Chainsaw operation Flashcards
Safely and efficiently operate a chainsaw
List the ONLY two safe ways to start a chainsaw.
Hand guard clamped between thighs and, On the ground with your foot through the hand guard.
What’s the starting method for the Husqvarna 570?
Verify gas and oil are full. Pull blue choke lever out fully. This places on/off switch into ‘on’ position. Pull rope until the saw pops, push in choke lever to half, then pull rope again and saw should start.
What’s the starting method for the Husqvarna 435?
Verify gas and oil are full, pull red lever out and up. This places the choke in the start position.
Pull the rope until you hear the saw ‘pop’, place the red lever in the middle position, pull rope again to start the saw.
What’s the best way to warm up the non fuel injected saws?
On non fuel injected saws, with temps above freezing, no need to idle for more than 10 to 20 seconds. It’s an air-cooled engine so it cools when working/running Wide open.
(Only run wide open when under load, ie cutting)
How long should you idle the fuel injected saw? Stihl 500i
With the on board computer, the general consensus is to start and allow 30 to 60 seconds of warm-up. This allows the censors to ‘read’ the environment and operate accordingly.
What is the proper stance, (body position) when operating a chainsaw?
According to the chainsaw safety manual, page 8, “Keep proper footing and balance at all times” “…never work on a ladder…” etc.
How many one handed chainsaws does Convoy of Hope have?
There are NO ONE HANDED chainsaws in existence. Always use two hands.
What does “Reading the wood” mean?
Assessing before cutting. Determine where the tension, compression and possible twists are.
Why is developing a cutting plan important?
Think of some reasons b4 clicking the answer.
. Overhead/under foot. While you’re ‘reading the wood’ (part of your plan), you’re also looking for hazards both high and low hazards.
Each cut changes the tree/limb.
Where is it going to land? how will it turn/twist, what might it bring with it? (Dead branches falling)
Why is developing a felling plan important. Think of a few answers b4 clicking the answer.
Hazards, high and low. This means dead limbs that can fall on you, holes that you can step in, wires etc.
Where should the tree lay? Can you put it there or do you need another plan? Do you have enough clearance from buildings? Is some kind of mechanical advantage needed? Does everyone in the area know the final plan?
When making a cut in a log/branch, which one will pinch your saw, Tension or Compression?
Compression.
If you think of a branch on a live tree, the underside of that branch is compressed by the weight of the branch.
When a tree is blown over in a storm, tension and compression show up in unusual places. Learn to ‘Read the wood’.
What is a good way to keep your saw from being pinched in a cut?
Start your cut on the compression side, about 1/4 to 1/3 the way in then, switch to the tension side to finish.
What can happen when you only cut from the tension side?
The branch/tree can splinter badly as the tension is released.
If you start your cut on the compassion side, and go through from the tension side, the wood should break off where your cuts meet.
When your saw gets bound/stuck in a log, what do you do?
- Turn off the saw. Remember, it’s an air cooled engine and only heats up when idling.
- If someone is near by, maybe they could lift or move the branch a bit for you while you pull the saw out.
- If no one is real close, get someone. Trying to force a bar and chain out of a bind/pinch can and does damage both bar and chain.
It happens to us all, just get some help.
With any cut what, (after safety) are we trying to achieve? A good phrase to remember.
“We’re going to make the wood go where we want it to go, and when we want it to go.”
