Ryobi RLM4617ME Original Instructions Manual

PETROL LAWN MOWER

Original Instructions

RLM4617ME

Important! It is essential that you read the instructions in this manual before assembling, operating and maintaining this machine.

1

Thank you for buying a Ryobi lawn mower.

Your new lawn mower has been engineered and
manufactured to Ryobi’s high standard for dependability,
ease of operation, and operator safety. Properly cared for,
it will give you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.

WARNING

Do not attempt to operate the product until you have
read thoroughly and understood completely all
instructions, and safety rules contained in this manual.
Failure to comply may result in accidents involving fi re
or serious personal injury. Save this operator’s manual
and review frequently for continuing safe operation and
for instructing others who may use this product.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

■ The product is capable of amputating hands and feet,
and may cause object to be thrown. Failure to observe
all safety instructions could result in serious injury or
death.

■ Never allow children or people with reduced physical,
sensory, and mental capabilities or unfamiliar with the
instructions to use the product. Local regulations may
restrict the age of the operator. Children should be
adequately supervised to ensure they don’t play with
the product.

■ Ensure before each use that all controls and safety
devices function correctly. Do not use the product if
the “off” switch does not stop the engine.

■ Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common
sense when operating the product. Do not operate the
product while tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol, or medication. A lapse in concentration while
operating the product may result in serious personal
injury.

■ Wear heavy long trousers, long sleeves, slip-resistant
footwear, and gloves. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing, short trousers, sandals, or go barefoot.

■ Wear ear protection and safety glasses at all times
while operating the product. Use face mask if operation
is dusty.

■ Use of hearing protection reduces the ability to hear
warnings (shouts or alarms). The operator must pay
extra attention to what is going on in the working area.

■ Operating similar products nearby increases both
the risk of hearing injury and the potential for other
persons to enter your working area.

■ Always be sure of your footing, especially on slopes.
Keep firm footing and balance. Do not overreach.
Overreaching can result in loss of balance.

■ Walk, never run.

■ Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on

slopes.

■ Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, excessively steep
slopes, or embankments. Poor footing could cause a
slip and fall accident.

■ Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of
materials toward roads, public pavements, and
bystanders. Also, avoid discharging materials against
a wall or obstruction, which may cause the material to
ricochet back toward the operator.

WORK AREA SAFETY

■ Keep all bystanders, children, and pets at least 15 m
away from the work area. If anyone enters this area,
stop the product.

■ Do not operate in poor lighting. The operator requires
a clear view of the work area to identify potential
hazards.

■ Do not operate the product in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or
dust. The product creates sparks which may ignite the
dust or fumes.

■ Objects struck by the lawn mower blade can cause
severe injuries to persons. Thoroughly inspect the
area where the product is to be used and remove
all rocks, sticks, metal, wire, bones, toys, and other
foreign objects.

■ Do not operate the product in wet grass or in the rain.

■ Keep in mind that the operator is responsible for
accidents or hazards occurring to other people or their
property.

■ Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted
to the product and the mowing activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last saw them.

■ Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.

■ Use extra care when approaching blind corners,
shrubs, trees, or other objects that may block your
view.

■ Keep the work area clean. Cluttered or dark areas
invite accidents.

LAWN MOWER SAFETY WARNINGS

■ Before using, always inspect the product to ensure
that blades, blade bolts, and cutter assembly are not
worn or damaged.

■ Replace worn or damaged blades and bolts in sets to
preserve balance.

■ Check all nuts, bolts, and screws at frequent intervals
for proper tightness to be sure the equipment is in safe
working condition.

■ Check the grass catcher frequently for wear , holes or

2

● after striking a foreign object; inspect the product
for damage and make repairs as necessary before
restarting and operating the product.

● before clearing the grass catcher

■ If the product starts to vibrate abnormally:
– inspect for damage

– replace or repair any damaged parts
– check and tighten any loose parts

■ Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

■ To reduce the risk of fire, keep the engine, silencer,

and petrol storage area free of grass, leaves, and
excessive grease.

■ If the fuel tank has to be drained, this should be done

outdoors.

Save this manual for future reference. Refer to them
frequently and use them to instruct others who may use
the product. If you lend someone this unit, lend them these
instructions also.

deterioration. Any damage may cause objects to be
thrown towards the operator.

■ Replace worn or damaged parts before operating the
product.

■ The product shall not be operated without either the
entire grass catcher or the self-closing discharge
opening guard in place.

■ Do not use the product when there is a risk of lightning.

■ Do not force the product. It will do the job better and
safer at the speed for which it was designed.

■ Do not overload the product. Mowing long, thick grass
may cause the motor speed to drop, or the power to
stop. When mowing in long, thick grass, a first cut with
the cutting height set higher will help reduce the load.

See Setting the blade height.

■ Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces.

■ Do not pull the product backward unless absolutely
necessary. If you must back the product away from a
wall or obstruction, first look down and behind to avoid
tripping or pulling the product over your feet.

■ Stop the engine and allow the blades to come to a
complete stop if the product has to be tilted for
transportation across surfaces other than grass and
when transporting the product to and from the area
to be mowed.

■ Never operate the product with defective guards or
shields, or without safety devices in place, for example
deflectors and/or grass collector.

■ Start the engine carefully according to instructions and
keep hands and feet away from the cutting area. Keep
clear of the discharge opening at all times.

■ Never pick up or carry the product while the engine
is running.

■ Avoid holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, property stakes, or
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could cause a
slip and fall accident.

■ Follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper operation
and installation of accessories. Use only accessories
approved by the manufacturer.

■ Do not operate the engine in a confined space where
dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.

■ Do not change the engine governor settings or over-
speed the engine.

■ Do not tilt the product when starting the engine or
whilst the engine is running. This exposes the blade
and increases the probability of objects being thrown.

■ Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and
wait until the blade comes to a complete stop. Allow
the product to cool:

● before leaving the product unattended

● before cleaning a blockage or unclogging the chute

● before checking, cleaning or working on the
product

3

SYMBOLS

Important: 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.

SYMBOLS EXPLANATION

Precautions that involve your safety.

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

Wear ear protection. Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields and, as
necessary, a full face shield when operating this product.

Beware of thrown or fl ying objects. Keep all bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 15 m
away from the operating area.

Do not operate on inclines greater than 15o. Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down.

Danger. Keep hands and feet away.

Beware of sharp blades – remove spark plug lead before maintenance.

To reduce the risk of injury or damage, avoid contact with any hot surface

WARNING! Hot surface

Use unleaded gasoline intended for motor vehicle use with an octane rating of 91 or higher.

Use SAE 10W-30 oil.

Fuel tap currently in closed position, turn in the direction of the arrow to the open position.

Fuel tap in open position.

Throttle lever to maximum

Throttle lever to minimum

To add oil, remove the oil cap / dipstick by turning it counterclockwise.

Carefully pour petrol into the tank.

4

3X

Push the primer bulb 3 times.

Set the throttle lever to max down against the handle.

Pull the starter cord until the engine runs.

Rear grass catcher

Mulching plug option (mulching plug sold separately)

dBdBdBdBdBdBdBdBdB

dB

94

82

The guaranteed sound power level is 94 dB. The guaranteed sound pressure level is 82 dB.

Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). This product meets applicable regulatory requirements.

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

SYMBOL SIGNAL MEANING

DANGER:

Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.

WARNING:

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.

CAUTION:

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in minor
or moderate injury.

CAUTION:

(Without Safety Alert Symbol) Indicates a situation that may result in property
damage.