S If the brake is already activated, it is disengaged by pulling the front hand guard back toward the front handle as far as possible.
SWhen cutting with the saw, the chain brake must be disengaged.
Disengaged
Engaged
Braking function control
CAUTION: The chain brake must be checked several times daily. The engine must be running when performing this procedure. This is the only instance when the saw should be placed on the ground with the engine run- ning.
Place the saw on firm ground. Grip the rear handle with your right hand and the front han- dle with your left hand. Apply full throttle by fully depressing the throttle trigger. Activate the chain brake by turning your left wrist against the hand guard without releasing your grip around the front handle. The chain should stop immediately.
Inertia activating function control
WARNING: When performing the following procedure, the engine must be turned off.
Grip the rear handle with your right hand and the front handle with your left hand. Hold the chain saw approximately 14″ (35 cm) above a stump or other wooden surface. Release your grip on the front handle and use the weight of the saw to let the tip of the guide bar fall forward and contact the stump. When the tip of the bar hits the stump, the brake should activate.
CUTTING METHODS
IMPORTANT POINTS
SCheck chain tension before first use and after 1 minute of operation. See CHAIN
TENSION in the ASSEMBLY section.
SCut wood only. Do not cut metal, plastics, masonry,
etc.
SStop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign object. Inspect the saw and repair or re-
place parts as necessary.
SKeep the chain out of dirt and sand. Even a small amount of dirt will quickly dull a chain
and thus increase the possibility of kickback.
SPractice cutting a few small logs using the following techniques to get the “feel” of us- ing your saw before you begin a major sawing operation.
S Squeeze the throttle trigger and allow the engine to reach full speed before cutting.
S Begin cutting with the saw frame against the log.
S Keep the engine at full speed the entire time you are cutting.
S Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only light downward pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the bar, chain, or en- gine can result.
S Release the throttle trigger as soon as the cut is completed, allowing the en- gine to idle. If you run the saw at full throttle without a cutting load, unneces- sary wear can occur to the chain, bar, and engine.
S To avoid losing control when cut is com- plete, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
S Stop the engine before setting the saw down after cutting.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
WARNING: Check for broken or dead branches which can fall while cutting causing serious injury. Do not cut near build- ings or electrical wires if you do not know the direction of tree fall, nor cut at night since you will not be ale to see well, nor during bad weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds, etc. If the tree makes contact with any utility line, the utility company should be notified immediately.
SCarefully plan your sawing operation in ad- vance.
SClear the work area. You need a clear area all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
S Study the natural conditions that can cause the tree to fall in a particular direc- tion.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to fall in a particular direction include:
SThe wind direction and speed.
S The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree might not be apparent due to uneven or sloping terrain. Use a plumb or level to de- termine the direction of tree lean.
SWeight and branches on one side. S Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it can snap and fall toward the operator. Check for broken or dead branches which can fall on you while cutting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta- ples, and wire from the tree where cuts are to be made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag- onal to the line of fall.
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