Braking function control
CAUTION: The chain brake must be checked several times daily. The engine must be running when performing this proce- dure. This is the only instance when the saw should be placed on the ground with the en- gine running.
Place the saw on firm ground. Grip the rear handle with your right hand and the front han- dle with your left hand. Apply full throttle by fully depressing the throttle trigger. Activate the chain brake by turning your left wrist against the hand guard without releasing your grip around the front handle. The chain should stop immediately.
Inertia activating function control
WARNING: When performing the following procedure, the engine must be turned off.
Grip the rear handle with your right hand and the front handle with your left hand. Hold the chain saw approximately 14” (35 cm) above a stump or other wooden surface. Release your grip on the front handle and use the weight of the saw to let the top of the guide bar fall forward and contact the stump. When the tip of the bar hits the stump, the brake should activate.
IMPORTANT POINTS
SCheck chain tension before first use and af-
ter 1 minute of operation. See CHAIN TEN- SION in the ASSEMBLY section.
S Cut wood only. Do not cut metal, plastics, masonry,
SStop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign ob- ject. Inspect the saw and repair or replace parts as necessary.
SKeep the chain out of dirt and sand. Even a
small amount of dirt will quickly dull a chain and thus increase the possibility of kickback.
SPractice cutting a few small logs using the following techniques to get the “feel” of using your saw before you begin a major sawing operation.
S Squeeze the throttle trigger and allow the engine to reach full speed before cutting.
S Begin cutting with the saw frame against the log.
S Keep the engine at full speed the entire time you are cutting.
S Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only light downward pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the bar, chain, or engine can result.
S Release the throttle trigger as soon as the cut is completed, allowing the engine to idle. If you run the saw at full throttle with- out a cutting load, unnecessary wear can occur to the chain, bar, and engine.
S To avoid losing control when cut is com- plete, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
SStop the engine before setting the saw down after cutting.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
WARNING: Check for broken or dead branches which can fall while cutting causing serious injury. Do not cut near build- ings or electrical wires if you do not know the direction of tree fall, nor cut at night since you will not be ale to see well, nor during bad weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds, etc. If the tree makes contact with any utility line, the utility company should be notified im- mediately.
SCarefully plan your sawing operation in ad- vance.
SClear the work area. You need a clear area
all around the tree so you can have secure footing.
S The chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side of the terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill after it is felled.
SStudy the natural conditions that can cause the tree to fall in a particular direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to fall in a particular direction include:
SThe wind direction and speed.
S The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree might not be apparent due to uneven or sloping terrain. Use a plumb or level to de- termine the direction of tree lean.
SWeight and branches on one side. S Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it can snap and fall toward the operator. Check for broken or dead branches which can fall on you while cutting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta- ples, and wire from the tree where cuts are to be made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag- onal to the line of fall.
Plan a clear retreat path
Direction of Fall
45_
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees. A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the de- sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is made on the opposite side of tree, the tree will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots, remove them before making the notch. If us- ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw chain from contacting ground to prevent dull- ing of the chain.
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