Craftsman 358341250 Owner’s Manual

Instruction Manual

2.5 HP Motor

ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW

Model No.

358.341250 - 14 in. Bar

. Safety

- Assembly

. Operation
o Maintenance

o EspaSol

WARNING: I_

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; 10 am-7 pro, Sun

I

1=800-235=5878 I_oo,_,,_e__,oceo_,,_,T_me)

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

530087855 10/t/0t

Warranty 2 Service and Adjustments 13

Safety Rules 2 Storage 14

Assembly 6 Troubleshooting 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
replace it free of charge

This warranty excludes the bar and chain, which are expendable parts and be-

come worn during normal use..
If this Craftsman Electric Chain Saw is used for commercial purposes, this war-

ranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase. If this Craftsman Elec-
tric Chain Saw is used for rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 30 days
from the date of purchase. This warranty applies only while this product is in use
in the United States.

WARRANTY SERVICE iS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN ELECTRIC

CHAIN SAW TO THE NEAREST SEARS 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 U.S.A.

WARNING: When using an elec-

tric chain saw, basic safety precau-
tions, including the :following, should

always be followed 'to reduce the risk
of fire, electric shock, and serious inju-
ry. Read and follow all instructions.,

,_ WARNING: Always disconnect

power source when making repairs.. Be-
cause a chain saw is a high-speed
woodcutting tool, cai!eless or improper

use of this tool can cause serious injury.

Because a chain sew is a high-speed

woodcutting tool, special precautions

must be observed to reduce risk of ac-

cidents. 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 follow

the safety rules, pltecautions, and op-
erating instructions found in this

manual,

• Dress properly. Wear protective gear,.
Always use steel-toed safety footwear
with non-slip soles;; snug-fitting cloth-

ing; heavy-duty, non-slip gloves; eye
protection such as nonfogg_ng,

vented goggles or face screen; an ap-

proved safety hard hat; and sound
barriers (ear plugs or mufflers) to pro-

tect your hearing_ Regular users

should have hearing checked regular-
ly as chain saw noise can damage

hearing,,

o Secure hair above shoulder length°

Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry;
they can get caught in moving parts

Hearing _ _ Safety Hat

Protection _'_ D_ Eye

S _ Protection

nug

Fitting --'-'-_ _l_lW_, Heavy

Clothing L_" _ "_.___/' Duty

aloves

Safety

Shoes

6

Keep all parts of your body away from

the chain when saw is running.

O

Keep children away, Do not let visi-

tors contact chain saw or extension

cord_ All visitors should be kept at
least 30 feet (10 meters) away from

work area)_

Safety Chaps

oDonothandleoroperateachainsaw

whenyouarefatigued,ill,upset,orif
youhavetakenalcohol,drugs,orme-
dication.Youmustbeingoodphysi-

calconditionandmentallyalert.Ifyou
haveanyconditionthatmightbeag-
gravatedbystrenuouswork,check
withdoctorbeforeoperating.Watch

whatyouaredoing,Usecommon
sense.

• Donotstartcuttinguntilyouhavea
clearworkarea,securefooting,and
especiallyifyouarefellinga!ree,a
retreatpath.Keepworkareaclean,

OPERATE '(OUR SAW SAFELY
° Do not operate with one hand.. Seri-

ous injury' to the operator, helpers, or
bystanders may result from one-
handed operation., A chain saw is in-

tended for two-handed use..

• Do not operate saw from a ladder or
in a tree,,

• Make sure the chain will not make
contact with any object while starting

the saw. Never start the saw when
the guide bar is in a cut.

o Don't force chain saw. It will do the job

better and safer at the rate for which it

was intended.

° Do not put pressure on the saw, es-

pecially at the end of the cut. Doing
so can cause you to lose control

when the cut is completed..

• Stop the saw before setting it down.
° Hand carry saw only when motor is

stopped,. Carry the chain saw by the
front handle with the saw stopped, fin-

ger off the switch, the guide bar and
saw chain to the rear.

° Use the right tool, cut wood only

Don't use chain saw for purpose not
intended; for example, don't use chain

saw for cutting plastic, masonry, non-
wood building materials.,

° Do not operate a chain saw that is

damaged, improperly adjusted, or not
completely and securely assembled,

Always replace bar, chain, hand
guard, or other parts immediately if
they become damaged, broken, or

otherwise removed,.

° Inspect chain saw cords periodically

and if damaged, have repaired by a
Sears Service Center.

MAINTAIN YOUR SAW IN GOOD
WORKING ORDER
° Have all chain saw service performed

by a Sears Service Center except the
items tisted in the M@.,INTENANCEsec-

tion of this manual.

- Make certain saw chain stops moving
when tdgger switch is released.

* Keep the handles dry and clean and

free from oil and grease

, Keep oil cap and fasteners securely

tightened..

° Nonconforming replacement compo-

nents or the removal of safety devices
may cause damage to the unit and

possible injury to the operator or by-
standers, Use onliy Craftsman acces-
sories and replacement parts as rec-

ommended. Never modify your saw

. Maintain chain sa_wwith care,

- Keep unit sharp and clean for better
and safer performance,

. Follow instructions for lubricating and

changing accessories,

o Unplug the chain saw from the power

source when not in use, before servic-
ing, and when changing accessories

and attachments, such as saw chain
and guard.

. Check for damaged parts, Before fur-

ther use of the chain saw, a guard or
other part that is damaged should be

carefully checked to determine that it
will operate properly and perform its

intended function.. Check for align-
ment of moving parts, binding of mov-

ing parts, breakage of parts, mounting

and any other conditions that may af-
fect its operation. A guard or other

part that is damaged should be prop-

erly repaired or replaced by a Sears
Service Center unless otherwise indi-

cated elsewhere in the instruction
manual,.

o When not in use, chain saws should

be stored in a dry; high or locked-up
place out of the reach of children,

° When storing sa_, unplug and use a

bar sheath or carrying case.,

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

_,WARNING: 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, ravin,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

unit.

o 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,.

3

. Toreducetherisk,of electrical shock,

this appliance has a polarized plug

(one blade is wider than the other)
and will require the use of a polarized
extension cord. The appliance plug

Will fit into a polarized extension cord

only one way. If the plug does not fit
fully into the extension cord, reverse

the plug If the plug still does not fit,
obtain a correct polarized extension
cord A polarized extension cord will

require the use of a polarized wail out-
let. This plug will fit into the polarized

wall outlet only one way° If plug does
not fit fully into the wall outlet, reverse
the plug. If the plug still does not fit,
contact a qualified electrician to install

the proper wall outUet. Do not change
the equipment plug, extension cord

receptacle, or extension cord plug in
any way.

• To reduce risk of electrical shock, use
extension cords specifically marked

as suitable for outdoor appliances
having electrical rating not less than

the rating of unit. The cord must be
marked with suffix '°W-A" (in Canada,
'%_/").Make sure your extension cord
is in good condition. Inspect extension
cord before use and replace if dam-

aged. An undersized extension cord
wilt cause a drop in line voltage result-

ing in loss of power and overheating_

If in doubt, use the next heavier

gauge. The lower l_he gauge number,
the heavier the cord (see SELECT AN

EXTENSION CORD iin the OPERATION
section) Do not use multiple cords.

o Do not abuse cord. Never carry the

unit by the extension cord or yank ex-
tension cord to disconnect unit.

° Secure extension cord to power cord

to prevent disconnection from unit.

• Do not use the uni_ if the switch does
not turn the unit on and off properly, or

if the lock-out does not work Repairs
to the switch must ,be made by a

Sears Service Cer_ter_

• Keep extension cord clear of operator
and obstacles at _t time& Position

cord so that it will not be caught on

branches, Do not expose cords to
heat, oil, water, or sharp edges.

• To avoid the possibility of electric
shock, avoid body _contact with any

grounded conductor, such as metal
fences or pipes.

o Ground Fault Circuit interrupter (GFCI)

protection should be provided on cir-
cuit or outlet to be used. Receptacles

are available having built-in GFCt

protection and may be used for this
measure of safety, Inspect chain saw
cords periodically and if damaged,
have repaired by a Sears Service

Center..

GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Follow all safety rules to help avoid

kickback and other forces which can
result in serious injury°

Path

Avoid Obstructions

Clear The Working Area

WARNING: Avoid kickback

which can result in serious injury..

Kickback is the backward, upward or

sudden forward motion of the guide
bar occurring when the saw chain

near the upper tip of the guide bar

contacts any object such as a tog 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 op-

eratoro

- 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.,

o 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

4

suddenlystoppedThissuddenstop-
pingpullsthesawforwardandaway

fromtheoperatorandcouldeasily

causetheoperatortolosecontrolof

thesaw,,

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK

• Recognize that kickback can happen

With a basic understanding of kick-
back, you can reduce the element of

surprise which contributes to acci-
dents.

. Never let the moving chain contact

any object at the tip of the guide bar.

• Keep working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,

rocks, fences, stumps, etc, Eliminate
or avoid any obstruction that your saw
chain could hit while cutting.

. When cutting a branch, do not let the

guide bar contact another branch or
other objects around it

• Keep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can

increase the chance of kickback. Fol-
low manufacturer's chain sharpening

and maintenance instructions, Check

tension at regular intervals, but never
with engine running,, Make sure bar
clamp nuts are securely tightened,.

° Begin and continue cutting at full

speed. If the chain is moving at a
slower speed, there is greater chance

of kickback occurring,,

• Use extreme caution when re-entering
a cut,,

° Do not attempt cuts starting with the

tip of the bar (plunge cuts),

° Watch for shifting togs or other objects

that could close a cut and pinch or fall
onto chain,

• Use the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low Kickback Chain,

Avoid Pinch-Kickback:

° Be extremely aware of situations or

obstructions that can cause material

to pinch the top of or otherwise stop
the chain,

o Do not cut more than one log at a

time,,

° Do not twist the saw as the bar is

withdrawn from an undercut when

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:

The following precautions should be
followed to minimize kickback,

o A good, firm grip on the saw with both

hands wilt help you maintain control
Don't let go, Grip the rear handle with

your right hand whether you are right
or left handed,

Right \_.4n_Left Hand

• Wrap the fingers of your left hando
ver and around the front handlebar.

and your left thumb under the front
handlebar., Keep your left arm straight

with the elbow locked.

@@

o Position your left hand on the front

handlebar so it is in a straight line with

your right hand on the rear handle
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 features

are included on your saw to help re-
duce hazard of kickback; however, such

features will not totally eliminate this
danger. Do not rely only on safety de-

vices Follow all safety rules to help

avoid kickback and',other forces which
can result in serious injury.

° Handguard: designed to reduce the

chance of your le_ hand contacting

the chain if your hand slips off the

front handlebar.

° Position of front and rear handlebars:

designed with di_ance between han-
dles and "in-line" with each other,, The

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

togethertogivebalanceandresis-
tanceincontrollingthepivotofthe
sawbacktowardt_heoperatorifkick-

backoccurs.

• Reduced-KickbackGuideBar:de-
signedwitha sma_ilradiustip which

reducesthesizeDfthekickbackdan-
gerzone on the bar tip, This type bar

has been demonstrated to significant-
ly reduce the number and serious-

ness of kickbacks when tested in ac-
cordance with ANSI B175.1

Tip Guide Bar

__ SmaU Radius

LargeRadius

TipGuideBar

- Low Kickback Chain has met kick-
back performance requirements when

tested on the representative sample
of these chain saws specified in ANSI

B175.1

Low Kickback Chain

Contoured Depth Gauge
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 fingef's, hands, and joints

of people prone to circulation disorders
or abnormal swelling. Prolonged use in

cold weather 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 avoid-
ance of these problems° Users who op-

erate tools on a continual and.

__J

regular basis must closely monitor their
physical 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 extension cord
used with this unit can be plugged into

any polarized 120 volt electrical 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 fail-
ure.

_1_ WARNING; All electrical repairs
to this unit, including housing, switch,

motor, etc., must be diagnosed and
repaired by qualified service person-

nelo Replacement parts for a double
insulated appliance must be identical

to the parts they replace. A double in-

sulated appliance is marked with the

words "double insulation" or "double

insulated". The symbol['5] (square

within a square) may also be marked

on the appliance. Failure to have the
unit repaired by Sears service person-

nel can cause the double insulation
construction to become ineffective and

result in serious injury.
STANDARDS: This product is listed

by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. in
accordance with UL Standard 1662

and ANSI B175.1,
ANS! B175.1,-2000 "American Na-

tional Standard for Powered Tools -
Safety Requirements"

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

CARTON CONTENTS
Check carton contents against the fol-

lowing list.

Model 358,3412,_
° Chain Saw (fully assembled)

o Bar Sheath
o Gloves

° Pruning tips booklet

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
assembly is necessary,

KNOW YOUR 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/

Chain Adjustment Screw

Bar Oil Cap

\.

Lockout

Button '-....

Chain

Bar

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 lockout btAon

has been pushed in, Release the trig-

ger to turn the unit off.

LOCK-OUT BUTTON

The 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 lockout button can
be pushed in by the thumb, permitting
the index finger to squeeze the trigger,

It is not necessary to maintain pressure

on the lockout button once the trigger
has been engaged.

BAR OIL CAP/OILER ACTUATOR
The 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 saw to an approved extension cord

CHAIN TENSION
It is normal for a new chain to stretch

during first 30 minutes of operation
You should check your CHAIN TEN-
SION frequently° Readjust chain after
every 15 minutes of operation. See

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 fL 100 ft,

Volts (7.67N) (15.24 M) (30.48 M)

16 I6 !4

120 AoW.G.* A,W.G,* A,W.G.*

*American Wile Gauge

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._

7

BEFORE STARTIN!G SAW
_WARNING: Be sure to read the

electrical safety information in the
safety, rules section; of this manual be-

fore 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 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
cutting 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 sav;vbar oil, tf Crafts-
man bar oil is not available, you may

use a good grade SAE 30 oil until you
are able to obtain C_'aftsman 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 unit until repaired by a Sears Ser-
vice Center..

STARTING YOUR SAW

1. Connect the saw to a power

source using the proper size ex-
tension cord (see SELECT AN EX-

TENSION CORD in the OPERATION
SECTION),

2 Grip both handles firmly.

3. Push in switch lock-out button_

4. Squeeze and hold the trigger

switch.
OPERATING TIPS
o Check chain tension before first use

and after 1 minute of operation° See
CHECK CHAIN TENSION in the MAIN-

TENANCE section and SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section.

. Cut wood only. Do not cut metal, plas-

tics, masonry, nomwood building ma-
terials, etc.

o Stop the saw if the chain strikes a for-

eign object, Inspect the saw and re-
pair parts as necessary.

, Keep the chain out of dirt and sand,

Even a small amount of dirt wilt quick-
ly dull a chain and increase the possi-

bility of kickback.

o Practice cutting a few small logs using

the following steps° This will help you
get the "feel" of using your saw before

you begin a major sawing operation,.

• Squeeze the trigger switch and
allow unit to reach full speed be-

fore 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.

° 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

WARNING: Check for broken or

dead branches which can fail while cut-

ting causing serious 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 wilt 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 company should be notified
immediately°

o 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 af-
ter it is felled,.

• Study the natural conditions that can
cause the tree to fall in a particular
direction, such as:

° The wind direction and spee&

• 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,.

o Surrounding trees and obstacles.

, Look for decay and roL If the trunk is

rotted, it can snap and fall toward the
operator.

, Make sure there is enough room for

the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of
2-1/2 tree lengths from the nearest

person or other objects,. Motor noise
can drown out a warning call..

• Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails,
staples, and wire from the tree where

cuts are to be made.

_'_e_.e_ Plan a clear retreat path

:t..... L )_'"=_=_" Direction of Fall

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. Af-
ter a felling cut is made on the oppo-

site 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
ilIustration Once notch is cut, remove
the wedge of wood from the tree.

Final cut here

Firstcut t /

Z "i

Second -J_" .

• 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 fal_l.

Opening
of felling

Closing of
notch

NOTE: Before felling cut is complete,
use wedges to open the cut when

necessary to control the direction of

fall. To avoid kickback and chain

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

o Be alert to signs that the tree is ready

to fail: cracking sounds, widening of
the felling cut, or movement in the up-
per branches.

o 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 fog 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
o Cut only one tog at a time.

, Cut shattered wood very carefully;

sharp pieces of wood could be flung
toward operator..

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

the log while ct_i_ng 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 or
cleared logs first..

BUCKING TECHNIQUES

WARNING: if saw becomes

pinched or hung in a log, don't try to
force it out.. You ca:n lose control of the

saw, resulting in iniury and/or damage
to the saw+ Stop the saw; drive a

9

wedgeofplasticor woodintocutuntil
thesawcanberemovedeasily,Re-

startsawandcarefullyreenterthe cut

Donotuseametalwedge,,Donotat-

temptto restartyou_rsawwhenit is
pinchedorhungina log,

Use a wedge 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 tog with the bottom of the saw

against the logo When overcutting use
light downward pressure..

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)

o Your first cut should extend 1/3 of the

diameter of the tog_

o Finish with your second cut,,

Using a log for support

1st Cut

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 _irst cut on the
compression side {;f the log,, The com-
pression side of the log is where the

pressure of the fog's weight is concen-
trated_

First cut on compression side of log

Second cut

Second cut

First cut on compression side of log

BUCKING WITHOUT A SUPPORT
o Overcut through 1/3 of the diameter of

the log.

• Roll the log over and finish with a sec-
ond overcut

. Watch for logs with a compression

side,, See illustration above for cutting
logs with a compression side.

2 nd Cut

Using a support stand_ 2_._Cut

LIMBING AND PRUNING

WARNING: Be alert for and

guard against kickback. Do not al!ow
the moving chain to contact any other

branches or objects at the nose of the
guide bar when lirnbing or pruning.
Allowing such contact can result in se-

rious 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.
IMPORTANT POINTS

o Watch out for springpole& Spring-

poles are small size limbs which can

whip toward you or pull you off bal-

ance. Use extreme caution when cut-

ting small size limbs,

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