How To Properly Handle Your Chainsaw

Byjames brown

They are loud, have a lot of power and their sharp and extremely fast chain can be very dangerous if you are not careful. Therefore, good preparation when handling a chainsaw is mandatory and ensures more safety. Thorough work always has the highest priority. You can minimize sources of danger with chainsaws by observing a few basic rules. We also give you other useful tips for working with a chainsaw.

Overview / selection:

  • What can you do with the chainsaw?
    • to cut a tree
    • Entasten
    • Cut tree trunk to length
    • cutting firewood

 

  • Protective clothing is mandatory
    • cut resistant gloves
    • saw protection pants
    • tight and fitting outerwear
    • chainsaw protection jacket
    • safety goggles
    • ear protection
    • safety shoes

 

  • protection classes
  • Get to know your device
  • chainsaw chain
  • Plan your steps
  • Starting up the chainsaw
  • safety of people
  • Secure your workplace and prepare to work with the chainsaw
  • Make sure you have the correct posture

 

  • Recoil effect / recoil effect (English: kick back effect)
    • Causes and prevention of kickback
    • Avoid kickback

 

  • What should be considered when cutting branches and undergrowth?
  • chainsaw and electricity
  • Oily chainsaw handle?
  • Only cutting wood with a chainsaw?
  • Transport and storage of the chainsaw
  • Chainsaw problems and solutions
  • firewood tips

 

What can you do with the chainsaw?

to cut a tree

When felling trees, make sure that other people are not exposed to danger, that no supply lines are hit and that no property damage is caused. When sawing on a slope, the operator of the chainsaw should stay above the tree to be felled, as the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill after felling. Before felling, an escape route should be planned and cleared if necessary. The escape route should slope backwards away from the expected line of fall. Before felling, the natural slope of the tree, the location of larger branches and the direction of the wind should be taken into account in order to assess the direction of fall of the tree.

Entasten

This means cutting off the branches from the felled tree. When limbing, leave larger, downward-pointing branches that support the tree for the time being. Separate smaller branches with one cut. Branches that are under tension should be cut from the bottom up to avoid pinching the saw.

Cut tree trunk to length

Make sure you have a secure footing and that your body weight is evenly distributed on both feet. If possible, the trunk should be underlaid and supported by branches, beams or wedges. When sawing on slopes, always stand above the tree trunk. To maintain full control at the moment of “cutting through”, reduce the down pressure towards the end of the cut without loosening your grip on the chainsaw handles.  After completing the cut, wait for the saw chain to stop before removing the chainsaw from there. Always turn off the chainsaw engine before moving from tree to tree.

cutting firewood

Use the chainsaw to cut logs into sections approximately 30cm long. By advertising firewood yourself at the forestry office, you can process the logs directly in the forest with a chainsaw. You then take the prepared pieces of logs to your garden on the trailer and process the pieces of wood further. You can use the log splitter or the ax to split the prepared sections into four. You then store the logs in your firewood store. Store the wood for about one to three years before burning it in the fireplace. Details on the firewood store can be found below.

 

Cutting tree trunks to length with chainsaws

Protective clothing is mandatory – protective clothing for chainsaws

Appropriate protective clothing is mandatory for working with chainsaws. We list what clothing is mandatory and why:

cut resistant gloves

Long, tear-resistant threads are incorporated into the cut protection gloves. If the chainsaw hits the hand while it is running, the chainsaw tears the outer fabric and picks up the threads woven underneath with the chain. These wrap around the chain saw drive sprocket. The chain is braked and blocked within seconds. This protects you from injuries to your hands and fingers.

saw protection pants

Long, tear-resistant threads are incorporated into the chainsaw protection trousers. If the chainsaw hits the trousers while it is running, the chainsaw tears the outer fabric and picks up the threads underneath with the chain. These wrap around the chain saw drive sprocket. The chain is braked and blocked within seconds. This protects you from injuries in the leg area, eg on the thigh.

tight and fitting outerwear

Clothing must be close-fitting so that you are not hindered in your work. Loose clothing also poses an additional hazard when working with a chainsaw. Loose clothing can quickly get caught in undergrowth or branches and thus poses an increased risk when the chainsaw is running. You could make uncontrolled movements. A scarf has no place when working with a chainsaw, for example. Also avoid jewelry. Also note that long hair can pose a hazard.

chainsaw protection jacket

Chainsaw protection jackets offer the same protection in the same way as chainsaw protection pants: long, tear-resistant threads are incorporated into the chainsaw protection jacket. If the chainsaw hits the jacket while it is running, the chainsaw first tears the outer fabric and picks up the threads underneath with the chain. These wrap around the chain saw drive sprocket. The chain is braked and blocked within seconds. This protects you from injuries in the area of the upper body, eg on the chest.

Safety goggles (e.g. hard hat with visor/ face shield)

Chips fall wherever you saw: When you work with a chainsaw, dust and chips will always be thrown up or small twigs thrown around. Protect your eyes from dust and chips. Imagine you are not wearing safety goggles and you get a large amount of dust in your eyes. You will move uncontrollably and the running chainsaw poses a significant risk. So always keep a clear view when working with the chainsaw.

Hearing protection (e.g. earmuffs)

Chainsaws are notorious for being noisy when in use. They often have a high sound power level. Battery devices are often the quieter representatives here. Gasoline chainsaws are even louder. So, protect your ears and your hearing with suitable hearing protection, eg earmuffs. Your ears will thank you.

Safety shoes or safety boots

The safety shoes have a high shaft and are made of leather or rubber. Inside, they are equipped with steel toe caps and saw protection inserts to protect the foot. If a running chainsaw hits the shoe, the protective material brings the chain to a standstill before the material is penetrated and the foot injured. Please always ensure that you work safely, as no protective clothing can offer 100% protection.

Get to know your device

Every chainsaw is different. The performance ranges, sword lengths, handles and functions differ from model to model. Familiarize yourself with your saw. Every user should read the operating instructions carefully before using them for the first time and get to know their device in order to avoid mistakes such as incorrect chain tensioning or chain lubrication. When switching on, the chain saw must be supported and held securely. Chain and bar must be free.

 chainsaw chain

The saw chain should always be ground and sharp. Of course, the chain should also be properly tensioned. An incorrectly clamped chain can jump off during work and can become a risk of injury. A saw chain can also wear out over time. In our online shop you will find replacement chains for all our chainsaws. Visit our accessories shop for this. Here you will also find other accessories for chain saws, such as chain sharpeners.

 Plan your steps

If you plan ahead, you can work in a targeted manner. In order to plan properly, you must be familiar with your machine, work site safety and sawing techniques. In courses you will learn the theoretical basics and carry out work steps yourself. The goal of these courses is the chainsaw license, which is already mandatory in many federal states in Germany and confirms that you have learned the basics of operating a chainsaw. The chainsaw license is your license to advertise firewood yourself in private or state forests.

Starting up the chainsaw

Before using the chainsaw, please read the operating instructions. Read them carefully. Here you will find important information about working with the chainsaw, including how to start it up. A chainsaw is not a toy. There’s a lot to consider.

safety of people

Be alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when working with the chainsaw. Do not use a chainsaw when you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inattention while operating the chainsaw could result in serious injury.

Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain while the saw is running. Before starting the saw, make sure the saw chain is not touching anything. A moment of inattention while operating a chainsaw can result in clothing or any part of your body being caught in the saw chain. Safety clothing is important.

Make sure that there are no children running around while you are working with the chainsaw. Other people should also not be in the immediate vicinity. But when sawing, there should always be another person within shouting distance. In an emergency, she can provide first aid and call the emergency services. Always have a first-aid kit.

You should also avoid animals running around, such as dogs, which could disturb your work with the chainsaw.

When the chain is running, there is always a danger area, the so-called swivel area, of around two meters. Nobody is allowed to stay in this area around the saw operator.

When not in use, keep the chainsaw out of the reach of children. Do not allow people who are not familiar with the device or who have not read these instructions to use the device. Chainsaws are dangerous when used by inexperienced people.

 Secure your workplace and prepare to work with the chainsaw

Branches lying around are tripping hazards. Remove these before working with the chainsaw. Ice, snow and wet leaves increase the risk of slipping – clear the work area of snow, ice and leaves before you start sawing. You should always create an escape route and clear it of obstacles as well. Avoid using the chainsaw in poor weather conditions, especially when there is a risk of thunderstorms.

Make sure that the wood cannot twist while cutting. Watch out for splintered wood. When sawing, there is a risk of injury from wood chips being carried along. Make sure that the wood is free of stones, nails or other foreign objects.

Make sure you have the correct posture

A chainsaw must always be held with both hands, with the thumb always encircling the handle.  Holding the chainsaw in an inverted working position increases the risk of injury and must not be used.

Do not work with a crooked back, but stand up straight or bend your knees to saw bent over. Your legs should be slightly apart so that you have a firm footing.

Avoid abnormal posture.  This gives you better control of the chainsaw in unexpected situations.

Always make sure you have a firm footing and only use the chainsaw when you are standing on solid, safe and level ground. Slippery surfaces or unstable footing such as a ladder can cause you to lose your balance or control of the chainsaw. Should also never work with a chainsaw overhead or standing on a wobbly ladder.

Causes and prevention of kickback

Kickback can occur when the tip of the guide bar touches an object or when the wood bends and the saw chain binds in the cut. Contact with the bar tip can, in some cases, result in an unexpected backward reaction, slamming the guide bar up and toward the operator.

Jamming the saw chain on the top edge of the guide bar can violently repel the bar toward the operator.

Any of these reactions can cause you to lose control of the saw and possibly seriously injure yourself.  As a chainsaw user, there are a number of things you should do to keep yourself safe from accidents and injuries.

 Avoid kickback

Kickback is the result of incorrect or incorrect use of the chainsaw. It can be prevented by taking appropriate precautionary measures, as described below:

  • Hold the saw firmly with both hands with your thumbs and fingers encircling the chainsaw handles. Position your body and arms to withstand the kickback forces. Never let go of the chainsaw.
  • Avoid abnormal posture and do not saw above shoulder height. This avoids accidental contact with the tip of the bar and allows better control of the chainsaw in unexpected situations.
  • Incorrect replacement bars and saw chains can cause the chain to break and/or kickback.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for sharpening and saw chain maintenance. Depth gauges that are too low increase the tendency for kickback.
  • Lay the connecting cable in such a way that it cannot be caught by branches or the like while sawing.
  • Only use the running saw chain for cutting, never switch on the machine with the chain attached.
  • Always keep an eye on the tip of the sword
  • So-called plunge cuts with the tip of the sword may only be carried out by trained personnel.
  • Only cut with the bottom of the sword. When cutting with the top, the chain is pushed back towards the saw operator.

What should be considered when cutting branches and undergrowth?

When cutting a branch under tension, expect it to spring back. When the tension in the wood fibers is released, the tensioned branch can hit the operator and/or take the chainsaw out of control.

The thin material can catch on the saw chain and hit you or throw you off balance.

chainsaw and electricity

Keep the cord away from the cutting area. During the work process, the cable can be hidden in the bushes and accidentally cut. So always keep an eye on the cable, you always know where the cable is. If the connecting cable is damaged or cut through, the plug must be pulled out immediately.

Pull the plug out of the socket and/or remove the battery before making any adjustments to the device, changing accessories or putting the device away.

Check extension cords regularly and replace them if damaged. Also check the connecting cable for damage or cracks before each use. Damaged lines must be replaced.

The chain saw must be disconnected from the power supply to re-tension the chain or to change the chain or to eliminate faults. During work breaks, the machine must be put down in such a way that nobody is endangered. Unplug the power cord.

When using a cable drum, the cable must be fully unwound. Make sure that the connecting cable is not kinked or damaged.

 Oily chainsaw handle?

This is another dangerous situation.

Only cutting wood with a chainsaw?

Do not use the chainsaw for work for which it is not intended and designed – example: Do not use the chainsaw to saw plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials. Using the chain saw for work that is not intended for it can lead to dangerous situations. Only saw wood with the chainsaw!

Transport and storage of the chainsaw

Carry the chainsaw by the front handle when it is off, with the saw chain away from your body. When transporting or storing the chainsaw, always put on the protective cover. Careful handling of the chainsaw will reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with the running saw chain.

Keep your chainsaw safe. When not in use, chainsaws should be stored in a dry, elevated or locked place out of the reach of children.

Chainsaw problems and solutions

Having problems with your chainsaw and looking for solutions? In the Longer Chainsaws blog you will find many solutions to problems with chainsaws. The blog deals extensively with chainsaws. He also likes to use chain saws from IKRA and has already tested them. At Longer Chainsaws you will find, among other things, the following solutions for chainsaws. It is worth visiting the blog regularly.

  • Chainsaw will not cut with a new chain
  • The chainsaw gets hot, but why?
  • Electric chainsaw does not start
  • The chainsaw loses fuel
  • The saw chain no longer moves
  • Saw chain quickly becomes blunt
  • Chainsaw does not start
  • Chainsaw leaking oil
  • Chainsaw saws crooked
  • Putting a chainsaw into operation after a long period of time

Under the heading Questions and Answers , Longer Chainsaws answers important questions about the operation of chainsaws. Among other things, the blog deals with chainsaw care. What is really important here? Which chainsaw is the best for the hobby gardener? How often does the saw chain need to be sharpened? How do you dispose of a broken chainsaw? The blog provides information on whether the bar length is important when buying and how loud a chainsaw is. Longer Chainsaws answers many other questions you might have as a chainsaw user. Have a read at Longer Chainsaws.

 

firewood tips

Quickly take the split firewood to a dry place, under a roof, e.g. in a firewood store or firewood store. Stack the cut and split logs and ideally use a stacking aid so that the stack does not tip over to the side. The firewood can only dry quickly if the firewood store, the shelter, is open on at least one side to get the sun’s rays and wind. Ideally, an all-round sunny and airy storage is recommended.

Note that smaller logs dry faster. Also split smaller branches. Only use completely dried wood for your fireplace. Only dry wood with a low moisture content burns well.

Do not store the wood directly on the cold ground. It can’t dry here. Protect the logs from rising soil moisture. Store the wood in the first, lowest layer with a little distance from the cold floor. The same applies to rear storage. For example, do not store the wood directly in front of a house wall or wall. Keep a minimum distance of approx. 15-20 cm here, so that air can get to the wood and there are no damp spots. If the air cannot circulate, if the wood is not sufficiently ventilated, moss and fungi can also develop under certain circumstances.

Cover the top of the wood with a roof or tarpaulin to protect it from rain and snow. Do not lay the tarpaulin directly on the wood. Here, too, the air should still be able to circulate. If the tarpaulin lies directly on the logs, moisture is created again. Storage in firewood lattice boxes is also a good option.

In general, store the wood outdoors, in closed rooms (cellar or gazebo) the wood gets too little air circulation to dry and certainly no sunlight. Store the wood for about one to three years before burning it. After this storage time, the wood should be dry enough. Under no circumstances should you store the wood for much longer. Reserve enough space for wood to cover consumption for three years. For example, fill the first row of the supply store in the first year and the second row of the firewood store in the second year. In the third year you fill the third section with logs, while you are already using the wood from the first stack to burn in the tiled stove or fireplace. Do this year after year.

Want to read more: https://www.longerchainsaws.com.au/

 

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