Ryobi RLM4617ME Original Instructions Manual

Brand: Ryobi

Model: RLM4617ME

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: 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.

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

●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

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.

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)

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.

INTENDED USE

This product is intended for domestic lawn mowing. The

cutting blade should rotate approximately parallel to the

ground over which it is being wheeled. All four wheels

should touch the ground while mowing. It is a pedestrian-

controlled walk-behind mower.

The mower should never be operated with the wheels off

the ground, it should not be pulled or ridden on. It should

not be used to cut anything other than domestic grass

lawns.

RESIDUAL RISK

Even when the product is used as prescribed, it is still

impossible to completely eliminate certain residual risk

factors. The following hazards may arise in use and

the operator should pay special attention to avoid the

following:

■Injury caused by vibration. Always use the right tool for

the job, use designated handles and restrict working

time and exposure.

■Exposure to noise can cause hearing injury. Wear ear

protection and limit exposure.

■Contact with blades

■Injury from thrown objects

RISK REDUCTION

It has been reported that vibrations from handheld tools

may contribute to a condition called Raynaud’s Syndrome

in certain individuals. Symptoms may include tingling,

numbness and blanching of the ﬁ ngers, usually apparent

upon exposure to cold. Hereditary factors, exposure to

cold and dampness, diet, smoking and work practices

are all thought to contribute to the development of these

symptoms. These are measures that can be taken by the

operator to possibly reduce the effects of vibration:

■Keep your body warm in cold weather. When operating

the unit wear gloves to keep the hands and wrists

warm.

■After each period of operation, exercise to increase

blood circulation.

■Take frequent work breaks. Limit the amount of

exposure per day.

If you experience any of the symptoms of this condition,

immediately discontinue use and see your doctor about

these symptoms.

WARNING

Injuries may be caused or aggravated, by prolonged

use of a tool. When using any tool for prolonged

periods, ensure you take regular breaks.

WARNING

To avoid serious personal injury, do not attempt

to use this product until you read thoroughly and

understood completely the operator’s manual. If you

do not understand the warnings and instructions in the

operator’s manual, do not use this product. Call the

authorised service centre for assistance.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 175cc OHC

No-load speed 2 700/min (RPM)

Torque at 2,500rpm 10,5 Newton Metres (Nm)

Cutting path 460 mm

Height adjustments 10 positions, 10 mm−75 mm

Wheel size 17,8 cm front; 20,3 cm rear

Grass bag capacity 50 l

Sound power level LwA 94 dB, K=3

Sound pressure level LpA 82 dB, K=3

Vibration: Left handle 4,5 m/s2, K=2

Vibration: Right handle 4,12 m/s2, K=2

Guaranteed value 82 dB Pressure level (LpA)

94 dB Power level (LwA)

Net weight 31,80 kg

Gross weight 35,35 kg

Oil capacity 0,5 l

Petrol tank capacity 1,2 l

DESCRIPTION

See ﬁ gure 1.

1. Primer bulb

2. Oil cap/dipstick

3. Fuel cap

4. Starter grip

5. Handle knob

6. Air ﬁ lter cover

7. Throttle lever

8. Grass catcher

9. Height adjustment lever

10. Rear discharge door

11. Spark plug boot

12. Rope guide knob

13. Fuel tap

14. Lock nut

15. Washer

16. Blade disc

17. Wave washer

18. Blade

19. Bolt

20. Fuel tap closed (off)

21. Fuel tap open (on)

22. Ground side

23. Engine side

24. Loosen

25. Tighten

ASSEMBLY

See ﬁ gures 2 - 5.

WARNING

If any part is damaged or missing, do not operate the

product until the part is replaced. Operation of this

product with damaged or missing parts could result in

serious personal injury.

WARNING

Do not attempt to modify this product or create

accessories not recommended for use with this product.

Any such alteration or modiﬁ cation is misuse and could

result in a hazardous condition leading to possible

serious personal injury.

WARNING

To prevent accidental starting that could cause serious

personal injury, always disconnect the engine spark

plug wire from the spark plug when assembling parts.

WARNING

Never attach or adjust any accessory while the product

is running. Failure to stop the engine may cause serious

personal injury.

WARNING

Never operate the product without safety devices in

place and properly working. Never operate the product

with damaged safety devices. Operation of the product

without properly working safety devices can result in

serious personal injury.

1. Raise the cutting blade height to the highest position.

This will make it easier to secure the lower handle into

position.

2. Place the handles in position. Feed the bolts through

the holes in the upper and lower handles, then tighten

handle knobs to secure the handles in place.

3. Install the grass catcher.

ASSEMBLING THE GRASS CATCHER

See ﬁ gure 3.

1. Attach the ﬁ lter using four Phillips-head screws on the

inner side of the top cover.

2. Snap together the top and bottom parts of the grass

catcher.

INSTALLING THE GRASS CATCHER

NOTE: When using the grass catcher, do not install the

mulching plug (sold separately).

1. Lift the rear discharge door.

2. Lift the grass catcher by its handle and place under the

rear door, so that the hooks on the grass catcher frame

are seated into the slots in the handle bracket.

3. Release the rear door. When installed correctly, the

hooks on the grass catcher will rest securely in the

slots on the handle brackets.

OPERATION

WARNING

Before beginning operation, always wear safety goggles

or safety glasses with side shields and, when needed, a

full face shield. We recommend Wide Vision Safety Mask

for use over eyeglasses or standard safety glasses with

side shields.

FUELLING AND REFUELLING

WARNING

Always handle petrol with care; it is highly ﬂ ammable.

1. Store petrol in containers speciﬁ cally designed for this

purpose.

2. Always refuel outdoors where there are no sparks and

ﬂ ames. Do not inhale petrol vapours. Do not smoke

while refuelling or handling fuel.

3. Do not let petrol or oil come in contact with your skin.

4. Keep petrol and oil away from the eyes. If petrol

or oil comes in contact with the eyes, wash them

immediately with clean water. If irritation is still present,

see a doctor immediately.

5. Clean up spilled petrol immediately.

FILLING THE TANK

See ﬁ gure 5.

WARNING

Always shut off engine before fuelling. Never remove

the cap of the fuel tank or add petrol to a machine with a

running or hot engine. Move at least 9 m from refuelling

site before starting engine. Do not smoke! Failure to

follow this warning could result in serious personal

injury.

WARNING

After fuelling, never tilt the product more than 25 degrees

for this could result in fuel leakage and risk of ﬁ re.

NOTE: Always use unleaded petrol with an octane rating

of 91 or higher.

1. Clean surface around fuel cap to prevent

contamination.

2. Loosen fuel cap slowly to release pressure and to

keep petrol from escaping around the cap. Rest the

cap on a clean surface.

3. Carefully pour petrol into the tank. Avoid spillage.

4. Clean and inspect the gasket, then replace all fuel and

container caps securely.

5. Wipe up any petrol spillage. Move 9 m away from

refuelling site before starting engine.

NOTE: It is normal for smoke to be emitted from a new

engine during ﬁ rst use.

ADDING/CHECKING ENGINE OIL

See ﬁ gure 5.

Engine oil has a major inﬂ uence on engine performance

and service life. For general, all-temperature use, SAE

10W-30 is recommended.

NOTE: Non-detergent or 2-cycle engine oils will damage

the engine and should not be used.

To add the engine oil

1. Be sure the product is on a level surface and the area

around the oil cap/dipstick is clean.

2. Remove the cap and seal from the oil bottle.

3. Unscrew and remove the oil cap/dipstick.

4. Slowly add oil. Fill to the “Full” line on the dipstick. Do

not overﬁ ll.

NOTE: Checking the oil level is done with the dipstick

seated but not screwed in.

5. Reinstall the oil cap/dipstick and secure it in place.

To check the engine oil

1. Be sure the product is on a level surface and the area

around oil cap/dipstick is clean.

2. Remove the oil cap/dipstick. Wipe clean and reseat

the oil ﬁ ll hole but do not screw in.

3. Remove the oil cap/dipstick again and check oil level.

Add oil as needed.

STARTING/STOPPING

See ﬁ gure 5.

WARNING

Never start or run the engine inside a closed or poorly

ventilated area; breathing exhaust fumes can kill.

Pre-checks

1. Check that the oil level is sufﬁ cient by dipping the

dipstick.

2. Check the petrol tank has sufﬁ cient regular unleaded

fuel.

3. Turn the fuel tap to the OPEN (ON ) position (see

ﬁ gure 22).

Starting a cold engine

1. Set the throttle lever to “Max” (down against the

handle).

2. Firmly push and slowly release the primer bulb 3 times.

NOTE: When pushing and releasing the primer bulb,

ensure that your ﬁ nger covers and seals the centre

hole (in the bulb), and that you release the bulb at

a slow pace. This creates a partial vacuum, drawing

petrol into the primer from the carburettor. Pushing the

primer bulb forces fuel into the inlet manifold to enrich

the mixture.

3. Pull the starter grip up to 2 times.

NOTE: If the engine does not start after 2 pulls, repeat

the process of priming the fuel bulb 3 more times and

then pull the starter grip up to 2 times. Once the engine

starts, release the starter grip slowly so the rope does

not snap back.

4. Ensure that the throttle lever is set to “Max” (down

against the handle), and then proceed with mowing.

Starting a warm engine

During warm or hot starts (engine has been running in the

last 10 minutes), the engine may not restart readily. This

is due to the decompression valve in the engine which

reduces the pull force required to start the engine.Priming

the bulb is required.

1. Set the throttle lever to “Max” (down against the

handle).

2. Firmly push and slowly release the primer bulb 2 times.

3. Pull the starter grip up to 2 times.

NOTE: If the engine does not start after 2 pulls, prime

the fuel bulb 3 more times and then pull the starter grip

again. Once the engine starts, release the starter grip

slowly so the rope does not snap back.

4. Ensure that the throttle lever is set to “Max” (down

against the handle), and then proceed with mowing.

Stopping the engine

■Return the throttle lever to the stop position (hard up

against the top of the mower handles).

■New or thick grass may require a narrower cut path.

■Clean the underside of the mower deck after each use

to remove grass clippings, leaves, dirt, and any other

accumulated debris.

SLOPE OPERATION

See ﬁ gure 9.

■Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall

accidents that can result in severe injury. Operation on

slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a

slope, do not mow it. For your safety, do not attempt to

mow slopes greater than 15 degrees.

■Mow across the face of slopes, not up and down.

Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on

slopes.

■Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps

which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide

obstacles. Remove all objects such as rocks and tree

limbs which could be tripped over or thrown by the

blade.

■Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause

serious personal injury.

■Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments;

you could lose your footing or balance.

EMPTYING THE GRASS CATCHER

See ﬁ gure 10.

1. Stop the product and wait for the blade to come to a

complete stop.

2. Lift the rear discharge door.

3. Grasp the grass catcher by its handle and lift to

remove from the product.

4. Empty the grass clippings.

5. Lift the rear discharge door and reinstall the grass

catcher.

MAINTENANCE

WARNING

When servicing, use only original manufacturer’s

replacement parts. Use of any other parts may create a

hazard or cause product damage.

WARNING

Before performing any maintenance, stop the product,

allow the blade to come to a complete stop, and

disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.

Failure to follow this warning could result in serious

personal injury.

■You may make adjustments and repairs described in

this manual. For other repairs, contact the authorised

service agent.

■Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts. Most

SETTING THE BLADE HEIGHT

See ﬁ gure 6.

When shipped, the wheels on the product are set to a low-

cutting position. Before using the product for the ﬁ rst time,

adjust the cutting position to the height best suited for your

lawn. The average lawn grass height should be between 3

and 6 cm, depending on the season.

■To raise the blade height, grasp the height adjustment

lever and move it toward the front of the mower.

■To lower the blade height, grasp the height adjustment

lever and move it toward the back of the mower.

SETTING THE HANDLE LENGTH

See ﬁ gure 7.

The length of the handle can be easily adjusted for

operator preference.

1. Loosen and remove the mid handle knobs.

2. Remove bolts and washers.

3. Reinsert bolts and washers in a higher or lower

position.

4. Tighten the knobs.

SETTING THE HANDLE HEIGHT

See ﬁ gure 8.

1. Loosen and remove bolts and lock nuts from both

sides of the mower handle base.

NOTE: Please be mindful of the weight of the handle

during adjustments as to avoid any pinching of skin or

ﬁ ngers when the handle drops in height.

2. Feed bolt through hole A for a higher handle height

(on both sides)

3. Feed bolt through hole B for a lower handle height (on

both sides)

4. Secure in place by tightening the lock nuts onto the

end of the bolts (both sides).

NOTE: The collapsible handle grey lock knob and

corresponding bolt need not be touched for handle

height adjustment.

MOWING TIPS

■Make sure the lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wires, and

other objects that could damage the mower blades or

the engine. Such objects could be accidentally thrown

by the product in any direction and cause serious

personal injury to the operator and others.

■For best performance, always cut one-third or less of

the total height of the grass.

■When cutting long grass, reduce walking speed to

allow for more effective cutting and proper discharge

of the clippings.

■Do not cut wet grass. It will stick to the underside of

the deck and prevent proper catching of the grass

clippings.

Replacement blades, bolts and washer can be ordered

through the Bunnings special orders desk.

WARNING

Only use replacement blades approved by the

manufacturer of the product. Using a blade not

approved by the manufacturer is hazardous and could

result in serious injury, damage the product, and void

your warranty.

WARNING

Drain the fuel ﬁ rst before tilting the product to replace

the blade.

1. Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug lead.

Allow the blade to come to a complete stop.

2. Turn the product on its side with the carburettor (air

ﬁ lter side) facing up.

WARNING

Make sure that the carburettor is facing up.

3. Wedge a block of wood between the disc and mower

deck to prevent the disc from turning.

4. Using a socket (not provided), loosen the disc bolt

by turning the bolt in a counterclockwise direction as

viewed from the bottom of the product.

5. Remove the disc bolt, lock washer, ﬂ at washer, and

disc.

6. If any of the individual blades are dull, damaged, or

need replacing, they should be replaced using only

original equipment parts. If any single blade needs to

be replaced then the complete set of two (2) needs to

be replaced as a set. Failure to replace the blades as

a set may result in an out of balance situation resulting

in damage to the engine.

7. Loosen the lock nuts on the old blades by turning them

counter clockwise.

8. Remove the nuts, washers, blades, wave washers and

bolts from the disc.

9. Reassemble the new blades as shown in Fig. 11.

Ensure that the raised edges of the new blades face

towards the inside of the mower deck once the disk

is reinstalled to the product. If the blades are not

assembled correctly, the grass will not get directed

to the rear of the deck to be caught in the catcher.

Ensure the wave washer is positioned between the

blade and the disc. Ensure the lock nuts are tightened

(clockwise) over the ﬂ at washer and disc, properly

securing the blade to the disc.

10. Assemble the disc ﬂ at washer, lock washer, and blade

bolt on the shaft. Finger tighten the bolt by turning in a

clockwise direction as viewed from the bottom of the

product. (See ﬁ gure 11.)

NOTE: Make sure all parts are replaced in the exact

order in which they were removed.

plastics are susceptible to damage from various types

of commercial solvents. Use clean cloths to remove

dirt, dust, oil, and grease.

■Replacement blades, bolts and washer can be ordered

through the Bunnings special orders desk.

■Periodically check all nuts and bolts for proper

tightness to ensure safe operation of the product.

■Remove any buildup of grass and leaves on or around

the engine and engine cover. Occasionally wipe the

product clean with a dry cloth. Do not use water.

■Frequently check the grass catcher for wear or

deterioration.

SPARK ARRESTOR

■The product is fitted with a spark arrestor which is

inside the exhaust. Please note that it is suggested

that the spark arrestor be cleaned only by a recognised

service agent.

LUBRICATION

All of the bearings (excluding the engine bearings) in this

product are lubricated with a sufﬁ cient amount of high

grade lubricant to optimise the lifespan of the product

under normal operating conditions. Therefore, no further

bearing lubrication is required.

CLEANING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MOWER DECK

1. Raise the product to full height.

2. Connect a female water hose connector (not supplied)

to the male hose connector on the mower deck.

3. Turn on the water supply.

4. Start the product and run at full throttle.

5. Run the engine in place for approximately 30 seconds.

6. Shut off the engine.

7. Turn off the water supply.

8. Inspect the underside of the mower deck for

cleanliness, and repeat the cleaning procedure if

desired.

9. After cleaning the deck, restart the product. Keep

the engine and blade running for a minimum of two

minutes, allowing underside of the cutting deck to

thoroughly dry.

REPLACING THE CUTTING BLADE

See ﬁ gure 11.

WARNING

Always protect hands by wearing heavy gloves and/or

wrapping the cutting edges of the blade with rags and

other material when performing blade maintenance.

Improper handling of the blade could result in serious

personal injury.

For best results, the mower blades must be kept sharp.

Replace bent or damaged blades immediately.

11. Torque the disc bolt using a torque wrench

(not provided) to ensure the bolt is properly tightened.

The recommended torque for the disc bolt is

48–55 Nm (35–40 ft. lb.).

NOTE: It is not recommended for the user to sharpen

the blades.

REPLACING WHEELS

See ﬁ gure 15.

1. Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire.

Allow the blade to come to a complete stop.

2. Remove spat (hub cap).

3. Remove the nut from the wheel axle, then remove the

wheel.

4. Install the new wheel and reinstall nut to secure.

5. Reinstall the spat (hub cap).

CLEANING AIR FILTER

See ﬁ gure 13.

The product has a paper air ﬁ lter, and it cannot be washed.

1. Remove the air ﬁ lter element cover by pushing the

latch with your thumb while gently pulling the cover.

2. Remove the paper air ﬁ lter element for inspection.

3. After removing the air ﬁ lter element, most debris can

be removed by tapping it gently against a hard surface,

or brushing the surface lightly.

NOTE: A dirty air ﬁ lter element will restrict air ﬂ ow and

may result in damage to the engine. The life span of

the air ﬁ lter element depends upon the environment in

which the product is used, and it should be inspected

and cleaned regularly and replaced when dirty.

Replacement air ﬁ lter elements can be ordered

through the Bunnings special orders desk. The

Ryobi part number for Australia and New Zealand is

17150Z03011000.

4. Reinstall the cleaned or new air ﬁ lter element into the

air ﬁ lter base.

5. Replace and secure the cover of the air ﬁ lter element.

NOTE: The air filter element should be replaced

annually for best performance or sooner, if necessary.

FUEL CAP

WARNING

A leaking fuel cap is a ﬁ re hazard and must be replaced

immediately.

The fuel cap contains a non-serviceable ﬁ lter and a

check valve. A clogged fuel cap will cause poor engine

performance. If performance improves when the fuel cap

is loosened, the check valve may be faulty or clogged.

Replace the fuel cap when required.

CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL

See ﬁ gure 14.

The engine oil should be changed after every 25 hours of

use. Change the oil while the engine oil is still warm, but

not hot. This allows the oil to drain quickly and completely.

NOTE: Ensure the fuel tank is completely empty before

tipping the unit over otherwise fuel will leak.

1. Remove the oil ﬁ ll cap/dipstick.

2. Tip the product onto its side and allow oil to drain from

the oil ﬁ ll hole into an approved container.

3. Place the product upright and reﬁ ll with oil following

the instructions in the Adding/Checking Oil section.

NOTE: Used oil should be disposed of at an approved

disposal site. See your local oil retailer for more

information.

SPARK PLUG MAINTENANCE

See ﬁ gure 12.

The spark plug must be properly gapped and free of

deposits in order to ensure proper engine operation. To

check:

1. Remove the spark plug boot.

2. Clean any dirt from around base of spark plug.

3. Remove spark plug using a spark plug socket (not

provided).

4. Inspect spark plug for damage, and clean with a wire

brush before reinstalling. If insulator is cracked or

chipped, spark plug should be replaced.

NOTE: The recommended spark plug models is NGK

BPR6HS. Spark plug can be ordered through the

Bunnings Special orders desk. The Ryobi part number

for Australia and New Zealand is 30010Z0201200.

5. Measure plug gap. The correct gap is 0.028 − 0.031 in.

To widen gap, if necessary, carefully bend the ground

(top) electrode. To lessen gap, gently tap ground

electrode on a hard surface.

6. Seat the spark plug in position; thread in by hand to

prevent cross-threading.

7. Tighten with a wrench to compress the washer. If spark

plug is new, use 1/2 turn to compress the washer to

the appropriate amount. If reusing old spark plug, use

1/8 to 1/4 turn for proper washer compression.

NOTE: An improperly tightened spark plug will become

very hot and could damage the engine.

8. Reinstall spark plug boot.

STORING THE THE PRODUCT

When storing the the product for 30 days or more:

1. If using fuel stabilizer, follow stabilizer manufacturer’s

directions in adding stabilizer to petrol in a fuel tank.

Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer

to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburettor.

WARNING

Do not store the product with petrol in the tank inside

a building where fumes may reach an open ﬂ ame or

spark.

2. If not using fuel stabilizer, allow the engine to run until

the product is completely out of petrol.

3. Once the engine has stopped, allow the blade to come

to a complete stop and disconnect the spark plug wire.

4. Turn the fuel tap to the closed position.

5. Check all nuts, bolts, knobs, screws, and fasteners for

tightness.

6. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage, and wear.

Have repairs made on any damaged or missing parts.

7. Store the product in a well-ventilated area that is

clean, dry, and out of the reach of children.

8. Do not store near corrosive materials such as fertilizers

or rock salt.

To lower the handle before storing

1. Loosen the starter rope guide knob. Remove starter

rope from guide and allow to retract into engine.

2. Fully loosen the handle knobs on the sides of the

handle and fold the upper handle down.

3. Remove the handle knobs and bolts from each side of

the lower handle in the handle bracket, (mounted on

the mower deck).

4. Push inward on each side of the lower handle, and

lift the sides of the lower handle past the edges of the

handle mounting brackets.

5. Fold the lower handle forward, making sure not to

bend or kink the control cables.

TRANSPORTATION

1. Stop the product, disconnect the spark plug wire, wait

until the blade comes to a complete stop, and allow

the product to cool.

2. Empty the fuel tank by running the engine until it stops.

Empty oil by following the instructions for changing oil.

See steps 1-2 in Changing the Engine Oil.

3. Secure the machine against movement or falling to

prevent injury to persons or damage to the machine.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION

Handle not in cor-

rect position.

Handle positioned incorrectly. Check to be sure that lower part of handle is pushed fully back

and snapped into proper position.

Handle knobs not tightened. Tighten handle knobs.

Mower not

starting.

No petrol. Fill the mower with petrol. Turn the fuel tap to the open position.

If the mower still does not start contact a servicing dealer.

Engine is ﬂ ooded. Wait 15 minutes, then try starting mower again. Do not prime

before attempting to start. Refer to STARTING / STOPPING THE

MOWER section but exclude the priming steps.

Old fuel. Only use fresh fuel. Fuel over 30 days old may prevent the unit

from starting.

No spark. Check spark. Remove spark plug. Reattach the spark plug cap

and lay spark plug on metal cylinder. Pull the starter rope and

watch for spark at spark plug tip. If there is no spark, repeat test

with a new spark plug.

Engine cutting out

after 5 minutes

Fuel tap most likely in the

CLOSED position therefore

only 5 mins of fuel left in the

fuel bowl.

Check Red fuel tap position.

= OPEN (Fuel line for operation)

= CLOSED (Fuel line closed for when not in use or when

in storage.)

Mower hard to

push.

High grass, rear of mower

housing and blade dragging in

heavy grass, or cutting height

too low.

Raise cutting height.

Mower vibrating at

higher speed.

Blade is unbalanced.

Bent motor shaft.

Replace blade.

Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark

plug, and inspect for damage. If damaged, bring the product to

an authorised service centre.

Mower not mulch-

ing properly

Wet grass clippings sticking to

the underside of the deck.

Wait until the grass dries before mowing.

Mower not

catching properly

Cutting height set too low. Raise cutting height. Cutting very wet grass at a low cutting

height will also greatly hinder the ability of the mower to throw

the grass to the catcher. Raise the cutting height or cut the grass

when it is not as wet.

20150611v1

20150828v2

Techtronic Industries (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

31 Gilby Road,

Mt Waverley, VIC 3149, Australia

Techtronic Industries New Zealand Ltd.

2 Landing Drive,

Auckland Airport,

Mangere, New Zealand 2022

Ryobi RLM4617ME Original Instructions Manual

Brand: Ryobi

Model: RLM4617ME

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Original Instructions Manual

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Ryobi RLM4617ME Original Instructions Manual

Ryobi RLM4617ME Original Instructions Manual

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