875r 4-Cycle Gas Trimmer OPERATOR’S MANUAL FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 1-800-345-8746 in U.S. or 1-800-265-6778 in CANADA www.ryobi.
INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS THANK YOU I. California Emission Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 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-tounderstand operating instructions. Read the whole manual and follow all the instructions to keep your new outdoor power tool in top operating condition.
CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS This engine meets U.S. EPA PH1 and 2000 model year and later California emissions regulations for small off-road engines. These units are identified by the label on the engine of your product. A typical identification label is shown. To ensure that your unit continues to meet these regulations, refer to the following information and instructions in this operator’s manual.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION 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. SYMBOL MEANING SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL: Indicates danger, warning, or caution. Attention is required in order to avoid serious personal injury.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION WHILE OPERATING • Never start or run the unit inside a closed room or building. Breathing exhaust fumes can kill. Operate this unit only in a well ventilated area outdoors. • Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked as meeting ANSI Z87.1-1989 standards, and ear/hearing protection when operating this unit. Wear a face or dust mask if the operation is dusty. Long sleeve shirts are recommended. • Wear heavy, long pants, boots and gloves.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS 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 • SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL Indicates danger, warning, or caution. May be used in conjunction with other symbols or pictographs.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION SYMBOL MEANING • THROWN OBJECTS AND 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.
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION Spark Arrestor KNOW YOUR UNIT APPLICATIONS As a trimmer; • Cutting grass and light weeds. • Edging • Decorative trimming around trees, fences, etc. Other optional accessories may be used with the 875r. See list of add-ons on page 13.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS ADJUSTING THE J-HANDLE 1. Loosen the four (4) screws holding the J-handle in place (Fig. 1). Do not completely remove the screws. 3. While holding the unit in the operating position (Fig. 3), position the J-handle to the location that provides you the best grip. J-Handle (4) Screws Fig. 1 2. Slide the J-handle in or out until the arrow/white line on the decal touches the clamp assembly (Fig. 2). Fig. 3 4. Tighten the clamp screws evenly, until the J-handle is secure. Decal Fig.
OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION RECOMMENDED OIL TYPE Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is extremely important. Check the oil before each use and change the oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil, can cause premature engine wear and failure. Use a high-quality SAE 30 weight oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SF, SG, SH. ADDING OIL TO CRANKCASE – INITIAL USE NOTE: This unit is shipped without being filled with oil.
OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION RECOMMENDED FUEL TYPE Old fuel is the primary reason for the unit not running properly. Be sure to use fresh, clean, unleaded Gasoline. NOTE: This is a four cycle engine. In order to avoid damage to the unit, do not mix oil with Gasoline. Definition of Blended Fuels Today's fuels are often a blend of gasoline and oxygenates such as ethanol, methanol or MTBE (ether). Alcohol-blended fuel absorbs water.
STARTING/STOPPING INSTRUCTIONS STARTING INSTRUCTIONS Cold Start - First Start of the Day or Engine Ran Out of Fuel WARNING: Operate this unit only in a well ventilated area outdoors. Carbon monoxide exhaust fumes can be lethal in a confined area. 1. Check oil level in crankcase. See Checking the Oil Level Pg. 19. 2. Fill the fuel tank with fresh, clean, unleaded gasoline (see page 11). 3. Put the Start/Stop Engine Control in the START [I] position (Fig. 8). WARNING: Avoid accidental starting.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS OPERATING THE CLICK-LINK® SYSTEM Click-Link® The system enables the use of these optional add-ons. Blower/Vacuum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BV720r Cultivator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GC720r Edger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LE720r Hedge Trimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HS720r Snow Thrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HOLDING THE TRIMMER WARNING: Always wear eye, hearing, foot and body protection to reduce the risk of injury when operating this unit. Before operating the unit, stand in the operating position (Fig. 14). Check for the following: • The operator is wearing eye protection and proper clothing. • The right arm is slightly bent, and the hand is holding the shaft grip. • The left arm is straight, and the hand is holding the J-handle. Each time the head is bumped, about 1 inch (25.4 mm.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS DECORATIVE TRIMMING Decorative trimming is accomplished by removing all vegetation around trees, posts, fences, etc. Rotate the whole unit so that the cutting attachment is at a 30° angle to the ground (Fig. 16). Fig. 16 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS NOTE: Some maintenance procedures may require special tools or skills. If you are unsure about these procedures take your unit to an authorized service dealer.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS LINE INSTALLATION FOR THE SPEEDSPOOL® Always use genuine Ryobi 0.080 inch (2.03 mm) replacement line. Line other than specified may make the engine overheat or fail. WARNING: Never use metal-reinforced line, wire, or rope, etc. These can break off and become a dangerous projectile. There are two methods to replace the SpeedSpool® trimming line.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS 7. Repeat procedures 4-6 with the second piece of line. 8. Hold the outer spool. Wind the inner reel counterclockwise until approximately four (4) inches (102 mm) of line remain (Fig. 21). NOTE: Do not wind the inner reel before installing the second piece of line. INSTALLING A PREWOUND REEL 1. Turn the Bump Knob counterclockwise and remove the bump knob, spring, and foam seal (Fig. 23). Bump Knob Foam Seal Spring Inner Reel Fig. 23 Fig. 21 9.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS CLEANING THE SPEEDSPOOL® Cleaning the SpeedSpool® may be necessary, • To remove jammed or excess line, • If the SpeedSpool® becomes difficult to wind or does not operate correctly when bumping the head on the ground, 1. Hold the outer spool, and unscrew the bump knob counterclockwise (Fig. 25). 5. Clean the shaft and the inner surface of the outer spool. To clean the shaft underneath the plunger, press down on the plunger (Fig. 27).
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL CAUTION: To prevent extensive engine wear and damage to the unit, always maintain the proper oil level in the crankcase. Never operate the unit with the oil level below the bottom of the dipstick. The importance of checking and maintaining the proper oil level in the crankcase cannot be overemphasized. Check oil before each use: 1. Stop engine and allow oil to drain into the crankcase. 2.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE Cleaning the Air Filter WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your trimmer off and allow it to cool before you clean or do any maintenance on it. Clean and re-oil the air filter every 10 hours of operation. It is an important item to maintain. Not maintaining the air filter will VOID the warranty. 1. Open the air filter cover. Push the tab on the right side of the cover in, pull the air filter cover out and to the left (Fig. 32).
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT The idle speed of the engine is adjustable. An idle adjustment screw is reached though a hole in the top of the engine cover (Fig 37). NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments. Check Fuel Old fuel is usually the main reason for the unit not running properly. Drain and refill the tank with clean, fresh unleaded fuel prior to doing any adjustments.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS 3. Remove the screw behind the engine cover (Fig. 40). ROCKER ARM CLEARANCE This requires disassembly of the engine. If you feel unsure or unqualified to perform this, take the unit to an authorized service center. NOTE: Inspect the valve to rocker arm clearance with a feeler gauge after the first 10 hours of operation and then every 50 hours of operation thereafter. Screw • The engine must be cold when checking or adjusting the valve clearance.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS 9. Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and the valve return spring. Measure the clearance between the valve stem and rocker arm (Fig 42). Do both intake and exhaust valves. Rocker Arms Adjusting Nuts 10. If the clearance is not within specification: a. Turn the adjusting nut using a 5/16 inch (8 mm) wrench or nut driver (Fig. 42). • To increase clearance, turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise. • To decrease clearance, turn the adjusting nut clockwise. b.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG SPARK ARRESTOR MAINTENANCE Use only genuine Ryobi spark plugs. The correct air gap is 0.025 in. (0.655 mm.). Remove the plug after every 50 hours of operation and check its condition. 1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the plug wire firmly and pull the cap from the spark plug. 2. Clean dirt from around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head by turning a 5/8 in. socket counterclockwise. 3.
CLEANING AND STORAGE CLEANING WARNING: To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your trimmer off and allow it to cool before you clean or do any maintenance on it. Use a small brush to clean off the outside of the unit. Do not use strong detergents. Household cleaners that contain aromatic oils such as pine and lemon, and such as kerosene, can damage plastic housing or handle. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth.
TROUBLESHOOTING ENGINE WILL NOT START CAUSE ACTION Ignition switch is OFF Turn switch to ON Empty fuel tank Fill fuel tank Primer bulb wasn't pressed enough Press primer bulb fully and slowly 5-7 times Engine flooded Use starting procedure with choke lever in the RUN position, Pg.
SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE ENGINE Engine Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air-Cooled, 4-Cycle Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 cu. in. (26.2 cc) Clutch Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NOTES 28
CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS The California Air Resources Board and Ryobi Outdoor Products (ROP), are pleased to explain the emission control system warranty on your 2000 and later small off-road engine. In California, new small off-road engines must be designed, built and equipped to meet the State's stringent anti-smog standards.
LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY RYOBI OUTDOOR PRODUCTS warrants each new RYOBI Product for two (2) years according to the following terms. This warranty extends to the original retail purchaser only and commences on the date of original retail purchase. Any part of the RYOBI Product manufactured or supplied by RYOBI and found in the reasonable judgement of RYOBI to be defective in material or workmanship will be repaired or replaced by an authorized RYOBI service dealer without charge for parts and labor.