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

Powersaw Parts cont’d Gas Tank Oil Tank Spark Plug Exhaust On/Off Switch Choke Air Filter

Powersaw Parts cont’d Carburetor Throttle lock Pull Cord/Rope Chain Tightener/Tensioner Make/Model S/N Inventory #

Carburetor Spark Plug Pull Cord Powersaw Parts

Air Filter CompressionButton Choke Half Wrap Handle Bar Powersaw Parts

Chain Brake Half-Wrap Handle Bar Fuel/Gas 50:1 Mix Pull Cord Throttle Throttle Safety Device

Bar Chain Chain Adjusting/ Tensioner Screw Powersaw Parts

Bar Nuts Compression Relief Button Chain Brake

Carbide Tipped Chain

Regular Saw Chain

Carbide Tipped Circular Saw Blade

Fluids Mixed

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 SAWS Maintaining 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 Start Is the STOP switch ON If cold choke it If warm do not choke it Possible dirty filter Carburetor problem Saw is flooded-let it sit Bad spark plug Out 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