9 Mechanical Timber Harvesting Handbook
At startup:
• Adequate time must be allowed for your lubrication to reach
your cutting system.
In cold weather, or when using a new guide bar or saw chain, your
system will require additional time. Follow these guidelines:
• Run the saw chain slowly while cycling the guide bar until
lubricant can be observed leaving the tip of the guide bar.
• With oil-based lubrication systems, ensure a fine screen is
installed in the fill port to minimize debris.
• Use a light/winter-weight lubricant. If possible, increase your
per-cut flow rate.
• Some oiling systems can actually deliver
less oil when the control is simply
“turned up,” beyond a certain point.
This is especially the case with fixed
displacement, frequency/pulse type
systems.
• If the pulses are set to occur too frequently, it is possible that
the oil doesn’t have a chance to flow into the pump cylinder
before it is cycled.
• If your equipment has this type of system, always visually
verify correct lubrication on the cutting system after making
changes.
• Periodically cycle the cutting system without cutting (air cuts)
in order to increase the amount of lubricant present and to
ensure the system is working.
Chain Tension
Exceeding recommendations will shorten your cutting system’s
life of operation.
The recommended amount of force applied by the guide bar to
tension saw chain:
• .404"-pitch saw chain is 110 pounds (490 N).
• 3/4"-pitch saw chain is 150 pounds (668 N).
0° C -32° F
Operational Recommendations
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