Brush cutting with a saw blade

WORKING TECHNIQUES

•To fell a tree forwards, the bottom of the tree should be pulled backwards. Pull the blade backwards with a quick, ﬁrm movement.

•Large stems must be cut from two sides. First determine which direction the stem will fall. Make the ﬁrst cut on the felling side. Then ﬁnish cutting the stem from the other side. Adjust the cutting pressure to match the size of the stem and the hardness of the wood. Small stems require more pressure, while large stems require less pressure.

•If the stems are tightly packed, adapt your walking pace to suit.

•If the blade jams in a stem, never jerk the machine free. If you do this the blade, bevel gear, shaft or handlebar may be damaged. Release the handles, grip the shaft with both hands and gently pull the machine free.

•Thin stems and brush are mown down. Work with a sawing movement, swinging sideways.

•Try to cut several stems in a single sawing movement.

•With groups of hardwood stems, ﬁrst clear around the group. Start by cutting the stems high up around the outside of the group to avoid jamming. Then cut the stems to the required height. Now try to reach in with the blade

and cut from the centre of the group. If it is still difﬁcult to gain access, cut the stems high up and let them fall. This will reduce the risk of jamming.

Grass clearing using a grass blade

•Grass blades and grass cutters must not be used on woody stems.

•A grass blade is used for all types of tall or coarse grass.

•The grass is cut down with a sideways, swinging movement, where the movement from right-to-left is the clearing stroke and the movement from left-to-right is the return stroke. Let the left-hand side of the blade (between 8 and 12 o’clock) do the cutting.

•If the blade is angled to the left when clearing grass, the grass will collect in a line, which makes it easier to collect, e.g. by raking.

•Try to work rhythmically. Stand ﬁrmly with your feet apart. Move forward after the return stroke and stand ﬁrmly again.

•Let the support cup rest lightly against the ground. It is used to protect the blade from hitting the ground.

•Reduce the risk of material wrapping around the blade by following these instructions:

1 Always work at full throttle.

2 Avoid the previously cut material during the return stroke.

•Stop the engine, unclip the harness and place the machine on the ground before you start to collect the cut material.

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