Makita DCS232T, DCS230T User Manual
Instruction Manual
DCS230T
DCS232T
Important:
Read this instruction manual carefully before putting the chain saw into operation and strictly observe the safety regulations! Only persons who have
completed training in working from elevated platforms (cherry pickers, lifts), from platforms mounted on ladders or who are proficient in climbing with
ropes are permitted to operate this chain saw.
Keep this Instruction Manual!
Thank you for purchasing a MAKITA product!
Congratulations on choosing a MAKITA chain saw! We are confident that
you will be satisfied with this modern piece of equipment.
The DCS230T and DCS232T (Tophandle) are very light and handy chain
saws with the handles on the top. These models were developed especially for tree surgery and care. Only persons who have completed training
in working from elevated platfor ms (cherry pickers, lifts), from platforms
mounted on ladders or who are proficient in climbing with ropes are permitted to operate these chain saws.
The automatic chain lubrication with variable-flow oil pump and maintenance-free electronic ignition ensure trouble-free operation, while the
hand-saving anti-vibration system and ergonomic grips and controls make
work easier, safer, and less tiring for the user.
The safety features of the DCS230T and DCS232T are state of the art and
meet all German and international safety standards.
They include handguards on both grips, grip safety, chain catch, safety
saw chain, and chain brake. The chain brake can be actuated manually,
and is also inertia-actuated automatically in case of kickback.
In order to ensure the proper functioning and
performance of y our ne w chain saw, and to safe guard your own personal safety, it is imperative
that you read this ins tru cti on manu al t hor ou ghly
before operation. Be especially careful to
observe all safety precautions! Failure to
observe these precautions can lead to severe
injury or death!
Table of contents Page
Packing......................................................................................................2
Delivery inventory....................................................................................3
Symbols....................................................................................................3
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
General precautions..............................................................................4
Protective equipment ...... ......................................................................4
Fuels / Refuelling............. ................................................................. ....4
Putting into operation............................................................................4
Kickback................................................................................................5
Working behavior/Method of working.................................................5-6
Transport and storage...................... .....................................................6
Maintenance..........................................................................................6
First aid.................................................................................................7
Technical data ..........................................................................................7
Denomination of components ................................................................8
PUTTING INTO OPERATION
Mounting the guide bar and saw chain..............................................8-9
Tightening the saw cha in ........................ ..............................................9
Chain brake............. ........................................ ....................................10
Fuels / Refuelling............. ....................................... .......................10-11
Adjusting the chain lubrication................................ ............................11
Checking the chain lubrication............................................................12
Starting the engine..............................................................................12
Cold start.......................................... ........................................ ...........12
Warm start ..........................................................................................12
Stopping the engine............................................................................12
Checking the chain brake....................................................................13
Adjusting the carburetor .......................................................................13
MAINTENANCE
Sharpening the saw chain............................................................ .......13
Cleaning the guide bar, lubricating the sprocket nose ........................15
Replacing the saw chain.....................................................................15
Replacing the suction head.................................................................15
Cleaning the air filter............................................................ .. .. .. ....... ..15
Replacing the spark plug ....................................................................15
Cleaning the muffler.......................................................................... ..16
Cleaning the cylinder space................................................................16
Instructions for periodic maintenance ........... .... .. .... ....... .. .... .. .... .. .......17
Service, spare parts and guarantee ................................................17-18
Trouble shooting ....................................................................................18
Packing
Your MAKITA chain saw will be delivered in a protective c ardboard box to
prevent transport damage.
Cardboard is a basic raw material and is consequently reuse-able or suitable for recycling (waste paper recycling).
RE Y
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Symbols
You will notice the following symbols on the chain saw and in the instruction manual:
Read instruction
manual and follow the
warning- and safety
precautions!
Warning
This saw is to be used
by properly trained
operators only.
STOP
STOP
I/STOP-switch
(short-circuit switch)
Stop engine! Fuel and oil mixture
Chain brake
Particular care and
caution!
Forbidden! Choke lever
Wear protective helmet, eye and ear protection!
Wear protective
gloves!
Use appropriate protection for foot-leg and
hand-arm.
No smoking!
Engine -manual start Chain oil
Direction of chain
movement
CAUTION: Kickback! Recycling
Hold the saw with both
hands while working!
One-handed use is
extremely hazardous!
Saw chain oil adjustment screw
First aid
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CE-Marking
No open fire!
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION:
This chain saw is designed especially for tree care and surgery. All w ork with this chain saw is to be carried
out by properly trained persons only. Observe all literature, procedures and recommendations from the relevant professional organisation. Failure to do so constitutes a high accident risk! We recommend always
using a rising platform (cherry picker, lift) for sawing in trees. Rappelling techniques are extremely dangerous and require special training! The operator must be trained in and familiar with the use of safety equipment and working and climbing techniques! Always use the appropriate belts, ropes and carabiners when
working in trees. Always use restraining equipment for both the operator and the saw!
General precautions
- To ensure correct operation the user has to read this instruction manual to make himself familiar with the
characteristics of the chain saw. Users insufficiently informed will endanger themselves as well as others due to
improper handling.
- Lend this chain saw only to persons with training and experience in the use of tree-surgery saws. Always hand
over the instruction manual.
- Children and young persons aged under 18 years must not be allowed to operate the chain saw. Persons over
the age of 16 years may, however, use the chain saw for the purpose of being trained as long as they are under
the supervision of a qualified trainer.
- Use chain saws always with the utmost care and attention.
- Operate the chain saw only if you are in good physical condition. If you are tired, your attention will be reduced.
Be especially careful at the end of a working day. Perform all work calmly and carefully. The user has to accept
liability for others.
- Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
- A fire extinguisher must be available in the immediate vicinity when working in easily inflammable vegetation or
when it has not rained for a long time (danger of fire).
Protective equipment
- In order to avoid head, eye, hand or foot injuries as well as to protect your hearing the following protective equipment mus t be us e d dur ing operation of the chain s aw:
- The kind of clothing should be appropriate, i. e. it should be tight-fitting but not be a hindrance. Do not wear jewelry or clothing which could become entangled with bushes or shrubs. If you have long hair, always wear a hairnet!
- It is necessary to wear a protective helmet whenever working with the chain saw. The protective helmet (1) is to
be checked in regular intervals for damage and is to be replaced after 5 years at the latest. Use only approved
protective helmets.
- The face shield (2) of the protective helmet (or the goggles) protects against sawdust and wood chips. During
operation of the chain saw alway s wear a goggle or a face shield to prevent eye injuries.
- Wear adequate noise protection equipment (ear muffs (3), ear plugs, etc.). Octave brand analysis upon
request.
- The protective jacket (4) consists of 22 layers of nylon and protects the operator against cuts. It is always to be
worn when working from elevated platforms (cherry pickers, lifts), from platforms mounted on ladders or when
climbing with ropes.
- The protective brace and bib overall (5) is made of a nylon fabric with 22 layers and protects against cuts. We
strongly recommend its use.
- Protective gloves (6) made of thick leather are part of the prescribed equipment and must always be worn during operation of the chain saw.
- During operation of the chain saw safety shoes or safety boots (7) fitted with anti skid sole, steel toe caps and
protection for the leg must always to be worn. Safety shoes equipped with a protective layer provide protection
against cuts and ensure a secure footing. For working in trees the safety boots must be suitable for climbing techniques.
Fuels / Refuelling
- Stop the engine before refuelling the chain saw.
- Do not smoke or work near open fires (5).
- Let the engine cool down before refuelling.
- Fuels can contain substances similar to solvents. Eyes and skin should not come in contact with mineral oil products. Always wear protective gloves when refuelling. Frequen tly clean and change protective clothes. Do not
breathe in fuel vapors.
- Do not spill fuel or chain oil. When you have spilt fuel or oil immediately clean the chain saw. Fuel should not
come in contact with clothes. If your clothes have come in contact with fuel, change them at once.
- Ensure that no fuel or chain oil oozes into the soil (environmental protection). Use an appropriate base.
- Refuelling is not allowed in closed rooms. Fuel vapors will accumulate near the floor (explosion hazard).
- Ensure to firmly tighten the screw caps of the fuel and oil tanks.
- Change the place before starting the engine (at least 3 m from the place of refuelling) (6).
- Fuel cannot be stored for an unlimited period of time. Buy only as much as will be consumed in the near future.
- Use only approved and marked containers for the transport and storage of fuel and chain oil. Ensure children
have no access to fuel or chain oil.
Putting into operation
- Do not work on your own. There must be someone around in case of an emergency.
- Ensure that there are no children or other people within the working area. Pay attention to any animals in the
working area, as well (7).
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3 meters
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Before starting work the chain saw must be checked for perfect function and operating safety according
to the prescriptions.
Check especially the function of the chain brake, the correct mounting of the guide bar, the correct shar pening
and tightening of the chain, the firm mounting of the sprocket guard, the easy motion of the throttle lever and the
function of the throttle lever lock, the cleanliness and dryness of the handles, and the function of the ON/OFF
switch.
- Put the chain saw only into operation if it is completely assembled. Never use the chain saw when it is not completely assembled.
- Before starting the chain saw ensure that you have a safe footing.
- Put the chain saw into operation only as described in this instruction manual (8). Other starting methods are not
allowed.
- When starting the chain saw it must be well supported and securely held. The guide bar and chain must not be in
contact with any object.
- When working with the chain saw always hold it with both hands. Take the rear handle with the right hand
and the tubular handle with the left hand. Hold the handles tightly with your thumbs facing your fingers. It is
extremely dangerous to work with one hand, as the saw can fall through the completed cut uncontrolled (high risk
of injury). Furthermore, it is impossible to control kickback with one hand.
- CAUTION: When releasing the throttle lever the chain will keep on running for a short period of time (freewheeling).
- Continuously ensure that you have a safe footing.
- Hold the chain saw such that you will not breathe in the exhaust gas. Do not work in closed rooms (danger of poisoning).
- Switch off the chain saw immediately if you observe any changes in its operating behavior.
- The engine must be switched off before checking the chain tension, tightening the chain, replacing it or
clearing malf unctions (9).
- When the sawing device is hit by stones, nails or other hard objects, switch off the engine immediately and check
the sawing device.
- When stopping work or leaving the working place switch off the chain saw (9) and put it down such that nobody is
endangered.
- Do not put the overheated power chain saw in dry grass or on any inflammable objects. The muffler is very hot
(danger of fire).
- CAUTION: Oil dropping from the chain or guide bar after having stopped the saw chain will pollute the soil.
Always use an appropriate base.
Kickback
- When working with the chain saw dangerous kickbacks may occur.
- Kickback occurs when the upper part of the end of the guide bar inadvertently touches wood or other hard
objects (10).
- Before the saw chain enters the cut, it can slip to the side or jump (caution: high risk of kickback).
- This causes the saw to be thrown back toward the user with great force and out of control. Risk of injury!
In order to prevent kickback, fo llow these rules:
- Only specially-trained persons should perform plunge cuts, i.e., piercing timber or wood with the tip of the saw!
- Always observe the end of the guide bar. Be careful when continuing an already started cut.
- When starting to cut the chain must be running.
- Ensure that the chain is always sharpened correctly. Pay special attention to the height of the depth limiter.
- Never cut several branches at the same time. When cutting a branch ensure that no other branch is touched.
- When crosscutting a trunk be aware of the trunks next to it.
Working behavior/Method of working
- Only use the chain saw during good light and visibility periods. Be aware of slippery or wet areas, and of ice and
snow (risk of slipping). The risk of slipping is extremely high when working on recently peeled wood (bark).
- Never work on unstable surfaces. Make sure that there are no obstacles in the working area, risk of stumbling.
Always ensure that you have a safe footing.
- Never saw above your shoulder height (11).
- Never saw while standing on a ladder (11).
- Never climb a tree and work without the appropriate restraining systems for the operator and the saw. We recommend always working from a rising platform (cherry picker, lift).
- Do not work leaning too far over.
- Guide the chain saw in such a way that no part of your body is within the elongated swivelling range of the saw
(12).
- Use the chain saw for sawing wood only.
- Avoid touching the ground with the chain saw while it is still running.
- Never use the chain saw for lifting up or removing pieces of wood or other objects.
- Remove foreign objects such as sand, stones and nails found within the working area. Foreign objects may damage the sawing device and can cause dangerous kickback.
- When sawing precut timber use a safe support (sawing jack, 13). Do not steady the workpiece with your foot, and
do not allow anyone else to hold or steady it.
- Secure round pieces against rotation.
- Before performing a crosscut firmly apply the front of the body to the timber, only then can the timber be cut with
the chain running. For this the chain saw is lifted at the rear handle and guided with the tubular handle. The front
of the body serves as a centre of rotation. Continue by slightly pressing down the tubular handle and simultaneously pulling back the chain saw. Apply the front of the body a little bit deeper and once again lift the rear handle.
- When the timber must be pierced for cutting or longitudinal cuts are to be performed it is urgently recom-
mended to have this carried out by specially trained persons only (high risk of kickback).
-Do longitudinal - lengthwise - cuts at the lowest possible angle (14). Be very careful when doing this type of
cut, as the front body cannot grip.
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•MaintenaceMaintenace •Stopping workStopping work
•RefuellingRefuelling •TransportTransport
•Sharpening the chainSharpening the chain •Putting out of functionPutting out of function
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- The saw must be running whenever you remove the chain saw from the wood.
- When performing several cuts the throttle lever must be released in between.
- Be careful when cutting splintery wood. Cut pieces of wood may be pulled along (risk of injuries).
- When cutting with the upper edge of the guide bar, the chain saw may be pushed in the direction of the user if the
chain gets clamped. For this reason use the lower edge of the bar whenev er possible. The chain saw will then be
pushed away from you (15).
- If the timber is under tension (16), first cut the pressure side (A). Then the crosscut can be performed on the tension side (B). Thus clamping of the guide bar can be avoided.
CAUTION:
People felling trees or cutting of branches must be specially trained. High risk of injuries!
- When cutting of branches, the chain saw should be supported on the trunk. Do not use the end of the bar for cutting (risk of kickback).
- Be aware of branches under tension. Do not cut free branches from below.
- Never perform detensioning cuts while standing on the trunk.
- Before cutting down a tree ensure that
a) only those people are within the working area which are actually involved in cutting down the tree.
b) every worker involved can withdraw without stumbling (the people should withdraw backwards in a diagonal
line, i. e. at a degree of 45°).
c) the bottom part of the trunk is free from foreign objects, underbrush and branches. Make sure to have a safe
footing (risk of stumbling).
d) the next working place is at least 2 1/2 tree lengths away (17). Before cutting down the tree check the direction
of fall and make sure that there are neither people nor objects within a distance of 2 1/2 tree lengths.
- Judging the tree:
Direction of hanging - loose or dry branches - height of the tree - natural overhang - is the tree rotten?
- Take into account the direction and speed of the wind. If strong gusts are occurring, do not do any felling. Avoid
sawdust (pay attention to the direction the wind is blowing)!
- Cutting the roots:
Start with the strongest root. First do the vertical and then the horizontal cut.
- Notching the trunk (18, A):
The notch determines the direction of fall and guides the tree. The trunk is notched perpendicular to the direction
of fall and penetrates 1/3 – 1/5 of the trunk diameter. Perform the cut near the ground.
- When correcting the cut, always do so over the whole width of the notch.
- Cut down the tree (19, B) above the bottom edge of the notch (D). The cut must be exactly horizontal. The distance between both cuts must be approx. 1/10 of the trunk diameter.
- The material between both cuts (C) serves as a hinge. Never cut it through, otherwise the tree will fall without
any control. Insert felling wedges in time.
- Secure the cut only with wedges made of plastic or aluminium. Do not use iron wedges. If the saw hits an iron
wedge the chain can be seriously damaged or torn.
- When cutting down a tree always stay sidewards of the falling tree.
- When withdrawing after having performed the cut, be alert for falling branches.
- When working on sloping ground the user of the chain saw must stay above or sidewards of the trunk to be cut or
the tree already cut down.
- Be alert for trunks which may roll towards you.
Transport and storage
- When changing your location during work switch off the chain saw and actuate the chain brake in order to pre v ent
an inadvertent start of the chain.
- Never carry or transport the chain saw with the chain running.
- When transporting the chain saw over long distances the guide bar protection cover (delivered with the chain
saw) must be applied.
- Carry the chain saw with the tubular handle. The guide bar points backwards (20). Avoid coming in contact with
the muffler (danger of burns).
- Ensure safe positioning of the chain saw during car transportation to avoid fuel or chain oil leakage.
- Store the chain saw safely in a dry place. It must not be stored outdoors. Keep the chain saw a way from children.
- Before storing the chain saw over a long period of time or shipping it the fuel and oil tanks must be completely
emptied.
Maintenance
- Before performing maintenance work switch off the chain saw (21) and pull out the plug cap.
- Before starting work always check the operating safety of the chain saw, in particular the function of the chain
brake. Make sure the saw chain is properly sharpened and tensioned (22).
- Operate the chain saw only at a low noise and emission level. For this ensure the carburetor is adjusted correctly.
- Regularly clean the chain saw.
- Regularly check the tank cap for tightness.
Observe the accident prevention instructions issued by trade associations and insurance companies. Do
not perform any modifications on the chain saw. You will put your safety at risk.
Perform only the maintenance and repair works described in the instruction manual. All other work must be carried
out by MAKITA Service.
Use only original MAKITA spare parts and accessories.
Using spare parts other than original MAKITA parts or accessories and guide bar/chain combinations or lengths
which are not approved bring a high risk of accidents. We cannot accept any responsibility for accidents and damage resulting from using sawing devices or accesories which have not been approved.
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20
STOP
B
A
B
2 1/2
=cutting down area
o
45
o
45
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