Craftsman 358.341141 Instruction Manual

Instruction Manual

ICRRFTSMRN°I

2.5 HP Motor
ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW

Model No.

358.341141 - 14 in. Bar

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

&

®

WARNING:
Read and follow all Safety Rules and Operating

Instructions before first use of this product.

For answers to your questions about this product:
Call 7 am-7 pm, Mon-Sat; Sun, 10 am-7 pm

1-800-235-5878 (Hours listed are Central Time)

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

530088822 7/10/01

Warranty 2 Service and Adjustments 13
Safety Rules 2 Storage 14

Assembly 6 Troubleshooting Table 15
Operation 7 Spanish 16
Maintenance 11 Parts Ordering Back Cover

FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW
If this Craftsman Electric Chain Saw fails to perform properly due to a defect in
material or workmanship within (1) year from the date of purchase, Sears will re-

pair or replace it, free of charge.

This warranty excludes the bar and chain, which are expendable parts and be-
come worn during normal use.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN ELECTRIC
CHAIN SAW TO THE NEAREST SEARS STORE OR SERVICE CENTER IN THE UNITED

STATES.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Inc., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

_WARNING: When using electric
gardening appliances, basic safety •

precautions must always be followed

to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock,
and serious injury. Read and follow all

instructions.

,_ WARNING: Always disconnect

unit from power source when making
repairs, adjustments, and when chang-

ing accessories and attachments such

as saw bar, chain or guards.

Because a chain saw is a high-speed

woodcutting tool, special precautions

must be observed to reduce risk of acci-
dents. Careless or improper use of this
tool can cause serious injury.

PLAN AHEAD •

• Restrict the use of your saw to adult
users who understand and can fol- •

low the safety rules, precautions,
and operating instructions found in

this manual.

• Dress properly. Wear protective gear. •
Always use steel-toed safety foot-

wear with non-slip soles; snug-fitting
clothing; heavy-duty, non-slip gloves;
eye protection such as non-fogging,

vented goggles or face screen; an
approved safety hard hat; and sound
barriers (ear plugs or mufflers) to pro-
tect your hearing. Regular users

should have hearing checked regu-

larly as chain saw noise can damage
hearing.

Secure hair above shoulder length. Do
not wear loose clothing or jewelry; they

can get caught in moving parts.

Hearing _ Safety Hat

Protection ''_ igq. _--- Eye

Protection

Snug

Fitting _ Heavy Duty

Clothing Gloves

Safety Safety Chaps
Shoes

a411

Keep all parts of your body away

from the chain when saw is running.

Keep children away. Do not let visitors

contact chain saw or extension cord.
All visitors should be kept at least 30

feet (10 meters) away from work area.

Do not handle or operate a chain

saw when you are fatigued, ill, upset,
or if you have taken alcohol, drugs,
or medication. You must be in good

physical condition and mentally alert.
If you have any condition that might

be aggravated by strenuous work,
check with doctor before operating.
Watch what you are doing. Use com-

mon sense.

•Donotstartcuttinguntilyouhavea
clearworkarea,securefooting,and
especiallyifyouarefellingatree,a

retreatpath.Keepworkareaclean.

OPERATEYOURSAWSAFELY

•Donotoperatewithonehand.Seri-
ousinjurytotheoperator,helpers,or

bystandersmayresultfromone-
handedoperation.Achainsawisin-

tendedfortwo-handeduse.

•Donotoperatesawfromaladderor
inatree.

•Makesurethechainwillnotmake
contactwithanyobjectwhilestarting

thesaw.Neverstartthesawwhen
theguidebarisinacut.

•Don'tforcechainsaw.Itwilldothe
jobbetterandsaferattheratefor

whichitwasintended.

•Donotputpressureonthesaw,es-
peciallyattheendofthecut.Doing

socancauseyoutolosecontrol
whenthecutiscompleted.

•Stopthesawbeforesettingitdown.

•Handcarrysawonlywhenmotoris
stopped.Carrythechainsawbythe

fronthandlewiththesawstopped,fin-
gerofftheswitch,theguidebarand

sawchaintotherear.

•Usetherighttool,cutwoodonly.
Don'tusechainsawforpurposenot
intended;forexample,don'tuse

chainsawforcuttingplastic,mason-
ry,non-woodbuildingmaterials.

•Donotoperateachainsawthatis
damaged,improperlyadjusted,or

notcompletelyandsecurelyas-
sembled.Alwaysreplacebar,chain,
handguard,orotherpartsimmedi-

atelyiftheybecomedamaged,bro-
ken,orareotherwiseremoved.

•Inspectchainsawcordsperiodically
andifdamaged,haverepairedbya

SearsServiceCenter.

MAINTAINYOURSAWIN GOOD

WORKINGORDER

•Haveallchainsawserviceper-
formedbyaSearsServiceCenter
excepttheitemslistedintheMAINTE-

NANCEsectionofthismanual.

•Makecertainsawchainstopsmov-
ingwhentriggerswitchisreleased.

•Keepthehandlesdryandcleanand
freefromoilandgrease.

•Keepoilcapandfastenerssecurely
tightened.

•Nonconformingreplacementcompo-
nentsortheremovalofsafetydevices
maycausedamagetotheunitand
possibleinjurytotheoperatororby-

standers.UseonlyCraftsmanacces-
soriesandreplacementpartsasrec-
ommended.Nevermodifyyoursaw.

• Maintainchainsawwithcare.

• Keepunitsharpandcleanforbetter
andsaferperformance.

• Followinstructionsforlubricatingand
changingaccessories.

• Unplugthechainsawfromthepower
sourcewhennotinuse,beforeservic-

ing,andwhenchangingaccessories

andattachments,suchassawchain
andguard.

• Checkfordamagedparts.Beforefur-
theruseofthechainsaw,aguardor

otherpartthatisdamagedshouldbe
carefullycheckedtodeterminethatit
willoperateproperlyandperformits

intendedfunction.Checkforalignment

ofmovingparts,bindingofmoving

parts,breakageofparts,mountingand
anyotherconditionsthatmayaffectits
operation.Aguardorotherpartthatis

damagedshouldbeproperlyrepaired
orreplacedbyaSearsServiceCenter

unlessotherwiseindicatedelsewhere

intheinstructionmanual.

•Whennotinuse,chainsawsshould
bestoredinadry,highorlocked-up
placeoutofthereachofchildren.

•Whenstoringsaw,unplugandusea
barsheathorcarryingcase.

ELECTRICALSAFETY

_ILWARNING: Avoid a dangerous

environment. To reduce the risk of
electrical shock, do not use in rain, in

damp or wet locations, or around
swimming pools, hot tubs, etc. Do not
expose to snow, rain, or water to avoid

the possibility of electrical shock. Do

not handle extension cord or plug with
wet hands.

• Use a voltage supply as shown on the
nameplate of the unit.

• Avoid dangerous situations. Do not
use in the presence of flammable liq-

uids or gases to avoid creating a fire

or explosion and/or causing damage
to unit.

• To reduce the risk of electrical shock,

this appliance has a polarized plug

(one blade is wider than the other) and

will require the use of a polarized ex-
tension cord. The appliance plug will fit

into a polarized extension cord only

one way. Ifthe plug does not fit fully

into the extension cord, reverse the

plug.Iftheplugstilldoesnotfit,obtain
acorrectpolarizedextensioncord.A
polarizedextensioncordwillrequire

theuseofapolarizedwalloutlet.This
plugwillfitintothepolarizedwalloutlet
onlyoneway.Ifplugdoesnotfitfully
intothewalloutlet,reversetheplug.If

theplugstilldoesnotfit,contacta
qualifiedelectriciantoinstalltheproper
walloutlet.Donotchangetheequip-
mentplug,extensioncordreceptacle,

orextensioncordpluginanyway.

•Toreduceriskofelectricalshock,use
extensioncordsspecificallymarkedas
suitableforoutdoorappliances.The
electricalratingofthecordmustnotbe
lessthantheratingoftheunit.The

cordmustbemarkedwithsuffix"W-A"

(inCanada,'M,t').Useapolarized
cord.Makesureyourextensioncord
isingoodcondition.Inspectextension

cordbeforeuseandreplaceifdam-
aged.Donotuseadamagedcord.

Cordinsulationmustbeintactwithno
cracksordeterioration.Plugconnec-

torsmustbeundamaged.Anunder-
sizedextensioncordwillcauseadrop
inlinevoltageresultinginlossofpow-
erandoverheating.Ifindoubt,usethe

nextheaviergauge.Thelowerthe
gaugenumber,theheavierthecord

(seeSELECTANEXTENSIONCORDin
theOPERATIONsection).Donotuse

multiplecords.

• Donotabusecord.Nevercarrythe
unitbytheextensioncordoryank

extensioncordtodisconnectunit.

•Secureextensioncordtopowercord
topreventdisconnectionfromunit.

• Donotusetheunitiftheswitchdoes
notturntheunitonandoffproperly,

orifthelock-outdoesnotwork.Re-
pairstotheswitchmustbemadeby

aSearsServiceCenter.

• Keepextensioncordclearofopera-
torandobstaclesatalltimes.Posi-

tioncordsothatitwillnotbecaught
onbranches.Donotexposecordsto

heat,oil,water,orsharpedges.

• Toavoidthepossibilityofelectric
shock,avoidbodycontactwithany
groundedconductor,suchasmetal
fencesorpipes.

• GroundFaultCircuitInterrupter
(GFCI)protectionshouldbeprovided

oncircuitoroutlettobeused.Re-
ceptaclesareavailablehavingbuilt-
inGFClprotectionandmaybeused
forthismeasureofsafety.Inspect
chainsawcordsperiodicallyandif

damaged,haverepairedbyaSears

ServiceCenter.

GUARDAGAINST KICKBACK

Follow all safety rules to help avoid kick-
back and other forces which can result

in serious injury.

Kickback Path

Avoid Obstructions

Clear The Working Area

_WARNING: Avoid kickback which

can result in serious injury. Kickback
is the backward, upward or sudden for-
ward motion of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the upper tip

of the guide bar contacts any object
such as a log or branch, or when the
wood closes in and pinches the saw
chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign
object in the wood can also result in

loss of chain saw control.

• Rotational Kickback can occur
when the moving chain contacts an
object at the upper tip of the guide

bar. This contact can cause the

chain to dig into the object, which
stops the chain for an instant. The

result is a lightning fast, reverse
reaction which kicks the guide bar up

and back toward the operator.

• Pinch-Kickback can occur when the
the wood closes in and pinches the

moving saw chain in the cut along

the top of the guide bar and the saw
chain is suddenly stopped. This sud-

den stopping of the chain results in a

reversal of the chain force used to

cut wood and causes the saw to

move in the opposite direction of the

chain rotation. The saw is driven
straight back toward the operator.

• Pull-In can occur when the moving
chain contacts a foreign object in the

wood in the cut along the bottom of
the guide bar and the saw chain is
suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-

ping pulls the saw forward and away
from the operator and could easily
cause the operator to lose control of
the saw.

REDUCETHECHANCEOF
KICKBACK

•Recognizethatkickbackcanhappen.
Withabasicunderstandingofkick-
back,youcanreducetheelementof

surprisewhichcontributestoacci-
dents.

•Neverletthemovingchaincontact
anyobjectatthetipoftheguidebar.

•Keepworkingareafreefromobstruc-
tionssuchasothertrees,branches,

rocks,fences,stumps,etc.Eliminate
oravoidanyobstructionthatyour
sawchaincouldhitwhilecutting.

•Whencuttingabranch,donotletthe
guidebarcontactanotherbranchor

otherobjectsaroundit.

•Keepsawchainsharpandproperly

tensioned.Alooseordullchaincan
increasethechanceofkickback.

Followmanufacturer'schainsharp-
eningandmaintenanceinstructions.
Checktensionatregularintervals,

butneverwithenginerunning.Make
surebarmountingnutsaresecurely
tightened.

•Beginandcontinuecuttingatfull
speed.Ifthechainismovingata
slowerspeed,thereisgreater
chanceofkickbackoccurring.

•Useextremecautionwhenre-enter-
ingacut.

•Donotattemptcutsstartingwiththe
tipofthebar(plungecuts).

•Watchforshiftinglogsorotherob-
jectsthatcouldcloseacutandpinch

orfallontochain.

•UsethespecifiedReduced-Kickback

GuideBarandLowKickbackChain.

AvoidPinch-Kickback:

•Beextremelyawareofsituationsor

obstructionsthatcancausematerial
topinchthetopoforotherwisestop

thechain.

•Donotcutmorethanonelogata
time.

•Donottwistthesawasthebaris
withdrawnfromanundercutwhen

bucking.

Avoid Pull-In:

• Always begin cutting with the saw at
full speed and the saw housing

against wood.

• Use wedges made of plastic or
wood. Never use metal to hold the

cut open.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Stand to the left ofthe s_._

Thumb on Y'_h_/_;_
underside / _'_

of handlebar _ \

Never reverse _,

hand positions

Elbow

7!',. ooked

• A good, firm grip on the saw with
both hands will help you maintain

control. Don't let go. Grip the rear

handle with your right hand whether

you are right or left handed. Wrap the
fingers of your left hand over and

around the front handlebar, and your

left thumb under the front handlebar.
Keep your left arm straight with the

elbow locked.

• Position your left hand on the front
handlebar so it is in a straight line

with your right hand on the rear han-
dle when making bucking cuts.

Stand slightly to the left side of the

saw to keep your body from being in
a direct line with the cutting chain.

• Stand with your weight evenly bal-

anced on both feet.

• Do not overreach. You could be drawn

or thrown off balance and lose control.

• Do not cut above shoulder height. It
is difficult to maintain control of saw

above shoulder height.

KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES

WARNING: The following fea-

tures are included on your saw to help

reduce hazard of kickback; however,
such features will not totally eliminate

this danger. Do not rely only on safety

devices.

• Hand Guard: designed to reduce the

chance of your left hand contacting
the chain if your hand slips off the

front handlebar.

• Position of front and rear handlebars:

designed with distance between

handles and "in-line" with each other.

The spread and "in-line" position of
the hands provided by this design

worktogethertogivebalanceand
resistanceincontrollingthepivotof
thesawbacktowardtheoperatorif

kickbackoccurs.

• Reduced-KickbackGuideBar:de-
signedwithasmallradiustipwhich

reducesthesizeofthekickback
dangerzoneonthebartip.Thistype

barhasbeendemonstratedtosignif-
icantlyreducethenumberandseri-

ousnessofkickbackswhentestedin
accordancewithANSIB175.1.

._& Small Radius

_-_ Tip Guide Bar

Large Radius '_'

Tip Guide Bar

• Low Kickback Chain has met kick-
back performance requirements

when tested on the representative
sample of these chain saws speci-

fied in ANSI B175.1.

Low Kickback Chain

........ Contoured Depth Gauge

_J

Elongated Guard Link

Deflects Kickback Force
And Allows Wood To
Gradually Ride Into Cutter

SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibra-

tions through prolonged use of hand
tools could cause blood vessel or

nerve damage in the fingers, hands,

and joints of people prone to
circulation disorders or abnormal

swelling. Prolonged use in cold weath-

er has been linked to blood vessel
damage in otherwise healthy people. If
symptoms occur such as numbness,

pain, loss of strength, change in skin
color or texture, or loss of feeling in the

fingers, hands, or joints, discontinue
the use of this tool and seek medical

attention. An anti-vibration system

does not guarantee the avoidance of

these problems. Users who operate

power tools on a continual and regular
basis must closely monitor their physi-

cal condition and the condition of this

tool.

DOUBLE INSULATION
CONSTRUCTION

This unit is double insulated to help pro-
tect against electric shock. Double in-

sulation construction consists of two
separate "layers" of electrical insulation

instead of grounding.

Tools built with this insulation system are

not intended to be grounded. No
grounding means is provided on this

unit, nor should a means of grounding
be added to this unit. As a result, the ex-

tension cord used with this unit can be

plugged into any polarized 120 volt elec-

trical outlet.

Safety precautions must be observed
when operating any electrical tool. The
double insulation system only provides

added protection against injury resulting

from an internal electrical insulation
failure.

,_ WARNING: All electrical repairs
to this unit, including housing, switch,

motor, etc., must be diagnosed and re-
paired by qualified service personnel.

Replacement parts for a double insu-
lated appliance must be identical to the
parts they replace. A double insulated
appliance is marked with the words

"double insulation" or "double insu-
lated". The symbol [] (square within a

square) may also be marked on the
appliance. Failure to have the unit re-
paired by Sears service personnel can

cause the double insulation construc-

tion to become ineffective and result in

serious injury.
STANDARDS: This product is listed by
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. in ac-
cordance with UL Standard 1662.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Z'A _

_WARNIN_I: Before using chain
saw, ensure all fasteners are secure.

CARTON CONTENTS

Model 358,341141

• Chain Saw (fully assembled)

• Bar Sheath

Examine parts for damage. Do not use
damaged parts.

NOTE: If you need assistance or find
parts missing or damaged, please call

1-800-235-5878.

ASSEMBLY
Your saw is fully assembled; no as-

sembly is necessary.

KNOWYOUR SAW

READ THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR
CHAIN SAW. Compare the illustrations with your unit to familiarize yourself with the

location of the various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future ref-

erence.

Oiler Actuator/

Bar Oil Cap

Lock-out
Button ---.

Trigger Switch

Power Cord

TRIGGER SWITCH
The TRIGGER SWITCH is used to turn
on the unit. Squeeze the trigger switch
to operate the unit after lock-out but-

ton has been pushed in. Release the
trigger to turn the unit off.

TRIGGER LOCK-OUT BUTTON
The TRIGGER LOCK-OUT BUTTON is a
control feature designed to prevent the

motor from being accidently started.
When the rear handle is gripped in a

normal cutting position, the trigger

lock-out button can be pushed in by
the thumb, permitting the index finger
to squeeze the trigger. It is not neces-

sary to maintain pressure on the trig-
ger lock-out button once the trigger

has been engaged.

Chain Adjustment Screw

Chain

BAR OIL CAP/OILER ACTUATOR

The BAR OIL CAP is used to access the

bar oil tank and pressed to supply oil

to chain.

CHAIN ADJUSTMENT SCREW

The CHAIN ADJUSTMENT SCREW is

used to adjust the chain tension.
POWER CORD

The POWER CORD is used to connect
the chain saw to an approved exten-

sion cord.
CHAIN TENSION

It is normal for a new chain to stretch
during first 30 minutes of operation.

You should check your chain tension
frequently. Readjust chain after every

15 minutes of operation.See CHECK
CHAIN TENSION under the SERVICE
AND ADJUSTMENTS section.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Use only a voltage supply as specified
on your unit.

SELECT AN EXTENSION CORD

Extension cords are available for this

unit at Sears.

MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE

RECOMMENDATIONS

25 ft. 50 ft. 100ft.

Volts

(7.67 M) (15.24 M) (30.48 M)

16 16 14

120 A.W.G.* A.W.G.* A.W.G.*

ATTACH THE EXTENSION CORD TO
YOUR CHAIN SAW

To prevent disconnection from unit, se-

cure extension cord to power cord as
shown in the following illustration.

Power Cord

*American Wire Gauge

BEFORE STARTING SAW
_ILWARNING: Be sure to read the

electrical safety information in the
SAFETY RULES section of this manual

before you begin. If you do not under-
stand the electrical safety information
do not attempt to use your unit. Seek

help from someone that does under-
stand the information or call the cus-

tomer assistance help line at

1-800-235-5878.

GUIDE BAR AND CHAIN OIL
The bar and chain require lubrication.

The manually-operated chain oiler pro-
vides lubrication to the chain and guide

bar. Be sure to fill the bar oil tank before

each cutting session. The oiler activator/

bar oil cap must be used regularly and
often enough to maintain a thin film of oil

on the bar and chain while saw is cut-
ting. It is recommended that the oiler

actuator/bar oil cap be operated every
ten (10) seconds and held for approxi-

mately three (3) seconds each time it is

pressed. For maximum guide bar and
chain life, we recommend you use

Craftsman chain saw bar oil. If Crafts-

man bar oil is not available, you may

use a good grade SAE 30 oil until you
are able to obtain Craftsman brand. The

oil output is manually metered during
operation. Use a funnel to fill the tank.

Replace oil cap securely. Check oil lev-

el after every 15 minutes of operation.

STOPPING YOUR SAW

• Release the trigger switch.

• If motor does not stop, disconnect
the extension cord. Discontinue use

of the unit until repaired by a Sears
Service Center.

STARTING YOUR SAW

1. Connect the saw to a power

source using the proper size exten-
sion cord (see SELECT AN EXTEN-
SION CORD).

2. Push in switch lock out button.

3. Squeeze and hold the trigger
switch.

OPERATING TIPS

• Check chain tension before first use
and after 1 minute of operation. See

CHECK CHAIN TENSION in the SER-
VICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section.

• Cut wood only. Do not cut metal,
plastics, masonry, non-wood building
materials, etc.

• Stop the saw if the chain strikes a
foreign object. Inspect the saw and

repair parts as necessary.

• Keep the chain out of dirt and sand.
Even a small amount of dirt will

quickly dull a chain and increase the

possibility of kickback.

• Practice cutting a few small logs us-
ing the following steps. This will help

you get the "feel" of using your saw

before you begin a major sawing op-
eration.

• Squeeze the trigger switch and al-

low unit to reach full speed before
cutting.

• Begin cutting with the saw frame

against the log.

• Keep the motor at full speed the

entire time you are cutting.

• Release trigger switch as soon as

cut is completed, allowing motor to
stop.

• Keep the cord away from the cut-

ting area. Position cord so it will

not be caught on branches and the
like during cutting.

• To avoid losing control when cut is

complete, do not put pressure on
saw at end of cut.

• Stop motor before setting saw down.

TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES

Check for broken or dead branches
which can fall while cutting causing seri-

ous injury. Do not cut near buildings or
electrical wires if you do not know the

direction of tree fall, nor cut at night
since you will not be able to see well,
nor during bad weather such as rain,
snow, strong winds, etc. If the tree
makes contact with any utility line, the

utility complany should be notified im-
mediately.

• Carefully plan your sawing operation in

advance.

• Clear the work area. You need a clear

area all around the tree so you can

have secure footing.

• The chain saw operator should keep

on the uphill side of the terrain as the
tree is likely to roll or slide downhill

after it is felled.

• Study the natural conditions that can

cause the tree to fall in a particular
direction, such as:

• The wind direction and speed.

• The lean of the tree. The lean of a

tree might not be apparent due to

uneven or sloping terrain. Use a
plumb or level to determine the di-

rection of tree lean.

• Weight and branches on one side.

• Surrounding trees and obstacles.

•Lookfordecayandrot.Ifthetrunkis
rotted,itcansnapandfalltowardthe

operator.

•Makesurethereisenoughroomfor

thetreetofall.Maintainadistanceof
2-1/2treelengthsfromthenearest

personorotherobjects.Motornoise
candrownoutawarningcall.

•Removedirt,stones,loosebark,
nails,staples,andwirefromthetree

wherecutsaretobemade.

_'_#e Planaclearretreatpath

_,.... U_- DirectionofFall

45°/,_

FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)

The notch method is used to fell large
trees. A notch is cut on the side of the

tree in the desired direction of fall. After
a felling cut is made on the opposite

side of tree, the tree will tend to fall in
the direction of the notch.

NOTE: If tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before making the notch.
If using saw to remove buttress roots,

keep saw chain from contacting

ground to prevent dulling of the chain.

NOTCH CUT AND FELLING TREE

• Make notch cut by cutting the top of
the notch first. Cut through 1/3 of the

diameter of the tree. Next complete
the notch by cutting the bottom. See
illustration. Once notch is cut, re-

move the wedge of wood from the
tree.

Firstcut _ z' t Fellingcut here

Second out/f / j \ _ Hinge

• After removing the wood from the
notch, make the felling cut on the op-

posite side of the notch. This is done
by making a cut about two inches
higher than the center of the notch.

This will leave enough uncut wood
between the felling cut and the notch

to form a hinge. This hinge will help

prevent the tree from falling in the

wrong direction.

Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall

Opening

of felling
cut

Closing of
notch

NOTE: Before felling cut is complete,
use wedges to open the cut if neces-

sary to control the direction of fall. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, use

wood or plastic wedges, but never
steel or iron wedges.

• Be alert to signs that the tree is
ready to fall: cracking sounds, widen-

ing of the felling cut, or movement in

the upper branches.

• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it

down, and get away quickly on your

planned retreat path.

• DO NOT use your saw to cut down a
partially fallen tree. Be extremely cau-

tious with partially fallen trees that may

be poorly supported. When a tree

doesn't fall completely, set saw aside
and pull down tree with a cable winch,

block and tackle, or tractor.

CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a

fallen tree to the desired log size.
_,WARNING: Do not stand on the

log being cut. Any portion can roll
causing loss of footing and control. Do

not stand downhill of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS

• Cut only one log at a time.

• Cut shattered wood very carefully;

sharp pieces of wood could be flung
toward operator.

• Use a sawhorse to cut small logs.
Never allow another person to hold

the log while cutting and never hold
the log with your leg or foot.

• Do not cut in an area where logs,
limbs, and roots are tangled. Drag
logs into a clear area before cutting

them by pulling out exposed and
cleared logs first.

BUCKINGTECHNIQUES

WARNING:Ifsawbecomes

pinchedorhunginalog,don'ttryto

forceitout.Youcanlosecontrolofthe
saw,resultingininjuryand/ordamage

tothesaw.Stopthesaw;drivea
wedgeofplasticorwoodintocutuntil
thesawcanberemovedeasily.Re-
startsawandcarefullyreenterthecut.

Donotuseametalwedge.Donotat-

tempttorestartyoursawwhenitis

pinchedorhunginalog.

Use awedge to remove pinched saw.

Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.

Overcutting begins on the top side of

the log with the bottom of the saw
against the log. When overcutting use

light downward pressure.

Undercutting involves cutting on the
underside of the log with top of saw

against the log. When undercutting

use light upward pressure. Hold saw

firmly and maintain control. The saw
will tend to push back toward you.

_,WARNING: Never turn saw up-
side down to undercut. The saw can-

not be controlled in this position.

Always make your first cut on the com-

pression side of the log. The compres-
sion side of the log is where the pres-
sure of the log's weight is concentrated.

First cut on compression side of log

Second cut

.,,_..j/ Second cut

First cut on compression side of log

BUCKING WITHOUT A SUPPORT

• Overcut through 1/3 of the diameter
of the log.

• Roll the log over and finish with a
second overcut.

• Watch for logs with a compression
side. See illustration above for cut-

ting logs with a compression side.

BUCKING USING A LOG OR
SUPPORT STAND

• Remember your first cut is always on
the compression side of the log.

(Refer to the illustration below for

your first and second cut)

• Your first cut should extend 1/3 of the
diameter of the log.

• Finish with your second cut.

Using a log for,,support _/_ 2naCut

c°t

1st Cut

Using a support stand 2? Cut

l_

.... 1st Cut

/ _"J

LIMBING AND PRUNING

_, WARNING: Be alert for and

guard against kickback. Do not allow

the moving chain to contact any other

branches or objects at the nose of the
guide bar when limbing or pruning. Al-

lowing such contact can result in seri-
ous injury.

_,WARNING: Never climb into a
tree to limb or prune. Do not stand on

ladders, platforms, a log, or in any po-
sition which can cause you to lose

your balance or control of the saw.

10