9
English (Original Instructions)
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Skating
When the chain saw fails to dig in during a cut, the guide
bar can begin hopping or dangerously skidding along the
surface of the log or branch, possibly resulting in the loss of
control of the chain saw. The sideward motion of the guide
bar can increase the risk of kickback. To prevent or reduce
this skating, hold the chain saw with two hands and make
sure the saw chain establishes a groove for cutting.
Bucking
The process of cross cutting a felled tree or log into
lengths.
Bouncing
Never cut small, flexible branches or brush with your chain
saw. Their size and flexibility can easily cause the saw to
bounce toward you or bind up with enough force to cause
a kickback. The best tools for that kind of work are a hand
saw, pruning shears, an axe and other hand tools.
Chain Brake
A device used to stop the saw chain.
Chain Saw Powerhead
A chain saw without the saw chain and guide bar.
Clutch
A mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a driven
member to and from a rotating source of power.
Drive Sprocket or Sprocket
The toothed part that drives the saw chain.
Felling
The process of cutting down a tree.
Felling Back Cut
The final cut in a tree felling operation made on the
opposite side of the tree from the notching undercut.
Front Hand Guard
A structural barrier between the front handle of a chain
saw and the guide bar, typically located close to the hand
position on the front handle, and sometimes employed as
an activating lever for a chain brake.
Front Handle
The support handle located at or toward the front of the
chain saw. This handle is for the left hand.
Guide Bar
A solid railed structure that supports and guides the saw
chain.
Kickback
The backward or upward motion, or both, of the guide bar
occurring when the saw chain near the nose of the top
area of the guide bar contacts any object such as a log or
branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw
chain in the cut.
Kickback (Pinch)
The rapid pushback of the saw which can occur when the
wood closes in and pinches the moving saw chain in the
cut along the top of the guide bar.
Kickback (Rotational)
The rapid upward and backward motion of the saw which
can occur when the moving saw chain near the upper
portion of the tip of the guide bar contacts an object, such
as a log or branch.
Low-Kickback Chain
A chain that complies with the kickback performance
requirements of ISO 9518 when tested on a
representative sample of chain saws.
Normal Cutting Position
Those positions assumed in performing the bucking and
felling cuts.
Notching Undercut
A notch cut in a tree that directs the tree’s fall.
Rear Handle
The support handle located at or toward the rear of the
saw. It normally contains the throttle. This handle is for
the right hand.
Reduced Kickback Guide Bar
A guide bar which has been demonstrated to reduce
kickback significantly.
Replacement Saw Chain
A chain that complies with the kickback performance
requirements of ISO 9518 when tested with specific chain saws.
Saw Chain
A loop of chain having cutting teeth that cut the wood and that
is driven by the motor and is supported by the guide bar.
Springpole
A small tree (sapling) or limb that is bent or trapped under
tension. It may “spring back” rapidly when cut, causing a
dangerous situation.
