CHAIN BRAKE
• If kick back
occurs, the chain
brake will be
activated via the
front hand guard.
The front hand
guard is pushed
forwards by the
back of the hand and this causes the chain brake to stop the chain saw.
• To be able to
use the chainsaw
again, you must
first release the
saw chain. Switch
off the chainsaw,
then push the
front hand guard
back into the
vertical position
until it locks in place The chain brake is now fully functional again.
AVOIDING JAMMING THE CHAINSAW
• Avoid cuts that will cause the chainsaw to jam in a tree trunk or limb.
• Always cut into the compression wood first until the cut starts to close. Always
make the compression cut beneath the log or limb if suspended from one end
and on top if it is supported at both ends. Then cut from the other side
towards the compression cut. Make a habit of using a wedge to prevent the
compression cut jamming the chainsaw blade.
BUCKING & LIMBING
Bucking is cutting a fallen log into smaller lengths. Limbing is the removal of
branches from a fallen tree. Make sure that you have a good, firm footing and
stand uphill of the log when cutting on sloped ground. If possible, the log
should be supported so that the end to be cut off is not resting on the ground. If
the log is supported at both ends and you must cut in the middle, make a
downward cut halfway through the log and then make the undercut. This will
prevent the log from pinching
the bar and chain. Be careful that
the chain does not cut into the
ground when bucking or limbing
as this causes rapid dulling of the
chain and can cause kickback to
occur.
WARNING: Do Not
touch
protruding branches with the bar
tip to prevent kickback. Use the
metal gripping teeth to secure
the saw onto the wood, before
starting to cut. Use the gripping
teeth as a leverage point “X”
while cutting, see right.
Reset the gripping teeth at a lower point when sawing thicker logs by pulling
the chain saw slightly backwards, until the gripping teeth release, and reposition
at a lower level to continue sawing.
WARNING: Do NOT
remove the saw completely from the wood.
Do NOT
stand on the log you are cutting as the vibrations and cutting action
could cause it to move, risking a fall.
BUCKING TECHNIQUES
Log supported along entire length
Cut up from beneath the buck being
careful not to cut into the ground
Log supported on one end, proceed
First, make an insertion from beneath,
as if using a saw-horse
cutting up 1/3 of the buck diameter to
avoid splintering. Secondly, cut from
above the buck to meet the first insertion.
Avoid pinching.
Log supported on both ends
Make a cut from above the buck of 1/3 of
the buck diameter, equidistant between
the supports at each end, to avoid
splintering. Cut up from beneath to meet
the first cut. Avoid pinching.
Note: The best way to hold a log while bucking is to use a saw horse. When this
is not possible, the log should be raised and supported by limb stumps or by
using supporting logs. Ensure the log being cut is securely supported.
BUCKING USING A SAWHORSE
1. Hold the saw firmly with
both hands and keep the
saw to the right of your
body while cutting.
2. Keep the left arm as straight
as possible.
3. Keep weight on both feet.
The chainsaw should only be
used when the buck has
sturdy, reliable support. The
machine should be held to the
right of the body, at a safe
distance.
The chain needs to be moving at full speed before coming into contact with the
wood. When this has been achieved, the machine should be fixed to the wood
using dogs. During cutting this support should be used as a lever.
• Hold the saw firmly with both hands and keep the saw to the right of your
body while cutting.
• Keep the left arm as straight as possible.
• Keep weight on both feet.
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