Chainsaw Operation
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Chainsaw operation Maintenance and Crosscutting July 2016 Edition Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting ISBN: 978-1-925087-20-8 Copyright © 2016 McElvenny Ware Pty Ltd trading as Workspace Training. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored by any means without the written permission of McElvenny Ware Pty Ltd other than for private study or research, as permitted under the Copyright Act. All photos were taken by David McElvenny. All graphics were drawn by Kath Ware. Most of the drawings are based on graphics provided by Husqvarna for the related interactive CD project: Chainsaw operation – beginner to advanced. Source material This booklet is based on material contained in the interactive CD developed by Workspace Training called Chainsaw operation – beginner to advanced. The original CD resource was developed with funding provided by the Commonwealth Government’s Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) Program. The technical information is drawn from publications made available by Husqvarna and Stihl for the above WELL project, as well as the NSW State Forests Chainsaw Operators Manual (2001). Copyright in the original interactive CD resource is owned by the Commonwealth Government under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia Licence. It is still available for purchase from Workspace Training on a cost recovery basis under the original distribution arrangements granted by the WELL Program. The CD resource has since been revised and updated by Workspace Training to meet changing Training Package requirements. The latest version is the 2016 edition, which is also available for purchase. The new interactive CD package contains a Powerpoint version of the presentation, downloadable assessment tools in a customisable Word format and a hard copy Trainer Guide. To order the CD, go to: www.workspacetraining.com.au and follow the links. © 2016 Workspace Training Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting Technical Advisory Committee The following chainsaw experts were involved in the development and review of this booklet: Ben Sparks – Training manager, Savco Vegetation Services Ray Stone – Principal, Chainsaw Accreditation and Safety Training Goetz Graf – Director, Tree Management Australia All three experts were members of the original technical advisory committee involved in the development of the interactive CD resource. They and their students are featured extensively throughout the photos in the interactive CD and this booklet. Disclaimer Chainsaw use is an inherently dangerous activity. This booklet is designed to provide background information for participants undertaking a face-to-face course in chainsaw operation with a qualified trainer. It is not designed to be used as a substitute for face-to-face training. While all care has been taken in the preparation of this resource, McElvenny Ware Pty Ltd (trading as Workspace Training) and all individuals involved in its development do not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice provided in this booklet, the use of such information or advice, or any errors or omissions. No liability is accepted for any damage or loss, including indirect and consequential loss, incurred by any person as a result of relying on the information or advice contained in this booklet. The information is provided on the basis that all persons undertake full responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. In all cases, chainsaw operators, trainers and other parties using this resource should follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of their equipment, and seek further advice from the manufacturer and/or their employer if they believe there are any discrepancies between the different sources of information. © 2016 Workspace Training Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting Contents 1. Introduction ....................................................................................1 2. Safety and environment care .........................................................2 Safety features on a chainsaw .........................................................2 Personal Protective Equipment ........................................................5 Other items of equipment .................................................................6 Legislation and regulations ..............................................................7 Risk assessment .............................................................................. 9 Handling hazardous liquids ........................................................... 10 3. Using a chainsaw ..................................................................... 11 Choosing the right sized chainsaw ................................................ 11 Fuelling up ..................................................................................... 12 Tensioning the chain ...................................................................... 13 Starting a chainsaw ....................................................................... 14 Kickback ........................................................................................ 16 4. Maintaining a chainsaw ............................................................... 17 Powerhead ..................................................................................... 17 Guide bar ....................................................................................... 20 Chains ............................................................................................ 21 Chain sharpening ........................................................................... 24 5. Cutting materials .......................................................................... 28 Preparing the area ......................................................................... 28 Cutting packs of timber .................................................................. 29 © 2016 Workspace Training Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting 6. Trimming & cutting felled trees ...................................................31 The 3 basic cuts ............................................................................. 31 The 2 main stresses ...................................................................... 33 Bridging cuts .................................................................................. 34 Swinging cuts ................................................................................ 35 Wedges ......................................................................................... 36 Step cuts and angle cuts ............................................................... 38 Planning your cuts ......................................................................... 39 Limbing .......................................................................................... 40 Scrub clearing ............................................................................... 42 Ripping ........................................................................................... 42 7. Becoming a good operator .......................................................... 44 © 2016 Workspace Training Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting 1. Introduction There are two booklets in the Chainsaw Operation series: Maintenance and crosscutting Beginner to advanced (including tree falling at basic, intermediate and advanced levels). These booklets are not designed to take the place of face-to-face instruction with a qualified trainer. But they will help you to learn the fundamental information that every chainsaw operator needs to know in order to work efficiently and safely. Their purpose is to prepare you for the practical training sessions, so that you’ll have an understanding of why you’re being taught to do things in a certain way and why you need to wear and carry particular items of safety equipment. This booklet – Maintenance and crosscutting – covers the basic skills and knowledge required to crosscut timber products and felled trees, and carry out operator maintenance on the chainsaw. It is aligned to the following units of competency: Forest and Wood Products Training Package (FWP): FWPCOT2237: Maintain chainsaws FWPCOT2238: Cut materials with a hand-held chainsaw FWPCOT2239: Trim and cut felled trees Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package (AHC): AHCMOM213: Operate and maintain chainsaws © 2016 Workspace Training 1 Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting 2. Safety and environment care A chainsaw is one of the most efficient cutting machines you’re ever likely to use. But it’s also one of the most dangerous. In this chapter, we’ll look at the safety features on a chainsaw, personal protective equipment, environmental care procedures, and some basic provisions in the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act that are designed to protect you and your work mates from injury or mishaps. Safety features on a chainsaw Modern saws have the following safety features: 1. Front hand guard and chainbrake This protects your left hand and stops the chain if the saw suddenly kicks back while it’s running. When kickback occurs, the guard is designed to push into your left hand, forcing it forward and activating the chainbrake. 2. Inertia brake The inertia brake is built into the internal chainbrake mechanism. It is activated when it senses that the saw is flicking back suddenly. © 2016 Workspace Training 2 Chainsaw Operation – Maintenance and crosscutting 3. Throttle lockout This is a control