[ChainPoint] At Idle...

[ChainPoint Connections]

Aloha ChainPoints!

We are back in Georgia. Arrived late yesterday evening and its going to take
a couple days to get the time change back under wraps. We had a great time
in our Hawaii Training Adventures, great people and dedicated organizers.
That combination is always hard to beat! Good to be home a few days
though....

The article this week is on Idling... At Idle. Read the article below.


The eStore is back up and shipping. Check out the great prices on PFERD
sharpening tools and other items.
http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm

If you are interested in our Train the Trainer workshops contact me direct
by email timard at forestapps.com to discuss upcoming programs.


Congratulations to:

John Lasgoity
Jeremy Christianson
Steven Wielgosh
Bruce Noble
Robert Gordon
Myron Norslien
Bruce Hopf
Brian Simpson
Paul Mulder
Frank Maglin

They have a new Forest Applications eVideo Intro DVD on the way to them
FREE. They were the first 10 registrations in June to the website. Thanks
for visiting folks...

You can order yours from the eStore.

Have a great week and weekend everyone...

Good Sawing,
Tim Ard
Forest Applications Training, Inc.

O 770.222.2511


http://www.forestapps.com

Keep up with us in Twitter   @ForestApps

See our website for connections to FaceBook

Tim¹s Blog can be found at www.forestapps.blogspot.com



At Idle
By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.

You know it is always good to idle down and take some time to rest. This is
especially true when operating chainsaws. When you start to tire it's time
to sit down and take a break. Fatigue is understood to be one of the major
causes of accidents and injuries with equipment operators.

A chainsaw should idle sometimes too. Like when you let off the throttle,
the chainsaw should stop rotating the chain. You see, when the chain is
turning you stand a higher chance of cutting something. You don't want it to
be a part of your body.

Chainsaws have a centrifugal clutch system that is a major part of it's
operation. When the throttle is released, the clutch disengages and the
chain is released from its drive system. The clutch has weighted shoes and
springs that are activated by the rotation of the engines crankshaft. The
weights are centrifugally thrown outward at above idle rpm to engage the
sprocket drive drum to turn the chain loop on the guide bar. When the
throttle is released the chain should stop rotating.

If the saw chain doesn't stop turning it greatly increases your chances of
the reactive forces of push, pull or kick-back coming into play
unexpectedly. 

If the chain turns at idle it may be caused by one or more of the following:

1. The saw's idle screw (T or LA) is set too high.
2. The centrifugal clutch springs are weak or broken.
3. The roller bearing on the crankshaft is seized or dirt bound.

Some of the common problems caused by a clutch that doesn't work properly:

1. The saw is hard to start because of the resistance of the chain.
2. The engine dies when the throttle is released.
3. The chain brake band is worn or over heated.
4. The operator is exposed to a higher risk of injury.
5. Saw control is greatly decreased for accurate cutting.

So when you take a break your chainsaw should also. Never, never operate a
chainsaw that doesn't rest when you do... When you let the engine idle, the
saw chain should too.

Remember - review your operator's manual regularly and put on your PPE
before starting your chainsaw work. 

Good Sawing!
Tim Ard


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