Homelite EL12, EL16 User Manual
OWNER’S MANUAL
EL12 and EL16
ELECTRIC CHAINSAWS
®
WARNING ICON G 001
FIRST EDITION
PART NO. 17957-A
Printed in U.S.A.
Price $1.00
HOMELITE EL12 AND EL16
ELECTRIC CHAINSAW
SAFETY
INFORMATION
WARNINGS
WARNING ICON G 001
IMPORTANT: Make certain you
read and understand all Safety
Warnings on pages 2 through 4.
Improper use of this chain saw
can cause severe injury or death
from fire, electrical shock, body
contact with moving chain, or
falling wood.
BEFORE OPERATING CHAIN
SAW
1. Read and understand this owner’s
manual before operating chain saw.
2. Use chain saw for cutting wood only.
Do not use for cutting any non-wood
items.
3. Only well-instructed adults should operate chain saw. Never allow children
to operate chain saw.
4. Use only electrical voltage noted on
model plate of chain saw.
5. Use only extension cords marked for
outdoor use. See page 8 for extension
cord requirements.
6. Do not operate chain saw
• while under the influence of alcohol,
medication, or drugs
• in rain or in damp or wet areas
• where highly flammable liquids or
gases are present
• if saw is damaged, adjusted wrong,
or not fully assembled
• if trigger does not turn saw on and
off. Chain must stop moving when
you release trigger. Have faulty
switch replaced by authorized service
center.
• while tired or in a hurry
• while in tree or on a ladder unless
trained to do so
7. Wear snug-fitting clothes when operating chain saw. Do not wear loose
clothing or jewelry. They can get caught
in moving saw chain.
8. Wear the following safety gear when
operating chain saw.
• heavy-duty gloves (wear rubber
gloves when working outdoors)
• steel-toed safety footwear with non-
skid soles
• eye protection such as safety glasses,
goggles, or face screen
• safety hard hat
• ear mufflers or ear plugs
• hair covering to contain long hair
• face or dust mask (if working in dusty
areas)
9. Before cutting, always provide the following:
• clear work area
• secure footing
• planned retreat path from falling tree
10. Inspect tree before cutting down. Make
sure there are no dead limbs or branches
that may fall on you.
CHAIN SAW OPERATION
1. Stay alert. Use common sense while
operating chain saw.
2. Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas
invite injuries.
3. Be aware of extension cord while operating chain saw. Be careful not to trip
over cord.
4. Keep children, animals, and bystanders away from chain saw and extension
cord. Only chain saw user should be in
work area.
5. Do not cut down a tree unless you are
trained or have expert help.
6. If two or more persons perform bucking and felling operations at the same
time, provide plenty of distance between operations. Provide distance of
at least twice the height of tree being
felled.
7. Secure wood you are cutting by using
clamps or chocks.
8. Grip chain saw firmly with both hands.
Never operate chain saw with one hand.
Never use hand guard as handle.
9. Keep finger off trigger until ready to
make cut.
10. Before starting chain saw, make sure
chain is not touching anything.
11. Avoid body contact with grounded objects such as pipes, fences, and metal
posts.
2
12. Keep all parts of body away from chain
when saw is running.
13. Do not force chain saw while cutting.
Apply light pressure.
14. Cut small brush and saplings with extreme care. Slender material may catch
in chain and be whipped toward you.
This could also pull you off balance.
15. When cutting limb or tree trunk that is
under tension, use extreme caution. Be
alert for wood springing back. When
wood tension is released, limb could
spring back and strike operator causing severe injury or death.
16. Carry chain saw from one place to another
• with chain saw unplugged
• by holding front handle (never use
hand guard as handle)
• with finger off trigger
• with guide bar and chain to rear
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OWNER’S MANUAL
SAFETY
INFORMATION
Continued
WARNINGS
WARNING ICON G 001
IMPORTANT: Make certain you
read and understand all Safety
Warnings on pages 2 thru 4. Improper use of this chain saw can
cause severe injury or death from
fire, electrical shock, body contact with moving chain or falling
wood.
KICKBACK
Avoid Kickback. Kickback can
cause you to lose control of
chain saw. Kickback can cause
severe injury or death.
Kickback Safety Devices On
This Saw
This saw has a Dual Raker low-kickback
chain, reduced kickback guide bar, and a
SAFE•T•TIP® anti-kickback device
mounted to tip of guide bar. These items
reduce the chance of kickback. Kickback
can still occur with this saw. Do not remove
SAFE•T•TIP® anti-kickback device from tip
of guide bar. Do not let tip of guide bar touch
anything when chain is moving.
Properly install front hand guard. This item
can reduce injuries from kickback. Follow
assembly instructions on page 6. Do not
remove front hand guard. Do not replace
front hand guard with substitute.
Cause Of Kickback
Kickback may occur when nose or tip of
guide bar touches an object while chain is
moving. If chain cutter catches on object, a
sudden reverse action will result. The guide
bar will kick up and back towards operator.
Kickback may also occur when wood
pinches chain at guide bar nose. A sudden
reverse action will also result.
The following steps will reduce the risk of
kickback.
• Do not remove SAFE•T•TIP® anti-kickback device from tip of guide bar.
• Use both hands to grip saw while saw is
running. Use firm grip. Thumbs and
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fingers must wrap around saw handles.
•Keep all safety items in place on saw.
Make sure they work properly.
• Do not overreach or cut above shoulder
height.
• Keep solid footing and balance
• Stand slightly to left side of saw. This
keeps your body from being in direct line
with chain.
• Do not let guide bar nose touch anything
when chain is moving (see Figure 1).
Direction
Do Not Let
Guide Bar
Touch Here
90°
Quadrant
Figure 1 - Kickback Hazard Example.
Do Not Let Nose of Guide Bar Touch
Object While Chain is Moving
•Never try cutting through two logs at
same time. Only cut one log at a time.
• Do not bury guide bar nose or try plunge
cut (boring into wood using guide bar
nose).
•Watch for shifting of wood or other
forces that may pinch chain.
• Use extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
• Use low-kickback chain and guide bar
supplied with this chain saw. Only replace these parts with chains and guide
bars listed in this manual.
• Never use dull or loose chain. Keep chain
sharp and tensioned correctly.
3
Saw Maintenance and Kickback
Safety
Follow maintenance instructions in this
manual. Proper cleaning of saw along with
chain and guide bar maintainance can reduce chances of kickback. Inspect and maintain saw after each use. This will increase
the service life of your saw.
with proper sharpening, risk of kickback
can increase with each sharpening.
Note:
Even
PUSHBACK AND PULL-IN
Avoid pushback and pull-in. These
hazards can cause you to lose
control of chain saw. Pushback or
pull-in can cause severe injury.
Cause Of Pushback and Pull-In
Pushback may occur while cutting with top
of guide bar. Pushback will force saw back
towards you. Pull-in may occur while cutting with bottom of guide bar. Pull-in will
force saw in towards wood you are cutting.
These hazards can occur if chain is pinched,
caught or contacts a non-wood object.
The following steps will reduce the risk of
pushback or pull-in.
• Use both hands to grip saw while saw is
running. Use firm grip. Thumbs and
fingers must wrap around saw handles.
• Do not overreach or cut above shoulder
height.
• Keep solid footing and balance.
• Stand slightly to left side of saw. This
keeps your body from being in direct line
with chain.
• Have saw running at full speed before
starting a cut.
• When cutting, make sure spike of saw is
against wood (pull-in only). See Prod-
uct Identification, page 4, to locate spike.
• Never try cutting through two logs at
same time. Only cut one log at a time.
•Watch for shifting of log or other forces
that may pinch chain.
• Use extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
• Do not twist saw when removing guide
bar from undercut.
• Use wedges made of plastic, wood, or
light alloy (never steel or iron) to hold
cut open.
Continued
HOMELITE EL12 AND EL16
ELECTRIC CHAINSAW
SAFETY
INFORMATION
Continued
WARNINGS
WARNING ICON G 001
IMPORTANT: Make certain you
read and understand all Safety
Warnings on pages 2 through 4.
Improper use of this chain saw
can cause severe injury or death
from fire, electrical shock, body
contact with moving chain, or
falling wood.
MAINTENANCE AND
STORAGE OF CHAIN SAW
1. Unplug chain saw from power source
• when not in use
• before moving from one place to another
• before servicing
• before changing accessories or attachments
2. Inspect chain saw before and after each
use. Check saw closely if guard or other
part has been damaged. Check for any
damage that may affect operator safety
or operation of saw. Check for alignment or binding of moving parts. Check
for broken or damaged parts. Do not
use chain saw if damage affects safety
or operation. Have damage repaired by
authorized service center.
3. Maintain chain saw with care.
• Never expose saw to rain.
• Keep chain sharp, clean, and lubri-
cated.
• Follow steps outlined in this manual
to sharpen chain.
•Keep handles dry, clean, and free of
oil.
• Keep all screws and nuts tight.
• Inspect power cord often. If dam-
aged, have repaired by authorized
service center.
• Never carry chain saw by power
cord.
• Never yank power cord to unplug it.
• Keep power cord from heat, oil, and
sharp edges.
• Inspect extension cords often and
replace if damaged.
4. When servicing, use only identical re-
placement parts.
5. Always store chain saw
• in a high or locked place, out of
children’s reach
• in a dry place
• in a carrying case or with scabbard
over guide bar
Keep this manual for reference. It is your
guide to safe and proper operation of this
chain saw.
PRODUCT
IDENTIFICATION
Rear
Handle
Rear Hand
Guard
Power Cord
Front Handle
Motor Housing
Figure 2 - Electric Chain Saw
UNPACKING
1. Remove all items from carton.
2. Check all items for any shipping damage. If you find any damage or if any
parts are missing, promptly inform
dealer where you bought chain saw.
Front Hand
Guard
Saw
Chain
Spike
Oil Level Sight Hole
(located on saw body,
hidden by front handle)
Oil Cap
Switch
Lockout
Trigger
Safe•T•Tip
Anti-Kickback
Device
Guide Bar
Scabbard
®
4
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OWNER’S MANUAL
CHAIN SAW NAMES
AND TERMS
Bucking Process of cutting a felled tree or
log into lengths.
Felling Process of cutting down a tree.
Felling Cut Final cut when felling a tree.
Make this cut on opposite side of tree from
notching cut.
Front Handle Located at front of saw
body.
Front Hand Guard Shield between front
handle and guide bar. Protects left hand
while using saw.
Guide Bar Metal bar that extends from
saw body. The guide bar supports and guides
chain.
Guide Bar Nose Tip or end of guide bar.
Kickback Quick backward and upward
motion of guide bar. Kickback may occur
when tip of guide bar touches an object
while chain is moving. The guide bar will
kick up and back towards operator.
Limbing Process of cutting limb(s) from a
felled tree.
Low-Kickback Chain Chain that re-
duces chance of kickback as required by
ANSI B175.1.
Normal Cutting Position Stance used
while making bucking and felling cuts.
Notching Cut Notch cut in tree that
directs fall of tree.
Oiler Control System for oiling guide bar
and chain.
Power Head Chain saw without chain and
guide bar. Also known as saw body.
Pushback (Kickback, Pinch) Rapid
pushback of chain saw. Pushback may occur if chain along top of guide bar is pinched,
caught or contacts a foreign object.
Rear Handle Handle located at rear of saw
body.
Reduced Kickback Guide Bar Guide
bar that reduces chance of kickback.
Replacement Chain Chain that com-
plies with ANSI B175.1 when used with a
specific saw. It may not meet ANSI requirements when used with other saws.
Saw Chain (Chain) Loop of chain having
cutting teeth for cutting wood. The motor
drives chain. The guide bar supports chain.
Spiked Bumper (Spike) Pointed teeth at
front of saw body beside guide bar. Keep
spiked bumper in contact with wood when
felling or bucking. It helps maintain position of saw while cutting.
Sprocket Toothed wheel that drives chain.
Switch Device that completes or interrupts
electrical circuit to motor of saw.
Switch Linkage This device connects
switch to trigger. It moves switch when you
squeeze trigger.
Switch Lockout Device that reduces accidental starting of saw.
Trigger Device that turns saw on and off.
Squeezing trigger turns saw on.
Releasing trigger turns saw off.
Trimming (Pruning) Process of cutting
limb(s) from a living tree.
Undercut An upward cut from underside
of log or limb. This is done while in normal
cutting position and cutting with top of
guide bar.
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