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100642 - ChAiNSAw
holding the Chainsaw
When carrying a chainsaw with engine running, always engage
the chain brake.
Always hold the front handle with the left hand and the rear
handle with the right hand. Always keep all body parts to the
left of the chain line.
– Firmly encircle the handles with the thumbs and fingers
(Fig. 6). This will help reduce the chance of losing control of
the chainsaw if kickback occurs. Any grip with thumbs and
fingers on the same side of the handles is dangerous.
– Always grip the chainsaw firmly with both hands when the
chainsaw is running.
– Hold the front handle with the left hand. Keep the left arm
straight to help withstand potential kickback.
– Hold the rear handle with the right hand. Keep the right arm
slightly bent.
– Use these hand placements whether the operator is left-
handed or right-handed. This will help keep the operator
slightly to the left of the chainsaw and out of the direct line of
the chain saw if kickback occurs (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).
– Stand in a stable position with feet apart and firmly planted.
– Do not cut above shoulder height. Do not over reach.
Correct Grip
Thumbs below the handles
Chain line
Correct Stance
wARNiNG
wARNiNG
Figure 6
Figure 7
wedges and Recommended Tools
– WEDGES: Make sure to always have plastic felling wedges
on your person to use when felling trees and bucking fallen
logs. OSHA requires operators of chainsaws to always have
felling wedges on their person to be able to quickly react if
cut begins to close on chain and to help guide tree in desired
fall direction. Use the felling wedges to keep the cut open to
prevent the chain from being pinched in the cut. Pinching the
chain in the cut can lead to the chain derailing. Save yourself
the grief and hassle of pinched & derailed chains by using use
plastic felling wedges.
– aXE OR haTChET: Use back side of axe or hatchet to pound
felling wedges into cut to prevent pinch and to direct the
desired fall direction. Use cutting edge to clear cutting work
area by trimming off springy branches along trunk that may be
prone to spring into your face or snag into chain.
– hELmET WITh FaCE ShIELD: Protect your head and face from
contact with chain from kickback and falling branches. Face
shield keeps saw dust out of your eyes.
– EaRmUFFS: Protect your hearing.
– PaDDED GLOVES: Protect your hands from sharp chain, wood
splinters, and circulation damage from vibration exposure.
– ChaPS: Protect your legs and major arteries from contact with
chain with multi layered chainsaw chaps. Chaps also have
pockets to keep your plastic felling wedges on hand in case of
emergency.
– TImBER JaCK: Use 1 or 2 timber jacks to easily grab and lift
fallen trees and logs off the ground to put in safe position to
prevent pinching chain, to prevent chain from hitting ground,
and at a more comfortable cutting height.
– FRamING SQUaRE: Use a large 24" x 16" framing square to
sight the notch fall direction to make sure the tree is aimed in
desired direction.
– FILES: Files are required to sharpen the chain cutters: Ø 5/32"
(4 mm) round file and file guide. Flat file. Depth gauge.
– GREaSE GUN: Use a grease gun to lubricate the front sprocket
in the bar.
17
OPERATiON
Chain line
Incorrect Stance
Figure 8
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