Use and Care Manual

ENGLISH
13
• Pull the chain brake / front hand guard
3
towards the
front handle
13
into the “set” position as shown in
FigureO.
• The tool is now ready touse.
NOTE: In the event of kickback, your left hand will come in
contact with the front guard, pushing it forward, toward the
workpiece. This will stop thetool.
Fig. O
3
13
Testing The Chain Brake
Test the chain brake before every use to make sure it
operatescorrectly.
• Place the tool on a flat, firm surface. Make sure the saw
chain
5
is clear of theground.
• Grip the tool firmly with both hands and turn the chain
sawon.
• Rotate your left hand forward around the front handle
13
so the back of your hand comes in contact with
the Chain brake / front hand guard
3
and push it
forward, toward the workpiece. The saw chain should
stopimmediately.
NOTE: If saw does not stop immediately, stop use of tool
and bring it to a
DeWALT service center nearestyou.

WARNING: Make sure to set chain brake
beforecutting.
Common Cutting Techniques
(Fig. A, P, Q, R, S, T)
Felling
The process of cutting down a tree. Be sure battery is fully
charged before felling a tree so you can finish on a single
charge. Do not fell trees in high windconditions.

WARNING: Felling can result in injury. It should only
be performed by a trainedperson.
• A retreat path should be planned and cleared as
necessary before cuts are started. The retreat path
should extend back and diagonally to the rear of the
expected line of fall (see FigureP).
DIRECTION
OF
FALL
RETREAT
45°
TREE
Fig. P
• Before felling is started, consider the natural lean of
the tree, the location of larger branches and the wind
direction to judge which way the tree will fall. Have
wedges (wood, plastic or aluminum) and a heavy mallet
handy. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where the felling cuts are to
bemade.
• Notching Undercut - Make the notch 1/3 of the
diameter of the tree, perpendicular to the direction of
the fall. Make the lower horizontal notching cut first.
This will help to avoid pinching of either the saw chain
or the guide bar when the second notch cut is being
made (see FigureQ).
• Felling Back Cut - Make the felling back cut at least 2"
(51mm) higher than the horizontal notching cut. Keep
the felling back cut parallel to the horizontal notching
cut. Make the felling back cut so enough wood is left
to act as a hinge. The hinge wood keeps the tree from
twisting and falling in the wrong direction. Do not cut
through the hinge (see FigureQ).
• As the felling cut gets close to the hinge the tree should
begin to fall. If there is any chance that the tree may
not fall in the desired direction or it may rock back and
bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling cut
is complete and use wedges to open the cut and drop
the tree along the desired line of fall. When the tree
begins to fall remove the chain saw from the cut, stop
the motor, put the chain saw down, then use the retreat
path planned. Be alert for overhead limbs falling and
watch yourfooting.
2" (51 mm)
DIRECTION OF FALL
2" (51 mm)
HINGE
NOTCH
FELLING BACK CUT
Fig. Q
Limbing
Removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing,
leave larger lower limbs to support the log off the ground.
Remove the small limbs in one cut. Branches under tension
should be cut from the bottom of the branch towards the
top to avoid binding the chain saw as shown in FigureR.
Trim limbs from opposite side keeping tree stem between
you and saw. Never make cuts with saw between your legs
or straddle the limb to becut.