SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The ABC of clearing
•Always use the correct equipment.
•Make sure the equipment is well adjusted.
•Follow the safety precautions.
•Organise your work carefully.
•Always use full throttle when starting to cut with the blade.
•Always use sharp blades.
•Avoid stones.
•Control the felling direction (take advantage of the wind).
WARNING! Avoid cutting with the area of the
!blade between the 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions. Because of the speed of rotation of the blade kickback can occur if you attempt to cut thick stems with this area of the blade.
Working methods
•Before you start clearing, check the clearing area, the type of terrain, the slope of the ground, whether there are stones, hollows etc.
•Start at whichever end of the area is easiest, and clear an open space from which to work.
•Work systematically to and fro across the area, clearing a width of around
•Clear a strip around 75 m long. Move your fuel can as work progresses.
•On sloping ground you should work along the slope. It is much easier to work along a slope than it is to work up and down it.
•You should plan the strip so that you avoid going over ditches or other obstacles on the ground. You should also orient the strip to take advantage of wind conditions, so that cleared stems fall in the cleared area of the stand.
Forestry clearing using a saw blade
•The risk of kickback increases with increasing stem size. You should therefore avoid cutting with the area of the blade between 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock.
•To fell to the left, the bottom of the tree should be pushed to the right. Tilt the blade and bring it diagonally down to the right, exerting firm pressure. At the same time push the stem using the blade guard. Cut with the area of the blade between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock. Apply full throttle before advancing the blade.
•To fell to the right, the bottom of the tree should be pushed to the left. Tilt the blade and bring it diagonally up to the right. Cut with the area of the blade between 3 o’clock and 5 o’clock so that the direction of rotation of the blade pushes the bottom of the tree to the left.
•To fell a tree forwards, the bottom of the tree should be pulled backwards. Pull the blade backwards with a quick, firm movement.
12 – English