2019 Fall Home & Garden

2019 Fall Home & Garden Video Magazine Lincoln Daily News Sept. 26, 2019 Page 37 a smaller, more lightweight engine, and do not need crankcase oil to keep them running. There are two different bar types available: standard bar and bow-bar. - The bow bar is only available on limited models, is used because it is a faster cutter which tends to bog down less, and is generally considered much more dangerous to use in the industry. - The standard bar chainsaws will cut on both the bottom of the bar and the top of the bar, and generally is safer to use when cutting with the top of the bar. A condition called “kickback” can occur when attempting to cut with the top or tip of the bar, causing the chainsaw to suddenly lurch at your face or head and can cause serious operator injury. Bow bar saws are notorious for causing kickback and are generally only used by professional arborists. Tips for Avoiding Chainsaw Kickback Bar lengths: - Most electric chainsaws and home saws have a limited bar length, usually16 inches or less (a 12 inch chainsaw bar is standard on home and electric models). The bar length limits the size of the cut, the size of the log being cut, the amount of power being used, the control needed, and usually is less dangerous because there is less cutting area for the operator to be exposed to. - Farm saws may have bar lengths up to 24 inches for larger jobs and the power necessary, and professional saws have bar lengths up to six feet (72 inches). The bigger the bar, the larger log you can cut. Larger bars require more powerful and heavier engines, and universally are used less for small to medium cutting jobs. Safety first: Chainsaws should always be used while standing on the ground (as a homeowner), and never be used while standing on a ladder to avoid injury or death. Protective clothing and eyewear are recommended for use while operating a chainsaw. Helmets, face masks, hearing protection, Kevlar gloves, and even special chaps are designed to protect the operator and prevent injury or death. Personal Protective Equipment Chains become dull from normal use, but immediately become dull and useless when you are cutting something other than wood. Attempting to cut wood below the surface of the soil will immediately dull any chain (including carbide) and render the saw useless. Cutting dirt, rocks or any metal will immediately turn a good chain into a worthless cutting tool. Dull chains can be re-sharpened using chainsaw files, Dremel rotary sharpening sets, expensive motorized sharpeners, or can Continued n