Working Techniques - Stihl MSE 170 C Instruction Manual

Working Techniques

Only specially trained persons may
perform cutting and felling operations
and all other associated work (plunge
cutting, limbing, etc.). To reduce the risk
of accidents and injury, do not attempt
felling or limbing if you are not an
experienced chainsaw user.
Gasoline chain saws are more suitable
than electric saws for felling and limbing.
The freedom of movement necessary for
this work is restricted by the connecting
cord.
Your electric chain saw is unsuitable for
cutting in blowdown areas and must not
be used for such work.
However, if a tree is to be felled and
limbed with an electric saw against this
recommendation, it is essential to
observe country-specific regulations on
felling techniques.
Sawing
Work calmly and carefully – in daylight
conditions and only when visibility is
good. Do not endanger others – stay
alert at all times.
It is advisable for first-time users to
practice cutting logs on a sawbuck – see
"Sawing thin wood".
Use the shortest possible guide bar: The
chain, guide bar and chain sprocket
must match each other and your saw.
MSE 170 C, MSE 210 C
Make certain that all parts of your body
are well clear of the extended range of
travel of the saw chain.
Always pull the saw out of the cut with
the saw chain running.
Use the chain saw only for sawing – not
for prying or shovelling away limbs or
roots.
Do not underbuck freely hanging limbs.
Be careful when cutting scrub and young
trees. Thin shoots can be scooped up by
the chain saw and hurled towards the
user.
Be careful when cutting shattered wood
– risk of injury from slivers being caught
and thrown in your direction!
Make sure your saw does not touch any
foreign materials: Stones, nails, etc. may
be flung off and damage the saw chain.
The chain saw may kick back
unexpectedly – risk of accident!
If a rotating saw chain hits a stone or
another hard object, there may be
sparks, which under certain conditions
can cause easily combustible materials
to catch fire. Even dry plants and scrub
are easily combustible, especially in hot,
dry weather conditions. If there is a risk
of fire, do not use the chain saw in the
vicinity of easily combustible materials,
dry plants or scrub. Always check with
the relevant forestry commission if there
is a risk of fire.
On slopes, always stand above or to the
side of the trunk or felled tree. Watch out
for rolling trunks.
When working at heights:
Always use a lift bucket
–
Never work on a ladder or in a tree
–
Never use the machine in unsteady
–
locations
Never cut above shoulder height
–
Never use the machine with one
–
hand
Begin cutting with the saw at full throttle
and engage the bumper spike – then
saw.
English
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