Unpacking Your Tool; Before Use - GMC ELC2400 Manual De Instrucciones

Unpacking Your Tool

• Carefully unpack and inspect your new tool. Familiarise yourself with all its features and functions
• Ensure that all parts of the tool are present and in good condition. If any parts are missing or damaged,
have such parts replaced before attempting to use this tool

Before Use

WARNING: Ensure the tool is disconnected from the power supply before attaching or changing any
accessories, or making any adjustments.
Installing the chain and guide bar
Note: Do not touch the chain without wearing safety gloves.
1. Place the Main Body (16), Guide Bar (1) and Saw Chain (2) on a secure flat surface
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2. Loosen the Sprocket Locking Knob (14) and remove the Sprocket Cover (15) (Image A)
3. Position the Saw Chain around the Guide Bar, and Drive Sprocket (17)
Note: Ensure that the Saw Chain is fitted the correct way round; the teeth on the top of the blade should face
forward, matching the symbol on the side of the Guide Bar (Image B).
4. Hold the Guide Bar so that the Saw Chain is fully extended around the Drive Sprocket. Ensure the locating
lug fits into the slotted hole of the Guide Bar (Image C)
5. Refit the Sprocket Cover and tighten the SDS Tension Dial (12) to remove excessive slack from the Saw
Chain
Note: The Saw Chain should remain in the Guide Bar guide and should be properly seated around the Drive
Sprocket.
6. Tighten the Sprocket Locking Knob, ensuring blade and Saw Chain remain correctly seated (Image A)
Tensioning the chain
1. To tension the Saw Chain, loosen the Sprocket Locking Knob (14) (Image A) until the SDS Tension Dial (12)
is free to turn
Note: The SDS Tension Dial needs to be adjusted in small increments only to give different variations of chain
tension. DO NOT over/under tighten.
2. Turn the SDS Tension Dial (Image D) in a clockwise direction until the chain is so tensioned that you can
raise the chain in the middle of the Guide Bar by approximately 3-4mm only (Image E)
3. Retighten the Sprocket Locking Knob (14) by turning it clockwise.
• If the Saw Chain (2) sags, or if drive links can be pulled out of the Guide Bar, adjust the chain tension as
outlined in 'Adjusting chain tension' in the 'Maintenance' section of this manual
WARNING: Saw Chains can also be overtightened. Tightening the Saw Chain too tightly risks rupture during
operation. There should be some play in the Saw Chain, but not enough for the drive links to leave the Guide
Bar. The chain must ALWAYS be able to move freely and easily on the Guide Bar.
Testing the chain brake
WARNING: ALWAYS wear cut-proof gloves when touching the Saw Chain (2) to avoid injury.
WARNING: The Chain Brake (4) is an important safety device of this chainsaw, protecting the user in the
event of kickback by stopping the Saw Chain rotation. The operator MUST ensure its correct operation before
EVERY use.
• Ensure the chainsaw is NOT running whilst performing the following checks:
1. Check manual Chain Brake operation by pushing the Chain Brake forward, in the direction of the Guide Bar
(1). The Saw Chain must not turn
2. Release the Chain Brake by pulling the Chain Brake towards the Front Handle (5), until it reaches the end of
its travel. The Saw Chain can be moved freely again
3. Hold the chainsaw horizontally, release your hand from the Front Handle and let the tip of the Guide Bar
hit a tree stump or other piece of wood on the floor (Fig. IX). The Chain Brake must engage, and the Saw
Chain must not move
Filling with chain oil
WARNING: Be careful not to spill any oil. Thoroughly clean away any spilled chain oil, even if bio-degradable
chain oil is used. Be aware of slipping hazards!
1. Clean the chain oil reservoir area, including the Chain Oil Reservoir Window (7), and remove all wood dust
and dirt
2. Open the Chain Oil Reservoir Cap (8) by turning it anticlockwise
3. Fill with specialised saw chain oil. DO NOT overfill
4. Immediately refit the Chain Oil Reservoir Cap, and close by turning it clockwise until hand-tight and sealed
Operation
WARNING: Chainsaws are potentially dangerous high-speed wood-cutting tools. Special safety
precautions must be applied, to reduce the risk of personal injury. Careless or improper use may cause serious
or even fatal injuries. ALWAYS operate chainsaws with both hands. Start and operate without assistance.
WARNING: ALWAYS wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when using this chainsaw,
including but not limited to safety glasses, hearing protection, forestry helmet with impact-resistant face
shield, gloves, cut-proof trousers and safety shoes.
WARNING: Immediately switch off the chainsaw in case of excessive motor noise or vibration,
development of smoke or smells, or if the chainsaw operates sluggishly or at reduced performance.
Note: Before operating a chainsaw, inspect the work area for potential dangers, and consider possible escape
routes.
Switching on and off
1. Release the Chain Brake (4) by pulling the lever towards the Front Handle (5). Maintain a firm grasp of the
Front Handle
2. Press the Lock-Off Button (6) inwards to release the On/Off Trigger Switch (11). To switch the chainsaw
on, the Lock-Off Button and the On/Off Trigger Switch must be pressed simultaneously
• To switch the chainsaw off, push the Chain Brake forwards and release the On/Off Trigger Switch and the
Lock-Off Button
Checking chain lubrication
• After starting the motor, the chainsaw operator needs to ensure that sufficient oil is delivered to lubricate
the chain, before starting work:
1. With the chainsaw on, disengage the Chain Brake (4) by pulling it back towards the Front Handle (5)
2. Hold the chainsaw firmly with both hands, and direct the Guide Bar (1) towards the ground (Fig. I)
3. Disengage the Lock-Off Button (6) and press the On/Off Trigger Switch (11)
4. Run the chainsaw whilst directed towards the ground. Oil should be scattered off the chain, on to the floor
5. If no or insufficient oil escapes, refer to 'Filling with chain oil' in the 'Before use' section
WARNING: Potentially dangerous reactive forces may occur any time the chain is rotating. In any chainsaw,
the powerful force used to cut wood can be reversed (and work against the operator). If the rotating chain is
suddenly stopped by contact with any solid object like a log or branch or is pinched, the reactive forces may
occur instantly. These reactive forces may result in loss of control which may, in turn, cause serious or fatal
injury. An understanding of the causes of these reactive forces may help the operator avoid loss of control. The
most common reactive forces are kickback (see 'Kickback Safety Precautions'), pushback and pull-in.
Transporting the chainsaw
WARNING: ALWAYS switch off the chainsaw before putting it down or transporting it. Carrying a chainsaw with
the motor running is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious or fatal injuries.
• ALWAYS fit the Blade Guard (13) to the Guide Bar (1) before transporting the chainsaw. Carry the chainsaw
by holding its Front Handle (5), with the Guide Bar pointing backwards
Note: Wait until the motor has cooled completely, before fitting the Blade Guard (13) to the Guide Bar (1), or
transporting the chainsaw in a vehicle.
Understanding reactive forces when cutting with a chainsaw
"Pull-in" (Fig. II):
• Occurs when the Saw Chain (2) on the underneath of the Guide Bar (1) suddenly stops, for example when
pinched, caught or catching on a foreign object inside the wood. The chainsaw is pulled forward violently,
and may cause the operator to lose control of the chainsaw. Other causes are a too low chain speed when
making contact with the wood, or Bumper Spikes (3) that are not properly pushed against the wood whilst
cutting
WARNING: There is a high risk of pull-in when cutting small diameter branches and thin trees, as small items
can easily get caught in the chain.
To avoid pull-in:
1. ALWAYS wait until the chain has reached its full cutting speed, before making contact with the wood
2. Ensure the Bumper Spikes (3) engage the wood properly
3. Use wedges to open up existing partial cuts
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