Basic Working Techniques; General Rules; Reactive Forces - Husqvarna Chain Saw Operator's Safety & Operating Instruction Manual

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IMPORTANT!
This information does not cover all specific
situations. They may depend on differences in
terrain, vegetation, type of wood, form and size of
trees, etc. Consult your servicing dealer, forestry
agent or local forestry schools for advice on specific
woodcutting problems in your area.
This will make you more efficient and your work
safer.

General Rules

1. Avoid cutting in adverse weather conditions, such as
dense fog, heavy rain, bitter cold, high winds, etc.

REACTIVE FORCES

PUSHING
CHAIN

BASIC WORKING TECHNIQUES

PULLING
CHAIN
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Adverse weather is often tiring to work in and creates
potentially dangerous conditions such as slippery
ground. High winds may force the tree to fall in an
unexpected direction causing proper damage or
personal injury.
2. Avoid stumbling on obstacles, such as stumps, roots,
rocks, branches and fallen trees.
3. Watch out for holes and ditches.
4. Be extremely cautious when working on slopes or
uneven ground.
5. Turn saw off before moving from one place to
another.
6. If you are not completely sure a cutting situation is
safe, or you require assistance, get help before
continuing.
Reactive Forces
When you are cutting, the chain in the kerf forces your
saw in a direction opposite to the chain movement. This
is called a reactive force. One such reactive force
previously covered is kickback. With any chain saw, the
energy used to cut wood can be reversed and work
against the operator. If a rotating chain stops suddenly
because the chain is pinched or if the chain suddenly
hits a solid object, reactive forces occur instantly and
may make you lose control of the saw.
1. Be especially alert during limbing operations when it
is easier to pinch the chain or to touch a limb by
mistake.
2. Keep your feet firmly planted, in a wide, balanced
stance.
3. Keep the saw body close to your body to improve
control and to reduce strain.
4. When cutting with the bottom part of the chain
(pulling chain), the reactive force will pull the saw
away from you towards the wood you are cutting. The
sawdust will be directed toward you.
5. When cutting with the upper part of the chain
(pushing chain), the reactive force will push the saw
toward you and away from the wood you are cutting.
6. Cut with the bottom part of the chain as much as
possible.
#
WARNING!
If you are cutting with a pushing chain and allow the
saw to be pushed back far enough to touch the tip of
the bar, a kickback may occur. See page 17. Be
especially cautious regarding nearby objects when
cutting with a pushing chain or "under up". The
kickback zone will move INTO such objects during
"under up" cutting, increasing the possibility of
kickback.
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