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GLOSSARy OF TERMS
bucking
The process of cross cutting a felled tree or log into
lengths.
Chain brake
A device used to stop the saw chain.
Chain Saw Powerhead
A chain saw without the saw chain and guide bar.
Clutch
A mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a driven
member to and from a rotating source of power.
drive Sprocket or Sprocket
The toothed part that drives the saw chain.
Felling
The process of cutting down a tree.
Felling back Cut
The final cut in a tree felling operation made on the opposite
side of the tree from the notching undercut.
Front Hand Guard
A structural barrier between the front handle of a chain
saw and the guide bar, typically located close to the hand
position on the front handle, and sometimes employed as
an activating lever for a chain brake.
Front Handle
The support handle located at or toward the front of the
chain saw. This handle is for the left hand.
Guide bar
A solid railed structure that supports and guides the saw
chain.
Kickback
The backward or upward motion, or both, of the guide bar
occurring when the saw chain near the nose of the top area
of the guide bar contacts any object such as a log or branch,
or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in
the cut.
Kickback (Pinch)
The rapid pushback of the saw which can occur when the
wood closes in and pinches the moving saw chain in the cut
along the top of the guide bar.
Kickback (Rotational)
The rapid upward and backward motion of the saw which
can occur when the moving saw chain near the upper por-
tion of the tip of the guide bar contacts an object, such as
a log or branch.
Low-Kickback Chain
A chain that complies with the kickback performance
requirements of ANSI B175.1 when tested on a representa-
tive sample of chain saws.
Normal Cutting Position
Those positions assumed in performing the bucking and
felling cuts.
Notching Undercut
A notch cut in a tree that directs the tree’s fall.
Rear Handle
The support handle located at or toward the rear of the
saw. It normally contains the throttle. This handle is for the
right hand.
Reduced Kickback Guide bar
A guide bar which has been demonstrated to reduce kickback
significantly.
Replacement Saw Chain
A chain that complies with the kickback performance require-
ments of ANSI B175.1 when tested with specific chain saws.
It may not meet the ANSI performance requirements when
used with other saws.
SAFE-T-TIP Nose Guard
An attachment that may be provided on the end of the guide
bar to prevent the chain at the end of the guide bar from
contacting the wood.
Saw Chain
A loop of chain having cutting teeth that cut the wood, and
that is driven by the motor and is supported by the guide
bar.
Springpole
A small tree (sapling) or limb that is bent or trapped under
tension. It may “spring back” rapidly when cut, causing a
dangerous situation.
