9
Proper Cutting Stance
WARNING
Always use the proper cutting
stance described in this section.
Never kneel when using the chainsaw, except
when felling a tree. Kneeling could result in loss
of stability and control of the chainsaw, resulting
in serious personal injury.
•
Weight should be balanced with both feet on
solid ground.
•
Keep left arm with elbow locked in a “straight
arm” position to withstand any kickback force.
•
Your body should always be to the left of the
chain line.
•
Thumb should be on underside of handlebar.
Straight
Arm
Position
Chain Line
Basic Cutting Procedure
Practice cutting a few small logs using the following
technique to get the “feel” of using the saw before
you begin a major sawing operation.
• Take the proper stance in front of the wood with
the saw off.
• Squeeze the switch trigger and let the chain acceler-
ate to full speed before entering the cut.
•
Begin cutting with the saw against the log.
• Keep the unit running the entire time you are cutting,
maintain a steady speed.
• Allow the chain to cut for you; exert only light down-
ward pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the
bar, chain, or unit can result.
• Release the switch trigger as soon as the cut is
completed, allowing the chain to stop. If you run the
saw without a cutting load, unnecessary wear can
occur to the chain, bar, and unit.
•
Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of cut.
Work Area Precautions
• Cut only wood or materials made from wood, no
sheet metal, no plastics, no masonry, no non-wood
building materials.
•
Never allow children to operate the saw. Allow no
person to use this chainsaw who has not read this
Operator’s Manual or received adequate instructions
for the safe and proper use of this chainsaw.
• When felling a tree, keep everyone - helpers, by-
standers, children, and animals - a safe distance
from the cutting area. During felling operations, the
safe distance should be a least twice the height of
the largest trees in the felling area. During bucking
operations, keep a minimum distance of 15 feet
between workers. Trees should not be felled in a
manner that would endanger any person, strike any
utility line or cause any property damage. If the tree
does make contact with any utility line, the utility
company should be notified immediately.
• Always cut with both feet on solid ground to prevent
being pulled off balance.
• Do not cut above chest height, as a saw held higher
is difficult to control against kickback forces.
•
Do not fell trees near electrical wires or buildings.
Leave this operation for professionals.
• Cut only when visibility and light are adequate for
you to see clearly.
• Check work area for hazards such as bees, rodents,
snakes, etc., that may live in trees or brush.
Felling Trees
Hazardous Conditions
WARNING
Do not fell trees during periods of
high wind or heavy precipitation.
Wait until the hazardous weather has ended.
Closely check for broken or dead branches,
which could fall while cutting and do not cut
near buildings or electrical wires if you do not
know the direction of tree fall. Do not cut at
night or during bad weather conditions, such as
rain, snow, or strong winds, which can reduce
visibility and control of the chainsaw. If the tree
you are felling makes contact with any utility line,
you should discontinue use of the chainsaw and
immediately notify the utility company. Failure to
follow these instructions could result in death or
serious personal injury.
When felling (cutting down) a tree, it is important that
you follow these warnings and instructions to prevent
possible serious injury.
• Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean or
large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark, or hollow
trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged down
with heavy equipment, then cut them up.
•
Do not cut trees near electrical wires or buildings.
• Check the tree for damaged or dead branches that
could fall and hit you during felling.
• Periodically glance at the top of the tree during
the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in the
desired direction.
• If the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, or if
the saw gets caught or hung up during the fall, leave
the saw and save yourself!
• Felling a tree - When bucking and felling opera-
tions are being performed by two or more persons,
at the same time, the felling operation should be
separated from the bucking operation by a distance
of at least twice the height of the tree being felled.
