McCulloch MAC 838 - Manual (Page 10)

10
DIFFICULT STARTING (or starting a
flooded engine)
The engine may be flooded with too much
fuel if it has not started after 10 pulls.
Flooded engines can be cleared of excess
fuel by pushing the choke/fast idle lever in
completely (to the OFF CHOKE position)
and then following the warm engine starting
procedure listed above. Ensure the ON/
STOP switch is in the ON position.
Starting could require pulling the starter rope
handle many times depending on how badly
the unit is flooded. If engine fails to start, re-
fer to the TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE.
CHAIN BRAKE
WARNING
: If the brake band is worn
too thin it may break when the chain brake is
triggered. With a broken brake band, the chain
brake will not stop the chain. The chain brake
should be replaced by an authorized service
dealer if any part is worn to less than 0,02″ (0,5
mm) thick. Repairs on a chain brake should be
made by an authorized service dealer. Take
your unit to the place of purchase if purchased
from a servicing dealer, or to the nearest autho-
rized master service dealer.
S
This saw is equipped with a chain brake.
The brake is designed to stop the chain if
kickback occurs.
S The inertia activated chain brake is activated
if the front hand guard is pushed forward, ei-
ther manually or by centrifugal force.
S If the brake is already activated, it is disen-
gaged by pulling the front hand guard back
toward the front handle as far as possible.
S When cutting with the saw, the chain brake
must be disengaged.
Engaged
Disengaged
Braking function control
CAUTION: The chain brake must be
checked several times daily. The engine
must be running when performing this proce-
dure. This is the only instance when the saw
should be placed on the ground with the en-
gine running.
Place the saw on firm ground. Grip the rear
handle with your right hand and the front han-
dle with your left hand. Apply full throttle by
fully depressing the throttle trigger. Activate
the chain brake by turning your left wrist
against the hand guard without releasing
your grip around the front handle. The chain
should stop immediately.
Inertia activating function control
WARNING
: When performing the fol-
lowing procedure, the engine must be turned
off.
Grip the rear handle with your right hand and
the front handle with your left hand. Hold the
chain saw approximately 35 cm above a
stump or other wooden surface. Release
your grip on the front handle and use the
weight of the saw to let the top of the guide
bar fall forward and contact the stump.
When the tip of the bar hits the stump, the
brake should activate.
CUTTING METHODS
IMPORTANT POINTS
S Check chain tension before first use and af-
ter 1 minute of operation. See CHAIN TEN-
SION in the ASSEMBLY section.
S Cut wood only. Do not cut metal, plastics,
masonry, non-wood building materials, etc.
S The bumper spike may be used as a pivot
when making a cut.
S Stop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign
object. Inspect the saw and repair parts as
necessary.
S 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.
S Practice cutting a few small logs using the
following techniques to get the “feel” of us-
ing your saw before you begin a major
sawing operation.
S
Squeeze the throttle trigger and allow the
engine to reach full speed before cutting.
S Begin cutting with the saw frame
against the log.
S Keep the engine at full speed the entire
time you are cutting.
S Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only
light downward pressure.
S Release the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throttle without a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur.
S To avoid losing control when cut is com-
plete, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
S Stop the engine before setting the saw down.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
WARNING
: Felling a tree requires
chain saw skills and experience. Inexperi-
enced users should not fell trees. Do not at-
tempt any task that makes you feel uncom-
fortable or unsure.
WARNING
: Do not cut near buildings
or electrical wires if you do not know the di-
rection of tree fall, at night since you will not
be able to see well, or during bad weather
such as rain, snow, or strong winds. as fall is
unpredictable.
Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance. You need a clear area all around the
tree so you can have secure footing. Check
for broken or dead branches which can fall
on you causing serious injury.