English
9. Pull the front hand guard (2) so that the brake is
disengaged. (Fig. 3)
Allow the engine about 2-3 minutes to warm up before
subjecting it to any load.
Do not run the engine at high speed without the load to
avoid shortening the life of the engine.
Starting the warm engine
Use only 1, 2, 7, and 9 of the starting procedure for a cold
engine.
If the engine does not start, use the same starting procedure
as for a cold engine.
Chain lubrication test (Fig. 19)
Check that chain oil is discharged properly. When the saw
chain starts to revolve, point the head of the guide bar to a
stump, etc., and pull the throttle lever to perform high-speed
operation for around 10 seconds. If chain oil is sprayed over
the stump, it is discharged properly.
WARNING
Do not carry the machine with the engine running.
Stopping (Fig. 20)
Decrease engine speed, and push stop switch (17) to stop
position.
WARNING
Do not put the machine where there are fl ammable
materials such as dried grass, since the muffl er is still
hot after the engine has stopped.
NOTE
If the engine does not stop, it can be forced to stop
by setting the choke lever in the START position ( ).
Before restarting the engine, ask Hitachi Authorized
Service Centers for repairs.
WARNING
○ Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
○ Use extra caution when felling, and do not use the chain
saw in a nose-high position or above shoulder height.
CHAIN CATCHER
The chain catcher is located on the power head just below
the chain to further prevent the possibility of a broken chain
striking the chain saw user.
WARNING
Do not stand in-line with chain when cutting.
BASIC TECHNIQUES FOR MAKING FELLING, LIMBING
AND BUCKING CUTS
The intention of the following information is to provide you
with the general introduction to wood cutting techniques.
WARNING
○ This information does not cover all specifi c situations,
which may depend on diff erences in terrain, vegetation,
kind of wood, form and size of trees, etc. Consult Hitachi
Authorized Service Centers, forestry agent or local
forestry schools for advice on specifi c woodcutting
problems in your area. This will make your work more
effi cient and safer.
○ Avoid cutting in adverse weather conditions, such as
dense fog, heavy rain, bitter cold, high winds, etc.
Adverse weather is often tiring to work in and creates
potentially dangerous conditions such as slippery
ground.
High winds may force the tree to fall in an unexpected
direction causing property damage or personal injury.
CAUTION
Never use a chain saw to pry or for any purpose for
which it is not intended.
WARNING
○ Avoid stumbling on obstacles such as stumps, roots,
rocks, branches and fallen trees. Watch out for holes
and ditches. Be extremely cautious when working on
slopes or uneven ground.
Shut off the engine when moving from one work place to
another.
Always cut at wide open throttle. A slow moving chain
can easily catch and force the chain saw to jerk.
○ Never use the chain saw with only one hand.
You cannot control the chain saw properly and you may
lose control and injure yourself severely.
Keep the chain saw body close to your body to improve
control and reduce strain.
When cutting with the bottom part of the chain the
reactive force will pull the chain saw away from you
towards the wood you are cutting.
The chain saw will control the feeding speed and
sawdust will be directed towards you. (Fig. 21)
○ When cutting with the upper part of the chain the reactive
force will push the chain saw towards you and away from
the wood you are cutting. (Fig. 22)
○ There is a risk of kickback if the chain saw is pushed
far enough so that you begin to cut with the nose of the
guide bar.
The safest cutting method is to cut with the bottom part
of the chain. Sawing with the upper part makes it much
more diffi cult to control the chain saw and increases the
risk of kickback.
○ In case the chain locked, immediately release the throttle
lever.
If the engine keeps rotating at high speed with the chain
locked, the clutch will overheat causing trouble.
NOTE
Always keep the spiked bumper face to a tree, because
the chain may suddenly be drawn into a tree, if so
equipped.
FELLING
Felling is more than cutting down a tree. You must also bring
it down as near to an intended place as possible without
damaging the tree or anything else.
Before felling a tree, carefully consider all conditions which
may eff ect the intended direction, such as:
Angle of the tree. Shape of the crown. Snow load on the
crown.
Wind conditions. Obstacles within tree range (e.g., other
trees, power lines, roads, buildings, etc.).
WARNING
○ Always observe the general conditions of the tree. Look
for decay and rot in the trunk which will make it more
likely to snap and start to fall before you expect it.
○ Look for dry branches, which may break and hit you
when you are working.
Always keep animals and people at least twice the
tree length away while felling. Clear away shrubs and
branches from around the tree.
Prepare a path of retreat away from the felling direction.
BASIC RULES FOR FELLING TREES
Normally the felling consists of two main cutting operations,
notching and making the felling cut. Start making the upper
notch cut on the side of the tree facing the feeling direction.
Look through the kerf as you saw the lower cut so you do
not saw too deep into the trunk. The notch should be deep
enough to create a hinge of suffi cient width and strength.
The notch opening should be wide enough to direct the fall
of the tree as long as possible. Saw the felling cut from the
other side of the tree between one and two inches (3–5 cm)
above the edge of the notch. (Fig. 23)
23. Felling direction
24. 45° minimum notch opening
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