FXA YT4370, Instruction Manual, Page: 13 / 80

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7. Foot and ankle protection
Chainsaw boots to EN 345-2.
Bearing a shield depicting a chainsaw to show
compliance with EN 381-3 should be worn. For
occasional users, working on even ground where
there is little risk of tripping or snagging on
undergrowth.
Protective gaiters to EN 381-9 can be worn in
conjunction with steel-toe-capped safety boots.
NB. No protective equipment can ensure 100%
protection against injury from a hand held
chainsaw.
Using The Chainsaw Safely
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Before attempting to fell or prune a tree check with
your local authority on matters concerning bylaws and
preservation orders. The felling or pruning of trees
protected by local byelaws or preservation orders is an
offence.
work Area
For all chainsaw operations clear the work area of any
obstructions that could interfere with the safe operation
of the chainsaw. When tree felling consideration must
be given to the direction of fall, safety areas, overhead
cables, fences, buildings, bystanders, animals, ground
slope, prevailing weather conditions i.e. wind direction
and surrounding trees.
Basic Logging or Crosscutting
The first time user should practice logging using a saw
horse or similar device which is stable and securely
supports the log Pic.A. Select a suitable manageable
size log
and locate it securely onto the saw horse. Ensure that
there is sufficient overhang to allow the cut to be made
without any part of the chainsaw making contact with
the saw horse Pic.A. Adopt a stable body position with
the left arm almost straight, ensuring that no part of
your body extends beyond an imaginary straight line
drawn through the centre of the guide bar Pic.B. Press
the spiked bumper on the chainsaw against the log
Pic.C1. Only now should the chainsaw be switched on
Warning! Do not start the chainsaw with the chain in
contact with the timber. Start the cut by increasing the
upwards pressure on the rear handle causing a
pivoting action against the spiked bumper Pic.C2. If
the cut cannot be completed in one pass, reduce the
downwards pressure on the front and apply
downwards pressure on the rear handle to reposition
the spiked bumper lower down on the log Pic.C3.
These actions will result in a rocking action allowing
the cut to be completed in a number of stages. Always
keep the spiked bumper in contact with the log.
If logging is to be carried out on the ground the log to
be cut should be supported on another log Pic.D. If the
ground is sloping the operator should stand uphill of
the piece being cut off.
Removing Branches From Standing Timber
Only remove branches that are accessible at shoulder
height or below. If the tree is not to be felled the
branch to be removed should be cut off as close to the
tree trunk as is safely possible. To ensure that the
branch falls away cleanly without swinging downwards,
causing possible injury to the operator, the branch
should be first undercut by approximately one third of
its diameter Pic.E1. The cut is then completed with a
top cut Pic.E2.
Removing Branches From Felled Timber
Start removing the branches from the base of the tree
trunk, adopt a stable stance with both feet firmly on the
ground. Keep the tree trunk between yourself and the
branch being removed. If the tree is on a slope work
from the uphill side of the trunk. Do not walk or stand
on the tree trunk, it could roll causing injury. Cut the
branches as close to the trunk as possible, supporting
the guide bar against tree trunk and the body of the
chainsaw against your right leg. Using the forward
moving part of the chain pull the saw across the trunk
removing the branch. When removing branches next to
you, support the guide bar against tree trunk and the
body of the chainsaw against your right leg. Using the
backward moving part of the chain, pull the saw across
the trunk removing the branch.
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