Maintenance / Service - Skil GT1-0540 Serie Manual Original

- position and set short logs safely prior to sawing
- when sawing, always take care to avoid hitting stones,
nails, etc., as these could be thrown up or cause
damage to the chain or serious injury to the operator or
bystanders
! keep a running chain clear of wire fencing or the
ground
- length cuts must be carried out with care, as leverage
with gripping teeth V 2 is not possible; saw at a flat
angle to avoid kickback
- there is a high risk of accidents when sawing wood,
branch or trees under tension; be extremely careful
(leave saw jobs like these to professionalsl)
• Bucking a log (cutting a log into lengths)
- when possible, the log should be raised and supported
by the use of limbs, logs or chocks
- it is important to make sure your footing is firm and your
weight is evenly distributed on both feet
- when the log is supported along its entire length as
illustrated, it is cut from the top (overbuck) u a
- when the log is supported on one end as illustrated,
cut 1/3 the diameter from the underside (underbuck);
then make the finished cut by overbucking to meet the
first cut u b
- when the log is supported on both ends as illustrated,
cut 1/3 the diameter from the top (overbuck); then make
the finished cut by underbucking the lower 2/3 to meet
the first cut u c
- when bucking on a slope always stand on the uphill
side of the log
- when "cutting through", to maintain complete control
release the cutting pressure near the end of the cut
without relaxing your grip on the chain saw handles
! do not let the chain contact the ground
- after completing the cut, wait for the saw chain to stop
before you move the chain saw
- always stop the motor before moving from tree to tree
• Felling trees i
! the chain saw can only be used to fell trees
smaller in diameter than the length of the chain
bar
! secure work area; ensure no persons or animals
are in the vicinity of the falling tree
! never attempt to free a jammed saw with the motor
running; use wooden wedges to free chain and
chain bar
! always wear hard hat to protect head against
falling branches
BEFORE FELLING:
- when cutting and felling operations are being
performed by two or more persons at the same time,
the felling operations should be separated from the
cutting operation by a distance of at least twice the
height of the tree being felled
- trees should not be felled in a manner that would
endanger any person, strike any utility line or cause
any property damage (if the tree does make contact
with any utility line, the company should be notified
immediately)
- the chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side
of the terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill
after it is felled
- an escape path should be planned and cleared as
necessary before cuts are started (the escape path
should extend back and diagonally to the rear of the
expected line of fall) i a
- before felling is started, consider the natural lean of
the tree, the location of larger branches and the wind
direction to judge which way the tree will fall
- remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples and wire
from the tree
FELLING PROCEDURE:
- make the notch (1 – 2) 1/3 the diameter of the tree,
perpendicular to the direction of falls as illustrated i b
- make the lower horizontal notching cut first (this will
help to avoid pinching either the saw chain or the guide
bar when the second notch is being made)
- make the felling back cut (3) at least 50 mm higher than
the horizontal notching cut (keep the felling back cut
parallel to the horizontal notching cut) i b
- make the felling back cut so enough wood is left to act
as a hinge (the hinge wood keeps the tree from twisting
and falling in the wrong direction; do not cut through
the hinge)
- as the felling gets close to the hinge the tree should
begin to fall
- if there is any chance that the tree may not fall in
desired direction or it may rock back and bind the
saw chain, stop cutting before the felling back cut
is complete and use wedges of wood, plastic or
aluminium to open the cut and drop the tree along the
desired line of fall i c
- when the tree begins to fall remove the chain saw from
the cut, stop the motor, put the chain saw down, then
use the retreat path planned (be alert for overhead
limbs falling and watch your footing)
• Limbing a tree o
Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree
- when limbing leave larger lower limbs to support the log
off the ground
- remove the small limbs in one cut as illustrated
- branches under tension should be cut from the bottom
up to avoid binding the chain saw

MAINTENANCE / SERVICE

• This tool is not intended for professional use
• Always keep tool clean (especially ventilation slots W 2 )
! remove battery from tool before cleaning
- clean the moulded plastic housing of the chain saw
using a soft brush and clean cloth (do not use water,
solvents or polishes)
- remove and brush clean the cover plate, chain and
chain bar after 1 to 3 hours of use
- clean the area under cover plate, drive sprocket and
chain bar assembly using a soft brush and clean cloth
- clean oil outlet with a clean cloth
• Regularly check for obvious defects such as loose,
dislodged or damaged chain and chain bar, loose fixings,
and worn or damaged components
• Carry out necessary maintenance and repairs before
using the chain saw
• Proper functioning of the automatic oiler can be checked
by running the chain saw and pointing the tip of the chain
bar towards a piece of cardboard or paper on the ground
! do not touch the ground with the chain (ensure
safety clearance of 20 cm)
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