Usage: Echo CLS-5800 Clearing Saw User Manual

Overview

The CLS-5800 Clearing Saw is a gasoline-powered rotary brushcutter designed for clearing dense brush, weeds, grass, and small trees in areas where lighter trimming equipment is not suitable. Its two-stroke engine, solid drive shaft, steel blade capability, and shoulder harness provide the power and control needed for demanding vegetation-clearing work.

This clearing saw is intended for trained operators who can maintain firm control of a rotating blade and follow fuel, cutting, and workplace safety procedures. The harness and balanced handle arrangement help distribute the machine’s weight during extended operation, but they do not replace safe handling practices.

Specifications

• Model: CLS-5800
• Dimensions: 1,692 × 545 × 485 mm (66.6 × 21.5 × 19.1 in)
• Mass: 10.0 kg (22.0 lb), excluding the shoulder harness and cutter head
• Engine: Air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder gasoline engine
• Displacement: 58.2 mL (3.55 cu. in.)
• Maximum engine speed: 10,000 r/min
• Carburetor: ZAMA C3M diaphragm type
• Ignition: Flywheel magneto with CDI system
• Spark plug: NGK BPMR8Y
• Starter: Recoil starter
• Clutch: Automatic centrifugal clutch
• Fuel: Unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89, mixed 50:1 with ECHO two-stroke oil
• Fuel-tank capacity: 0.68 L (23.0 US fl. oz.)
• Drive shaft: High-tensile solid steel, 10 mm (0.39 in), supported by five bearings
• Gear housing: 60-degree bevel gears with a 1:1.4 ratio and counterclockwise output rotation
• Gear-housing lubricant: Good-quality lithium grease
• Shield: Metal debris shield for steel-blade applications

Detailed Description

The engine converts the gasoline-and-oil fuel mixture into rotary power. An automatic centrifugal clutch transfers that power to the drive shaft when engine speed reaches approximately 3,000 r/min. At idle, the cutting attachment should remain stationary.

Power travels through the solid drive shaft to the bevel gear housing, which changes the direction and speed of rotation for the cutting blade. The gear housing uses lithium grease for lubrication and turns the output shaft counterclockwise when viewed from above.

Primary controls include the ignition switch, throttle trigger, throttle-control lockout, choke knob, starter handle, and adjustable handle assembly. Other important parts are the air-cleaner cover, spark plug, muffler cover, fuel tank, shoulder harness, shield, cutter blade, adapter plates, cup washer, and blade lock nut.

The metal shield helps deflect cut material and debris away from the operator. Always use the shield, harness, and an approved cutting attachment together. Never remove the shaft assembly or operate the engine with the drive shaft disconnected.

Safety

Before Operation

• Read the operating instructions completely before assembling or using the clearing saw.
• Do not operate when fatigued, impaired by alcohol or drugs, or unable to remain alert.
• Keep people and animals out of the work area.
• Inspect the work area and remove objects that could be thrown or damage the blade.
• Wear eye protection, suitable clothing, sturdy footwear, and the shoulder harness.
• Keep the debris shield correctly installed and in good condition.
• Hold both handles firmly with the fingers and thumbs wrapped around the grips.
• Do not use the clearing saw in a confined area because engine exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide.
• Use only cutting attachments approved for this model.

Fuel Safety

• Do not smoke while handling gasoline or refueling.
• Stop the engine and allow it to cool before removing the fuel cap.
• Open the fuel cap slowly to release possible tank pressure.
• Do not fill above the shoulder level of the fuel tank.
• Wipe up spilled fuel immediately and check for leakage around the tank, cap, grommet, and fuel line.
• Store gasoline only in an approved container.
• Restart the engine at least 3 m (10 ft) away from the refueling location.

Blade Safety

• Steel blades can cause serious injury if installed or used incorrectly.
• Never start the engine while the blade is touching an object.
• Stop the engine and inspect the blade after hitting a rock, stump, or other obstruction.
• Do not use a blade that is blunt, bent, cracked, fractured, or discolored from overheating.
• Do not cut into the ground, as this can dull or damage the blade.
• Do not use the clearing saw without the harness and debris shield correctly fitted.
• Maintain a safe distance when more than one operator is working nearby.

Setup and Operation

Installing the Handle

Assemble the handle and bracket loosely on the handle support. Position the handle where it provides comfortable control, then tighten the four bolts. The U-handle sides can be adjusted. For the right-handle configuration, secure the handle with the specified bolts and fasten the throttle cable to the drive shaft using both clips.

Installing the Drive Shaft and Shield

1. Place the engine upright on a level surface.
2. Fit the drive shaft assembly, ensuring that the drive shaft engages correctly.
3. Secure the assembly with the four M5 × 25 bolts.
4. Position the shield against the gear-housing bracket.
5. Align the mounting holes and secure the shield with four M5 × 20 bolts.

Never start the engine without the shaft-tube assembly installed. The drive shaft uses left-hand threads at the blade attachment; turn the locking nut counterclockwise to tighten it.

Installing the Clearing Blade

1. Place the cutter blade on adapter plate A.
2. Position adapter plate B on the axle with its flat side against the blade.
3. Fit the cup washer over adapter plate B.
4. Install and tighten the lock nut counterclockwise.
5. Insert the locking tool through the adapter plate and gear-housing openings to prevent the axle from turning while tightening or loosening the nut.

Use a 19 mm spanner for the lock nut. Do not apply your body weight while fastening the nut, because excessive force can damage the nut threads.

Fitting the Shoulder Harness

1. Place the harness over both shoulders.
2. Adjust the straps so the quick-release latch sits low on the right side.
3. Attach the clearing saw to the harness with the quick-release latch.
4. Practice controlled scythe-like sweeps and readjust the harness until the blade remains parallel to the ground and the machine feels balanced.

In an emergency, pull the quick-release latch to separate the clearing saw from the harness. Do not fasten or adjust the connection while placing your weight on it.

Fuel Mixing

Use unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89 and ECHO two-stroke oil mixed at 50:1. The fuel chart below provides the corresponding oil quantities:

• 1 US gallon of gasoline: 2.6 US fl. oz. of oil
• 2 US gallons of gasoline: 5.1 US fl. oz. of oil
• 5 US gallons of gasoline: 12.8 US fl. oz. of oil
• 1 L of gasoline: 20 mL of oil
• 2 L of gasoline: 40 mL of oil
• 5 L of gasoline: 100 mL of oil
• 20 L of gasoline: 400 mL of oil

Fuel should normally be mixed for use within 30 days, or within 90 days when a stabilizer is added. Shake the fuel container thoroughly before each use because stored two-stroke fuel can separate.

Starting a Cold Engine

1. Confirm that all nuts, screws, and bolts are tight and that the blade is clear of objects.
2. Move the ignition switch to the START/RUN position.
3. Turn the choke knob to START/CLOSE.
4. Hold the machine firmly and pull the starter handle using short pulls of approximately one-half to two-thirds of the starter-rope length.
5. When the engine fires, move the choke to RUN/OPEN.
6. Restart if necessary and allow the engine to warm for several minutes.

Do not allow the starter rope to snap back into the housing. After starting, check for abnormal vibration or sound. Stop the engine and arrange for inspection if either condition is present.

Starting a Warm Engine

Move the switch to START/RUN and keep the choke in RUN/OPEN. Pull the starter handle. If the engine does not start after several attempts, use the cold-engine procedure.

Cutting Technique

• Warm the engine at a fast idle for several minutes before cutting.
• Increase engine speed as needed for the material being cut.
• For grass, weeds, and shrubs, swing the cutter from right to left while moving forward.
• Use the correct blade for the work and keep it away from rocks, stones, stumps, and other obstructions.
• Do not operate at full throttle without a cutting load, because unloaded operation can damage the engine.
• If vegetation clogs the cutter, stop the engine before removing the debris.
• If the blade strikes an obstruction or stops rotating, stop the engine, clear the obstruction, inspect the blade, and resume only if the blade is in good condition.

Cutting Small Trees

With a new, approved blade, the CLS-5800 Clearing Saw can cut small trees up to approximately 8 cm in diameter. Before cutting, assess the intended fall direction. If necessary, attach a rope and have an assistant pull the tree toward a safe area.

Keep a firm stance and cut with the left side of the blade. Work at full throttle, use a sharp blade, and never attempt a plunge cut or swing the brushcutter like an axe.

Stopping the Engine

1. Release the throttle trigger and allow the engine to return to idle.
2. Move the ignition switch to STOP.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keep the CLS-5800 Clearing Saw clean and inspect it before every use. Stop the engine, disconnect the cutting attachment from active operation, and allow hot parts to cool before maintenance.

Air Filter

1. Close the choke and remove the air-cleaner cover.
2. Remove the filter from inside the cover.
3. Lightly brush away dust or clean the filter with compressed air.
4. Reinstall the filter and secure the cover latch.

Fuel Filter and Fuel System

Check the fuel filter periodically and prevent dirt from entering the tank. A clogged filter can cause difficult starting or poor engine performance. Lift the filter through the fuel-filler opening with a suitable piece of wire, then clean it with an appropriate cleaning fluid or replace it if necessary.

Inspect the fuel pipe, tank grommet, and fuel cap after every refueling. Stop using the machine immediately if fuel leaks or seeps from any connection.

Muffler, Exhaust Port, and Cooling Fins

Carbon deposits in the exhaust port and muffler can reduce engine output. Remove the muffler cover when required, take out the spark-arrestor screen, and clean carbon from the screen and muffler components. Replace a screen that is cracked, plugged, or burned through. Use non-ferrous plastic or wood when cleaning near the cylinder so the cylinder and piston are not scratched.

Keep dirt and dust out of the cylinder fins. Blocked fins restrict cooling airflow and can cause overheating.

Spark Plug

• Check the spark plug periodically.
• Maintain a gap of 0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in).
• Replace the plug if an electrode is worn or the insulator is fouled with oil or deposits.
• Tighten to 15–17 N·m (130–145 in·lb) and do not overtighten.

Gear Housing

Every 50 operating hours, remove the gear-housing bolt and check the lubricant. Add good-quality lithium multipurpose grease as needed, but do not overfill the housing.

Idle Speed and Carburetor

The cutting attachment must not rotate at idle. Adjust the idle speed to approximately 2,400–2,800 r/min, or turn the idle screw about one-quarter turn counterclockwise from the point where the attachment stops moving.

Before carburetor adjustment, clean or replace the air filter and confirm that the cutting attachment is correctly installed. Warm the engine before making adjustments. If the engine does not respond smoothly or the adjustment requires extensive disassembly, have the carburetor inspected by a qualified service professional.

Blade Filing

File each tooth evenly on its breast side with a round file measuring 4.0–4.8 mm (5/32–3/16 in). Maintain an approximately 15-degree cutting angle and round the bottom of each tooth. Sharp corners at the tooth base can encourage cracks.

Long-Term Storage

1. Drain the fuel tank.
2. Pull the starter handle slowly several times to remove fuel from the carburetor.
3. Pour a small amount of clean motor oil into the spark-plug hole.
4. Pull the starter handle and rotate the engine until the piston reaches top dead center.
5. Remove the cutter head, coat it with oil, and wrap it in plastic.
6. Clean the machine, apply a thin oil coating to metal parts to help prevent rust, and store it in a dry, dust-free area.

Fuel vapors are highly flammable and can cause fire or explosion. Never check ignition spark by grounding the spark plug near the cylinder plug hole.

Troubleshooting

Engine Does Not Start

• Fuel is not reaching the carburetor: Inspect the fuel filter and fuel pipe for blockage, verify that the fuel tank contains the correct mixture, and check the tank-cap air valve.
• Fuel reaches the carburetor but not the cylinder: Check the carburetor, fuel passage, pump diaphragm, inlet needle, and metering-lever components for contamination or malfunction.
• No spark at the plug: Inspect the spark plug, gap, insulator, ignition wiring, switch, ignition coil, and CDI module.
• Fuel-fouled plug or rich mixture: Clean or replace the plug, open the choke, and run the engine at a fast idle until excess fuel clears.
• Low compression: Internal wear, a stuck piston ring, or cylinder damage requires qualified inspection and repair.

Engine Runs Poorly

• Clean a clogged air filter or exhaust port.
• Confirm that the fuel uses the correct 50:1 mixing ratio and is not poor-quality or excessively old.
• Clean the cylinder fins if overheating or restricted cooling is suspected.
• Check carburetor adjustment, wiring, and the high-speed needle setting.
• Reduce the cutting load if the machine is overloaded.

Blade Does Not Rotate

• Check whether grass or brush is wrapped around the cutter and remove it only after stopping the engine.
• Inspect the clutch, gear housing, drive shaft, and blade mounting hardware.
• A worn clutch shoe, damaged bearing, seized piston, or worn crankshaft requires qualified repair.

Blade Cuts Poorly

• Sharpen the blade evenly using the specified file size and cutting angle.
• Replace a blade that is bent, cracked, overheated, or excessively worn.
• Check that the blade is installed correctly and that its teeth are at a consistent height.
• Reduce the load if the engine speed drops excessively during cutting.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High-displacement two-stroke engine for demanding brush-clearing work.
• Solid steel drive shaft with a geared output designed for approved blade use.
• Shoulder harness and adjustable handles support controlled sweeping cuts.
• CDI ignition and automatic centrifugal clutch simplify normal operation.
• Maintenance procedures cover fuel, filtration, cooling, lubrication, blade care, and storage.

Cons

• The gasoline-and-oil fuel mixture requires accurate preparation and safe storage.
• The machine is relatively heavy and requires correct harness adjustment for comfortable use.
• Steel-blade operation demands careful work-area inspection and disciplined cutting technique.
• Periodic cleaning, lubrication, spark-plug checks, and fuel-system maintenance are necessary for reliable performance.