Pruning Important Points, Pruning Technique, Foot

SExtend your left arm and hold assist handle with your left hand.

SHold throttle grip with your right hand with finger on throttle trigger.

SKeep engine end below waist level.

SKeep shoulder strap pad centered on your left shoulder and danger sign centered on

your back.

S Maintain full weight of tool on your left shoulder.

Always release the throttle trigger and allow the engine to return to idle speed when not pruning. To stop engine:

SRelease the throttle trigger.

S Push and release the engine ON/STOP switch.

PRUNING

WARNING: Be alert for and guard against kickback. Do not allow the moving chain to contact any other branches or ob- jects at the nose of the guide bar when prun- ing. Allowing such contact can result in seri- ous injury.

IMPORTANT POINTS

S Work slowly, keeping both hands firmly gripped on the pruner. Maintain secure footing and balance.

SPlan cut carefully. Check direction branch will fall.

S Watch out for springpoles. Springpoles are small size limbs which can catch the chain and whip toward you or pull you off balance. Use extreme caution when cutting small size limbs or slender material.

SWatch out for branches immediately behind the branch being pruned. If the chain hits the

rear branch, damage to the unit may occur. S Be alert for springback. Watch out for branches that are bent or under pressure. Avoid being struck by the branch or the pruner when the tension in the wood fibers

is released.

SKeep a clear work area. Frequently clear branches out of the way to avoid tripping over them.

S Long branches should be removed in several pieces.

PRUNING TECHNIQUE

When ready to cut, accelerate to full throttle and apply a light cutting pressure. DO NOT use back and forth sawing action.

Second cut

Third cut

Collar

First cut

Pruning technique

1.Make the first cut 6 inches (15 cm) from the tree trunk on the bottom of the limb. Use top of guide bar to make this cut. Cut 1/3 through the diameter of the limb.

NOTE: When making the second and third cuts, rest the foot of the pruner against the tree limb that is being cut to prevent whipping of the branch.

Foot

2.Next, move 2 -- 4 inches (5 -- 10 cm) far- ther out on the limb and make a second cut all the way through the limb.

3.Then, make a final cut leaving a 1 -- 2 inch (2.5 -- 5 cm) collar from the trunk of the tree to avoid damage to the tree.