5-point safety check
1: Throttle: throttle won’t compress and interlock pops up
2: Anti-vibration: no damage to by blacks and all good on greys
3: Chain break: I can’t move the chain when engaged; can move when disengaged
4: Chain catch: not overly-damaged or missing
5: Spark arrestor: in tact, not clogged or torn
Complexity: What determines?
Are two or more present?
1: Size
2: Severe slop
3: Multiple or sever binds
4: A jackstraw
5: Root wad
6: Rigging required
Rules of a swamper
1: Remain in clear view of the sawyer.
2: Don’t approach until sawyer indicates
3: Never push or pull material while sawyer is cutting.
4: Always stay out of sawyer’s strike zone.
Seven Steps for Safe Chainsaw Fuel Handling
- Move 20 ft from any heat source before removing fuel cap.
- Check fuel level—look through side of translucent tank—before removing cap.
- If fuel level is above 1⁄2 tank and equipment has been running poorly, allow engine to cool 15 minutes before removing cap. vapor-locked chainsaw has higher probability of
geysering. Indications of vapor lock include but are not limited to: a) engine running poorly, 2) engine acts like it is running out of fuel, and 3) engine stops but still has fuel. - Expect fuel release any time fuel cap is removed; fuel can spray in 360 degree radius. This applies to all caps but in particular tool-less chainsaw caps.
- Open cap slowly. Stop rotation and hold at the first detent on chainsaws with the tool-less fuel cap.
- Use fresh fuel mix – Do not use fuel older than one month. Gasoline purchased in winter months is more volatile and boils at a lower temperature. Do not use fuel that has a strange odor.
- Double-check that chainsaw cap is correctly installed before returning to
operation.
What is a “Vapor Lock”
“Vapor Lock” is a frequent occurrence with chainsaws in hot conditions. It can occur whenever the saw reaches sufficient temperature to cause fuel to vaporize at a higher rate than the tank vent can release.
Vapor lock occurs when the fuel overheats; the resulting gas bubbles accumulate to the point of blocking normal fuel delivery.
5 points of chainsaw health
1: Sharp, properly tensioned chain
2: Good, proper fuel mix
3: Proper warm up sequence
4: Adequate air filtration
5: Keeping the saw clean
What is the proper warm up (and cool down) sequence?
Let saw idle for 20-30 seconds in normal temperatures, then a couple blips of the trigger or start with light paced limbing.
If the saw is cold, let idle for 3-5 minutes and break in slowly by cutting small material.
After not cutting for a period of time such as a lunch break, repeat warmup process.
Note on cool-down: If running a saw hard in hot temperatures let the saw idles for 2-3 minuets before turning it off.
Daily maintenance (3)
Clean saw and bar
Sharpen chain
Clean air filter
Weekly maintenance (3)
5-point safety system check
Grease clutch bearing
Check for loose bolts
Seasonal maintenance (12)
Replace air filter
Spark arrestor check
Replace spark plug
Replace fuel filter
Compression check
Compression check ,fuel line and carburetor
Check clutch springs
Check clutch function
Check clutch kickback function
Drop point check
Check polyethylene chain bumpers
Full safety system check
Describe Each part I
Bucking/bumper spikes (dogs): Used to help hold the saw steady against wood.
Chain brake: Stops the chain’s motion.
Front handle: Used to hold and balance the saw.
On/off switch: Turns the saw on and off.
Throttle trigger: Controls the speed of the engine.
Throttle interlock: Prevents the throttle from engaging unless the interlock is depressed on the handle.
Rear handle: Used to hold the saw.
Fuel tank cap: Provides access to the fuel tank and seals the tank to prevent spillage.
Pull-start grip: A rubber or plastic handle attached to the starter pull rope.
Flywheel cover: Covers the flywheel and holds the recoil starter.
Oil tank cap: Provides access to the oil tank and seals the tank to prevent spillage.
Describe Each part II
Air filter cover: Stops dirt, dust, and sawdust from entering the air filter, thereby protecting the carburetor.
Cooling fins: Provides cooling to the motor cylinder.
Muffler: Reduces exhaust noise.
Bar studs: Hold the bar in place.
Chain catcher: Prevents the chain from contacting the sawyer in the event of a broken or thrown chain.
Tension adjustment screw: Moves the guide bar to maintain proper tension on the saw chain.
Clutch drum cover: Covers the sprocket and clutch.
Clutch drum (under the cover): Couples the engine to the chain sprocket when you accelerate the engine above idle speed.
When operating a chain saw, required equipment includes:
chain saw bar wrench
chain file
approved container for fuel and bar oil
Proper wedges
A 3- to 5-pound single-bit ax (25-27-inch handle for someone our size)
bar cover that covers the chain and bumper spikes (dogs)
What are the USFS’ 3 approved starting methods?
1: on the ground start
2: between the leg start
3: over the log start.
All 3 require setting the chain brake and 2 points of saw contact. Method 1 and 2 require a wrapped thumb-lock on the handlebar. Method 3 allows for the right hand to hold the throttle handle or front handlebar.
Binds: What is “tension”?
The tension area is the portion of the log where the wood fibers stretch apart. The chain saw kerf in this portion of the log opens as you make the cut.
Binds: What is “compression”
This is the “bind”. The compression area is the portion of the log where the wood fibers push together. The kerf in this portion of the log closes as you make the cut.
Binds: Top Bind
the tension is on the bottom of the log and the compression/bind is on the top
Binds: Bottom Bind
the tension is on the top of the log and compression is on the bottom
Binds: Side Bind
pressure is exerted sideways on the log; This is often a dangerous situation as a severed side-bound log has tremendous potential to move fast and with force toward the tension side of the log.
Binds: End Bind
weight compresses the entire cross-section of the log. There is potential here for the kerf to close with any cut you select. Wedges are imperative.
Fuel:
1: Chain saws are two-cycle motors that require a fuel-oil mixture, most often 50 parts gas to 1 part two-cycle oil.
2: Use the fuel-oil mixture within 30 days of mixing
3: Gas should be ethanol-free, used in season in which it was formulated, minimum octane of 89, mixed with quality 2 cycle oil formulated for air cooled engines.
4: The gas/oil container should be shaken immediately prior to fueling a chainsaw to ensure re-blending of 2 cycle oil and gas.
