Chain saws are a frequently rented item and one of the most useful tools in any rental dealer's inventory. They are also one of the most dangerous tools you can rent. Common sense, combined with safe use of your rented chain saw, will make for a pleasureable and efficient rental experience.

Read the following article and refer to is as you undertake tasks commonly associated with chain saws.

NOTE: Despite its name, chain saws are not designed to cut anything other than wood. Chain saws should not be used to cut metal or concrete. Chain saws with specially equipped blades to cut concrete and metal do exist. If you need to cut materials other than trees, check with your rental dealer for the proper tool.

Refueling

Chain saws engines are 2-stroke and require a mixture of gasoline and oil to run properly. In most cases, a fuel/oil mixture of 50:1 provides the best ratio. Check with your rental dealer

CORRECT CHAIN TENSION
To ensure good cutting action and a long chain life, check chain tension frequently. If the chain is too loose, it will come off; if too tight, the chain will bind and overheat. All chains stretch with use. Most of the stretch occurs during the first half hour of operation.

Tip a good way to ensure proper tension for the chain is to place a dime between the chain and the bar. Tighten the chain until it is snug against the dime. Remove the dime and your chain saw is ready to cut at the proper tension.


Prepare Yourself

Always prepare yourself before operating a chain saw. If you have never operated a chain saw, you should obtain training from someone who is familiar with recommended safe operational procedures before attempting to work with a chain saw. Your local rental dealer is an excellent resource for this type of training.

NEVER operate your rented chain saw unless you are in top physical and mental condition. If you are taking medications, under the influence of alcohol or otherwise in a condition where your physical and mental abilities are impaired, do not attempt to operate a chain saw. Chain saws are dangerous machines and can maim or kill the operator. Your chance of injury is significantly decreased if you are rested, alert and healthy.

Figure 1.

Make sure you are properly dressed (Figure 1). Safety goggles, hearing protection, steel-toed shoes, hard hat, gloves, and close-fitting clothing are all highly recommended when working with chain saws. Chain-saw resistant chaps, designed to protect the left side of your leg, where most chain saw injuries occur, also are available. Ask your rental dealer what types of safety clothing are available with your rented chain saw.

Saw Selection

There are three sizes of chain saws to choose from based upon the type of work:

• Lightweight saws have an 8-to-12 inch guide bar. They are best for light work, cutting small branches, and felling very small trees (6-to-10 inch diameter at the cut).
  
• Mid-weight saws have a 14-to-20 inch guide bar. They are excellent for frequent log cutting and felling of small trees (12-to-18 inch diameter at the cut).
  
• Heavyweight chain saws have a guide bar more than 20 inches long. They are for professional use, not the average consumer.

• WARNINGThe saw chain will rotate when the saw is started. The saw chain can cause serious injury. Always clear a safe work area before starting a chain saw.
  
• IMPORTANTThe engine is controlled by a two-position "ON-OFF" switch located near the throttle on the rear handle.
  
• Always use both hands when starting a chain saw, one to hold the saw and the other to pull the starter rope.
  
• Some chain saws are designed with a foothold for starting. Place the saw on the ground, securing the saw by placing your rightr foot inside the rear handle and your left hand firmly on the front handle.
  
• Grip the top handle of the saw firmly and pull the starter rope slowly until you feel the starting mechanism engage. (Figure 2).
  
  Figure 2
  
  
• Start the saw by pulling the starter cord upward quickly.
  
• CAUTIONThe recoil starter can be damaged by abuse. Never pull the starter cord to its full length. Always engage the starter before cranking the engine. Always rewind the starter cord slowly.

• Push the choke control in to its original position (choke is open.)
  
• If the engine does not continue to run, pull the recoil again.
  
• WARNING The saw will turn as the engine accelerates
  
• Operating the throttle will automatically disengage the "fast-idle" setting.
  
• DO NOT attempt to start a chain saw while holding it in mid-air with one hand. Always start it on the ground on a stable and level surface.
  
• Always use both hands to control the chain saw. NEVER attempt to cut a tree or limb with only one hand. NEVER force a chain saw through a cut, if it is properly sharpened and adjusted it will cut easily, almost by itself. Let the chain saw do the work.

• Examine the tree to determine which way it leans and how it's weighted. This will have a lot to do with the direction of the fall.
  
• Examine the surrounding area and make sure it is free of people, power and utility lines and any other objects the tree might strike with the fall.
  
• Clear the area of people, vehicles, branches and debris.
  
• If an electric power line runs anywhere near the vicinity of the tree DO NOT attempt to work on the tree unless you are absolutely certain that it will not interfere with the electric line. If you must fell the tree and you suspect a problem, call your local utility to remove the tree. They have the expertise to do it safely.
  
• Gauge wind speed and direction. If windy or gusty conditions exist, postpone felling until conditions improve.
  
• Carefully observe the area for other trees. A cut tree that becomes entangled with a standing tree and does not properly fall creates a very dangerous hazard. Determine the direction of fall carefully as well as an escape route. DO NOT wait until the tree is falling to decide which way you should move to avoid being hit.
  
• Plan ahead! Always plan an escape route to a safe location from your work area. You should plan a path of retreat along a line of approximately 45 degrees from the direction of the falling tree (Figure 3). This is a very important consideration when felling trees. Select a place beforehand to set the chain saw. NEVER run with a chain saw in your hand, operating or not. If a dangerous condition occurs, turn off the chain saw and set it down. Chains saws are replaceable. You are not.
  
  Figure 3
  
  
• Plan a safe, unobstructed path of retreat before making felling cut. When tree begins to fall, remove safe, stop motor, set it on ground and retreat rapidly at 45-degree angle from line of fall.
  
• Plan your cuts carefully. Under most conditions, chain saws can cut smaller trees (up to a 6-inch diameter) with a single pass. Larger trees may require a series of cuts as described in the next section.

• When the nose of the blade strikes another object.
  
• Starting a bore cut improperly.
  
• When the blade nose or tip catches the bottom or side of a saw cut during reinsertion.

• Always avoid making cuts with the saw between your legs, always cut with the saw to the outside of your legs.
  
• Don't stand on a log and saw between your feet.
  
• Always stand to one side of the limb you are to cut, never straddle it.
  
• Always keep in mind where the chain will go if it breaks, never position yourself or other people in line with the chain.
  
• Keep the chain out of the dirt, debris will fly, the teeth will be dulled and the chain life shortened considerably.