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• POLE SAW - A tool designed to prune branches with a saw chain. A pole saw is an integrated unit comprised of an engine, saw chain,
guide bar, pole, and grips (handles) that are designed to be held by two hands during operation.
• POWERHEAD - The power-producing portion of the unit, comprised of the engine, grips (handles), throttle control, throttle lockout, and
other components.
• EXTENSION BOOM - A rigid tube that fits between the powerhead and the pole saw attachment to increase the overall length of the unit.
• POLE SAW ATTACHMENT - A cutting head attached to a rigid tube, comprised of a guide bar, saw chain, drive sprocket, and other
components.
• COUPLER - A device that securely connects two sections of the unit together, such as the extension boom and pole saw attachment.
• DRIVE SPROCKET - A toothed wheel that drives the saw chain.
• FRONT HANDLE (HANDLE) - A support handle located on the upper shaft housing on the powerhead.
• REAR HANDLE (SHAFT GRIP) - A support handle located near the engine on the powerhead.
• GUIDE BAR - A solid railed structure that supports and guides the saw chain.
• GUIDE BAR TIP - The tip or end of the guide bar.
• REDUCED-KICKBACK GUIDE BAR - A guide bar that has been demonstrated to reduce kickback significantly.
• SAW CHAIN - A loop of chain with teeth designed to cut wood, which is driven by the engine and is supported by the guide bar. The saw
chain is composed of drive links, cutters and side links, held together by rivets.
• LOW-KICKBACK SAW CHAIN - A saw chain that complies with the kickback performance requirements of ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012 when
tested on a representative sample of pole saws. Low-kickback saw chain significantly reduces the chance of kickback and the intensity
of kickback, due to specially designed depth gauges and guard links.
• REPLACEMENT SAW CHAIN - A saw chain that complies with the kickback performance requirements of ANSI/OPEI B175.1-2012 when
tested with specific pole saws. It may not meet the ANSI/OPEI performance standards when used with other pole saws.
• SPIKED BUMPER - The pointed tooth (or teeth), at the front of the pole saw, used during pruning to help pivot the saw and maintain a
stable position while cutting.
• OILER CONTROL - A system for oiling the saw chain and guide bar.
• ON / OFF SWITCH - A device that immediately stops the engine when moved to the Off position.
• THROTTLE CONTROL - A device that, when operated in conjunction with the throttle lockout, is used to start the engine and control the
engine speed.
• THROTTLE LOCKOUT - A device that prevents the unit from accelerating accidentally. The throttle control cannot be squeezed unless
the throttle lockout is manually engaged.
• SPARK ARRESTER SCREEN - A device that retains carbon and other flammable particles over 0.023 inches (0.6mm) in size from the
engine exhaust flow. Compliance with local, state and federal laws and/or regulations governing the use of a spark arrester screen is the
user’s responsibility. Refer to Spark Arrestor Note in the Safety section for additional information.
• KICKBACK - A sudden backward and/or upward motion of the guide bar and saw chain. Kickback can occur if the upper portion of the
guide bar tip touches an object while the saw chain is spinning (rotational kickback). Kickback can also occur if the wood closes in and
pinches the saw chain inside the cut (linear kickback).
• ROTATIONAL KICKBACK - A sudden backward and upward motion of the guide bar and saw chain. Rotational kickback can occur if the
upper portion of the guide bar tip touches an object while the saw chain is spinning. The guide bar and saw chain are then kicked up and
back toward the operator in a lightning-fast reverse reaction.
• LINEAR KICKBACK (PINCH KICKBACK) - A sudden backward motion of the guide bar and saw chain. Linear (pinch) kickback can occur
if the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain inside a cut. The saw is then sent straight back toward the operator.
• NORMAL CUTTING POSITION - The positions assumed while making pruning cuts.
• PRUNING - The process of cutting limbs from a living tree.
ESSENTIAL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
