Husqvarna 61 268 272XP Operator's Manual

Also see for 268: Workshop manual Operator's manual

English – 23WORKING TECHNIQUES6 Always use a fast cutting speed, i.e. full throttle.7 Take great care when you cut with the top edge of the bar,i.e. when cutting from the underside of the object. This isknown as cutting on the push stroke. The chain tries topush the chain saw back towards the user. If the saw chainis jamming, the saw may be pushed back at you.8 Unless the user resists this pushing force there is a riskthat the chain saw will move so far backwards that only thekickback zone of the bar is in contact with the tree, whichwill lead to a kickback.Cutting with the bottom edge of the bar, i.e. from the top ofthe object downwards, is known as cutting on the pullstroke. In this case the chain saw pulls itself towards thetree and the front edge of the chain saw body restsnaturally on the trunk when cutting. Cutting on the pullstroke gives the operator better control over the chain sawand the position of the kickback zone.9 Follow the instructions on sharpening and maintainingyour bar and chain. When you replace the bar and chainuse only combinations that are recommended by us. Seeinstructions under the headings Cutting equipment andTechnical data.Basic cutting techniqueGeneral• Always use full throttle when cutting!• Reduce the speed to idle after every cut (running theengine for too long at full throttle without any load, i.e.without any resistance from the chain during cutting, canlead to serious engine damage).• Cutting from above = Cutting on the pull stroke.• Cutting from below = Cutting on the push stroke.Cutting on the push stroke increases the risk of kickback. Seeinstructions under the heading How to avoid kickback.TermsCutting = General term for cutting through wood.Limbing = Cutting branches off a felled tree.Splitting = When the object you are cutting breaks off beforethe cut is complete.There are five important factors you shouldconsider before making a cut:1 Make sure the cutting equipment will not jam in the cut.2 Make sure the object you are cutting will not split.3 Make sure the chain will not strike the ground or any otherobject during or after cutting.4 Is there a risk of kickback?5 Do the conditions and surrounding terrain affect howsafely you can stand and move about?Two factors decide whether the chain will jam or the objectthat you are cutting will split: the first is how the object issupported before and after cutting, and the second is whetherit is in tension.In most cases you can avoid these problems by cutting in twostages; from the top and from the bottom. You need to supportthe object so that it will not trap the chain or split duringcutting.The following instructions describe how to handle thecommonest situations you are likely to encounter when usinga chain saw.! WARNING! Never use a chain saw by holdingit with one hand. A chain saw is not safelycontrolled with one hand. Always have asecure, firm grip around the handles withboth hands.IMPORTANT! If the chain jams in the cut: stop the engine!Don’t try to pull the chain saw free. If you do you may beinjured by the chain when the chain saw suddenly breaksfree. Use a lever to open up the cut and free the chain saw.