Ryobi 725R, 41ED725A034 Owner’s Manual

OPERA TOR "SMA NUA L

THANKYOU

Thank you for buying this quality product. This modern
outdoor power tool will provide many hours of useful

service. You will find it to be a great labor-saving device.

This operator's manual provides you with easy-to-

understand operating instructions. Read the whole
manual and follow all the instructions to keep your new

outdoor power tool in top operating condition.

PRODUCT REFERENCES, ILLUSTRATIONS

AND SPECIFICATIONS

All information, illustrations and specifications in this

manual are based on the latest product information

available at the time of printing. We reserve the right to

make changes at any time without notice.
Copyright © 2003 MTD SOUTHWEST INC

All Rights Reserved.

SpeedSpool ® is a registered trademark of MTD
SOUTHWEST INC.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service on this unit both within and after the warranty
period should be performed only by an authorized and

approved service dealer

• Call 1-800-345-8746 in the United States. or
1-800-668-1238 in Canada. to obtain a list of

authorized service dealers near you

Or

• Go to www.RyobiOutdoor.com on the World Wide

Web for a list of authorized service dealers

I, California Proposition 65 Warning ................ 3

II, Rules for Safe Operation ..................... 3-7

A, Important Safety Information ................. 4

B, Safety and International Symbols .............. 6

C, Know Your Unit ............................ 7

III, Assembly Instructions ......................... 8

A, Installing and Adjusting the D-Handle .......... 8

B, Installing the Cutting Attachment Shield ........ 8

IV. Oil and Fuel Information ....................... 9

V, Starting/Stopping Instructions ................. 10

Vl.

Operating Instructions ..................... 11-12

A. Operating the EZ-Link TM System .............. 11

A, Holding the Trimmer ....................... 12

B. Adjusting Trimming Line Length .............. 12

C. Tips for Best Trimming Results .............. 12

D. Decorative Trimming ....................... 12

VII.

Maintenance and Repair Instructions ......... 13-19

A, Maintenance Schedule ..................... 13

B, Line Installation ........................... 13

C, Installing a Pre-wound Wheel ................ 14

D. Cleaning the SpeedSpool ................... 15

E. Air Filter Maintenance ...................... 16

F. Spark Arrestor Maintenance ................. 17

G. Carburetor Adjustment ..................... 18

H. Replacing the Spark Plug ................... 18

I. Cleaning ................................ 19

J. Storage ................................. 19

K. Long Term Storage ........................ 19

L. Transporting ............................. 19

M. Accessories/Replacement Parts .............. 19

VIII. Troubleshooting Chart ....................... 20

IX. Specifications .............................. 21

DO NOT RETURN THE UNIT TO THE RETAILER.
NOTE: PROOF OF PURCHASE WILL BE REQUIRED

FOR WARRANTY SERVICE.

Make sure you carefully read and understand this
manual before starting or operating this equipment.

THIS PRODUCT IS COVERED BY ONE OR MORE

US PATENTS, OTHER PATENTS PENDING.

X. Warranty .................................. 24

Xl, Parts List ...................... Inside Back Cover

CONTENTS OF CARTON

° Model 725r Trimmer with SpeedSpool ®Bump Head

Cutting Attachment

A J-Handle and Hardware
A Cutting Attachment Shield with Hardware

• Operator's Manual

• Product Registration Card

• Bottle of 2-Cycle Oil

A This item will either be installed on the unit or in the

hardware pack

2

THE ENGINE EXHAUST FROM THIS

PRODUCT CONTAINS CHEMICALS

KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

TO CAUSE CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS

OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HARM.

NOTE: For users on U.S. Forest Land and in the states of California, Maine, Oregon and Washington. All U.S.
Forest Land and the state of California (Public Resources Codes 4442 and 4443), Oregon and Washington require, by

law that certain internal combustion engines operated on forest brush and/or grass-covered areas be equipped with a

spark arrestor, maintained in effective working order, or the engine be constructed, equipped and maintained for the

prevention of fire. Check with your state or local authorities for regulations pertaining to these requirements. Failure to

follow these requirements could subject you to liabilityor a fine. This unit is factory equipped with a spark arrestor. If

it requires replacement, ask your LOCAL SERVICE DEALER to install the Accessory Part #182747 Spark Arrestor Kit.

Read the Operator's Manual(s) and follow all warnings and safety instructions. Failure to do so

can result in serious injury to the operator and/or bystanders.

FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 1-800-345-8746 IN U.S. OR 1-800-668-1238 in CANADA

The purpose of safety symbols is to attract your

attention to possible dangers. The safety symbols,
and their explanations, deserve your careful attention

and understanding. The safety warnings do not by
themselves eliminate any danger: The instructions or

warnings they give are not substitutes for proper
accident prevention measures:

NOTE:Advises you of information or instructions vital

to the operation or maintenance of the

equipmenL

YMBOLMEANING

SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates I
danger, warning or caution. Attention is I

required in order to avoid serious personal I
injury. May be used in conjunction with
other symbo s or pictographs. 1

l SYMBOL MEANING i

DANGER: Failure to obey a safety warning

will result in serious injury to yourself or to

others. Always follow the safety
precautions to reduce the risk of fire,

electric shock and personal injury.

WARNING: Failure to obey a safety
warning can result in injury to yourself and

others. Always follow the safety

precautions to reduce the risk of fire,

electric shock and personal injury.

CAUTION: Failure to obeya safety warning I
may result in property damage or personal I
injury to yourself or to others. Always follow I

the safety precautions to reduce the risk of I
fire, electric shock and personal injury. J

¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸3

• IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION •

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: When using the unit, you must[
follow the safety rules. For your own safety[

and that of bystanders, please read these [

instructions before operating the unit. [
Please keep the instructions for later use.

BEFORE OPERATING

• Read the instructions carefully. Be familiar with the
controls and proper use of the unit.

• Do not operate this unit when tired, ill or under the

influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.

• Children under the age of 15 must not use the unit;
teens may operate the unit with adult guidance.

• Inspect the unit before use. Replace damaged parts.

Check for fuel leaks. Make sure all fasteners are in
place and secure. Replace cutting attachment parts

that are cracked, chipped or damaged in any way.

Make sure the cutting attachment is properly installed
and securely fastened. Be sure that the cutting

attachment shield is properly attached, and positioned
as recommended. Failure to do so can result in

personal injury to the operator and bystanders, as well
as damage to the unit.

° Use only 0.080 inch (2.03 mm) diameter Genuine

Factory Parts TM replacement line. Never use metal-
reinforced line, wire, chain or rope. These can break

off and become dangerous projectiles.

• Be aware of risk of injury to the head, hands and feet.

° Clear the area to be cut before each use. Remove

rocks, broken glass, nails, wire, string and other

objects which may be thrown or become entangled in
the cutting attachment. Clear the area of children,

bystanders and pets; keep them outside a 50-foot
(15 m.) radius, at a minimum. Even then, they are still

at risk from thrown objects. Encourage bystanders to

wear eye protection. Ifyou are approached, stop the

unit immediately.

• Squeeze the throttle control and check that it returns

automatically to the idle position. Make all adjustments

or repairs before using the unit.

• This unit was not designed to be used as a brushcutter.

Do not attach or operate this unit with any type of
brushcutting blade or brushcutting attachment.

SAFETY WARNINGS FOR GAS TRIMMERS

WARNING: Gasoline is highly flammable, !

and its vapors can explode if ignited. Take I
the following precautions:

Store fuel only in containers specifically designed and
approved for the storage of such materials.

Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before
filling the fuel tank. Never remove the fuel tank cap or

add fuel when the engine is hot. Never operate the unit
without the fuel cap securely in place. Loosen the fuel

tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure in the tank.
Add fuel in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor area where

there are no sparks or flames. Remove the fuel cap
slowly, and only after the engine stops. Do not smoke

while fueling or mixing fuel. Wipe up any spilled fuel
from the unit immediately.

Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilled fuel. Do
not start the engine until fuel vapors dissipate.

Move the unit at least 30 feet (9.1 m) from the fueling
source and site before starting the engine. Do not

smoke. Keep sparks and open flames away from the
area while adding fuel or operating the unit.

WHILE OPERATING

Never start or run the unit inside a closed room or
building. Breathing exhaust fumes can be fatal.

Operate this unit only in a well-ventilated outdoor area.
Wear safety glasses or goggles that meet ANSI Z87.1

standards and are marked as such. Wear ear/hearing
protection when operating this unit. Wear a face or
dust mask if the operation is dusty.

Wear heavy long pants, boots, gloves and a long
sleeve shirt. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, short

pants, sandals or go barefoot. Secure hair above
shoulder level.

The cutting attachment shield must always be in place
while operating the unit. Do not operate unit without
both trimming lines extended, and the proper line

installed. Do not extend the trimming line beyond the
length of the shield.

This unit has a clutch. The cutting attachment remains
stationary when the engine is idling. If it does not, have

the unit adjusted by an authorized service technician.

• Adjust the J-handle to your size in order to provide the
best grip.

° Be sure the cutting attachment is not in contact with

anything before starting the unit.

° Use the unit only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Avoid accidental starting. Be in the starting position
whenever pulling the starter rope. The operator and

unit must be in a stable position while starting. Refer

to Starting/Stopping Instructions.

• Use the right tool. Only use this tool for its intended

purpose.

• Do not overreach. Always keep proper footing and

balance.

• Always hold the unit with both hands when operating.

Keep a firm grip on both handles or grips.

• Keep hands, face, and feet at a distance from all

moving parts. Do not touch or try to stop the cutting
attachment when it rotates.

° Do not touch the engine, gear housing or muffler.

These parts get extremely hot from operation, even

after the unit is turned off.

• Do not operate the engine faster than the speed

needed to cut, trim or edge. Do not run the engine at
high speed when not cutting.

• Always stop the engine when cutting is delayed or
when walking from one cutting location to another.

• If you strike or become entangled with a foreign
object, stop the engine immediately and check for

damage. Do not operate before repairing damage. Do

not operate the unit with loose or damaged parts.

• Stop the unit, switch the engine to off, and disconnect
the spark plug for maintenance or repair.

Use only Genuine Factory Parts TMreplacement parts
and accessories for this unit. These are available from

your authorized service dealer. Use of any
unauthorized parts or accessories could lead to
serious injury to the user, or damage to the unit, and

void your warranty.
Keep unit clean of vegetation and other materials.

They may become lodged between the cutting
attachment and shield.

° To reduce fire hazard, replace a faulty muffler and

spark arrestor. Keep the engine and muffler free from
grass, leaves, excessive grease or carbon build up.

OTHER SAFETY WARNINGS

• Never store a fueled unit inside a building where fumes
may reach an open flame or spark.

° Allow the engine to cool before storing or transporting

Be sure to secure the unit while transporting.

• Store the unit in a dry area, locked up or up high to
prevent unauthorized use or damage, out of the reach

of children
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 Cleaning and Storage

instructions.

° Keep these instructions. Refer to them often and use

them to instruct other users. If you loan someone this

unit, also loan them these instructions.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

SAFETYAND INTERNATIONALSYMBOLS

This operator's manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product.

Read the operator's manual for complete safety, assembly, operating and maintenance and repair information.

SYMBOL MEANING SYMBOL MEANING

THROWN OBJECTS AND

Indicates danger, warning, or /

• SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL _//_

caution. May be used in conjunction
with other symbols or pictographs. _/_'_

• WARNING - READ OPERATOR'S

MANUAL

Read the Operator's Manual(s) and

follow all warnings and safety
instructions. Failure to do so can

result in serious injury to the
operator and/or bystanders.

WEAR EYE AND HEARING

PROTECTION

WARNING: Thrown objects and

loud noise can cause severe eye
injury and hearing loss. Wear eye

protection meeting ANSI Z87.1-1989
standards and ear protection when
operating this unit. Use a full face

shield when needed.

O

d

I

ROTATING CUTTER CAN CAUSE
SEVERE INJURY

WARNING: Do not operate without
the cutting attachment shield in

place. Keep away from the rotating

cutting attachment.

ON/OFF STOP CONTROL

ON / START / RUN

• ON/OFF STOP CONTROL
OFF or STOP

• HOT SURFACE WARNING
Do not touch a hot muffler or

cylinder. You may get burned. These

parts get extremely hot from

operation. When turned off they

remain hot for a short time.

• KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY
WARNING: Keep all bystanders,

especially children and pets, at least

50 feet (15 m.) from the operating area.

• UNLEADED FUEL
Always use clean, fresh unleaded fuel.

• OIL

Refer to operator's manual for the
proper type of oil.

• SHARP BLADE

WARNING: Sharp blade on cutting

attachment shield. To prevent
serious injury, do not

touch line cutting blade.

• CHOKE CONTROL

Igl I<1I€1

A • FULL choke position
B • PARTIAL choke position
C • RUN position

6

APPLICATIONS

As a trimmer:

• Cutting grass and light weeds

• Edging

• Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc.

Fuel Cap

Starter Rope Grip

On/Off Stop Control

Spark Plug

Shaft Grip

Air Filter/Muffler

Cover

Throttle

Control

Choke Lever

J-handle

EZ-Link TM

Shaft

Housing

Primer Bulb

Cutting Attachment

Shield

Muffler

Line Cutting Blade --

Cutting Attachment

¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸7

On some units, the J-handle may be pre-installed. In this
case you must loosen screws and adjust the handle to fit
the operator. Go to step 5 if the J-handle is pre-installed.

INSTALLING AND ADJUSTING THE J-HANDLE

.

Place the J-handle between the top and middle
clamp pieces (Fig. 1).

(4) J-Handle

/

Top Clamp

Middle Clamp

Bottom Clamp o

2. While holding the three pieces together, install the four
(4) screws through the top clamp and into middle clamp.

NOTE: The holes in the top and middle clamp will line up

only when assembled correctly.

3. Place the clamps and J-handle the over the shaft
housing and onto the bottom clamp.

4. Hold each hex nut in the bottom clamp recess with a
finger. Start screws with a large Phillips screwdriver.
Do not tighten until you make the handle adjustment.

5. Slide the J-handle in or out until the arrow/white line on
the decal touches the clamp assembly (Fig. 2). You must

first loosen the screws if the handle is pre-installed.

Nuts _]p,- o

Fig. 1

INSTALL THE CUTTING ATTACHMENT SHIELD

Use the following instructions if the cutting attachment
shield on your unit is not installed.

WARNING: To prevent serious personal I

injury, never operate the trimmer without I

the cutting attachment shield in place.

.

Place the cutting attachment shield onto the shaft
housing above the clamp assembly (Fig. 4).

2.

Push the cutting attachment shield down to the top of
the cutting attachment assembly and then rotate the
cutting attachment shield until the screw holes align

and the guard fits into the recessed pocket (Fig. 5).

.

Install the screws with a Phillips screwdriver (Fig. 6).

Clamp _ Shaft Housing

Cutting

Attachment

Assembly

\\

Fig. 4

Decal

Fig' 2

6: While holding the unit in the operating position (Fig. 3),

position the J-handle to the location that provides you

the best grip. Then tighten the screws.

Recessed

Pocket

Cutting Attachment

Shield

Fig. 5

\

Fig. 3

8

Fig. 6