Operator's Manual
20 Volt Lithium-Ion
Battery-Powered Chain Saw
CS59L
Use 20V Lithium-Ion Battery A59 LBTY (sold separately)
Use 20V Lithium-Ion Battery Charger A59LCHGR (sold separately)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Know Your Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Assembly Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Cleaning and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
All information, illustrations and specifications in this manual are based on the latest product information
available at the time of printing. We reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice.
Copyright© 2011 MTD SOUTHWEST INC, All Rights Reserved.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
SERVICE INFORMATION
DO NOT RETURN THIS UNIT TO THE RETAILER. PROOF OF PURCHASE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR
WARRANTY SERVICE.
For assistance regarding the assembly, controls, operation or maintenance of the unit, please call the
Customer Support Department: 1-877-282-8684 (U.S.) or 1-800-668-1238 (Canada).
Additional information about the unit can be found on our website: www.cubcadet.com (U.S.) or
www.cubcadet.ca (Canada).
Please call the Customer Support Department for replacement parts. When servicing, use only identical
replacement parts.
769-06475 P02
SAFETY INFORMATION
• SAFETY ALERT SYMBOLS •
Safety alert symbols are used to draw your attention to possible dangers. These symbols, and their
explanations, deserve your careful attention and understanding. The safety warnings do not by
themselves eliminate any danger. The instructions or warnings they give are not substitutes for
proper accident prevention measures. These safety instructions are not meant to cover every
possible condition that may occur. If questions arise, please call the Customer Support
Department at 1-877-282-8684 (U.S.) or 1-800-668-1238 (Canada).
SYMBOL
MEANING
DANGER:
Signals an EXTREME hazard.
Failure to obey a safety DANGER signal WILL result in serious injury or death to yourself or
to others.
WARNING:
Signals a SERIOUS hazard.
Failure to obey a safety WARNING signal CAN result in serious injury to yourself or to others.
CAUTION:
Signals a MODERATE hazard.
Failure to obey a safety CAUTION signal MAY result in property damage or injury to
yourself or to others.
IMPORTANT! Signals special mechanical information.
NOTE: Signals additional important general information.
• IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS •
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING:
Battery posts, terminals and certain finished components contain
lead, lead compounds and chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE OPERATING
WARNING:
Please read the entire operator's manual carefully before
attempting to assemble, operate or maintain the unit. Follow all safety instructions. Failure
to do so can result in property damage or serious injury to yourself and/or others.
SAFETY BASICS
• Carefully read and understand the operator's manual of the battery that powers this unit.
• Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the unit. Know how to stop the unit and
disengage the controls quickly.
• Stay alert! Do not operate the unit when tired, ill or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
• Never allow children to operate the unit. Never allow adults to operate the unit without proper instruction.
• Do not allow the unit to be used as a toy.
• Make sure that all guards and safety attachments are properly installed before operating the unit.
• Keep these instructions. Refer to them often and use them to instruct other users. If loaning someone this
unit, also loan them these instructions.
PRELIMINARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• DO NOT rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into the unit.
• Keep bystanders, especially children and pets, at least 100 feet (30 m) away. If anyone enters the
work area, stop the unit!
• Keep the work area clean. Cluttered areas invite injuries. Do not start cutting until the work area is clear
and free from obstructions, there is secure footing and a planned retreat path from falling branches.
• Always wear appropriate eye and ear protection when operating this unit. Wear safety goggles, or
safety glasses with side shields, that are marked as meeting ANSI Z87.1-1989 standards. Failure to
do so could result in serious eye injury caused by thrown or falling objects. If the operation is dusty,
wear a face mask or dust mask. Use a hardhat or other type of safety helmet.
• Dress appropriately, wear heavy, snug-fitting clothes (long pants and a long sleeve shirt), non-slip
protective gloves and steel-toed safety boots. Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, short pants,
sandals or go barefoot. Secure hair above shoulder level to prevent entanglement in moving parts.
• Only use the unit in daylight or good artificial light.
• Only use the unit for the purpose intended.
UNDERSTANDING KICKBACK
DANGER:
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. In some cases, tip contact
may cause a lightening-fast reverse action, kicking the guide bar rapidly 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 a loss of control over the saw, which could result in
serious injury to the user. Contact with foreign objects within the wood can also induce a loss of chain
saw control.
• Rotational Kickback can happen when the upper tip of
the guide bar contacts an object while the chain is
moving (Fig. 1 & 2). This can cause the chain to dig into
the object and momentarily stop moving. The guide bar
is then kicked up and back toward the operator in a
lightning-fast reverse reaction.
• Pinch Kickback can happen when the wood on either
side of a cut closes in and pinches the moving saw chain
along the top of the guide bar. This can cause the chain
to instantly stop. The chain force is then reversed,
causing the saw to move in the opposite direction,
sending the saw straight back toward the operator.
• Pull-In can happen when the moving chain on the
bottom of the guide bar hits a foreign object inside
the wood. This can cause the chain to suddenly stop.
The saw is then pulled forward and away from the
operator, which could potentially result in the loss of
control of the saw.
KICKBACK SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• DO NOT over reach.
• DO NOT make cuts with the tip of the guide bar (Fig. 1).
• DO NOT let the tip of the guide bar contact any object,
such as a log, branch, ground or other obstruction.
Remove or avoid any obstructions that might impact the
tip of the guide bar while cutting (Fig. 3).
• DO NOT cut above shoulder height.
• DO NOT cut more than one log or branch at a time.
• DO NOT twist the saw when removing the guide bar from
an undercut while bucking.
• Never start the saw when the guide bar is inside an
existing cut. Be extremely careful when re-entering a cut.
• Grip the unit firmly with both hands when the motor is
running. Keep the left hand on the front handle and the right
hand on the rear handle. Use a firm grip with thumbs and
fingers encircling the handles. Stand slightly to the left of the
unit to avoid being in the direct line of the saw chain. Follow
all the Proper Grip on Handles instructions in the Operating
Instructions section.
• Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
Rotational Kickback
Fig. 1
Kickback Danger Zone
Fig. 2
Kickback
Fig. 3
06/11