Husqvarna 120i Operation Manual - Page 24

WORKING TECHNIQUES Lack of concentration can lead to kickback if the kickback zone of the bar accidentally touches a branch, nearby tree or some other object. Have control over the workpiece. If the pieces you intend to cut are small and light, they can jam in the saw chain and be thrown towards you. Even if this does not need to be a danger, you may be surprised and lose control of the saw. Never saw stacked logs or branches without first separating them. Only saw one log or one piece at a time. Remove the cut pieces to keep your working area safe. (Figure 74) 4 Never use the chain saw above shoulder height and avoid cutting with the tip of the bar. Never use the chain saw one-handed! (Figure 66) 5 In order to keep control of your saw, always maintain a firm foothold. Never work on a ladder, in a tree or on any other insecure support. (Figure 67) 6 Always use a fast cutting speed, i.e. full throttle. 7 Take great care when you cut with the top edge of the bar, i.e. when cutting from the underside of the object. This is known as cutting with a pushing chain. The chain tries to push the chain saw back towards the user. If the saw chain is jamming, the saw may be pushed back at you. (Figure 68) 8 Unless the user resists this pushing force there is a risk that the chain saw will move so far backwards that only the kickback zone of the bar is in contact with the tree, which can lead to a kickback. (Figure 69) Cutting with the bottom edge of the bar, i.e. from the top of the object downwards, is known as cutting with a pulling chain. In this case the chain saw pulls itself towards the tree and the front edge of the chain saw body rests naturally on the trunk when cutting. Cutting with a pulling chain gives the operator better control over the chain saw and the position of the kickback zone. (Figure 70) 9 Follow the instructions on sharpening and maintaining your bar and chain. When you replace the bar and chain use only combinations that are recommended by us. See instructions under the headings Cutting equipment and Technical data. Basic cutting technique WARNING! Never use a chain saw by ! holding it with one hand. A chain saw is not safely controlled with one hand. Always have a secure, firm grip around the handles with both hands. • Cutting from below = Cutting with pushing chain. Cutting with a pushing chain increases the risk of kickback. See instructions under the heading How to avoid kickback. Terms Cutting = General term for cutting through wood. Cutting/bucking = General term for cutting through wood. Limbing = Cutting branches off a felled tree. Splitting = When the object you are cutting breaks off before the cut is complete. There are a number of important factors you should consider before making a cut: 1 Make sure the cutting equipment will not jam in the cut. (Figure 71) 2 Make sure the object you are cutting will not split. (Figure 72) 3 Make sure the chain will not strike the ground or any other object during or after cutting. (Figure 73) 4 Is there a risk of kickback? (Figure 4) 5 Do the conditions and surrounding terrain affect how safely you can stand and move about? 6 When cutting on a slope, always stand on the uphill side of the log. To maintain complete control of the chain saw when cutting through the log, release the cutting pressure near the end of the cut without relaxing your grip on the chain saw handles. Do not let the saw chain contact the ground. After completing the cut, wait for the saw chain to stop before you move the chain saw. Always stop the motor before moving from tree to tree. Two factors decide whether the chain will jam or the object that you are cutting will split: the first is how the object is supported before and after cutting, and the second is whether it is in tension. In most cases you can avoid these problems by cutting in two stages; from the top and from the bottom. You need to support the object so that it will not trap the chain or split during cutting. WARNING! If the saw chain jams in the ! cut: deactivate the machine! Do not try to pull the machine free. If you do you may be injured by the saw chain when the machine suddenly brakes free. Use a lever to open up the cut and free the machine. General • Always use full throttle when cutting! • Let go of the power trigger after every cut (running the motor for too long at full power without any load, i.e. without any resistance from the chain during cutting, can lead to serious damage to the motor). • Cutting from above = Cutting with a pulling chain. The following instructions describe how to handle the common situations you are likely to encounter when using a chain saw. 24 - English