WORKING TECHNIQUES
English – 23
right-handed or left-handed. This grip minimizes the 
effect of kickback and lets you keep the chain saw 
under control. Do not let go of the handles! 
3 Most kickback accidents happen during limbing. Make 
sure you are standing firmly and that there is nothing 
in the way that might make you trip or lose your 
balance.
Lack of concentration can lead to kickback if the 
kickback zone of the bar accidentally touches a 
branch, nearby tree or some other object.
Have control over the workpiece. If the pieces you 
intend to cut are small and light, they can jam in the 
saw chain and be thrown towards you. Even if this 
does not need to be a danger, you may be surprised 
and lose control of the saw. Never saw stacked logs or 
branches without first separating them. Only saw one 
log or one piece at a time. Remove the cut pieces to 
keep your working area safe.
4 Never use the chain saw above shoulder height 
and avoid cutting with the tip of the bar. Never use 
the chain saw one-handed! 
5 In order to keep control of your saw, always maintain 
a firm foothold. Never work on a ladder, in a tree or on 
any other insecure support.
6 Always use a fast cutting speed, i.e. full throttle.
7 Take great care when you cut with the top edge of the 
bar, i.e. when cutting from the underside of the object. 
This is known as cutting with a pushing chain. The 
chain tries to push the chain saw back towards the 
user. If the saw chain is jamming, the saw may be 
pushed back at you.
8 Unless the user resists this pushing force there is a 
risk that the chain saw will move so far backwards that 
only the kickback zone of the bar is in contact with the 
tree, which can lead to a kickback.
Cutting with the bottom edge of the bar, i.e. from the 
top of the object downwards, is known as cutting with 
a pulling chain. In this case the chain saw pulls itself 
towards the tree and the front edge of the chain saw 
body rests naturally on the trunk when cutting. Cutting 
with a pulling chain gives the operator better control 
over the chain saw and the position of the kickback 
zone.
9 Follow the instructions on sharpening and maintaining 
your bar and chain. When you replace the bar and