Poulan Pro PL914 Instruction Manual page 7

saplings. The slender material may catch the saw
chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off
balance.
• Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the
chain saw switched off and away from your body.
When transporting or storing the chain saw always
apply the guide bar cover. Proper handling of the
chain saw will reduce the likelihood of accidental
contact with the moving saw chain.
• Follow instructions for lubricating, chain
tensioning and changing accessories. Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or
increase the chance for kickback.
• Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss
of control.
• Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes
not intended. For example: do not use chain saw
for cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood building
materials. Use of the chain saw for operations
different than intended could result in a hazardous
situation.
Causes and operator prevention of kickback
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide
bar touches an object, or when the wood closes in and
pinches the chain in the cut.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse
reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the
operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may
push the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control
of the chain saw which could result in serious personal
injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built
into your chain saw. As a chain saw user, you should take
several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident
or injury.
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below:
encircling the chain saw handles, with both hands
on the chain saw and position your body and arm
to allow you to resist kickback forces. Kickback
forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper
precautions are taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
• Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder
height. This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chain saw in unexpected
situations.
• Only use replacement bars and saw chains
replacement bars and saw chains may cause saw
• Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to
increased kickback.
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPER
TECHNIQUES FOR BASIC FELLING, LIMBING,
AND CROSS-CUTTING
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
Incorrect
immediately.
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.
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 as illustrated.
Before felling is started, 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.
Notching undercut
to the direction of falls as illustrated. Make the lower
either the saw chain or the guide bar when the second
notch is being made.
Felling back cut
Make the felling back cut at least 50 mm higher than the
horizontal notching cut as illustrated. 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
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, then
use the retreat path planned. Be alert for overhead limbs
falling and watch your footing.
A. Notch
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