GLOSSARY OF CHAIN SAW TERMS
GASOLINE POWERED UNIT TERMS
THROTTLE TRIGGER - Located in the rear handle, it is used to control the speed of the engine.
THROTTLE TRIGGER LATCH BUTTON - The control used to set the throttle for a fast idle speed, required to start a cold engine. The throttle can be unlatched by squeezing the throttle trigger.
THROTTLE TRIGGER LOCKOUT LEVER - A safety lever on the top of the rear handle which must be depressed before the throttle trigger can be activated. When the operator lets go of the rear handle, the throttle will be locked in idle position.
THROTTLING BACK - Releasing the throttle trigger to allow a decrease in engine speed (rpm).
THROTTLING UP - Depressing the throttle trigger to allow an increase in engine speed (rpm).
ELECTRIC POWERED UNIT TERMS
DIELECTRIC MATERIAL - A material that reduces the likelihood of shock or electrocution by providing protection against current flow through the chain saw housing to the operator.
GAUGE - a term that is used to describe the size of wire required when using extension cord with electric units over specific distances.
GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. An electrical circuit breaking device which provides protection against electrical shock hazards.
THROTTLE TRIGGER/STOP SWITCH - An electrical switch, which allows the motor to start and run, prevents the motor from running, and turns the motor off. Refer to Operator’s Manual to learn and understand the stop and start Procedure.
GASOLINE AND ELECTRIC UNIT TERMS
BALLISTIC - A special material used in protection devices designed to reduce the risk of penetration from chain contact.
BINDING - Closing of the cut or shifting of the wood, possibly trapping the saw blade in the cut. Binding includes pinching. (Also, see PINCH.)
BORING - A process of using the lower part of the bar nose and chain to penetrate the middle of a log or tree. Boring can keep the wood from splitting and the guide bar from binding as the cut is continued either up or down from the middle. But this is an extremely dangerous operation with a high kickback potential, and should not be attempted by untrained or inexperienced operators.
BOW GUIDE - A guide bar (see definition below) with a large open center used by some professional pulpwood loggers.
DANGER! ECHO warns against the use of a bow guide on your ECHO chain saw. A bow guide increases the risk of severe kickback and serious injury. Do not use a bow guide unless you have experience or specialized training.
BRUSHING OUT - Cutting or otherwise removing undergrowth and brush in the cutting area and along the planned path of retreat.
BUCKING - Generally the standard cross cuts made to section a log or felled tree. Variations include over bucking (cutting from top down) and under bucking (from underside).
BUMPER - The front of the power head and guide bar cover used as a work stop and/or pivot point when pivoting the saw blade into the wood.
BUMPER SPIKE - An optional spiked stop plate for holding the chain saw steady against the wood, preferred by some chain saw users during felling operations.
CANT HOOK - A combination hook and lever tool for rolling and positioning logs.
CHAIN CATCHER - A projection designed to reduce the risk of the operator’s right hand from being hit by a chain, which has broken or derailed from the guide bar during cutting.
CHAIN TENSIONER - The device which permits precise adjustment of the chain tension.
CHAPS - Specially designed leg protection, which can reduce the risk of injury due to contact with a moving saw chain.
CHOKE - The engine control used to enrich the fuel mixture for cold starting.
CLEARING - Removing undergrowth and saplings from an area with a chain saw.
COMPUTED KICKBACK ANGLE (CKA) - The angle that is computed from testing on a
FELLING BACK CUT - The final cut or series of cuts made to complete the hinge and fell the tree.
FOLLOW THROUGH - After the chain saw completes a cut and is no longer supported by the wood, an uncontrolled chain saw can continue on its path and strike the legs, feet or body of the operator.
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