RIDGID R01401 Operator's Manual page 11

OPERATION
ROTATING REAR HANDLE
See Figure 4.
The handle can be rotated to lock at a 90° angle on either
side for ease of use when trimming.
To rotate handle:
 Remove the battery pack.
 Squeeze the rotating handle lock on the rotating rear
handle.
 Turn handle clockwise or counterclockwise.
 Release rotating handle lock.
 Keep turning handle until it locks into place with a click.
NOTE: The trimmer will only operate at one of these locked
positions. The handle is locked when the rotating handle
lock is securely in place and the handle will no longer move
to either side.
HOLDING THE HEDGE TRIMMER
See Figure 5.
The unit has both a front and rear handle. With the blade
directed away from you, hold the unit by both handles.
WARNING:
Always keep both hands on the hedge trimmer
handles. Never hold shrubs with one hand and
operate the hedge trimmer with the other. Improper
operation of the hedge trimmer may result in
serious injury.
CUTTING TIPS
See Figure 6.
DANGER:
Never cut near electric cords or lines. If blade jams
on any electrical cord or line, DO NOT TOUCH
THE BLADE! IT CAN BECOME ELECTRICALLY
LIVE AND VERY DANGEROUS. Continue to hold
the hedge trimmer by the insulated rear handle or
lay it down and away from you in a safe manner.
Disconnect the electrical service to the damaged
line or cord before attempting to free the blade
from the line or cord. Contact with the blade,
other conductive parts of the hedge trimmer, or
live electric cords or lines will result in death by
electrocution or serious injury.
WARNING:
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 hedge trimmer, hold the unit with both
hands with the cutting blades directed away from you.
Always use the hedge trimmer properly.
 Do not force the hedge trimmer through heavy shrubbery.
This can cause the blades to bind and slow down. If the
blades slow down, reduce the pace.
 Do not try to cut stems or twigs that are larger than 1 in.
thick, or those obviously too large to feed into the cutting
blade. Use a non-powered hand saw or pruning saw to
trim large stems.
 If blades do become jammed, stop the motor, allow the
blades to stop and remove the battery pack before at-
tempting to remove the obstruction.
 If desired, you can use a string to help cut your hedge
level. Decide how high you want the hedge. Then, stretch
a piece of string along the hedge at this height. Trim the
hedge just above this guide line of string. Trim the side
of a hedge so that it will be slightly narrower at the top.
More of the hedge will be exposed when shaped this way,
and it will be more uniform.
 Always hold hedge trimmer with both hands when op-
erating. Use a firm grip on the handles. The unit is used
for cutting in either direction in a slow, sweeping action
from side to side.
 Wear gloves when trimming thorny or prickly growth.
 When trimming new growth, use a wide sweeping action,
so that the stems are fed directly into the cutting blade.
Older growth will have thicker stems and will be trimmed
easiest by using a sawing movement.
WARNING:
Battery tools are always in operating condition.
Therefore, switch should always be in the OFF
position when not in use or carrying at your side.
9 - English