Craftsman CMECS600 Operator's Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CHAIN SAW

CATALOG NUMBER

CMECS600

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KEY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:

READ INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY

BEFORE OPERATING!

• DO NOT OVER-TENSION CHAIN. Refer to “Adjusting Chain
Tension” for proper method of tensioning chain.

• Retighten chain frequently during first two hours of use.

Operator’s Manual

2

GENERAL POWER TOOL
SAFETY +RULES

WARNING:

Read all safety

warnings and all instructions. Failure to

follow the warnings and instructions may result
in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE

REFERENCE

The term “power tool” in the warnings refers
to your mains-operated (corded) power tool
or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.

1) WORK AREA SAFETY
a) Keep work area clean and well

lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite

accidents.

b) 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.

c) Keep children and bystanders

away while operating a power tool.

Distractions can cause you to lose control.

2) ELECTRICAL SAFETY
a) 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.

b) 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.

c) Do not expose power tools to rain

or wet conditions. Water entering

a power tool will increase the risk of
electric shock.

d) 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. Damaged

or entangled cords increase the risk of
electric shock.

e) 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.

f)

If operating a power tool in a damp

location is unavoidable, use a
ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) protected supply. Use of a

GFCI reduces the risk of electric shock.

3) PERSONAL SAFETY
a) 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.

b) Use personal protective equipment.

Always wear eye protection.

Protective equipment such as dust
mask, nonskid safety shoes, hard
hat, or hearing protection used for
appropriate conditions will reduce
personal injuries.

c) P

revent 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. Carrying

power tools with your finger on the
switch or energizing power tools that
have the switch on invites accidents.

d

) 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.

e) Do not overreach. Keep proper

footing and balance at all times.

This enables better control of the
power tool in unexpected situations.

f)

Dress properly. Do not wear loose

clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from moving
parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair

can be caught in moving parts.

g) If devices are provided for the

connection of dust extraction and
collection facilities, ensure these

SAFETY GUIDELINES - DEFINITIONS

It is important for you to read and understand this manual. The information it contains
relates to protecting YOUR SAFETY and PREVENTING PROBLEMS. The symbols below
are used to help you recognize this information.

DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could

result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION: Indicates a potentially haz ard ous situation which, if not avoided, may

result in minor or mod er ate injury.

NOTICE: Used without the safety alert symbol indicates potentially hazardous situation

which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.

3

are connected and properly used.

Use of dust collection can reduce dust­related hazards.

4) POWER TOOL USE AND CARE
a) 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.

b) 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.

c) Disconnect the plug from the

power source and/or the battery
pack from the power tool before
making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing power
tools. Such preventive safety

measures reduce the risk of starting
the power tool accidentally.

d) 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. Power

tools are dangerous in the hands of
untrained users.

e) 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. Many accidents are

caused by poorly maintained power
tools.

f) Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.

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

g) Use the power tool, accessories

and tool bits, etc. in accordance
with these instructions, taking into
account the working conditions
and the work to be performed.

Use of the power tool for operations
different from those intended could
result in a hazardous situation.

5) SERVICE
a) Have your power tool serviced by

a qualified repair person using only
identical replacement parts. This will

ensure that the safety of the power tool
is maintained.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

CHAINSAW SAFETY WARNINGS:

• 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. A moment of

inattention while operating chainsaws may
cause entanglement of your clothing or
body with the saw chain.

• Always hold the chainsaw with your

right hand on the rear handle and
your left hand on the front handle.

Holding the chainsaw with a reversed hand

configuration increases the risk of personal

injury and should never be done.

• Hold the power tool by insulated

gripping surfaces only, because the
saw chain may contact hidden wiring
or its own cord. Saw chains contacting a

“live” wire may make exposed metal parts
of the power tool “live” and could give the
operator an electric shock.

• Wear safety glasses and hearing

protection. Further protective
equipment for head, hands, legs
and feet is recommended. Adequate

protective clothing will reduce personal

injury by flying debris or accidental contact

with the saw chain.

• 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. Slippery or unstable surfaces
such as ladders may cause a loss of
balance or control of the chainsaw.

• When cutting a limb that is under

tension be alert for spring back. When

the tension in the wood fibres is released

the spring loaded limb may strike the
operator and/or throw the chainsaw out of
control.

•

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. When
transporting or storing the chainsaw

always fit the scabbard. Proper handling
of the chainsaw will reduce the likelihood
of accidental contact with the moving saw
chain.

• Follow instructions for lubricating,

chain tensioning and changing
accessories. Improperly tensioned or

lubricated chain may either break or
increase the chance for kickback.

• Keep handles dry, clean, and free

from oil and grease. Greasy, oily handles
are slippery causing loss of control.

• Cut wood only. Do not use chainsaw

for purposes not intended. For
example: do not use chainsaw for
cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood
building materials. Use of the chainsaw

for operations different than intended
could result in a hazardous situation.

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.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a
sudden reverse reaction, kicking the guide
bar up and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the
guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly
back towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you
to lose control of the saw which could
result in serious personal injury. Do not rely
exclusively upon the safety devices built into
your saw. As a chainsaw user, you should
take several steps to keep your cutting jobs
free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or
incorrect operating procedures or conditions
and can be avoided by taking proper
precautions as given below:

• Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs
and fingers encircling the chainsaw

handles, with both hands on the saw
and position your body and arm to
allow you to resist kickback forces.

Kickback forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions are taken.
Do not let go of the chainsaw.

• Do not overreach and do not cut

above shoulder height. This helps
prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chainsaw in
unexpected situations.

• Only use replacement bars and
chains specified by the manufacturer.

Incorrect replacement bars and chains
may cause chain breakage and/or
kickback.

• Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening

and maintenance instructions for the
saw chain. Decreasing the depth gauge

height can lead to increased kickback.

THE FOLLOWING
PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE
FOLLOWED TO MINIMIZE
KICKBACK:

(1.) Grip Saw Firmly. Hold the chainsaw
firmly with both hands when the motor is
running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and
fingers encircling the chainsaw handles.
Chainsaw will pull forward when cutting
on the bottom edge of the bar, and push
backward when cutting along the top edge
of the bar.
(2.) Do not over reach.
(3.) Keep proper footing and balance at all
times.
(4.) Don’t let the nose of the guide bar
contact a log, branch, ground or other
obstruction.
(5.) Don’t cut above shoulder height.
(6.) Use devices such as low kickback

chain and reduced kickback guide bars that
reduce the risks associated with kickback.
(7.) Only use replacement bars and chains
specified by the manufacturer or the
equivalent.
(8.) Never let the moving chain contact any
object at the tip of the guide bar.
(9.) Keep the working area free from
obstructions such as other trees, branches,
rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or
avoid any obstruction that your saw chain
could hit while you are cutting through a
particular log or branch.
(10.) Keep your saw chain sharp and
properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain
can increase the chance of kickback. Check
tension at regular intervals with the motor
stopped and tool unpllugged, never with the
motor running.
(11.) Begin and continue cutting only with
the chain moving at full speed. If the chain is
moving at a slower speed, there is a greater
chance for kickback to occur.
(12.) Cut one log at a time.
(13.) Use extreme caution when re-entering
a previous cut. Engage ribbed bumpers into
wood and allow chain to reach full speed
before proceeding with cut.
(14.) Do not attempt plunge cuts or bore
cuts.
(15.) Watch for shifting logs or other forces
that could close a cut and pinch or fall into
chain.

KICKBACK SAFETY
FEATURES

WARNING: The following features are

included on your saw to help reduce the
hazard of kickback; however such features
will not totally eliminate this dangerous
reaction. As a chainsaw user do not rely only
on safety devices. You must follow all safety
precautions, instructions, and maintenance in
this manual to help avoid kickback and other
forces which can result in serious injury.

• Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar,

designed with a small radius tip which
reduces the size of the kickback danger
zone on bar tip. A reduced - kickback
guide bar is one which has been
demonstrated to significantly reduce the
number and seriousness of kickbacks
when tested in accordance with safety
requirements for electric chainsaws.

• Low-Kickback Chain, designed with a

contoured depth gauge and guard link
which deflect kickback force and allow
wood to gradually ride into the cutter. A
low-kickback chain is a chain which has
met kickback performance requirements of
ANSI B175.1-1991.

• Do not operate chainsaw while in a

tree, on a ladder, on a scaffold, or
from any unstable surface.

• Hold tool by insulated gripping
surfaces when performing an

4

5

operation where the cutting tool may
contact hidden wiring. Contact with a

“live” wire will make exposed metal parts
of the tool “live” and shock the operator.

• Do not attempt operations beyond
your capacity or experience. Read
thoroughly and understand completely all
instructions in this manual.

• Before you start chainsaw, make sure
saw chain is not contacting any object.

• Do not operate a chainsaw with one

hand! Serious injury to the operator,
helpers, or bystanders may result from
one handed operation. A chainsaw is

intended for two-handed use only.

• Keep the handles dry, clean, and free

of oil or grease.

• Do not allow dirt, debris, or sawdust
to build up on the motor or outside air
vents.

• Stop the chainsaw before setting it
down.

• Do not cut vines and/or small under
brush.

• Use extreme caution when cutting
small size brush and saplings because

slender material may catch the saw chain
and be whipped toward you or pull you off
balance.

WARNING: Some dust created by

power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and
other construction activities contains
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of these
chemicals are:

• lead from lead-based paints,

• crystalline silica from bricks and
cement and other masonry products,
and

• arsenic and chromium from

chemically-treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies,
depending on how often you do this type
of work. To reduce your exposure to these
chemicals: work in a well ventilated area,
and work with approved safety equipment,
such as those dust masks that are specially
designed to filter out microscopic particles.

• Avoid prolonged contact with dust

from power sanding, sawing, grinding,
drilling, and other construction
activities. Wear protective clothing
and wash exposed areas with soap
and water. Allowing dust to get into

your mouth, eyes, or lay on the skin may
promote absorption of harmful chemicals.

WARNING: Use of this tool can

generate and/or disburse dust, which
may cause serious and permanent
respiratory or other injury. Always use

NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory
protection appropriate for the dust exposure.
Direct particles away from face and body.

An extension cord must have adequate

wire size (AWG or American Wire Gauge)
for safety. The smaller the gauge number

of the wire, the greater the capacity of the
cable, that is 16 gauge has more capacity
than 18 gauge. When using more than one
extension to make up the total length, be sure

each individual extension contains at least the
minimum wire size.

Recommended Minimum Wire Size for

Extension Cords

CHAINSAW NAMES AND
TERMS

• Bucking - The process of cross cutting a

felled tree or log into lengths.

• Motor Brake - A device used to stop the

saw chain when the trigger is released.

• Chainsaw Powerhead - A chainsaw

without the saw chain and guide bar.

• Drive Sprocket or Sprocket - The

toothed part that drives the saw chain.

• Felling - The process of cutting down a

tree.

• Felling Back Cut - The final cut in a tree

felling operation made on the opposite side
of the tree from the notching cut.

•

Front Handle - The support handle located
at or toward the front of the chainsaw.

• Front Hand Guard - A structural barrier

between the front handle of a chainsaw
and the guide bar, typically located close
to the hand position on the front handle
and sometimes employed as an activating
lever for a chain brake.

• Guide Bar - A solid railed structure that

supports and guides the saw chain.

• Guide Bar Scabbard - Enclosure fitted

over guide bar to prevent tooth contact
when saw is not in use.

• Kickback - The backward or upward

motion, or both of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the nose of the
top area of the guide bar contacts any
object such as a log or branch, or when
the wood closes in and pinches the saw
chain in the cut.

•

Kickback, Pinch - The rapid pushback of
the saw which can occur when the wood
closes in and pinches the moving saw chain
in the cut along the top of the guide bar.

• Kickback, Rotational - The rapid upward

and backward motion of the saw which
can occur when the moving saw chain
near the upper portion of the tip of the

Minimum Gauge for Cord Sets

Volts Total Length of Cord in Feet

120V 0-25 26-50 51-100 101-150
240V 0-50 51-100 101-200 201-300

Ampere Rating
More Not more American Wire Gauge

Than Than
0 - 6 18 16 16 14
6 - 10 18 16 14 12
10 - 12 16 16 14 12
12 - 16 14 12 Not Recommended