300 Power Drive
ance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables
better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
• Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
Tool Use and Care
• Do not use tool if switch does not turn it ON or
OFF. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch
is dangerous and must be repaired.
• Disconnect the plug from the power source before
making any adjustments, changing accessories,
or storing the tool. Such preventive safety mea-
sures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
• Store idle tools out of the reach of children and
other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in
the hands of untrained users.
• Check for misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition
that may affect the tool's operation. If damaged,
have the tool serviced before using. Many acci-
dents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
• Use only accessories that are recommended for
your tool. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool
may become hazardous when used on another tool.
• Keep handles dry and clean; free from oil and
grease. Allows for better control of the tool.
Service
• Tool service must be performed only by qualified
repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed
by unqualified repair personnel could result in injury.
• When servicing a tool, use only identical replace-
ment parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance
Section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or
failure to follow maintenance instructions may create a
risk of electrical shock or injury.
Specific Safety Information
WARNING
Read this operator's manual carefully before using
the 300 Power Driver. Failure to understand and fol-
low the contents of this manual may result in elec-
trical shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.
Call the Ridge Tool Company, Technical Service
Department at (800) 519-3456 if you have any questions.
WARNING
Using a power drive or threading machine without a
foot switch increases the risk of serious injury. A
foot switch provides better control by letting you
shut off the motor by removing your foot. If clothing
should become caught in the machine, it will contin-
ue to wind up, pulling you into the machine. Because
the machine has high torque, the clothing itself can
bind around your arm or other body parts with
enough force to crush or break bones.
Machine Safety
• Power Drive is made to thread and cut pipe or
bolt and to power RIDGID roll grooving equip-
ment. Follow instructions on proper use of this
machine. Do not use for other purposes such
as drilling holes or turning winches. Other uses or
modifying this power drive for other applications may
increase the risk of serious injury.
• Secure machine to bench or stand. Support long
heavy pipe with pipe supports. This practice will
prevent tipping.
• Do not wear gloves or loose clothing when oper-
ating machine. Keep sleeves and jackets buttoned.
Do not reach across the machine or pipe. Clothing
can be caught by the pipe or machine resulting in
entanglement and serious injury.
• Operate machine from side with REV/OFF/FOR
switch. Eliminates need to reach over the machine.
• Do not use this machine if the foot switch is bro-
ken or missing. Foot switch is a safety device to
prevent serious injury.
• Keep hands away from rotating pipe and fittings.
Stop the machine before wiping pipe threads or
screwing on fittings. Allow the machine to come to
a complete stop before touching the pipe or
machine chucks. This practice will prevent entan-
glement and serious injury.
• Do not use this machine to make or break fittings.
This practice is not an intended use of the machine and
can result in serious injury.
• Tighten chuck handwheel and engage rear cen-
tering device on the pipe before turning on the
machine. Prevents oscillation of the pipe.
• Keep covers in place. Do not operate the machine
with covers removed. Exposure to moving parts may
result in entanglement and serious injury.
• Lock foot switch when machine is not in use
(Figure 1). Avoids accidental starting.
Ridge Tool Company
Foot Switch Safety
3