Hitachi CS 33EDT Handling Instructions Manual page 12

English
Stopping (Fig. 19)
Decrease engine speed, and push stop switch (17) to stop position
WARNING
Do not put the machine where there are fl ammable materials
such as dried grass, since the muffl er is still hot after the engine
has stopped.
NOTE
If the engine does not stop, it can be forced to stop by turning
the choke lever in the START position (
engine, ask Hitachi Authorized Service Centers for repairs.
WARNING
○ Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
○ Use extra caution when felling, and do not use the chain saw in a
nose-high position or above shoulder height.
CHAIN CATCHER
The chain catcher is located on the power head just below the chain
to further prevent the possibility of a broken chain striking the chain
saw user.
WARNING
Do not stand in-line with chain when cutting.
BASIC TECHNIQUES FOR MAKING FELLING, LIMBING AND
BUCKING CUTS
The intention of the following information is to provide you with the
general introduction to wood cutting techniques.
WARNING
○ This information does not cover all specifi c situations, which
may depend on diff erences in terrain, vegetation, kind of wood,
form and size of trees, etc. Consult Hitachi Authorized Service
Centers, forestry agent or local forestry schools for advice on
specifi c woodcutting problems in your area. This will make your
work more effi cient and safer.
○ Avoid cutting in adverse weather conditions, such as dense fog,
heavy rain, bitter cold, high winds, etc.
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 property damage or personal injury.
CAUTION
Never use a chain saw to pry or for any purpose for which it is not
intended.
WARNING
○ Avoid stumbling on obstacles such as stumps, roots, rocks,
branches and fallen trees. Watch out for holes and ditches. Be
extremely cautious when working on slopes or uneven ground.
Shut off the engine when moving from one work place to another.
Always cut at wide open throttle. A slow moving chain can easily
catch and force the chain saw to jerk.
○ Never use the chain saw with only one hand.
You cannot control the chain saw properly and you may lose
control and injure yourself severely.
Keep the chain saw body close to your body to improve control
and reduce strain.
When cutting with the bottom part of the chain the reactive force will
pull the chain saw away from you towards the wood you are cutting.
The chain saw will control the feeding speed and sawdust will be
directed towards you. (Fig. 20)
○ When cutting with the upper part of the chain the reactive force
will push the chain saw towards you and away from the wood you
are cutting. (Fig. 21)
○ There is a risk of kickback if the chain saw is pushed far enough
so that you begin to cut with the nose of the guide bar.
The safest cutting method is to cut with the bottom part of the
chain. Sawing with the upper part makes it much more diffi cult to
control the chain saw and increases the risk of kickback.
○ In case the chain locked, immediately release the throttle lever.
If the throttle lever keeps rotating at high speed with the chain
locked, the clutch will overheat causing trouble.
NOTE
Always keep the spiked bumper face to a tree, because the
chain may suddenly be drawn into a tree, if so equipped.
12
FELLING
Felling is more than cutting down a tree. You must also bring it down
as near to an intended place as possible without damaging the tree
or anything else.
Before felling a tree, carefully consider all conditions which may
eff ect the intended direction, such as:
Angle of the tree. Shape of the crown. Snow load on the crown.
Wind conditions. Obstacles within tree range (e.g., other trees,
power lines, roads, buildings, etc.).
). Before restarting the
○ Always observe the general conditions of the tree. Look for
○ Look for dry branches, which may break and hit you when you
BASIC RULES FOR FELLING TREES
Normally the felling consists of two main cutting operations, notching and
making the felling cut. Start making the upper notch cut on the side of
the tree facing the feeling direction. Look through the kerf as you saw the
lower cut so you do not saw too deep into the trunk. The notch should be
deep enough to create a hinge of suffi cient width and strength. The notch
opening should be wide enough to direct the fall of the tree as long as
possible. Saw the felling cut from the other side of the tree between one
and two inches (3 – 5 cm) above the edge of the notch. (Fig. 22)
23. Felling direction
24. 45° minimum notch opening
25. Hinge
26. Felling cut
Never saw completely through the trunk. Always leave a hinge.
The hinge guides the tree. If the trunk is completely cut through, you
lose control over the felling direction.
Insert a wedge or a felling lever in the cut well before the tree
becomes unstable and starts to move. This will prevent the guide
bar from binding in the felling cut if you have misjudged the falling
direction. Make sure no people have come into the range of the
falling tree before you push it over.
FELLING CUT, TRUNK DIAMETER MORE THAN TWICE GUIDE
BAR LENGTH
Cut a large, wide notch. Then cut a recess into the center of the
notch. Always leave a hinge on both sides of the center cut. (Fig. 23)
Complete the felling cut by sawing around the trunk as in the Fig. 24.
LIMBING
Limbing is removing the branches from a feller tree.
Stand on the left side of the trunk. Maintain a secure footing and rest
the chain saw on the trunk. Hold the chain saw close to you so that
you are in full control of it. Keep well away from the chain. Move only
when the trunk is between you and the chain. Watch out for spring
back of limbs under tension.
LIMBING THICK BRANCHES
When limbing thick branches, the guide bar may get pinched easily.
Branches under tension often snap up, so cut troublesome branches
in small steps. Apply the same principles as for cross cutting. Think
ahead and be aware of the possible consequences of all your
actions.
WARNING
decay and rot in the trunk which will make it more likely to snap
and start to fall before you expect it.
are working.
Always keep animals and people at least twice the tree length away
while felling. Clear away shrubs and branches from around the tree.
Prepare a path of retreat away from the felling direction.
WARNING
These methods are extremely dangerous because they involve
the use of the nose of guide bar and can result in kickback.
Only properly trained professionals should attempt these
techniques.
WARNING
A majority of kickback accidents occur during Iimbing.
Do not use the nose of the guide bar. Be extremely cautious and
avoid contacting the log, other limbs or objects with the nose
of the guide bar. Be extremely cautious of limbs under tension.
They can spring back towards you and cause loss of control
resulting in injury. (Fig. 25)