CHAINSAW USE

AND MAINTENANCE

Objectives:

• Teach or refresh personnel how to use chainsaws and powersaws

• Learn saw safety guidelines• Learn about saw use PPE• Learn about different types of saws

used in the fire service

Objectives continued

• Learn the parts of a powersaw • Teach or refresh personnel how to

maintain a saw after use • Learn how to troubleshoot saw

problems

Safety Guidelines

• PPE– Hardhat or

Helmet– Eye Protection– Chaps– Boots– Gloves– Hearing

protection

– Long Sleeved shirt

– Pants

Safety Guidelines cont’d

• Look Up, Look Down, Look Around– Situational

awareness– Widow makers– Snags

•Dead or Alive

– Cont’d– Bystanders– Vehicle Traffic– Fire Conditions– Weather– Other fellers

Safety Guidelines cont’d

• Everyone is a Safety officer– Safety officer

has final say-NO ARGUING

– Mitigate Hazards•life over limb•Risk benefit

factor

Safety Guidelines cont’d

•IF YOU DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE FALLING OR CUTTING A TREE IT IS

OK TO SAY NO!

Types of Saws

• Chainsaw• Circular saw (K-12)• Ventilation Saw (droop nose)

Parts of a Chainsaw or Parts of a Chainsaw or PowersawPowersaw

• Powerhead• Chain• Bar• Handle Half/Full• Chain Brake• Throttle• Bar Nuts

Powersaw Parts cont’dPowersaw Parts cont’d

• Gas Tank• Oil Tank• Spark Plug• Exhaust• On/Off Switch• Choke• Air Filter

Powersaw Parts cont’dPowersaw Parts cont’d

• Carburetor• Throttle lock• Pull Cord/Rope• Chain Tightener/Tensioner• Make/Model• S/N• Inventory #

CarburetorCarburetor

Spark PlugSpark Plug

Pull CordPull Cord

Powersaw PartsPowersaw Parts

Air FilterAir Filter

CompressionCompression

ButtonButton

ChokeChoke

Half Wrap

Handle Bar

Powersaw PartsPowersaw Parts

Powersaw PartsPowersaw Parts

Chain BrakeChain Brake

Half-Wrap Half-Wrap Handle BarHandle Bar

Fuel/GasFuel/Gas

50:1 Mix50:1 Mix

Pull CordPull Cord

ThrottleThrottle

Throttle Safety Throttle Safety DeviceDevice

BarBar

ChainChain

Chain Adjusting/Chain Adjusting/

Tensioner ScrewTensioner Screw

Powersaw PartsPowersaw Parts

Powersaw PartsPowersaw Parts

Bar NutsBar Nuts

Compression Relief Compression Relief

ButtonButton

Chain BrakeChain Brake

Carbide Tipped ChainCarbide Tipped Chain

Regular Saw ChainRegular Saw Chain

• Carbide Tipped

Circular Saw Blade

FluidsFluids

MixedMixed

Maintaining Saws

• Always keep your saw in a state of readiness

• Keep saw chain sharp• Top off gas and oil • Blow out air filter• Wipe off excess oil

MAINTAINING SAWSMaintaining Saws

• Start saws during weekly and monthly truck checks

• Store with protector over bar and chain

• Tighten all bolts and nuts• Ensure chain brake is in proper

working condition

Troubleshooting

Saw won’t StartIs the STOP switch ONIf cold choke itIf warm do not choke itPossible dirty filterCarburetor problemSaw is flooded-let it sitBad spark plugOut of gas

Troubleshooting

• Saw will not cut– Chain is dull– Chain is on backwards– Chain is not getting lubricated– Your not cutting what you are

supposed to – Chain brake on

RECAP

Recap-What did we learn?

• Taught or refreshed personnel how to use powersaws

• Saw safety guidelines• PPE while using powersaws• Different types of saws used in

the fire service

Recap-What did we learn?

• Parts of a powersaw• Maintaining a saw after use• Troubleshooting

Exercise-Get into equal groups, tear down, and clean saws. Identify parts as you go along.

-Buck up log/wood that is provided wearing proper PPE.

Updated

6-15-05