Cutting with the Chain SAW, Before Felling a Tree

OPERATING CHAIN SAW

Continued

CUTTING WITH THE CHAIN SAW

1.Connect saw to extension cord. Connect exten- sion cord to power supply.

2.Make sure section of log to be cut is not laying on ground. This will keep chain from touching ground as it cuts through log. Touching ground with moving chain will dull chain.

3.Use both hands to grip saw. Always use left hand to grip front handle and right hand to grip rear handle. Use Þrm grip. Thumbs and Þngers must wrap around saw handles (see Figure 12).

4.Make sure your footing is Þrm. Keep feet apart. Divide your weight evenly on both feet.

5.When ready to make a cut, push the lockout but- ton completely forward with the right thumb and squeeze the trigger (see Figure 12). This will turn saw on. Releasing trigger will turn saw off. Make sure saw is running at full speed be- fore starting a cut.

6.When starting a cut, place moving chain against wood. Hold saw Þrmly in place to avoid possible bouncing or skating (sideways movement) of saw.

7.Guide saw using light pressure. Do not force saw. The motor will overload and can burn out. It will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was intended.

8.Remove saw from a cut with saw running at full speed. Stop saw by releasing trigger. Make sure chain has stopped before setting saw down.

9.Practice until you can maintain a steady, even cutting rate.

Switch Lockout Button

Trigger

Figure 12 - Lockout Button and Trigger Location

FELLING A TREE (Cutting Down a Tree)

WARNING:

¥Avoid kickback. Kickback can result in severe injury or death. See Kickback, pages 4 and 5, to avoid risk of kickback.

¥Do not fell a tree without ample skill or expert help.

¥Keep children, animals, and bystand- ers away from area when felling a tree.

¥If two or more persons perform buck- ing and felling operations at the same time, provide ample distance between operations. Provide distance of at least twice the height of tree being felled.

WARNING: When felling a tree, be aware of your surroundings. Do not endanger any person, strike utility lines, or cause property damage. If tree strikes utility lines, contact utility company at once.

Felling is the process of cutting down a tree. Make sure your footing is Þrm. Keep feet apart. Divide your weight evenly on both feet. Follow directions below to fell a tree.

Before Felling a Tree

1.Before felling, inspect tree. Make sure there are no dead limbs or branches that may fall on you. Study natural lean of tree, location of larger branches, and wind direction. This will help you judge which way tree will fall.

2.Clear work area around tree.

3.Plan and clear a retreat path before felling. Make retreat path opposite to planned direction of fall of tree and at 45¡ angle (see Figure 13).

Retreat Path

Direction of Fall

45¡	Tree

Retreat Path

Figure 13 - Retreat Path From Tree