Milwaukee M18 FCHS35 Original Instructions Manual Download

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Safety helmet

should comply with EN 397 and be CE marked

Hearing protection

should comply with EN 352-1 and be CE marked

Eye and face protection

should be CE marked and comply with EN 166 (for safety glasses)
or EN 1731 (for mesh visors)

Gloves

should comply with EN381-7 and be CE marked

Leg protection (chaps)

should comply with EN 381-5, be CE marked and provide allround
protection

Chain saw safety boots

should comply with EN ISO 20345:2004 and be marked with a
shield depicting a chain saw to show compliance with EN 381-3.
(Occasional users may use steel toe-cap safety boots with protective
gaiters which conform to EN 381-9 if the ground is even and there is
little risk of tripping or catching on undergrowth)

Chain saw jackets for upper body protection

should comply with EN 381-11 and be CE marked

KNOW YOUR CHAIN SAW

Trigger Release

Throttle Trigger

Chain Drive

Bar Groove

Rear Handle

Battery

Front handle

Chain Brake

Chain Lubricant Cap

Saw Chain

Guide Bar

Drive Sprocket Cover

Guide Bar Cover

Bar Mounting Nuts

Spiked Bumper

Combination Wrench

Chain Catcher

Chain Tension Screw

WARNING!

Consequences of improper maintenance, removal or

modification of safety features like the chain brake, ignition

switch, hand guard (front and back), spiked bumper, chain

catcher, guide bar, low kick-back saw chain may cause the

safety features to not function correctly, thus increasing the

potential for serious injury.

Low kick-back saw chain

A low-kick-back saw chain helps to reduce the possibility of a
kickback event. The rakers (depth gauges) ahead of each cutter
can minimize the force of a kick-back reaction by preventing the
cutters from digging in too deeply. Only use replacement guide bar
and chain combinations recommended by the manufacturer. As saw
chains are sharpened, they lose some of the low kickback qualities
and extra caution is required. For your safety, replace saw chains
when cutting performance decreases.

Spiked Bumper

The integral bumper spike may be used as a pivot when making a
cut. It helps to keep the body of the chain saw steady while cutting.
When cutting, push the machine forward until the spikes dig into
the edge of the wood, then by moving the rear handle up or down
in the direction of the cutting line it can help ease the physical strain
of cutting.

Guide Bar

Generally, guide bars with small radius tips have somewhat lower
potential for kick-back. You should use a guide bar and matching
chain which is just long enough for the job. Longer bars increase
the risk of loss of control during sawing. Regularly check the chain
tension. When cutting smaller branches (less than the full length of
the guide bar) the chain is more likely to be thrown off if the tension
is not correct.

Chain Brake

Chain brakes are designed to quickly stop the chain from rotating.
When the chain brake lever/hand guard is pushed towards the bar,
the chain should stop immediately. A chain brake does not prevent
kickback. It only lowers the risk of injury should the chain bar contact
the operator’s body during a kickback event. The chain brake should
be tested before each use for correct operation in both the run and
brake positions.

Chain Catcher

A chain catcher prevents the saw chain from being thrown back
towards the operator if the saw chain comes loose or breaks.

INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPER TECHNIQUES

FOR BASIC FELLING, LIMBING AND CROSS-CUTTING

Understanding the forces within the wood

When you understand the directional pressures and stresses inside
the wood you can reduce the “pinches” or at least expect them

during your cutting. Tension in the wood means the fibers are being

pulled apart and if you cut in this area, the “kerf” or cut will tend to
open as the saw goes through. If a log is being supported on a saw
horse and the end is hanging unsupported over the end, tension is
created on the upper surface due to the weight of the overhanging

log stretching the fibers. Likewise, the underside of the log will be

in compression and the fibers are being pushed together. If a cut is

made in this area, the kerf will have the tendency to close up during
the cut. This would pinch the blade.

Felling a tree

When bucking and felling operations are being performed by two
or more persons at the same time, the felling operations should be
separated from the bucking operation by a distance of at least twice
the height of the tree being felled.
Trees should not be felled in a manner that would endanger any
person, strike any utility line, or cause any property damage.
If the tree does make contact with any utility line, the company

should be notified immediately.

An escape path should be planned and cleared as necessary
before cuts are started. The escape path should extend back and
diagonally to the rear of the expected line of fall.
Before felling starts, consider the natural lean of the tree, the
location of larger branches, and the wind direction to judge which
way the tree will fall.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from the
tree.
Do not attempt to fell trees which are rotten or have been damaged

by wind, fire, lightning, etc. This is extremely dangerous and should

only be completed by professional tree surgeons.

1. Notching undercut

Make the notch 1/3 the diameter of the tree, perpendicular to the

direction of the fall. Make the lower horizontal notching cut first.

This will help to avoid pinching either the saw chain or the guide
bar when the second notch is being made.

2. Felling-back cut

Make the felling-back cut at least 50 mm/ 2 in. higher than the
horizontal notching cut. Keep the felling-back cut parallel to the
horizontal notching cut. Make the felling back cut so enough
wood is left to act as a hinge. The hinge wood keeps the tree
from twisting and falling in the wrong direction.
Do not cut through the hinge.
As the felling gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to
fall. If there is any chance that the tree may not fall in the desired
direction or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop cutting
before the felling-back cut is complete and use wedges of wood,
plastic or aluminium to open the cut and drop the tree along the
desired line of fall.
When the tree begins to fall remove the chain saw from the
cut, stop the motor, put the chain saw down, anf use the retreat
path planned. Be alert for falling overhead limbs and watch your
footing.

ENGLISH

Removing buttress roots

A buttress root is a large root extending from the trunk of the tree
above the ground. Remove large buttress roots prior to felling. Make

the horizontal cut into the buttress first, followed by the vertical cut.

Remove the resulting loose section from the work area. Follow the
correct tree felling procedure after you have removed the large
buttress roots.

Limbing a tree

Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing,
leave larger lower limbs to support the log off the ground. Remove
the small limbs in one cut. Branches under tension should be cut
from the bottom up to avoid bindingthe chain saw.

Bucking a log

Bucking is cutting a log into lengths. It is important to make sure

your footing is firm and your weight is evenly distributed on both

feet. When possible, the log should be raised and supported by the
use of limbs, logs or chocks.
Follow the simple directions for easy cutting. When the log is
supported along its entire length, it is cut from the top (overbuck).
When the log is supported on one end, cut 1/3 the diameter from the

underside (underbuck). Then make the finished cut by overbucking

to meet the first cut.

When the log is supported on both ends, cut 1/3 the diameter from

the top (overbuck). Then make the finished cut by underbucking the

lower 2/3 to meet the first cut.

When bucking on a slope always stand on the uphill side of the
log. To maintain control when “cutting through”, release the cutting
pressure near the end of the cut without relaxing your grip on the
chain saw handles. Don’t let the chain contact the ground. After
completing the cut, wait for the saw chain to stop before you move
the chain saw. Always stop the motor before moving from tree to
tree.

Cutting springpoles

A springpole is any log, branch, rooted stump, or sapling which is
bent under tension by other wood so that it springs back if the wood
holding it is cut or removed.
On a fallen tree, a rooted stump has a high potential of springing
back to the upright position during the bucking cut to separate the
log from the stump. Watch out for springpoles, they are dangerous.

WARNING! Springpoles are dangerous and could strike the

operator, causing the operator to lose control of the chain saw.

This could result in severe or fatal injury to the operator. This

should be done by trained users.

SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF USE

The cordless chain saw is only intended for use outdoors.
For safety reasons, the chain saw must be adequately controlled by
using two-handed operation at all times.
The chain saw is designed for cutting branches, trunks, logs,
and beams of a diameter determined by the cutting length of the
guide bar. It is only designed to cut wood. It is only to be used by
adults who have received adequate training on the hazards and
preventative measures/actions to be taken while using the chain
saw.

Do not use the chain saw for any purpose not listed in the specified

conditions of use. The chain saw is not to be used by children or by
persons not wearing adequate personal protective equipment and
clothing.

WARNING! When using the chain saw, the safety rules must be

followed. For your own safety and that of bystanders, you must

read and fully understand these instructions before operating

the chain saw. You should attend a professionally organized

safety course in the use, preventative actions, first-aid, and

maintenance of chain saws. Please keep these instructions

safe for later use.

WARNING! Chain saws are potentially dangerous tools.

Accidents involving the use of chain saws often result in loss

of limbs or death. It is not just the chain saw that is the hazard.

Falling branches, toppling trees, and rolling logs can all kill.

Diseased or rotting timber poses additional hazards. You

should assess your capability of completing the task safely.

If there is any doubt, leave it to a professional tree surgeon.

Do not use this product in any other way as stated for normal use.

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:
• The following hazards may arise in use and the operator should

pay special attention to avoid the following:

• Damage to hearing due to exposure to noise. Wear hearing

protection and limit exposure.

• Injury caused by contact with exposed saw teeth of the chain
• Injury caused by thrown-out pieces of the workpiece (wood chips,

splinters)

•  Injury caused by dust and particles
•  Injury to the skin caused by contact with lubricants
•  Parts ejected from the saw chain (cutting/injection hazards)
•  Unforeseen, abrupt movement, or kickback of the guide bar

(cutting hazards)

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 fingers, 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. There 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.
• Protective gloves available from professional chain saw retailers

are designed specifically for chain saw use which give protection,

good grip and also reduce the effect of handle vibration. These
gloves should comply with EN 381-7 and must be CE marked.

If you experience any of the symptoms of this condition, immediately
discontinue use and see your doctor.
-

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..

NOTES FOR LI-ION BATTERIES

Use of Li-Ion batteries

Battery packs which have not been used for some time should be
recharged before use.
Temperatures in excess of 50°C (122°F) reduce the performance of
the battery pack. Avoid extended exposure to heat or sunshine (risk
of overheating).
The contacts of chargers and battery packs must be kept clean.
For an optimum life-time, the battery packs have to be fully charged,
after use.
To obtain the longest possible battery life remove the battery pack
from the charger once it is fully charged.
For battery pack storage longer than 30 days:
Store the battery pack where the temperature is below 27°C and
away from moisture
Store the battery packs in a 30% - 50% charged condition
Every six months of storage, charge the pack as normal.

Battery protection for Li-Ion batteries

In extremely high torque, binding, stalling and short circuit situations
that cause high current draw, the tool will vibrate for about 5

seconds, the fuel gauge will flash,and then the tool will turn OFF.

ENGLISH