AEG ACS58B18 Original Instructions Manual page 28

Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer. Incorrect replacement bars and chains may cause
chain breakage and/or kickback.
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain. Decreasing the depth gauge height
can lead to increased kickback.
ADDITIONAL CHAINSAW SAFETY WARNINGS
It is recommended to cut logs on a saw-horse or cradle when
operating the product for the first time.
Ensure that all guards, handles, and spiked bumper are properly fitted
and are in good condition.
Persons using the product should be in good health. The product is
heavy, so the operator must be physically fit. The operator should be
alert, have a good vision, mobility, balance, and manual dexterity. If
there is any doubt, do not operate the product.
Do not start using the product until you have a clear work area, secure
footing, and a planned retreat path away from a falling tree.
Beware of the emission of lubricant mist and sawdust. Wear a mask or
respirator, if required.
Do not cut vines or small undergrowth (less than 75 mm in diameter).
Always hold the chainsaw with both hands during operation. Use a
firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chainsaw handles.
The right hand must be on the rear handle and the left hand on the
front handle.
Before starting the product, make sure that the saw chain is not
contacting any object.
Do not modify the product in any way or use it to power any
attachments or devices not recommended by the manufacturer.
There should be a first-aid kit containing large wound dressings and
a means to summon attention (e.g., whistle) close to the operator. A
larger more comprehensive kit should be reasonably nearby.
Wear a helmet at all times when operating the product. A helmet,
equipped with mesh visor, can help reduce the risk of injury to the
face and the head if kickback occurs.
An incorrectly tensioned chain can jump off the guide bar and could
result in serious injury or fatality. The length of the chain depends on
the temperature. Check the tension frequently.
You should get used to your new chainsaw by making simple cuts on
securely supported wood. Practice making cuts whenever you have
not operated the saw for some time.
To reduce the risk of injury associated with contacting moving parts,
always stop the motor, apply the chain brake, and remove the battery
pack. Make sure that all moving parts have come to a stop:
■ before cleaning or clearing a blockage
■ before leaving the product unattended
■ before installing or removing attachments
■ before checking, conducting maintenance, or working on the
product
The size of the work area depends on the job being performed as
well as the size of the tree or workpiece involved. For example, felling
a tree requires a larger work area than making other cuts, such as
bucking cuts. The operator needs to be aware and in control of
everything happening in the work area.
Do not cut with your body in line with the guide bar and chain. If
you experience kickback, this position helps prevent the chain from
coming into contact with your head or body.
28
Do not use a back-and-forward sawing motion; let the chain do the
work. Keep the chain sharp and do not try to push the chain through
the cut.
Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of the cut. Be ready to take
on the weight of the saw as it cuts free from the wood. Failure to do so
could result in possible serious personal injury.
Do not stop the saw in the middle of a cutting operation. Keep the saw
running until it is already removed from the cut.
Personal protective equipment
Good quality personal protective equipment, as used by professionals,
will help reduce the risk of injury to the operator. The following items
should be used when operating the product:
■ Safety helmet
■ Hearing protection
■ Eye and face protection
■ Gloves
■ Leg protection (chaps)
■ Chainsaw safety boots
– Occasional users may use steel toe-cap safety boots with
protective gaiters if the ground is even and there is little risk
of tripping or catching on undergrowth
■ Chainsaw jackets for upper body protection
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPER TECHNIQUES FOR
BASIC FELLING, LIMBING, AND CROSS-CUTTING
See pages 23-24.
Understanding the forces within the wood
When you understand the directional pressures and stresses inside
the wood, you can reduce the pinches or at least expect them during
your cutting. Tension in the wood means the fibres are being pulled
apart, and if you cut in this area, the kerf or cut tends to open as the
saw goes through. If a log is being supported on a saw-horse and the
end is hanging unsupported over the end, tension is created on the
upper surface due to the weight of the overhanging log stretching
the fibres. Likewise, the underside of the log is compressed, and the
fibers are being pushed together. If a cut is made in this area, the
kerf will have the tendency to close up during the cut. This cut would
pinch the blade.
Push and pull
The reaction force is always opposite to the direction the chain is
moving. Thus, the operator must be ready to control the tendency
for the product to pull away (forward motion) when cutting on
the bottom edge of the bar and the push backwards (towards the
operator) when cutting along the top edge.
Saw jammed in the cut
Stop the chainsaw, and make it safe. Do not try to force the chain and
bar out of the cut as this is likely to break the chain, which may swing
back and strike the operator. This situation normally occurs because
the wood is incorrectly supported, which forces the cut to close under
compression, thereby pinching the blade. If adjusting the support
does not release the bar and chain, use wooden wedges or a lever
to open the cut and release the saw. Never try to start the chainsaw
when the guide bar is already in a cut or kerf.
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