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John Hushagen earns $10,000 a year...and creates new forests at the same time!...
A simple program that will help keep your woods in good condition, and provide firewood and some lu...
A small woodlot has the potential to provide a homestead with firewood, lumber, sawdust, compost, p...
Maintaining wooded property, including timber management, making a plan, clear-cut, seed tree, shel...
I won't go so far as to say that a wellmaintained saw is a safe saw. But I can safely say that if you take care of your chain saw, you will substantially reduce your chances of having a mishap.
Some chain saw manufacturers put out pretty good safety manuals. Inquire about a manual for your brand at your local dealer. Mail-order sources for safety supplies include:
Bailey's Woodsman Supplies, 44650 Highway 101, Box 550, Laytonville, CA 95454;707/984-6133.
Handeze therapeutic gloves, Dome, 10 New England Way, Warwick, RI 02886; 800/432-4352,401/738-7900.
Keeping your chain sharp cuts down on operator wear and tear, thereby cutting down on accidents. A sharp chain also prevents your guide bar and sprocket from wearing rapidly, and keeps your engine running longer because it doesn't have to work as hard. A wellsharpened chain feeds into a cut when you apply slight pressure. If you have to force the chain into a cut, the teeth are either dull or damaged. It takes only 10 or 15 minutes to thoroughly sharpen a chain, which should be done after every day in the woodlot.
Use the right size file for your chain, as recommended by your dealer or the saw's manufacturer. A good file costs about $3. Get several files so you'll always have a sharp one. They will last longest if you don't let them rattle around on the dash or in your toolbox.
When you're sharpening a lightweight saw, clamp the guide bar into a vice to hold it steady. When you're sharpening a more substantial saw, the weight of the saw will keep it steady on the work surface. Wear gloves so you won't cut your fingers on the chain teeth. Sit down where you can work comfortably and won't be inclined to hurry to get the job done. Begin by checking the chain tension—it's hard to file a loose chain.
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