Types Of Cutting; Basic Cutting Technique; Tree Felling Techniques - Craftsman 358.34021 Operator's Manual

TYPES OF CUTTING
A. BASIC CUTTING TECHNIQUE
1. IMPORTANT POINTS
a. Cut wood only. Do not cut metal, prastics,
masonry, non-wood, building materials; etc.
b. Stop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign
object. Inspectthe unit and repairorreplace parts
as necesary.
c_:Keep the chain out of dirt and sand. Even a
small amount of dirt will quickly dull a chain and
_tbus,increase the possibility of kickback.
Z_ KICKBACK WARNING
Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts
anobjectatthe upperportionofthetip oftheguidebar
orwhen the wood closesin and pinches the saw chain
in the cut. Contact at the upper portion of the b'pof the
guidebarcan cause the chain to dig into the object and
stop the chain for an instant. The result isa lightning
fast, re_erae reaction which kicks the guide bar up and
back toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched
along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be
ddvenrapidlybacktowardthe operator. Either of these
BEGIN CUTT[NG WITH THE SAW
FRAME UP AGAINST THE LOG.
Figure 23
FCAU'I'ION;J Do not stall the chain'in the cut. This
will overheat the motor and cause damage.
3. PROCEDURE
Practice.cutting a few small logs using the following
technique,to get the."feel'" of using your sa_w before
you begin a major sawing operation
a. Assume the proper cutting stance described in
•reactions can cause loss of saw control which can
result in serious petsonal injury.
2. UNDERSTAND REACTIVE FORCES
Pinch,Kickback and Pull-in occur when the chain
Is suddenly stopped by being pinched, caught,
or by contacting a foreign object In the wood. This
results in a reversat of the chain force used to cut
wood and causes the saw to move in the opposite
direction ofchain rotation. Either reaction can result
the section,Special Safety Section:'page 3,-firm
gdp- on front :and rear handles, weight evenly
batanced on both:feet, and body stightly to the left
side of the saw.
b. Make sure the extension cord is completly
away from the saw and your body so the cord •
cannot be cut or become wrapped around your
feet or legs
c. Press the trigger to start the chain moving
before beginning the Cut
in loss ofcontroland possibleserious personalinjury.
, Pinch-Kickback;
occurswhen the chain, on topof the bar,issud.
deniy stopped when the top of the bar is used
d. Begin-cutting with the saw frame up against
the log. Figure23.
e. Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only light
downward pressure. Ifyou force the cut, damage
to the bar, chain or motor can result.
for cutting.
--ddves the saw straightback towardthe operator.
occurs when the chain on the bottom of the bar
is suddenly stopped
_pults thesaw forward.
f. Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of
the cJ.'t to _void losing contro! when t,he cut is
complete.
g. Release the trigger sw_tch as soon as the cut
Is €ompleted.
h. Unplug the unit after each cutting operation.
B. TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
I_:PLAN YOUR SAWING OPERATION CAREFULLY
tNADVANCE
a, Clear the work area. You need a clear area aJf
around the tree where you can have secure
footing.
b. Study the natural conditions that can cause
the tree to fall In a particular direction,
1.)The WIND direction and speed
2o)The LEAN of the tree
3.)WEIGHTED withBRANCHES on one side
4.)Surrounding TREES and OBSTACLES
c. Look for decay and tot. If the trunk is rotted, it
could snap and fall toward the operator,
d. Check for broken or dead branches whichcould
fall on you while cutting.
e. Make sure thereis enough room for thetree to
fall. Maintaining a distance of 2Vz tree lenghts
from the nearest person or other objects. Motor
noise may drown out warning call.
f. Removedtrt, stones, loosebark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
g. Plan to stand on the up-hill side when cutting
on a slope.
• h, Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and
diagonal to the lin e of fall, Figure 24. 13