By Sean Hubbard
STILLWATER -- As Oklahomans clean up after the recent ice storm that left tree limbs shattered or lying around, care should be taken to ensure protection against unintentionally risking an arm or leg being added to the toll.
"To prepare yourself, carefully study the operator's manual so that you're thoroughly familiar with all aspects of safe operational procedures," said Craig McKinley, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension forestry specialist. "Before you operate a particular saw for the first time -- and periodically thereafter -- you should carefully review the owner's manual."
New saws come with a manual, but if lost, a copy can be obtained from the manufacturer. Manuals offer proper operating procedures as well as detailed information about recommended maintenance practices to keep the saw running smoothly and safely.
Once the operator has honed his knowledge of the saw, the chain itself needs to be sharpened.
"When the chain is dull, you increase the effort needed to cut through a piece of wood," McKinley said. "At the same time, you increase the possibility of injury to yourself and damage to the saw."
Sharpening instructions are typically outlined in the operating manual and is a relatively easy task. However, the recommended filing and depth guides are essential to assure the proper angle on the cutters and cutting depth for maximum cutting efficiency.
Whenever a chain is being sharpened, gloves should be worn or a rag placed over the chain to protect hands from the sharpened cutters. A sharp chain is only effective if there is proper chain tension and lubrication.
"Chain tension should be adjusted to ensure quick, smooth cutting action," McKinley said. "Too loose a chain will derail, too tight a chain will bind."
A cold chain should be tightened to where the chain hangs about 1/32 of an inch away from the bar rails at the center of the bar span. Warm chains should be adjusted to about a 1/8 inch gap.
While the saw is in use, be sure to pump the oiler frequently to prolong the life of the chain. Periodically stopping the engine and pumping the oiler while pulling the saw chain around by hand will provide a good, even oiling of the chain. However, the motor needs to be turned off and the spark plug wire disconnected for this process.
Chain saws with automatic chain oilers may need an extra squirt occasionally for proper lubrication. Many new saws do not have a manual oiler, so making sure the oiling port is functioning so that the oil is reaching the chain is recommended. The presence of smoke while the chain is operating is a good indication of lack of oil, and perhaps a dull chain.
Additional tips for chain saw care are available online on Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Web site, http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu, on the Internet.
Fashion also plays a role in safe use of chain saws. A hard hat should be worn, along with safety goggles or eye glasses, ear muffs or ear plugs, lightweight gloves, work boots or shoes and fitted clothing.
McKinley said clothes should not hang loosely from the body as they might become tangled in the saw. Also, the use of nylon mesh protective leg chaps or kneepads can help protect the operator's legs.
"Saw-related back-up equipment is also important," he said.
Back-up tools include an ax, sledgehammer, wedges, sharpening file, screwdriver and wrench for throttle and chain adjustments, as well as chain oil, a funnel and plenty of fuel. Readily available shovels and a fire extinguisher should also be considered.
With the proper safety gear, back-up materials and a prepared saw, the operator is ready to begin cutting.
The saw should be started in an open, level surface as close to the work area as possible. Holding the saw firmly against the ground with one hand on the front handle and the inside of one knee on the rear handle, pull the starter rope briskly to give the engine a rapid spin.
"Don't yank the cord out to the very end; this could damage the starter mechanism," McKinley said. "Also, hold the grip and let the starter cord rewind evenly instead of letting it snap back."
When carrying the saw, the chain should be in the rear with the muffler away from the operator's body.
When operating the saw, maintaining balance is a must. McKinley warns a chain saw is not forgiving when mistakes are made by its operator. A solid grip with both hands, making sure fingers and thumbs completely encircle the handle, will allow for greater control.
"Cut with the lower side of the saw as much as possible," McKinley said. "This is the safest and least tiring position."
Cuts should be made with the wood near the middle of the saw.
"With elbows and knees slightly flexed, the saw should be operated at the side of your body so that it will not swing into your body if it suddenly kicks back," McKinley said.
Kickback results when the saw jumps toward the operator after hitting a solid object with the front of the saw. The engine torque is transferred to the guide bar, which causes the saw to rotate in a rapid motion.
"Kickback is the most dangerous of all chain saw hazards," McKinley said. "The most common cause of kickback is that small, hidden limb that catches the upper quadrant of the bar nose."
There are several scenarios that will cause kickback. However, the force will be increased by a dull chain, chase tension that is too loose and blind-cutting or boring with the bar nose.
"Kickback is responsible for about a third of the serious injuries that occur each year with chain saws," McKinley said. "Avoiding kickback should be a major concern of all chain saw operators."
Once the cutting is complete, there are some recommended steps to proper storage of the saw, beginning with stopping the engine and draining the fuel tank in a safe area. Then, the engine should be restarted and run at idle to remove the remaining gas from the engine.
The chain can then be removed and stored in a container of oil and the spark plug wire should also be disconnected to reduce the possibility of accidental starting.
McKinley said following these procedures allows those with tree and limb damage to clear their property back of debris in a relatively safe manner. However, even with cautious operation, the threat of injury or death still exists.
