Husqvarna 120i Manuel D'utilisation page 24

3 Most kickback accidents happen during limbing. Make
sure you are standing firmly and that there is nothing
in the way that might make you trip or lose your
balance.
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 try not to cut with the tip of the bar. Never use
the chain saw one-handed! (Figure 66)
5 You must have a steady stance in order to have full
control over the chain saw. Never work standing on a
ladder, in a tree or where you do not have firm ground
to stand on. (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 on the push stroke. 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 will 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 on
the pull stroke. 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
on the pull stroke 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.
General
• Always use full throttle when cutting!
24 – English
WORKING TECHNIQUES
• 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 on the pull stroke.
• Cutting from below = Cutting on the push stroke.
Cutting on the push stroke increases the risk of kickback.
See instructions under the heading How to avoid
kickback.
Terms
Limbing = Cutting branches off a felled tree.
Splitting = When the object you are cutting breaks off
before the cut is complete.
There are five 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?
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.
The following instructions describe how to handle the
commonest situations you are likely to encounter when
using a chain saw.