Uphill position

BUCKING

FINISH CUT

FIRST CUT

Board or flat stones

KICKBACK

•Improper thrust cutting.

•When the bar nose hits another tree, etc.

Don’t cut with the saw overhead or the bar in a vertical posi- tion. If the saw should kick back you may not have good enough control to prevent possible injury.

Bucking is the sawing of a log or fallen tree into smaller pieces. There are a few basic rules which apply to all bucking operations.

Keep both hands on the handles at all times.

Support logs if possible.

When cutting on a slope or hillside, always stand uphill.

Keep in mind that the wood is heavy and that it will bend and pinch the saw if improperly supported.

The trunk will weaken at the point where you make the cut unless the tree is lying on perfectly flat ground or supported as shown.

If you make the cut with the tree on the ground, don’t let the saw’s chain dig into the earth; it is harmful for the saw, and you stand a good chance of being struck by flying debris. To cut the trunk, use the bucking and two-cut sequence shown. The first cut should be no deeper than one-third the trunk diameter.

WARNING DANGER

KICKBACK IS DANGEROUS

Kickback is generated when the rotation of the chain is arrested for some reason. The most dangerous effect of this action occurs when the nose of the bar contacts another object, the chain is momentarily stopped and all the energy of the engine throws the bar upwards and backwards towards the operator.

The chain saw industry and government agencies have attempted to prescribe various safety devices, but the best protection is to avoid kickback.

Comply with the Safety Precautions as listed on page 2 and 3 of this manual.

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