Echo CS-341 - Manual (Page 16)

16
BUCKING
Uphill position
FINISH CUT
FIRST CUT
Board or flat stones
KICKBACK
• Improper thrust cutting.
• When the bar nose hits another tree, etc.
Don’t cut with the saw overhead or the bar in a vertical po-
sition. If the saw should kick back you may not have good
enough control to prevent possible injury.
Bucking is the sawing of a log or fallen tree into smaller
pieces. There are a few basic rules which apply to all
bucking operations.
Keep both hands on the handles at all times.
Support logs if possible.
When cutting on a slope or hillside, always stand uphill.
Keep in mind that the wood is heavy and that it will bend
and pinch the saw if improperly supported.
The trunk will weaken at the point where you make the cut
unless the tree is lying on perfectly flat ground or supported
as shown.
If you make the cut with the tree on the ground, don’t let the
saw’s chain dig into the earth; it is harmful for the saw, and
you stand a good chance of being struck by flying debris.
To cut the trunk, use the bucking and two-cut sequence
shown. The first cut should be no deeper than one-third the
trunk diameter.
WARNING
KICKBACK IS DANGEROUS
Kickback is generated when the rotation of the chain is
arrested for some reason. The most dangerous effect
of this action occurs when the nose of the bar contacts
another object, the chain is momentarily stopped and
all the energy of the engine throws the bar upwards and
backwards towards the operator.
The chain saw industry and government agencies have
attempted to prescribe various safety devices, but the
best protection is to avoid kickback.
Comply with the Safety Precautions as listed in this
manual.