Types Of Cutting; Basic Cutting Technique; Tree Felling Techniqqes - Craftsman 358.34160 Operator's Manual

TYPES OF CUTTING
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A. BASIC CUTTING TECHNIQUE
1. IMPORTANT POINTS
a, Cut wood only. Do not cut metal, plastics,
masonry, n on-wood building materials, e tc.Do not
use yoursaw topry orshoveaway limbs, rootsor
other o bjects+
b. Stop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign
object. Inspecttheunitand repair or replaceparts
as necesary+
c. Keep the chain out of dirt and sand. Even a
small amount of dirt willquickly dull a chain and
thus, increase the possibilityof kickback.
A KICKBACK WARNING
Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts
an object atthe upperportionofthetipof theguidebar
orwhen the wood closes in and pinches the sawochain
in the cut. Contact at the upperportion of the tip of the
guide barcan caLU+Se the chainto d{ginto the object and
stop the chain foPan instant. The result is a lightning
fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and
back toward the operator, ff the saw chain is pinched
along the top of the guide bar,+ the guide bar can be
drivenrapid/ybacktowardthe operator..Either of these
remmtionscan cause loss of saw control which can
result in serious 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 therWOOd. T his
results in a reversal of the chain force used to cut
wood and causes the saw to move in the opposite
directionof chain rotation.Either reaction can result
in lossofcontroland possibleseriousinjury+
* Pinch-Kickback:
-- occurswhen thechain, on topofthe bar,issud-
denly stopped when the top of the bar is used
for cutting.
_drives the sawstraight back towardthe operator.
* Pull-in:
-- occurswhen the chainon the bottomof the bar
is suddenly stopped
--pulls thesaw forward.
I t I I, ++'_ _
BEGIN CUTTING WITH THE SAW
FRAME UP AGAINST THE LOG.
Figure 23
J_CAUT!0"N:t D o not stall the chain in the cut. This
will overheat the motor and cause damage.
3. PROCEDURE
Practicecutting a few small logs usingthe following
f ,.,i-, " _+.+_,..t 4+÷
te,.,,nlque _ _e, ,h_ '_eel" of using yoursaw before
you begin a major sawing operation
a. Assume the proper cutting stance describedin
.thesect+ion " Special Safety Section" page&-firm
grip on front and rear handles, weight +evenly
balanced on both feet, and bodyslightlytothe 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
•d. Begin cutting with the saw frame up against the
• log, Fig,jre 23.
e+Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only light
downwardpressure. If you forcethe cut,damage
to the bar, chain or motorcan result+
f. Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of
the cut to avoid losing control when the Cut is
complete.
g. Release the trigger switch as soon as the cut
is complete(].
h. Unplug the unit after each cutting operation.
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B. TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
1. PLAN YOUR SAWING OPERATION CAREFULLY
IN ADVANCE
a. Clear the work area. You need a clear area all
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 directionand speed+
2.)The LEAN ofthetree.
&)WEIGHTED with BRANCHES on one side.
4.) SurroundingTREES and OBSTACLES.
c. Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it
• can snap and fall towardthe operator.
d. Check for broken or dead brancheswhichcould
fall on you while cutting,
e. Make sure there is enough room for the tree to
fall. Maintaining a distance of 21/2tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objects.Motor
noisecan drownout warningcall.
f. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
g. Plan to stand on the up-hill side when cuffing
on a slope.
h. Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diagonal
to the line of fall. Figure 24. 13