This manual outlines the maintenance and operation of ICS® manufactured products.
This is a professional tool and is solely intended for use by trained and experienced operators.
The 890 Series chainsaw is designed to cut concrete, stone, and masonry when used with the
appropriate genuine ICS Diamond Chain. Other materials including ductile iron, cast iron or PVC
pipe require the use of ICS PowerGrit® Utility Saw Chain.
To get the maximum benefit from your saw, and ensure maximum safety, be sure to read this manual
thoroughly, and periodically review safety instructions.
• Do NOT use this saw cover on any other saw model.
• Failure to observe these precautions can result in serious injury.
890 SERIES OPERATOR’S MANUAL
SAFETY
THE FOLLOWING SYMBOL APPLIES TO ALL THE ITEMS LISTED ON THIS PAGE
A potentially hazardous situation exists which, if not avoided,
WARNING
could result in death or serious injury.
Diamond chain breakage can result in high-speed ejection of parts, which can result in death
or serious personal injury to operators or bystanders. The items listed below are critical to
minimizing the risk of diamond chain breakage and injury.
• DO NOT operate a diamond chain saw with a damaged, modified, broken or missing side
cover, bottom guard or guard flap. The side cover, bottom guard and guard flap provide
protection against contact with moving parts, ejected debris, broken diamond chain,
thrown water and concrete slurry.
• DO NOT operate saw with loose, missing, damaged or improperly repaired parts.
• DO NOT exceed the hydraulic flow for your saw model: 8 gpm (30 lpm) or 12 gpm (45 lpm)
at 2,500 psi (172.5 bar) hydraulic pressure.
• DO NOT run the saw backwards. The chain should travel away from the operator on the
top of the bar and return on the bottom of the bar.
• DO NOT insert the saw into a slot narrower than the chain segments. Rapid pushback
might occur. Reference: Most diamond segments are .225 (5.72 mm) wide.
• DO NOT use the 890 Series side cover as a replacement cover for another saw.
• DO NOT use damaged, modified or improperly repaired chain.
• DO NOT run the saw upside-down. Concrete debris can fly back into the operator’s face.
• DO NOT use your hands to search for hydraulic leaks. Hydraulic fluid escaping under
pressure can penetrate skin. If any hydraulic fluid is injected into skin seek medical
attention immediately.
®
• Only use PowerGrit
Utility Saw Chain when cutting ductile iron pipe or like materials
with the saw. Using chain platforms not specifically designed for this type of material
may cause segment loss or diamond chain breakage.
• See page 13 for information about cutting with PowerGrit chain.
THE FOLLOWING SYMBOL APPLIES TO ALL ITEMS LISTED ON THIS PAGE
CAUTION
A potentially hazardous situation exists which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury or property damage.
• Always turn the saw OFF when performing maintenance on the saw including chain
tensioning.
• Never use equipment that is not functioning properly.
• Have the saw repaired by qualified service personnel.
• Insufficient water supply may result in excessive wear to the Diamond Chain, which can
lead to loss of strength and Diamond Chain breakage. Minimum water pressure is 20 psi
(1.5 bar).
• SealPro
®
diamond chains require a minimum water pressure of 20 psi (1.5 bar).
Insufficient water supply may result in excessive wear to the chain, which can lead to loss
of strength and chain breakage, and/or damage to the guidebar nose sprocket.
• Never start the saw unless the guidebar, Diamond Chain and
side cover are properly installed.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Always wear protective clothing, including hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, and
gloves.
• Avoid loose fitting clothing.
• Perform safety checks before starting each day.
• Always operate tool with solid footing and with both hands on saw.
• Remove or control slurry to prevent slippery conditions while cutting.
• Be sure there are no obstructions (plumbing, electrical conduit, air ducts, etc.) and no
unnecessary people present.
• Set up a well-marked safety zone with a roped boundary and clear signs.
• Provide adequate ventilation when working in an enclosed area.
• To avoid electrocution, check for live electrical wiring near cutting area.
Tension the chain. Do not over
tension the diamond chain. Loss of
power will result.
CORRECT CHAIN TENSION
All chains have a tendency to
stretch when used. Diamond chains
stretch more than wood cutting
chains because of the abrasive
materials they are cutting.
If the chain is too tight, a lot of the
saw's power goes into turning the
chain rather than into the cut. In
extreme over-tightened cases, the
saw may not be able to turn the
chain at all. In addition, damage
can occur to the bar nose and
premature stretch may occur.
CHAIN TOO TIGHT
CHAIN TOO LOOSE
CHAIN TOO LOOSE
If the chain is too loose, it could
come off the bar, or it will allow
the drive sprocket to spin without
turning the chain, which can
damage drive links.
When a chain stretches to a point
where the drive links are hanging
approximately 1/2 in (12 mm) to 3/4
in (18 mm) below the bar, it is time
to tension the chain.
Lift up on the nose of the bar and
firmly tighten the side cover nuts. To
prevent chain tensioner breakage,
be sure the side cover nuts are
tightened to approximately 20 ft-lbs
(27 Nm).
890 SERIES OPERATOR’S MANUAL
OPER ATIO N
PRE-CUT CHECKLIST
• Ensure proper chain tension: The chain should be easily pulled around the guidebar by hand.
• Ensure all safety devices are properly mounted and functional and that all controls are in proper
working order.
• Be sure there are no obstructions (plumbing, electrical conduit, air ducts, etc.) and no
unnecessary people present
• Always wear protective clothing, including hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, non-slip
safety boots, gloves. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing.
• Adequate water supply and pressure
Minimum flow: 1 gpm (4 lpm)
Minimum water pressure: 20 psi (1.5 bar)
• Proper hydraulic supply to the saw:
Maximum flow: 8 gpm (30 lpm) or 12 gpm (45 lpm), depending on saw model
Maximum hydraulic pressure: 2,500 psi (172.5 bar)
IMPORTANT
increase chain life is to use adequate water pressure. Insufficient
water supply will result in excessive wear to the chain, which can
lead to loss of strength and chain breakage, and/or damage to the
guidebar nose sprocket.
PLANNING THE CUT
• Outline the cut with a permanent marker for a visual cutting guide.
• Avoid pinching the guidebar and Diamond Chain. Always cut the bottom of an opening first, then
top, and then the sides. Save the easiest cut for last.
• For the straightest cuts use the “Step Cut” method. First score the entire cut line approximately
1/2 inch (12 mm) deep using the nose of the guidebar. Next, deepen the cut by about 2 inches (50
The single most important factor an operator can control to
mm). Then plunge all the way through and complete the cut using the WallWalker
®
.
• Be sure cut concrete cannot fall and injure operator or bystanders. Concrete is very heavy, one
cubic foot = 12 in x 12 in x 12 in = 150 lbs (30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm = 68 kg).
• Check for live electrical wiring near the cutting area or in the concrete to avoid electrocution.
• To start a cut, hold trigger at full speed and slowly plunge the nose of the guidebar straight into
the wall. Use the fixed WallWalker® as a pivot point and pull up on the rear handle to rotate the
guidebar into the cut.
• Always operate the saw at full speed. Apply enough feed force so that the free running RPM
drops 20 to 30%. If too much force is applied, the saw will lug or stall. The chain will not have
enough speed to cut effectively. If too little feed force is applied, the diamonds will skid and glaze
over.
• For straighter cuts use the “Step Cut” method. First score the entire cut line with the nose of the
guidebar approximately 1/2 inch (12 mm) to 1 inch (25 mm) deep. Next, deepen the cut by about
2 inches (50 mm). This groove will help guide the guidebar for a straight cut. Then plunge all the
way through and complete the cut using the WallWalker
®
• Use the WallWalker
to help cut more efficiently and reduce operator fatigue. The WallWalker®
®
.
is a fulcrum that converts inward force to downward force and will develop a 4-to-1 mechanical
advantage. To use correctly, plunge into the wall and simply engage the point of the WallWalker®
into the cut and push straight in. The WallWalker® will force the saw to feed down.
• Apply upward force on the trigger handle to keep the WallWalker® engaged properly, otherwise
the WallWalker® pick will skid, which will reduce the effectiveness. As the saw begins to rotate up,
feed force is developed down the line of the intended cut. Once the saw is fully rotated upwards,
pull the saw out of the cut a few inches and re-engage the WallWalker® to the wall and repeat.
• When cutting rebar, slowly rock the saw so that you’re always cutting concrete as well as steel.
This will help keep the diamonds exposed. Also, expect less chain life when cutting rebar.
• Expect more chain stretch and guidebar wear when making “nose buried” cuts for extended
periods of time, as the chain does not have a chance to throw the slurry away from the nose of
the guidebar.
• If the saw begins to cut consistently crooked, turn the guidebar over and use the other side.
Dress worn rails with belt sander.
Note: The normal life of a guidebar is two to three diamond chains.
Rebar can shorten guidebar life.
• When using a new chain, you can increase the cutting speed by opening up the diamonds by
making a few cuts in an abrasive material such as a cinder block.
CUTTING DUCTILE IRON PIPE WITH THE POWERGRIT® UTILITY SAW CHAIN
NEVER cut ductile iron pipe with the saw unless using PowerGrit Utility Saw Chain. The following
are safety precautions that should always be followed when using PowerGrit.
• Before cutting, make sure the pipe is in a safe condition to
be cut. Support the work piece in such a way that the cut
remains open during the cutting operation and when the cut is
finished. Pinching the chain during the cut could cause chain
breakage and could result in death or serious injury to the
WARNING
operator.
• If using the pipe clamp accessory, the clamp must be
attached in such a way that it does not move during the
cutting operation and/or when the cut is finished. Unexpected
movement of the clamp could cause loss of control of the saw
and could result in death or serious injury to the operator.
• After cutting, run the saw for at least 15 seconds with the water on to flush slurry and debris from
Diamond Chain, guidebar and drive sprocket.
• Wash concrete slurry from saw assembly.
• Remove guidebar and chain. Flush out the chain tensioner and side cover with water. Lubricate
tensioner with grease.
• After cleaning the saw, spray the entire saw body, chain, guidebar, and drive sprocket with
lightweight oil. Using lightweight oil on the saw will minimize rust and help reduce slurry
build up.
AFTER EACH USE
• Rinse the saw, guidebar and chain with water.
• Inspect and tighten all fasteners as necessary.
• Inspect, flush and grease the chain tensioner.
• Inspect drive sprocket for wear.
• Replace when the drive teeth are worn more than half way through.
AB
New sprocketWorn sprocket
B
SPROCKET WEAR:
Inspect sprocket after each usage. Replace when grooves in the drive teeth are worn more than half
way through (approximately every 2-3 chains) and resembles the photo on the right (B) .
Chain tension too tight. Diamond Chain should always be
able to be pulled around the guidebar by hand. It is normal
SLOW DIAMOND CHAIN SPEED
for the diamond chain links to hang below the guidebar.
Hydraulic flow rate and pressure not correct
8 gpm/20 lpm 12 gpm/45 lpm at 2500 psi/172.5 bar
890 SERIES OPERATOR’S MANUAL
POOR CUTTING SPEED
PREMATURE CHAIN STRETCH
CHAIN TENSIONER BREAKAGE
WATER NOT FLOWING
MOTOR TURNS IN REVERSE
Diamonds may be glazed over. Make a few cuts in an
abrasive material to expose the diamonds.
Not enough water pressure. The minimum water pressure
required is 20 psi (1.5 bar). Insufficient water supply may
result in excessive wear to the Diamond Chain, which can
lead to loss of strength and Diamond Chain breakage.
A worn sprocket can on on new chain drive links causing
excessive driver damage, wear and stretch.
Side cover nut is not tight enough. Torque to 20 ft-lbs
(27 Nm).
Water hose is kinked or water supply not turned on
Water ports in guidebar plugged with debris
Hydraulic lines connected backwards or power pack is set
to reverse. Chain should travel away from the operator on
the top of the bar and return on the bottom of the bar.
DIAMOND CHAIN BREAKAGE
Call 800.321.1240 or visit our website at: icsbestway.com
CLARIFICATION OF PRODUCT CLASS: The ICS 890F4 Hydraulic Saw, using the appropriate genuine ICS Diamond
Chain, is designed to ONLY cut concrete or designated materials other than wood. The cutting means is by grinding
through the work-piece, using a continuous water supply as a coolant and lubricant. This product is not intended
for use with conventional wood cutting saw chain.
By design, this product is not intended to comply with the definition of a chain-saw as described by ISO 6531 –
“Machinery for Forestry – Portable hand-held chain-saws – Vocabulary”:
ISO6531-1999; Clause 2.2.1; chain-saw: “power driven tool designed to cut wood with a saw chain and
consisting of an integrated compact unit of handles, power source, and cutting attachment, designed to be
supported with two hands”
Corporate Contact: European File Location:
John DeHaven
Product Safety & Compliance Manager
Blount International Inc.
Phone: 001.503.653.4273
Fax: 001.503.653.4701
Place: Portland Oregon, USA
Date: 16 December 2013
EN ISO 12100-1;-2:2009
EN ISO 5349-1;-2:2001
Blount Europe S.A.
Rue Emile Francqui, 5
1435 Mont-Saint-Guibert
Belgium
ICS | BLOUNT, EUROPE SA. | Rue Emile Francqui 5 | 1435 Mont- Siant- Guibert, Belgium