Ryobi 4 Cycle Trimmer Owners Manual

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.com
IMPORTANT MANUAL DO NOT THROW AWAY 

THANK YOU
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-to-
understand operating instructions. Read the whole
manual and follow all the instructions to keep your new
outdoor power tool in top operating condition. The other
manual that came with your power tool, the parts
manual, contains all the information that you need to
order parts....

3
CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS
WARNING
NOTE: For users on U.S. Forest Land and in the states of California, Maine, Oregon and Washington. All U.S. Forest
Land and the state of California (Public Resources Codes 4442 and 4443), Oregon and Washington require, by law that
certain internal combustion engines operated on forest brush and/or grass-covered areas be equipped with a spark
arrestor, maintained in effective working order, or the engine be constructed, equipped and maintained for the prevention...

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
4
DANGER: Failure to obey a safety warning
will result in serious injury to yourself or to
others. Always follow the safety precautions
to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and
personal injury.
WARNING: Failure to obey a safety warning
can result in injury to yourself and others.
Always follow the safety precautions to
reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and
personal injury. 
CAUTION:Failure to obey a safety warning
may result in property damage or personal
injury to...

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
5
•If you strike or become entangled with a foreign
object, stop the engine immediately and check for
damage. Do not operate before repairing damage. Do
not operate the unit with loose or damaged parts.
•Stop and switch the engine to off for maintenance,
repair, or for changing the cutting attachment or other
attachments.
•Use only genuine Ryobi replacement parts when 
servicing this unit. These parts are available from 
your authorized service dealer. Do not use parts,...

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
6
SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS
This operators manual describes safety and international symbols and pictographs that may appear on this product. 
Read the operators 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.
•WARNING - READ OPERATORS MANUAL
Read the Operator’s Manual(s) and follow all warnings...

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
7
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.
•SHARP BLADE
WARNING:Sharp blade on...

RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
8
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.
Cutting Attachment
Shield
Fuel Cap
Throttle
Control
J-Handle
Cutting AttachmentShaft Grip
Primer Bulb Choke Lever
Oil Fill Plug / Dipstick Air Filter Cover
Engine FeetSpark Plug On/Off Stop Control
Shaft Housing
Starter Rope Grip
KNOW YOUR UNIT
Clink-Link
Line Cutting BladeSpark...

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
9
4. Tighten the clamp screws evenly, until the J-handle
is secure. 3. While holding the unit in the operating position 
(Fig. 3), position the J-handle to the location 
that provides you the best grip.
Decal
ADJUSTING THE J-HANDLE
1. Loosen the four (4) screws holding the J-handle in
place (Fig. 1). Do not completely remove the screws.
(4) Screws
J-Handle 
2. Slide the J-handle in or out until the arrow/white line
on the decal touches the clamp assembly (Fig. 2). 
Fig. 1
Fig. 2...

OIL AND FUEL INFORMATION
10
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.
In order to avoid damage...