Limbing And Pruning; Service And Adjustments - McCulloch MAC 3-14XT Instruction Manual

LIMBING AND PRUNING

WARNING
: Be alert for and guard
against kickback. Do not allow the moving
chain to contact any other branched or objects
at the nose of the guide bar when limbing or
pruning. Allowing such contact can result in
serious injury.
WARNING
: Never climb into a tree to
limb or prune. Do not stand on ladders, plat-
forms, a log, or in any position which can cause
you to lose your balance or control of the saw.
IMPORTANT POINTS
S Watch out for springpoles. Use extreme
caution when cutting small size limbs. Slen-
der material may catch the saw chain and be
whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
S Be alert for springback. Watch out for
branches that are bent or under pressure.
Avoid being struck by the branch or the
saw when the tension in the wood fibers is
released.
S Keep a clear work area. Frequently clear
branches out of the way to avoid tripping
over them.
LIMBING
S Always limb a tree after it is cut down. Only
then can limbing be done safely and prop-
erly.
S Leave the larger limbs underneath the
felled tree to support the tree as you work.

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

WARNING
: Disconnect the spark
plug before performing maintenance, except
for carburetor adjustments.
We recommend all service and adjustments
not listed in this manual be performed by an
Authorized Service Dealer.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Check:
Fuel mixture level . . . . Before each use
Bar lubrication . . . . . . . Before each use
Chain tension . . . . . . . Before each use
Chain sharpness . . . . Before each use
For damaged parts . . Before each use
For loose caps . . . . . . Before each use
For loose fasteners . . . Before each use
For loose parts . . . . . . Before each use
Inspect and Clean:
Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Before each use
Complete saw . . . . . . . After each use
Air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . Every 5 hours*
Chain brake . . . . . . . . Every 5 hours*
Spark arresting screen
and muffler . . . . . . . . . Every 25 hours*
Replace spark plug . Yearly
Replace fuel filter . . . Yearly
* Hours of Operation
S Start at base of the felled tree and work to-
ward the top, cutting branches and limbs.
Remove small limbs with one cut.
S Keep the tree between you and the chain
as much as possible.
S Remove larger, supporting branches with
the cutting techniques described in BUCK-
ING WITHOUT A SUPPORT.
S Always use an overcut to cut small and
freely hanging limbs. Undercutting could
cause limbs to fall and pinch saw.
PRUNING
WARNING
: Limit pruning to limbs
shoulder height or below.
branches are higher than your shoulder. Get
a professional to do the job.
S Make your fist cut of the way through
1/3
the bottom of the limb.
S Next make a 2nd cut all the way through
the limb. Then cut a third overcut leaving
a 1 to 2 inch collar from the trunk of the tree.
Second cut
Third cut
Collar
First cut
Pruning technique
AIR FILTER
CAUTION
: Do not clean filter in gaso-
line or other flammable solvent to avoid
creating a fire hazard or producing harmful
evaporative emissions.
Cleaning the air filter:
A dirty air filter decreases engine perform-
ance and increases fuel consumption and
harmful emissions. Always clean after every
5 hours of operation.
1. Clean the cover and the area around it to
keep dirt and sawdust from falling into
the carburetor chamber when the cover
is removed.
2. Remove the parts as illustrated below.
3. Wash the filter in soap and water. Rinse
in clean cool water. Air dry completely
before reinstalling.
4. Add a few drops of oil to the filter;
squeeze filter to distribute oil.
5. Reinstall parts.
Air Filter
12
Do not cut if
Cylinder
Cover
Screws
Cylinder
Cover