Working Techniques - Stihl MSA 160 C Instruction Manual

Working Techniques

Sawing and felling work, including all
related work (plunge cutting, limbing,
etc.) may only be carried out by persons
who have been specially trained and
instructed. Persons who are not
experienced chain saw users should not
carry out any such work – increased risk
of accidents!
Gasoline chain saws are more suitable
for felling and limbing than cordless
chain saws.
The cordless chain saw is not suitable
for cutting in blowdown areas and must
not be used for such work.
If, however, a tree is to be felled and
limbed with a cordless chain saw, it is
imperative to observe the country-
specific legislation on felling technique.
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.
MSA 160 C, MSA 200 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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