VONHAUS 2500463 (01) PDF Document

The VONHAUS 2500463 is a handheld electrically powered chainsaw designed for sawing wood outdoors. This product is not intended for use by persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless supervised and given appropriate instruction concerning the use of the product by a person responsible for their safety.

This product is not a toy. It should not be used by children. This appliance is intended for domestic and consumer use only.

Please read all safety warnings and instructions carefully before use. Failure to follow these may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.

General Power Tool Safety Warnings:

Work area safety:

Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.

Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

Electrical safety:

Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.

Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.

Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.

Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.

When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.

If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.

Personal safety:

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.

Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.

Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool.

Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the power tool in unexpected situations.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

Power tool use and care:

Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.

Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power 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 power tools. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.

Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool.

Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired before use.

Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.

Use the power tool and accessories in accordance with these instructions, taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed.

Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain when the chainsaw is operating. Before you start the chainsaw, make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything.

Always hold the chainsaw with your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front handle.

Do not operate a chainsaw in a tree. Operation of a chainsaw while up in a tree may result in personal injury.

Always keep proper footing and operate the chainsaw only when standing on fixed, secure and level surface.

A small branch or limb may strike the operator or be flung and cause the operator to lose control.

When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for spring back.

Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings. The slender material may catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.

Carry the chainsaw by the front handle with the chainsaw switched off and away from your body.

Always fit the guide bar cover when transporting or storing the chainsaw.

Do not use the chainsaw with a damaged or excessively worn cutting chain.

Causes and operator prevention of kickback: Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. If the guide bar tip contacts an object, it may cause a sudden reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the operator. This can lead to loss of control and serious personal injury.

WARNING: Always wear protective gloves when handling the chain. The saw is supplied with the saw chain separated from the motor unit. Before use, you must assemble these two parts.

Step 1. Place the motor unit on a suitable flat surface and remove the Sprocket Cover by unscrewing the Locking Nut.

Step 2. Place the new saw chain in the loop. The cutting edges should be facing clockwise around the chain.

Step 3. Fit the chain drive links into the groove of the guide bar, making sure the direction of the chain is correct. The chain loop should still be slightly slack on the guide bar.

Step 4. Hold the bar and chain in place on the motor unit and loop the chain around the Sprocket.

Step 5. Refit the Sprocket Cover making sure the tensioning screw fits into the hole in the guide bar. Tighten the Locking Nut finger tight.

WARNING: Never touch or adjust the chain whilst the motor is running. Always wear protective gloves.

Step 1. With the saw on a firm surface, check the saw chain tension. The tension is correct when the saw chain can be pulled away from the guide bar by 3-4 mm.

Step 2. To adjust, slightly loosen the Locking Nut.

Step 3. Turn the Chain Tensioning Screw clockwise to increase tension and anti-clockwise to decrease tension.

Step 4. Once the tension is correct, tighten the Locking Nut.

NOTE: A new chain will stretch and will require adjusting. All chains will stretch with use, particularly when new. Regular tensioning of the chain is required. It is very important that you maintain the correct chain tension. Check after every 10 minutes of use.

WARNING: Always ensure the Chainsaw is disconnected from the mains supply before filling the Oil Tank.

Step 1. Place the chainsaw on its side on a suitable surface with the Oil Cap facing upwards.

Step 2. Clean the area around the Oil Cap with a cloth and unscrew the cap by turning it anti-clockwise.

Step 3. Do not remove the filter.

Step 4. Carefully pour the chain oil into the tank. Do not overfill and leave approximately 20% room. Check the oil level with the Oil Level Window.

Step 5. Wipe away any oil spillage and securely fasten the cap.

NOTE: Use only the correct type of chain oil (recommended viscosity 95-105cst @40°C). DO NOT use waste or reclaimed oil. This may damage the oil pump.

Switching On:

Step 1. To start the Chainsaw, press and hold the Safety Lock-Off Button and squeeze the On/Off Trigger.

Step 2. Once the motor has started, you can release the Safety Lock-Off Button.

Switching Off:

Step 1. To stop the Chainsaw, simply release the On/Off Trigger.

The VONHAUS 2500463 is equipped with a Kickback Brake that stops the chain immediately in the event of kickback. You can activate the brake manually or it will activate automatically.

Manual Activation: Push the Kickback Brake Lever forwards.

Automatic Activation: In the event of a severe kickback, the force will throw the Kickback Brake Lever forwards.

Releasing the Brake: To release the brake, pull the Kickback Brake Lever back towards the Front Handle until you hear it click into place.

Testing the Kickback Brake:

WARNING: Test the Kickback Brake before each use to ensure it is working correctly. Failure to do so may result in serious personal injury.

Step 1. Place the saw on a firm, flat surface and ensure the area is clear from any debris or obstructions.

Step 2. Start the saw and hold with both hands firmly.

Step 3. Operate the saw at full throttle for 1-2 seconds.

Step 4. Push the Kickback Brake Lever forwards. The chain should stop immediately.

Step 5. If the chain stops immediately, release the On/Off Trigger and pull the Kickback Brake Lever back into the operating position. If the chain does not stop immediately, DO NOT use the saw and contact customer services.

Always hold the chainsaw firmly with both hands, with thumbs and fingers encircling both handles. Use a secure stance with your feet apart and your body weight evenly balanced. The Front Handle should be held with the left hand and the Rear Handle with the right hand.

Felling a Tree:

When bucking and felling operations are being performed by two or more people at the same time, the felling operation 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.

Step 1. Felling consists of 3 main cutting operations: The notch, the back cut and the felling cut. The direction of the fall is controlled by the location of the notch. Start by making the upper notch cut on the side of the tree in the direction of the fall.

Step 2. Make the back cut slightly higher than the bottom of the notch, ensuring you leave a “hinge” of uncut wood. This hinge will prevent the tree from twisting and falling in the wrong direction.

Step 3. As the felling cut gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to fall. If there is any chance the tree may not fall in the desired direction, or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling 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.

Step 4. When the tree begins to fall, remove the chainsaw from the cut, stop the motor, put the chainsaw down, and then retreat via the planned path.

Limbing:

Limbing is the process of 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 binding the chainsaw.

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.

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.

WARNING: Switch the appliance off, disconnect from the power supply before carrying out any cleaning or maintenance. Check your product before each use for any damage or worn parts. Do not use if you find any damage or worn parts.

Clean the appliance with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents. Dry thoroughly after cleaning. Clean the ventilation slots on the chainsaw regularly to prevent the motor from overheating.

After each use, remove the guide bar and chain and clean away any sawdust using a soft brush. Clean the oil ways on the guide bar to ensure free passage of oil to lubricate the chain and bar.

For safe and efficient working, keep the saw chain sharp.

The saw chain needs sharpening if:

Sawdust becomes powder-like.

Extra force is required to perform a cut.

The cut is not straight.

Vibrations increase.

Sharpening procedure:

Step 1. Wear heavy-duty gloves.

Step 2. Use a round file (not supplied) with a diameter of 4mm.

Step 3. Keep the file horizontal.

Step 4. Follow the angles on the cutter.

Step 5. File from inside to outside.

Step 6. Sharpen all cutters on one side and then turn the saw around and repeat the process for the cutters on the other side.

Step 7. Check the depth gauge every 5 chain sharpening operations.

Step 8. If necessary, file them down with a flat file and round the front edge.

Check the oil level in the Oil Level Window before starting and regularly during operation. Refill the oil when the level is low.

To check the lubrication, point the tip of the saw chain at a light-coloured surface such as a newspaper. After a short period of running the saw, you should see a spatter of oil. If no oil is present, check the following:

Is there enough oil in the oil tank?

Is the guide bar groove and the oil holes clean?

NOTE: Do not operate the chainsaw without lubrication as this will cause damage to the saw.