(If you’re looking to cut something higher, consider an altogether different tool: a manual rope saw, often called a pocket chainsaw.) To remove lower branches and buttress roots prior to felling a tree, slice downward and use the pulling chain-that’s the portion of the chain as it wraps the bar’s bottom. Never operate a chainsaw on a ladder, and never cut limbs that are higher than your shoulder. Hold the chainsaw with two hands and at an angle or a little to one side rather than directly in front of you, in case of kickback. Find the Correct Stance for Holding the Sawįind a comfortable stance, and keep both feet firmly planted as you work. Never wear loose clothing, as it can get caught in the teeth of the saw. Wear all necessary personal protective equipment, including chaps, a chainsaw helmet with face guard, gloves, and either steel-toed or logging boots. Have a complete first aid kit on hand with at least one blood-clotting bandage. Make sure someone knows where you are and when you intend to return. If you’re working in the woods, set a traffic safety flag by your car. Having a friend nearby can save your life. When something goes wrong, it happens fast.
Whether you’re learning how to use a chainsaw for the first time or on a routine job, never operate this power tool alone.
You can operate a chainsaw more safely and minimize the chances of kickback by keeping the chain sharp and tensioned and always cutting below shoulder height.Īs well, today’s lower-powered chainsaws (including electric models)-developed not for pro lumberjacks, but for DIYers who want to get their own firewood and keep their property pruned-rely on a low-kickback chain that grabs less fiber as it rounds the kickback zone, minimizing the likelihood of kickback.įamiliarize yourself with the safety considerations reviewed here before attempting to operate a chainsaw, and then follow our practical tips for safe, effective cutting. Essential Safety Tips for a Beginner or Experienced Chainsaw User Kickback can lead to catastrophic injury, so users must take extra precautions and always follow proper form for how to use a chainsaw in order to avoid disaster.īefore you pick up any chainsaw-high power or low, gas or electric-take the risks very seriously. While it’s designed to cut with either the top or bottom of the blade, just about anything that comes in contact with the top half of the end tip of the blade (known as the kickback zone) can change the cutting momentum and cause the saw to slam back against you. It also ranks as the most dangerous power tool available without a license.
The chainsaw-a portable power tool that cuts wood via a fast-moving chain that rotates around a guide bar-can make short work of pruning, felling, limbing, and bucking trees.