ICS 680GC - Cutting Techniques and Tips; Initiating and Performing Cuts; Advanced Cutting Strategies

© 2012 ICS, Blount International Inc. Specications are subject to change without notice. REV020212 F/N 545353
TITLE680GC OPERATOR’S MANUAL
15
OPER ATION
CUTTING WITH THE 680GC CONCRETE CHAIN SAW
To start a cut, hold trigger on full throttle and slowly plunge the nose of the guidebar straight into the
wall. Lengthen the cut and engage the point of the WallWalker
®
. Use the WallWalker
®
as a pivot point
and pull up on the rear handle to rotate the guidebar into the cut.
CUTTING TIPS
• Always operate the concrete chain saw at full throttle. 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 diamond
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 in (12 mm) to 1 in (25 mm) deep. Next, deepen the cut by about 2
in (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
®
.
• Plunge cut instead of starting at the top surface of the wall. This will reduce chatter, extend
diamond life, create a straighter cut and more quickly enable the use of the WallWalker
®
.
• Use the WallWalker
®
to help cut more efficiently
and reduce operator fatigue. The WallWalker
®
is
a fulcrum that can be used to apply additional force
when cutting. To use correctly, plunge into the wall
and simply engage the point of the WallWalker
®
into the cut and pry upward with the rear handle.
• 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 pick
into the cut and repeat.
• When cutting heavy 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 diamond chain life when
cutting heavy rebar.
• Expect more diamond chain stretch when making nose buried cuts for extended periods of time,
as the diamond 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 2 to 3 diamond chains.
Heavy rebar can shorten guidebar life.
• When using a new diamond chain, you can increase the initial cutting speed by “opening up the
diamonds”. Make a few cuts in an abrasive material such as a cinder block.
WallWalker
®
point