effect of kickback and lets you keep the chainsaw
under control.
4
Never use the chainsaw above shoulder height
and try not to cut with the tip of the bar. Never use
the chainsaw one-handed!
5
Always use full throttle when cutting!
6
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 on the pull stroke.
- Cutting from below = Cutting on the push stroke.
- Cutting on the push stroke increases the risk of
kickback.
See instructions under the heading How to avoid
kickback.
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 on the push stroke. The chain
tries to push the chainsaw 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 chainsaw will move so far backwards that
24 – English
WORKING TECHNIQUES
only the kickback zone of the bar is in contact with the
tree, which will 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 on
the pull stroke. In this case the chainsaw pulls itself
towards the tree and the front edge of the chainsaw
body rests naturally on the trunk when cutting. Cutting
on the pull stroke gives the operator better control
over the chainsaw 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.
11 Set the spiked bumper (if one is fitted) into the trunk
and use it as a lever when applying cutting feed force.
Working with tree-service chainsaws
from a rope and harness
This chapter sets out working practices to reduce the risk
of injury from tree-service chainsaws when working at
height from a rope and harness. While it may form the
basis of guidance and training literature, it should not be
regarded as a substitute for formal training.
General requirements working at height
Operators of tree-service chainsaws working at height
from a rope and harness should never work alone. A
competent ground worker trained in appropriate
emergency procedures should assist them.
Operators of tree-service chainsaws for this work should
be trained in general safe climbing and work positioning
techniques and shall properly equipped with harnesses,
ropes, strops, karabiners and other equipment for
maintaining secure and safe working positions for both
themselves and the saw.