Hercules HD81K User Manual

Model

HD81K

Owner’s Manual &
Safety Instructions

18i

12V Lithium-Ion 1/4" Hex Impact Driver

WARNING: To prevent serious injury, User must read and

understand Owner’s Manual. SAVE THIS MANUAL.

When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact and undamaged.

If any parts are missing or broken, please call 1-888-866-5797

as soon as possible. Reference 64369.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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

1. Keep work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.

2. 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.

3. Keep children and bystanders
away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical Safety

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet
conditions. Water entering a power tool

will increase the risk of electric shock.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and
balance at all times. This enables better control

of the power tool in unexpected situations.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Only use safety equipment that has been approved
by an appropriate standards agency. Unapproved
safety equipment may not provide adequate
protection. Eye protection must be ANSI-approved
and breathing protection must be NIOSH-approved
for the specific hazards in the work area.

10. Do not lay the tool down until it has come to
a complete stop. Moving parts can grab the
surface and pull the tool out of your control.

11. When using a handheld power tool,
maintain a firm grip on the tool with both
hands to resist starting torque.

12. Do not leave the tool unattended when the
Battery Pack is connected. Turn off the tool,
and remove the Battery Pack before leaving.

Page 2 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Item 64369

13. This product is not a toy.
Keep it out of reach of children.

14. People with pacemakers should consult their
physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in
close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure.

15. The warnings, precautions, and instructions
discussed in this instruction manual cannot
cover all possible conditions and situations
that may occur. It must be understood by the
operator that common sense and caution are
factors which cannot be built into this product,
but must be supplied by the operator.

Power Tool Use and Care

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Disconnect the plug from the power source
and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable,
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.

4. 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.

5. Maintain power tools and accessories.
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.

6. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly
maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges

are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Service

1. 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.

2. Maintain labels and nameplates on the tool.
These carry important safety information.
If unreadable or missing, contact
Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

Battery Tool Use and Care

1. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the

switch is in the off-position before connecting
to battery pack, picking up or carrying the
power tool. Carrying the power tool with your
finger on the switch or energizing power tool

that have the switch on invites accidents.

2. Disconnect the battery pack from the
power tool before making any adjustments,
changing accessories, or storing power tool.

Such preventive safety measures reduce the
risk of starting the power tool accidentally

3. 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.

4. Use power tools only with specifically
designated battery packs. Use of any other

battery packs may create a risk of injury and fire.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Do not use a battery pack or power tool that
is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified

batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior
resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.

8. Do not expose a battery pack or power tool to
fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or

temperature above 265°F may cause explosion.

9. Follow all charging instructions and do
not charge the battery pack or power tool
outside of the temperature range specified
in the instructions. Charging improperly or at

temperatures outside of the specified range may
damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.Item 64369

10. Have servicing performed by a qualified

repair person using only identical
replacement parts. This will ensure that

the safety of the product is maintained.

11. Do not modify or attempt to repair the power
tool or the battery pack except as indicated
in the instructions for use and care.

12. The battery Charger gets hot during use.

The Charger’s heat can build up to unsafe
levels and create a fire hazard if it does

not receive adequate ventilation, due to
an electrical fault, or if it is used in a hot environment.
Do not place the Charger on a flammable surface.
Do not obstruct any vents on the Charger.

Especially avoid placing the Charger on carpets
and rugs; they are not only flammable, but they
also obstruct vents under the Charger. Place the

Charger on a stable, solid, nonflammable surface
(such as a stable metal workbench or concrete floor)
at least 1 foot away from all flammable objects, such
as drapes or walls. Keep a fire extinguisher and a
smoke detector in the area. Frequently monitor the
Charger and Battery Pack while charging.

Lithium Battery Safety Warnings

LITHIUM BATTERIES

STORE A LARGE AMOUNT
OF ENERGY AND WILL

VENT FIRE OR EXPLODE IF MISTREATED:

1. Keep Battery Pack dry.

2. DO NOT DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
TO THE BATTERY PACK:

• Open

• Drop

• Short-circuit

• Puncture

• Incinerate

• Expose to temperatures greater than 265°F.

3. Charge Battery Pack only according
to its Charger’s instructions.

4. Inspect Battery Pack before every use;
do not use or charge if damaged.

Safety Instructions for All Operations

1. Wear ear protectors when Impact drilling.

Exposure to noise can cause hearing loss.

2. Brace the tool properly before use. This

tool produces a high output torque and without
properly bracing the tool during operation, loss of
control may occur resulting in personal injury.

3. Hold the power tool by insulated gripping
surfaces, when performing an operation
where the cutting accessory or fasteners
may contact hidden wiring or its own cord.

Cutting accessory contacting a “live” wire may
make exposed metal parts of the power tool “live”
and could give the operator an electric shock.

4. Let bit cool before touching, changing
or adjusting it. Bits heat up dramatically
while in use, and can burn you.

5. If the drill bit jams, release the switch immediately;
drill torque can cause injury or break bit.

Safety Instructions When

Using Long Drill Bits

1. Never operate at higher speed than the maximum
speed rating of the drill bit. At higher speeds, the

bit is likely to bend if allowed to rotate freely without

contacting the workpiece, resulting in personal injury.

2. Always start drilling at low speed and with
the bit tip in contact with the workpiece.

At higher speeds, the bit is likely to bend if
allowed to rotate freely without contacting the
workpiece, resulting in personal injury.

3. Apply pressure only in direct line with the
bit and do not apply excessive pressure.

Bits can bend causing breakage or loss of
control, resulting in personal injury.

Silicosis Safety Measures

Masonry drilling on materials such as concrete
(which contains crystalline silica) can cause silicosis
(a serious lung disease), cancer and death. To
reduce crystalline silica exposures in the workplace
and prevent silicosis and silicosis-related deaths:

1. Conduct air monitoring to measure
worker exposures.

2. Use containment methods to control the hazard
and protect adjacent workers from exposure.

3. Practice good personal hygiene to avoid
unnecessary exposure to silica dust.

4. Wear washable or disposable protective
clothes at the work site. Shower and change
into clean clothes before leaving the work site
to prevent contamination of cars, homes and
other work areas. Avoid skin exposure.

Page 4 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Item 64369