACKING

This product requires assembly.

• Carefully remove the product and any accessories from the box. Make sure that all items listed in the packing list are included.
  
  Do not use this product if any parts in the Packing List are already assembled to your product when you unpack it. Parts on this list are not assembled to the product by the manufacturer and require customer installation. Use of a product that may have been improperly assembled could result in serious personal injury.
• Inspect the product carefully to make sure no breakage or damage occurred during shipping.
• Do not discard the packing material until you have carefully inspected and satisfactorily operated the product.
• If any parts are damaged or missing, please call 1-800-525-2579 for assistance.

PACKING LIST

Reciprocating Pruning Saw
Operator's Manual

If any parts are damaged or missing do not operate this product until the parts are replaced. Use of this product with damaged or missing parts could result in serious personal injury.

Do not attempt to modify this product or create accessories not recommended for use with this product. Any such alteration or modification is misuse and could result in a hazardous condition leading to possible serious personal injury.

To prevent accidental starting that could cause serious personal injury, always remove the battery pack from the product when assembling parts.

INSTALLING THE BLADE

See Figure 2.

1. Blade release lock
2. Saw blade

• Remove the battery pack
• Push and rotate the blade release lock counterclockwise.
• Insert the blade, and allow it to lock in position.
• Release the blade release lock.
  NOTE: To check if the blade is inserted correctly pull the blade away from the saw. If inserted correctly, the blade will sit firmly in the blade release lock.

OPERATION

Do not allow familiarity with products to make you careless. Remember that a careless fraction of a second is sufficient to inflict severe injury.

Always remove battery pack from your tool when you are assembling parts, making adjustments, cleaning, or when not in use. Removing battery pack will prevent accidental starting that could cause serious personal injury.

Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1, along with head protection. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into your eyes resulting in possible serious injury.

Do not use any attachments or accessories not recommended by the manufacturer of this product. The use of attachments or accessories not recommended can result in serious personal injury.

APPLICATIONS

The product is intended for the cutting and pruning of small limbs and branches on trees and shrubs.

Battery tools are always in operating condition. Lock the switch when not in use or carrying at your side, when installing or removing the battery pack, and when installing or removing the blade.

Battery tools are always in operating condition. Always remove battery pack from your tool when you are assembling parts, making adjustments, cleaning, or when not in use. Removing battery pack will prevent accidental starting that could cause serious personal injury.

INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERY PACK

See Figure 3.

1. Battery pack
2. Latches

To install:

• Insert the battery pack into the product as shown.
• Make sure the latches on each side of the battery pack snap into place and the battery pack is secured before beginning operation.

To remove:

• Depress the latches on each side of the battery pack and remove the battery pack from the saw.

For complete charging instructions, see the operator's manual for your battery pack and charger.

OVERLOAD PROTECTION

When the tool is forced or overloaded, the Li-ion battery pack will automatically shut off the tool. To reset the tool, release the trigger and resume operation. If the tool still does not resume operation, remove and reinsert the battery. Do not force the tool.

HIGH TEMPERATURE PROTECTION

Li-ion battery packs are equipped with a high temperature protection feature that automatically deactivates the tool when it is overheated. To resume operation, allow the tool to cool and then squeeze the trigger.

SELECTING BLADES

Selecting the correct type of blade is important in order to obtain the best performance from the saw. Select the blade based on the application and on the material you wish to cut. Selecting the right blade will give you a smoother, faster cut and prolong the life of the blade.

TURNING THE SAW ON/OFF

See Figure 4.

1. Lock-off button
2. Variable speed switch trigger

To start:

• Press and hold the lock-out.
• Depress the variable switch trigger.

To stop:

• Release the variable switch trigger to stop the saw.
• Upon release of the switch trigger, the lock-out will automatically reset to the locked position.

VARIABLE SPEED

The variable speed switch trigger delivers higher speed with increased trigger pressure and lower speed with decreased trigger pressure.

LIMBING AND PRUNING

This unit is designed for trimming small branches and limbs up to 3 inches in diameter. For best results, observe the following precautions.

• Plan the cut carefully. Be aware of the direction in which the branch will fall.
• Branches may fall in unexpected directions. Do not stand directly under the branch being cut.
• Remove long branches in several stages.
• Cut lower branches first to allow the top branches more room to fall.
• Work slowly, with a firm grip. Maintain secure footing and balance.
• Do not cut from a ladder; this is extremely dangerous. Leave this operation for professionals.
• Do not make the flush cut next to the main limb or trunk until you have cut off the limb further out to reduce the weight. Following proper cutting procedures will prevent stripping the bark from the main member.
• To prevent electrocution, do not operate within 50 ft. of overhead electrical lines.
• Keep bystanders at least 50 ft. away.

OPERATING THE SAW

See Figures 5 - 6.

1. Branch hook lever
2. Branch hook release latch

• Make sure the saw blade teeth are clean of any debris or foreign material.
• Hold the saw firmly in front of and clearly away from you.
• Hold the saw with one hand by the handle grip.
• Place the saw on top of the limb and move the saw backwards until the branch hook is in front of the limb.
• Slide the lock-off button to the unlock position.
• Depress the variable switch trigger to start the cutting action.
• Hold firmly while cutting.
  NOTE: Do not force. Use only enough pressure to keep the saw cutting. Let the blade and saw do the work.
  NOTE: Keep hands away from the sawing range.
• When cutting is complete, press the branch hook lever to raise the branch hook. Remove the cut branch and any debris from the pruning saw.
  NOTE: The branch hook lever allows you to raise and lower the branch hook manually.

CLEARING THE PRUNING SAW

See Figure 7

1. Branch hook release latch

• Remove the battery pack
• Depress the latches on each side of the branch hook and remove from the hook by sliding it forward.
• Clean all foreign material from the product with a soft, dry cloth.

MAINTENANCE

To avoid serious personal injury, always remove the battery pack from the tool when cleaning or performing any maintenance.

Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1, along with head protection. Failure to do so could result in objects being thrown into your eyes resulting in possible serious injury.

When servicing, use only recommended or equivalent replacement parts. Use of any other parts may create a hazard or cause product damage.

NOTICE:
Periodically inspect the entire product for damaged, missing, or loose parts such as screws, nuts, bolts, caps, etc. Tighten securely all fasteners and caps and do not operate this product until all missing or damaged parts are replaced. Please contact customer service or an authorized service center for assistance.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most plastics are susceptible to damage from various types of commercial solvents and may be damaged by their use. Use clean cloths to remove dirt, dust, oil, grease, etc.

Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline, petroleum-based products, penetrating oils, etc., come in contact with plastic parts. Chemicals can damage, weaken or destroy plastic which may result in serious personal injury.

REPLACING THE BLADE

See Figure 2.

To replace the blade:

• Remove the battery pack
• Push and rotate the blade release lock counterclockwise.
• Pull on the blade to remove.
• Release the blade release lock.
• Push and rotate the blade release lock counterclockwise.
• Insert the new blade and allow it to lock in position.
• Release the blade release lock.
  NOTE: To check if the blade is inserted correctly pull the blade away from the saw. If inserted correctly, the blade will sit firmly in the blade release lock.

STORING THE RECIPROCATING PRUNING SAW

• Remove the battery pack from the pruning saw before storing.
• Clean all foreign material from the pruning saw.
• Store it in a place that is inaccessible to children.
• Keep away from corrosive agents such as garden chemicals and de-icing salts.

For warranty details, visit www.ryobitools.com; or call (toll free) 1-800-525-2579.