10
S
When 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 proce-
dure. This is the only instance when the saw
should be placed on the ground with the en-
gine running.
Place the saw on firm ground. Hold the han-
dles with both hands and apply full throttle.
Activate the chain brake by turning your left
wrist against the hand guard without releas-
ing your grip around the front handle. The
chain should stop immediately.
Inertia activating function control
WARNING:
When performing the fol-
lowing procedure, the engine must be turned
off.
The chain brake must be checked several
times daily. Hold the chain saw approximate-
ly 14
!
(35 cm) above a stump or other firm
object. Release your grip on the front handle
and let the saw, by its own weight, rotate
around the rear handle. When the tip of the
bar hits the stump, the brake should activate.
CUTTING METHODS
IMPORTANT POINTS
S
Check chain tension before first use and
after 1 minute of operation. See CHAIN
TENSION in the ASSEMBLY section.
S
Cut wood only. Do not cut metal, plastics,
masonry, non-wood building materials, etc.
S
Stop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign ob-
ject. Inspect the saw and repair parts as
necessary.
S
Keep the chain out of dirt and sand. Even a
small amount of dirt will quickly dull a chain
and increase the possibility of kickback.
S
Practice 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 en-
tire time you are cutting.
S
Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert
only light downward pressure.
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, unnec-
essary wear can occur.
S
To avoid losing control when cut is
complete, 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.
S
Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
S
Clear the work area. You need a clear area
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
S
The chain saw operator should keep on the
uphill side of the terrain as the tree is likely to
roll or slide downhill after it is felled.
S
Study the natural conditions that can cause
the tree to fall in a particular direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to fall
in a particular direction include:
S
The wind direction and speed.
S
The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree might
not be apparent due to uneven or sloping ter-
rain. Use a plumb or level to determine the
direction of tree lean.
S
Weight 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
2-1/2
tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objects. En-
gine noise can drown out a warning call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diago-
nal to the line of fall.
Direction of Fall
45
_
Plan a clear retreat path
FELLING LARGE TREES
(15 cm in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is
