Checking Chain Lubrication; Transporting The Chainsaw - GMC 45CC Instructions D'utilisation

1. Activate the Chain Brake (32) by pushing the Front Hand Guard (9) forward
2. Remove the Safety Cover (23) from the Guide Bar (22)
3. Toggle the Ignition Switch (14) upward into the 'On' position
4. Pull out the Choke Knob (15)
5. Prime the ignition, by pressing in the Priming Bulb (X) three times, (Image X)
6. Place the chainsaw on the floor onto a flat surface. Ensure the Saw Chain (24) is not in contact with the
ground or any other object
7. Place your left hand on the Front Handle (10) and push down
8. Push your right toe cap into the Rear Handle (19), to hold the chainsaw in place (see Fig. IV)
9. Grab hold of the Recoil Starter (11) handle with your right hand
10. Slowly pull the Recoil Starter outward, until resistance is felt, then pull sharply a few times until the engine
fires briefly, but dies again immediately
11. Push in the Choke Knob
12. Pull the Recoil Starter again, until the engine starts
13. Slowly remove your foot from the Rear Handle and pick the tool up with the Front Handle
14. To switch off the engine, toggle the Ignition Switch downward, into the 'STOP' position
Starting a flooded engine
Note: This paragraph refers to engines that have been flooded with fuel, NOT engines that have suffered from
water damage. If the engine has been flooded with water, it must be returned to an authorised GMC service
centre for repair.
• Some minor maintenance must be carried out in order to start an engine that has been flooded with fuel:
1. Turn the Airbox Knob (13) anticlockwise and remove the Airbox Cover (12)
2. Remove the Air Filter Element (38) (Image C)
3. Pull the Ignition Lead (40) off the Spark Plug (41) (Image D)
4. Use the included Spark Plug Combi Tool (1) to remove the Spark Plug, by turning it anticlockwise
5. If the Spark Plug is fouled, encrusted or soaked with fuel, clean and adjust it as described in 'Maintaining
the spark plug'. Replace if required
6. Clean excess fuel from the combustion chamber by cranking the engine several times while the Spark Plug
is removed. This is done by slowly pulling the Recoil Starter (11)
7. Reinstall the Spark Plug and firmly tighten it with the Spark Plug Combi Tool
Note: It is recommended to use a suitable torque wrench (not included), set to 20Nm to set the Spark Plug.
8. Repeat the starting procedure as if the engine is already warm, i.e. with no choke

Checking chain lubrication

• After starting the engine, the chainsaw operator needs to ensure sufficient oil is delivered to lubricate the
chain before commencing work:
1. With the engine running, disengage the Chain Brake by pulling the Front Hand Guard (9) backward towards
the Front Handle (10)
2. Hold the chainsaw firmly with both hands and direct the Guide Bar (22) towards the ground (Fig V)
3. Disengage the Throttle Lock (16) and press the Throttle Trigger (17)
4. Run the chainsaw at medium speed. Oil should be spattered off the chain onto the floor
5. If insufficient or no oil escapes, refer to 'Adjusting chain oil delivery' in the 'Maintenance' section
Potentially dangerous reactive forces may occur any time the chain is rotating. In any chainsaw, the powerful
force used to cut wood can be reversed (and work against the operator). If the rotating chain is suddenly
stopped by contact with any solid object like a log or branch, or is pinched, the reactive forces may occur
instantly. These reactive forces may result in loss of control which may, in turn, cause serious or fatal injury.
An understanding of the causes of these reactive forces may help the operator avoid loss of control. The most
common reactive forces are kickback (see 'Kickback Safety Precautions'), pushback and pull-in.

Transporting the chainsaw

WARNING: ALWAYS switch off the engine before putting a chainsaw down or transporting it. Carrying a
chainsaw with the engine running is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious or fatal injuries.
• ALWAYS fit the Safety Cover (23) to the Guide Bar (22) before transporting the chainsaw. Carry the saw by
its Front Handle (10), with the Guide Bar pointing backwards
Note: Wait until the engine has cooled completely before fitting the Safety Cover (23) to the Guide Bar (22), or
transporting the chainsaw in a vehicle. The Exhaust (34) becomes extremely hot during operation.
Understanding reactive forces when cutting with a chainsaw
• 'Pull-in' (Fig VI):
Occurs when the Saw Chain (24) on the underneath of the Guide Bar (22) suddenly stops, for example
when pinched, caught or catching on a foreign object inside the wood. The saw is dangerously 'pulled'
forward and may cause the operator to lose control of the saw. Other causes are: low chain speed when
making contact with the wood; or Bumper Spikes (8) that are not properly pushed against the wood whilst
cutting
WARNING: There is a high risk of 'pull-in' when cutting small diameter branches and thin trees, as small items
can easily become caught in the chain.
• To avoid pull-in:
1. ALWAYS wait until the chain has reached its full cutting speed before making contact with the wood
2. Ensure the Bumper Spikes engage the wood properly
3. Use wedges to open up existing partial cuts
• 'Push-back' (Fig VII):
Occurs when the Saw Chain (24) on top of the Guide Bar suddenly stops, for example when pinched,
caught or catching on a foreign object inside the wood. The saw is dangerously pushed backwards towards
the operator, potentially causing the operator to lose control over the chainsaw. Pushback will also occur
when the top of the Guide Bar is used for cutting.
• To avoid pushback:
1. Avoid cutting situations that may cause material to pinch the top of the Saw Chain
2. DO NOT cut more than one object at a time
3. DO NOT twist the saw when pulling the bar out of a plunge or underbuck cut, which could cause pinching of
the Saw Chain
• Kickback: see 'Kickback Prevention and Safety Precautions'
Cutting instructions
WARNING: Tree felling procedures can be challenging and complex, and should therefore only be undertaken
by people with sufficient expertise and training. Imprudent chainsaw operation can lead to fatal injury and
substantial property damage.
WARNING: In order to maintain control of the saw, ALWAYS maintain secure footing. NEVER work from a
ladder or similar contraptions that are potentially insecure. NEVER use the saw above shoulder height.
WARNING: NEVER operate the chainsaw when positioned up or within a tree, unless you have been
specifically, professionally trained. Chainsaw operators MUST be properly secured with a professional harness
system when climbing trees, and MUST have BOTH hands available to operate the chainsaw. Precautions must
be taken to protect the chainsaw operator from falling branches.
• ALWAYS hold the chainsaw with both hands when the engine is running. Hands should be kept clean and
gloves free of oil, grease and dirt
• NEVER place the chainsaw down and leave it with the engine running. Vibrations will cause the chainsaw
to move, potentially causing damage and injury
• Hold the Front Handle (10) with the left hand, and the Rear Handle (19) with the right hand, with fingers
wrapped around the handle and Throttle Trigger (17)
• Note: This position should also be adopted by left-handed operators.
• Holding the chainsaw in this exact position enables the operator to best oppose and absorb the reactive
forces occurring during chainsaw work (i.e. push-in, pull-back and kickback). Ensure the handles are
maintained in a clean and good condition
• NEVER attempt to cut any material other than wood
• During chainsaw use, make sure that the Saw Chain does not touch any foreign objects (e.g. stone, nails,
wire, etc.), as this might cause violent reactive forces, damage to the tool, and injury
Felling a tree
WARNING: ALWAYS clear an escape path first! You should establish two paths of escape, and remove all
obstacles from these routes. Paths should lead away from the tree in angles of about 45°, in directions opposite
to the planned fall direction.
• Felling a tree is a complex process that requires professional training to be properly executed. Please see
(Fig IX) for an illustrated guide associated with the following steps. The process should not be carried out
by persons with insufficient training and knowledge, doing so is dangerous and could cause injury.
1. Establish the position of the felling notch. It should be located perpendicular to the line of fall and close to
the ground
2. Cut in to the tree at an angle of approximately 45°, and follow this cut through to about 1/5 to ¼ of the trunk
diameter. Make the second cut to remove a 45° to 90° section from the trunk
3. Establish the position of the felling cut. It should be exactly opposite the felling notch
4. Start the felling cut a few centimetres above the centre of the felling notch. Cut through the trunk, leaving a
'hinge' of around 1/10 of the trunk diameter. This helps to control the fall
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