Snow Joe iON8PS 40-Volt Cordless 8-Inch Pole Chain Saw - Manual (Page 16)

16
Basic Cutting Procedure
This unit is designed for trimming small branches and limbs
up to 7.1 in. (180 mm) in diameter depending on the wood
type. Practice cutting a few small limbs using the following
technique to get the “feel” of using the saw before you begin a
major sawing operation.
• Take the proper stance in front of the tree with the
saw OFF (Fig. 26).
• Squeeze the trigger and let the chain accelerate to full
speed before entering the cut.
• Keep the saw running the entire time you are cutting;
maintain a steady speed.
• Allow the chain to cut for you; exert only light downward
pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the bar, chain or
unit can result.
• PUSH and PULL – This reaction force is always opposite
to the direction the chain is moving when it is in contact
with the wood. Thus, the operator must be ready to
control the PULL when cutting on the bottom edge of the
bar, and PUSH when cutting along the top edge.
• Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of the cut.
Pruning
Pruning is the process of trimming limbs from a live tree.
• Remove long branches in several stages.
• Cut lower branches first to allow the top branches more
room to fall.
• When pruning trees, it is important not to make the
finishing cut next to the main limb or trunk until you have
cut off the farthest lying limb. This will reduce the weight
and prevent stripping the bark from the main member.
• Under cut the branch 1/3 through for your first cut.
Your second cut should over cut to drop the branch off
(Fig. 27). Be prepared to balance the weight of the pole
chain saw when the limb falls.
• Now make your finishing cut from the topside of the
branch smoothly and neatly against the main member so
the bark will grow back to seal the wound.
• Release the trigger ON/OFF switch as soon as the cut is
completed. Failure to follow proper cutting procedures will
result in the bar and chain binding and becoming pinched
or trapped in the limb.
Limbing
Limbing is the process of removing branches from a fallen tree.
• You should cut limbs one at a time. Remove the cut limbs
from the work area often to help keep the work area clean
and safe.
• Cut branches under tension from the bottom up to avoid
binding the pole chain saw.
• Keep the tree between you and the pole chain saw while
limbing. Cut from the side of the tree opposite the branch
you are cutting.
If the Saw Becomes Pinched or Trapped
1. Wait for the blade to stop, wait five minutes for the saw to
cool, remove the battery and wear gloves to protect your
hands from the chain teeth.
2. If you can reach the limb from the ground, lift the limb
while holding the saw. This should release the “pinch” and
free the saw.
3. If the saw is still trapped, call a professional for
assistance.
Minimize Kickback
Kickback may occur when the moving chain contacts an
object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or when
the wood closes in and pinches the pole chain saw in the
cut. Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar
can cause the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain
for an instant. The result is a lightning-fast reverse reaction,
which kicks the guide bar up and back toward the operator. If
the pole chain saw is pinched along the top of the guide bar,
the guide bar can be driven rapidly back toward the operator.
Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control, which
Fig. 26
60º MAXIMUM
Fig. 27
Load
Second Cut
First Cut
1/3 Diameter
Finishing Cut