PrimAster PMAKS 40, Original Instructions Manual

41

Spiked Bumper

The integral bumper spike may be used as a pivot when 

making a cut. It helps to keep the body of the chain saw 

steady while cutting. When cutting, push the machine 

forward until the spikes dig into the edge of the wood, 

then by moving the rear handle up or down in the 

direction of the cutting line it can help ease the physical 

strain of cutting.

Guide Bar

Generally, guide bars with small radius tips have 

somewhat lower potential for kick-back. You should use a 

guide bar and matching chain which is just long enough 

for the job. Longer bars increase the risk of loss of control 

during sawing. Regularly check the chain tension. When 

cutting smaller branches (less than the full length of the 

guide bar) the chain is more likely to be thrown off if the 

tension is not correct.

Chain Brake

Chain brakes are designed to quickly stop the chain 

from rotating. When the chain brake lever/hand guard 

is pushed towards the bar, the chain should stop 

immediately. A chain brake does not prevent kickback. 

It only lowers the risk of injury should the chain bar 

contact the operator’s body during a kickback event. The 

chain brake should be tested before each use for correct 

operation in both the run and brake positions.

Chain Catcher

A chain catcher prevents the saw chain from being 

thrown back towards the operator if the saw chain comes 

loose or breaks.

Instructions concerning the proper 

techniques for basic felling, limbing 

and cross-cutting

Understanding the forces within the 

wood

When you understand the directional pressures and 

stresses inside the wood you can reduce the “pinches” or 

at least expect them during your cutting. Tension in the 

wood means the fibers are being pulled apart and if you 

cut in this area, the “kerf” or cut will tend to open as the 

saw goes through. If a log is being supported on a saw 

horse and the end is hanging unsupported over the end, 

tension is created on the upper surface due to the weight 

of the overhanging log stretching the fibers. Likewise, the 

underside of the log will be in compression and the fibers 

are being pushed together. If a cut is made in this area, 

the kerf will have the tendency to close up during the cut. 

This would pinch the blade.

Felling a tree

When bucking and felling operations are being 

performed by two or more persons at the same time, the 

felling operations should be separated from the bucking 

operation by a distance of at least twice the height of the 

tree being felled.
Trees should not be felled in a manner that would 

endanger any person, strike any utility line, or cause any 

property damage.
If the tree does make contact with any utility line, the 

company should be notified immediately.
An escape path should be planned and cleared as 

necessary before cuts are started. The escape path should 

extend back and diagonally to the rear of the expected 

line of fall.
Before felling starts, consider the natural lean of the tree, 

the location of larger branches, and the wind direction to 

judge which way the tree will fall.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire 

from the tree.
Do not attempt to fell trees which are rotten or have been 

damaged by wind, fire, lightning, etc. This is extremely 

dangerous and should only be completed by professional 

tree surgeons.

1. Notching undercut

Make the notch 1/3 the diameter of the tree, 

perpendicular to the direction of the fall. Make the 

lower horizontal notching cut first. This will help to 

avoid pinching either the saw chain or the guide bar 

when the second notch is being made.

2. Felling-back cut

Make the felling-back cut at least 50 mm/ 2 in. higher 

than the horizontal notching cut. Keep the felling-

back cut parallel to the horizontal notching cut. Make 

the felling back cut so enough wood is left to act as a 

hinge. The hinge wood keeps the tree from twisting 

and falling in the wrong direction.
Do not cut through the hinge.
As the felling gets close to the hinge, the tree should 

begin to fall. If there is any chance that the tree may 

not fall in the desired direction or it may rock back and 

bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling-

back cut is complete and use wedges of wood, plastic 

or aluminium to open the cut and drop the tree along 

the desired line of fall.
When the tree begins to fall remove the chain saw 

from the cut, stop the motor, put the chain saw down, 

anf use the retreat path planned. Be alert for falling 

overhead limbs and watch your footing.

Removing buttress roots

A buttress root is a large root extending from the trunk of 

the tree above the ground. Remove large buttress roots 

prior to felling. Make the horizontal cut into the buttress 

first, followed by the vertical cut. Remove the resulting 

EN

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