17
H
OLDING THE CHAIN SAW
Always hold the chain saw with your right hand at the
rear handle and your left hand at the front
handle. Grip both handles with the thumbs and
f
ingers encircling the handles. Ensure that your left
hand is holding the front handle so that your thumb is
underneath.
CHECKING AND OPERATING CHAIN BRAKE
E
ngage the chain brake by rotating your left hand
a
round the front handle. Allow the back of your hand
to push the chain brake lever/hand guard toward the
bar while the chain is rotating rapidly. Be sure to
maintain both hands on the saw handles at all times.
Reset the chain brake back into the Run position by
grasping the top of the chain brake lever/hand guard
and pulling toward the front handle until you hear a
click.
WARNING. If the chain brake does not stop the chain
immediately, or if the chain brake will not stay in the
run position without assistance, take the saw to an
authorised service centre for repair prior to use.
USING THE CHAINSAW
The following section on the operation of the chain
saw is a general guide only. The use of a chain saw
by an inexperienced person can be extremely
dangerous. If you are unsure, please seek the
assistance of a professional or get suitable training
before using the chain saw.
WARNING. Before every use check the operation of
the chain break and oil pump.
BUCKING SPIKES
The chainsaw has bucking spikes (Fig.11)(A) to
assist with cutting and reduce the chance of kickback.
Keep the bucking spikes touching the wood when
cutting will help prevent any pinching or kick-back.
BUCKING
Bucking is cutting a log into lengths for easier
handling. To saw a log lying on the ground, first saw
halfway, then roll the log over and cut from the
opposite side (Fig.12). To saw the end of a log
supported off the ground, first saw up from the
bottom one-third through the log then finish by sawing
down from the top. To saw a log in the middle of two
supports holding it off the ground, first saw down
from the top one-third through the log then finish by
sawing up from the bottom (Fig.13).When bucking on
a slope, always stand on the uphill side.
WARNING. Be careful that the chain does not cut into
the ground when bucking as this causes rapid dulling
of the chain.
LIMBING
Limbing is the process of removing the branches from
a fallen tree. Check the direction in which a branch
will bend before cutting it. Always cut on the opposite
side to the bending direction so that the guide bar is
not pinched in the cut. For large limbs that cannot be
removed in one cut, make an initial cut from the bent
s
ide and finish by sawing from the opposite direction
(Fig.14). Do not remove limbs that are supporting the
fallen tree on the ground until the tree has been cut
into lengths.
WARNING. Always keep a well balanced stance. Do
n
ot stand on the log. Be alert to the fact that the log
m
ay roll over. When working on a slope, always stand
on the uphill side of the log.
PRUNING
Pruning is the removal of a limb or branch from a
s
tanding tree.
WARNING. Do not use an unstable foothold or ladder.
Do not overreach. Do not saw above shoulder height.
Always use both hands to hold the saw. First cut up
from the bottom and finish down from the top, Fig.15.
FELLING
Felling is the term for cutting down a tree. Small trees
up to 6-7 inches (15-18cm) in diameter are usually cut
in a single cut. Larger trees require notch cuts. Notch
cuts determine the direction the tree will fall.
WARNING. Do NOT fell trees unless you have
received the appropriate training.
A retreat path (Fig.16- A) should be planned and
cleared as necessary before cuts are started. The
retreat path should extend back and diagonally to the
rear of the expected line of fall, as illustrated.
NOTE: Direction of fall (Fig.16-B) is controlled by the
notching cut. Before any cuts are made, consider the
location of larger branches and natural lean of the tree
to determine the way the tree will fall.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR FELLING TREES
Normally felling consists of 2 main cutting operations,
notching (Fig.17-C) and making the felling cut (Fig.17-
D).
Start making the upper notch cut (Fig.17-C) on the
side of the tree facing the felling direction
(Fig.17-E).
Be sure you don t make the lower cut too deep
intothe trunk.
The notch (Fig.17-C) should be deep enough to create
a hinge (Fig.17-F) of sufficient width and strength. The
notch should be wide enough to
direct the fall of the tree for as long as possible.
Use wooden or plastic wedges (Fig .18-A) to
prevent pinching the bar and chain (Fig.18-B) in the
cut. Wedges also control felling.
When diameter of wood being cut is greater than the
bar length, make 2 cuts as shown (Fig.19).
WARNING. Before making the final cut, always
recheck the area for bystanders, animals or obstacles.
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