Global Machinery Company PCH37 instruction manual Guard against kickback, Felling a tree, Limbing

While cutting, always:

•Run the chainsaw motor at full revs. This makes the job safer, as there is less chance of pull-in or kick-back.

•Position your body to the left of the chainsaw so if it kicks back uncontrollably, it goes over your right shoulder, never stand in the cutting line of the saw.

•Keep a firm grip with your left hand on the front handle, with your thumb securely below the handle.

•The swivel of your wrist in a kick-back situation will activate the chain brake.

•Make sure the chain is tensioned correctly.

Guard against kickback

Check the operation of the chain brake each time you use the chain saw.

Run the saw at full throttle for 1-2 seconds then push the front guard (9) forwards. The chain should stop immediately. If the chain is slow to stop or only slows down you must take the tool to an authorised repair centre to have the brake band and clutch drum replaced. Disengage the chain brake by pulling the front guard backwards until you hear

a click. Do not use the chain saw if the chain brake is not operating correctly.

•Be constantly aware of the position of the upper quadrant of the blade tip. This is the part that triggers a kickback when it hits resistance.

•Never engage the upper quadrant of the guide bar with whatever you are cutting and avoid contact with any hidden branches or obstructions. Ensure there is a clear work area.

•Always clear away brush, vegetation and any obstructing debris before attempting a cut that might trigger a kickback.

•Avoid cuts that will cause the chainsaw to jam in a tree trunk or limb.

•Observe the size of wood shavings, if they become dusty your chain could need sharpening.

Felling a tree

WARNING. Felling a tree should only be done by trained operators.

Decide the direction in which

you wish the tree to fall taking into account the direction of the wind, the position of

branches, lean of the tree, ease of subsequent limbing and bucking and other factors prevalent at the time.

1.Clear the area around the tree and make sure that you have a good foothold and clear retreat path.

2.Ensure that others in the area are aware of the felling and ensure people and animals are well clear.

3.Make a notch cut one-third of the way into the tree on the felling side.

4.Make the felling cut on the opposite side to the initial notch and slightly higher than the notch. As the felling cut gets close to the notch cut, the tree will begin to fall.

5.Remove the saw from the cut, stop the engine with the on/off switch (19), put the saw down and leave the area along the retreat path.

Limbing	1
Limbing is the process of
removing the branches from	2
a fallen tree.

Check the direction in which a branch will bend before cutting it. Always cut on the opposite side to the bending direction so that the guide bar is not pinched in the cut. For large limbs that cannot be removed in one cut, make an initial cut from the bent side and finish by sawing from the opposite direction. Do not remove limbs that are supporting the fallen tree on the ground until the tree has been cut into lengths.

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