English – 23
WORKING TECHNIQUES
7 Take great care when you cut with the top edge of the bar,
i.e. when cutting from the underside of the object. This is
known as cutting with a pushing chain. The chain tries to
push the chain saw back towards the user. If the saw chain
is jamming, the saw may be pushed back at you.
8 Unless the user resists this pushing force there is a risk
that the chain saw will move so far backwards that only the
kickback zone of the bar is in contact with the tree, which
can lead to a kickback.
9 Cutting with the bottom edge of the bar, i.e. from the top of
the object downwards, is known as cutting with a pulling
chain. In this case the chain saw pulls itself towards the
tree and the front edge of the chain saw body rests
naturally on the trunk when cutting. Cutting with a pulling
chain gives the operator better control over the chain saw
and the position of the kickback zone.
10 Follow the instructions on sharpening and maintaining
your bar and chain. When you replace the bar and chain
use only combinations that are recommended by us. See
instructions under the headings Cutting equipment and
Technical data.
Basic cutting technique
General
• Always use full throttle when cutting!
• Reduce the speed to idle after every cut (running the
engine for too long at full throttle without any load, i.e.
without any resistance from the chain during cutting, can
lead to serious engine damage).
• Cutting from above = Cutting with a pulling chain.
• Cutting from below = Cutting with pushing chain.
Cutting with a pushing chain increases the risk of kickback.
See instructions under the heading How to avoid kickback.
Terms
Cutting = General term for cutting through wood.
Limbing = Cutting branches off a felled tree.
Splitting = When the object you are cutting breaks off before
the cut is complete.
There are five important factors you should
consider before making a cut:
1 Make sure the cutting equipment will not jam in the cut.
2 Make sure the object you are cutting will not split.
3 Make sure the chain will not strike the ground or any other
object during or after cutting.
4 Is there a risk of kickback?
5 Do the conditions and surrounding terrain affect how
safely you can stand and move about?
Two factors decide whether the chain will jam or the object
that you are cutting will split: the first is how the object is
supported before and after cutting, and the second is whether
it is in tension.
In most cases you can avoid these problems by cutting in two
stages; from the top and from the bottom. You need to support
the object so that it will not trap the chain or split during
cutting.
The following instructions describe how to handle the
common situations you are likely to encounter when using a
chain saw.
!
WARNING! Never use a chain saw by holding
it with one hand. A chain saw is not safely
controlled with one hand. Always have a
secure, firm grip around the handles with
both hands.
IMPORTANT! If the chain jams in the cut: stop the engine!
Don’t try to pull the chain saw free. If you do you may be
injured by the chain when the chain saw suddenly breaks
free. Use a lever to open up the cut and free the chain saw.