Do you have a question about the Ryobi RY18CS20A and is the answer not in the manual?
Read this manual before assembly, maintenance, and operation to ensure safe and proper use.
Product is designed for outdoor use, requiring two-handed operation for control and safety.
Designed for cutting wood, such as branches, logs, and beams, within the guide bar's cutting length.
For domestic use by adults with adequate training on hazards and preventative measures. Not for professional tree services.
Read all provided safety warnings, instructions, illustrations, and specifications carefully before use.
Maintain a clean and well-lit work area to prevent accidents. Cluttered or dark areas invite hazards.
Avoid operating power tools in explosive atmospheres due to spark ignition risk from dust or fumes.
Ensure children and bystanders remain at a safe distance while operating the power tool to maintain focus.
Ensure power tool plugs match the outlet; avoid adapter plugs to reduce electric shock risk.
Minimize contact with earthed surfaces to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Protect power tools from rain and wet conditions to prevent water entry and electric shock risk.
Avoid cord abuse; never use the cord for carrying or pulling the tool. Keep it away from heat and sharp edges.
When operating outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor conditions to reduce electric shock risk.
In damp locations, use an RCD-protected supply to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Remain alert, use common sense, and do not operate while tired or under the influence of substances.
Always wear appropriate PPE, including eye protection, to reduce personal injury risk.
Ensure the switch is off before connecting power or battery pack to prevent accidental starts.
Remove all adjusting keys or wrenches before turning on the tool to prevent personal injury.
Maintain proper footing and balance at all times to ensure better control of the power tool.
Wear appropriate clothing, keep hair tied back, and avoid loose items to prevent entanglement with moving parts.
Ensure dust collection facilities are connected and used properly to reduce dust-related hazards.
Avoid complacency from frequent use; always adhere to tool safety principles to prevent accidents.
Use the correct power tool for the application to ensure better and safer performance.
Do not use a power tool if the switch is faulty; it must be repaired before use.
Disconnect power or remove battery pack before adjustments, accessory changes, or storage to prevent accidental starting.
Store idle power tools safely away from children and persons unfamiliar with their operation.
Keep tools clean and maintained; check for misalignment or damaged parts; repair before use.
Keep body parts clear of the saw chain during operation to prevent entanglement.
Maintain a firm two-handed grip with correct hand placement to resist kickback forces and ensure control.
Grip the chainsaw by insulated surfaces only to avoid electric shock from hidden wiring.
Wear eye protection and other recommended PPE to reduce injury from flying debris or accidental contact.
Avoid operating the chainsaw on unstable supports like trees or ladders to prevent serious personal injury.
Maintain proper footing on stable, secure, and level surfaces for safe operation and control.
Be aware of spring back when cutting tensioned limbs, as it can cause kickback or loss of control.
Exercise extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings, as they can catch the chain and cause imbalance or kickback.
Carry the chainsaw switched off, away from your body, using the front handle for safe transport.
Follow instructions for lubrication, chain tensioning, and bar/chain changes to prevent breakage or kickback.
Use the chainsaw only for cutting wood; do not use for metal, plastic, masonry, or non-wood materials.
This chainsaw is not designed for tree felling; using it for this purpose can cause serious injury.
Ensure the switch is off and battery pack removed before clearing jams, storing, or servicing to prevent accidental operation.
Kickback can occur if the guide bar nose or tip touches an object or if the wood pinches the chain.
Tip contact can cause a sudden reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain can cause rapid guide bar kickback, potentially leading to loss of control and injury.
Kickback is caused by misuse or incorrect procedures; proper precautions can avoid it.
Maintain a firm grip with both hands, wrapping thumbs and fingers around handles to resist kickback forces.
Avoid overreaching and cutting above shoulder height to prevent tip contact and maintain control.
Use only manufacturer-specified replacement guide bars and chains to prevent breakage or kickback.
Follow sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain; incorrect depth gauge height increases kickback risk.
Attend a professional course on chainsaw use, maintenance, and safety; keep instructions for future reference.
Chainsaws are dangerous tools; accidents can result in severe injury or death. Assess task capability; use professionals if unsure.
Avoid cutting vines or small undergrowth (under 75mm diameter) with the chainsaw.
Practice cutting logs on a saw-horse or cradle for first-time users to improve technique.
Ensure an adequate work area size, considering the job, and be aware of surroundings for safety.
Avoid cutting with your body aligned with the guide bar and chain to prevent contact in case of kickback.
Let the chain do the work; avoid back-and-forward sawing motion for efficient cutting.
Release pressure at the end of the cut and be ready for the saw's weight as it cuts free.
Keep the saw running until it is removed from the cut; do not stop mid-operation.
Turn off the product and remove the battery pack before maintenance or cleaning to prevent contact with moving parts.
Take regular breaks during prolonged use to prevent injuries or aggravation from prolonged tool operation.
Stop the product immediately if dropped, impacted, or vibrating abnormally; inspect for damage or cause.
Use professional-quality PPE to significantly reduce the risk of operator injury.
Wear a safety helmet complying with EN 397 and CE marked for head protection.
Wear hearing protection complying with EN 352-1 and CE marked to protect hearing.
Wear CE marked eye and face protection (EN 166 safety glasses or EN 1731 mesh visors).
Wear CE marked gloves complying with EN 381-7 for hand protection.
Wear CE marked leg protection (chaps) complying with EN 381-5 for all-round protection.
Wear chainsaw safety boots complying with EN ISO 20345:2004 and EN 381-3 for foot protection.
Wear CE marked chainsaw jackets complying with EN 381-11 for upper body protection.
Avoid immersing tools, battery packs, or chargers in fluid to prevent short circuits, fire, injury, and product damage.
Understand wood forces and stresses to reduce pinching and anticipate kerf closure during cutting.
Be prepared to control the tool's reaction force, which opposes chain movement (pulling away or pushing back).
Turn off the tool and remove the battery if the saw is jammed; do not force it out to avoid chain breakage or injury.
Prevent skating/bouncing by using both hands and ensuring the chain establishes a cutting groove.
Remove buttress roots before felling by making horizontal then vertical cuts to remove the loose section.
Buck logs into lengths, ensuring firm footing and even weight distribution. Cut from the top or underside as needed.
Remove branches from a fallen tree, leaving larger limbs for support and cutting small limbs in one go.
Be cautious of springpoles, which are bent logs or branches that can spring back when tension is released, posing a hazard.
Turn off the product, remove the battery, and let it cool before storing or transporting.
Clean the product of all foreign materials before storing or transporting it.
Store the product in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, inaccessible to children and away from corrosive agents.
Attach the guide bar cover before storing or transporting the product to prevent injury.
Secure the product during transportation to prevent movement or falling and avoid injury or damage.
Transport batteries according to local and national regulations, following specific packaging and labeling requirements.
Protect exposed battery connectors with insulating caps or tape to prevent short circuits during transport.
Avoid transporting cracked or leaking batteries; check with the forwarding company for advice.
Use only original manufacturer parts and accessories to ensure safety, performance, and warranty.
Servicing requires expertise and knowledge; have the product serviced only by a qualified service technician.
You can perform adjustments or repairs described in this manual; for other issues, use an authorized service center.
Improper maintenance or modification of safety devices can lead to malfunction and serious injury; ensure professional maintenance.
Chain sharpening is precise; professionals should perform it, or replace dull chains with new ones.
Follow instructions for lubricating and checking/adjusting chain tension regularly.
Clean plastic parts with a soft, dry cloth after each use for maintenance.
Regularly check nuts, bolts, and screws for security to ensure safe working condition; repair damaged parts.
Lubricate the bar and chain directly before each use and every 3 minutes during operation.
Perform daily checks including bar lubrication and chain tension.
Inspect and clean the bar after each use.
Refer to page 189 for a detailed list of product parts.
The chain catcher prevents the saw chain from being thrown back towards the operator if it comes loose or breaks.
Guide bars with small radius tips have lower kickback potential. Use appropriate length guide bars for the job.
Regularly check chain tension, especially when cutting smaller branches, to prevent the chain from being thrown off.
Low-kickback saw chains minimize kickback risk by preventing cutters from digging too deeply.
Saw chains lose low-kickback qualities when sharpened; use extra caution and replace when performance decreases.
The bumper spike can act as a pivot for steady cutting, digging into wood to ease strain.
Battery packs have over-temperature protection to prevent cell damage; the tool may stop until the battery cools.
High ambient temperatures and high-power tools can cause battery cells to heat up faster; monitor the pack regularly.
The battery pack LED indicator may stop working if the protection feature halts power output.
Indicates safety alerts and the need to read instructions and follow warnings.
Symbol for wearing eye and face protection.
Symbol for wearing eye, ear, and head protection.
Symbol for wearing non-slip safety footwear.
Symbol for wearing non-slip, heavy-duty gloves.
Warns of chain saw kickback and advises to avoid contact with the bar tip.
Refer to pages 190-192 for detailed instructions on getting started.
Wear full PPE, including eye, ear, and head protection, non-slip footwear, and protective clothing.
Loosen the sprocket cover screw and remove the cover to access the drive sprocket.
Insert chain drive links into the bar groove, ensuring correct orientation and loop formation.
Position the chain on the bar and loop it around the drive sprocket, aligning the bar and bolt.
Reinstall the sprocket cover and tighten the screw securely.
Adjust chain tension by turning the tensioning screw; check frequently and ensure correct tension (2.5-3.5 mm gap).
Align battery pack ribs with product grooves and insert until it clicks securely into place.
To start, pull the trigger release and squeeze the switch trigger.
Declaration of conformity for the cordless chainsaw, including brand, model, and serial number range.
Manufacturer declares product compliance with relevant EU Directives, Regulations, and harmonised standards.