Sharp Never Dull

Sharp is Never a Dull Subject…

By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.

In workshops for many years I have used a large scale cutter tooth to open up discussions on chainsaw safety. It has always been a great icebreaker for my presentations because everyone knows, or believes they do, how important sharpening is to their success with a chainsaw.

Understanding the five cutting parts of a saw tooth helps us to confirm our saw chain will do the job. The real test however, is putting it in the wood. My theory is the cutting rate into the limb or log should be about an inch a second or something is wrong, dull.

I strongly believe, Theory by Ard, that many of the laceration incidents with chainsaws occur because of dull chain. When an operator pushes harder to make the cut, the chance of loss of control or lack of regaining control increases. When we apply more pressure to the reactive forces of the bar and chain, the management of them is truly risky. So the answer - keeping a sharp chain is never a dull subject in chainsaw operation.

I know we all consider ourselves chainsaw file efficient, but every workshop I have attendees come up and state they learned something they didn't know by revisiting the basics.

Check out the articles and info on our website on sharpening. A good refresher if nothing else will produce a much more efficient and safe chainsaw experience.

www.ForestApps.com

Chain Saw Issues Workshop

NEW ChainSaw Issues Workshop

By Tim Ard, President Forest Applications Training, Inc.

Forest Applications Training, Inc. is offering a New Issues workshop…

Over 30 years I have travelled this great country, from sea to shining sea, leading workshops on chainsaw safety and productivity and will continue as long as I am able.

We have decided to offer a new one day Issues Workshop that is composed of answers to the many questions I receive during the years of training. I think it will complement your chainsaw operations in a way that is unimaginable until you sit through it. I say sit, it’s more like work...

Everyone considers the safety issues of chainsaw operations in training of employees and personal use. PPE, Planning and Cutting Techniques - but seldom look to the details of why many chainsaw incidents occur. In listening to saw operator statements over the years, it is blatantly evident that the following workshop topics are some of the root cause. These issues are our new workshop’s focus. The 6+ hours are not comprised of felling, limbing and bucking but more toward getting your equipment ready and remaining ready during your chainsaw tasks. It will not replace our other three days of training offerings.

I am convinced that many safety issues with operators are caused by improper saw selection, lack of attention to or ability to maintain the saw and or chain efficiently, and thinking that all of these are someone else’s responsibility. This workshop is not designed nor intended to be filled by bodies but rather by key people who want to make a difference in chainsaw operations, safety and productivity.

For you or your organization, the Issues Workshop is covering the basics and the advanced details, hands-on and how to share it:

1. Saw Selection for Multiple Tasks

2. Understanding Saw Guide Bar and Chain Combinations

3. Reducing Down Time Maintenance

4. Chain Sharpening - hand tools and mechanical grinding

5. Fuels - Mixing and Understanding Two-Cycle Gasoline and Chainsaw Adjustments

_________________________________________________________________

Class Size - 12 Maximum

Work Time - 6+ hours

Bring-

Chainsaws and PPE

2 Saw Chains for Filing (may be new or partial used)

(Organizers)

Logs for sawing

Workshop or Classroom

This workshop is not brand specific and you are encouraged to Bring You Own Saw (BYOS). We will be looking at your tools and ability to maximize your efficiency with them.

The Chainsaw Issues Workshop is great for Power Equipment dealers to organize or host for customers and especially for chainsaw operators and shop personnel of any organization, city, county and government operations. For more information -

Contact Forest Applications Training, Inc. for questions, pricing and booking Info@ForestApps.com

One Track

One Track Training

By Tim Ard, President Forest Applications Training, Inc.

I was viewing a training video recently from another industry and something really struck home with me that applies to chainsaws and training there of. It stated that our minds are truly one track. We can only process one thing at a time. A brain in thought (in process) cannot process another thought unless the first process is completed or rejected. If we are given a detailed list of information for a task we should make notes without trying to process it as we write it down. If we attempt to think it through (process it) as we are receiving the information we will undoubtedly miss some of the needed important information.

What does this mean? If we are trying to think and process a plan in our head and something or someone else interrupts the process all processes stop until resumed or replaced with the later. I’m confusing myself now….

We need to make sure instruction, or supervision of a task, with an individual or crew allows for thought processing. If we do not have a clear shared plan before beginning, trying to do everything by command during the task, the brain is not allowed to function properly. No one learns and the outcome is questionable. Trying to train while attempting a production situation, on the job training, may not allow for rapid retention of the processes.

In a discussion with a supervisor group recently, they all agreed that it definitely takes longer to bring a new employee up to speed, even on basic tasks, if you are trying to do so in a production environment. Achieving productivity while taking the time to educate on the task is simply hard to do. This is even sometimes true when just moving workers between crews or even to new crew locations with experienced workers.

It’s tough to realize productivity in a new given task. We come up with an imagined goal of what a task should take in time, let’s say like sharpening a twenty inch loop of saw chain, but we don’t weigh in the factors of how a basic understanding of the task is reflected in the efficient use of the sharpening device to accomplish the task. We think a tool is going to be the answer to productivity, in reality it is the operator’s understanding of the projected result that makes the tool faster or more efficient. Production (Production=Efficiency Accomplished Safely) is expected without first building the basis of the task through education/training. We try the tool or technique without reading the manual for proper set up nor understand the design of the tool to maximize its function and accomplish the task.

Training programs (a good one) with maximum results are usually well timed and implemented to the participant’s ability to retain the information. Repetition assists retention outcome, taking time to repeat information enough to maximize results. We all wish we could be proficient at any task we desire to overtake in short order, but some tasks just take longer to master. In rushing the process, it is often clear the basics are overlooked, thinking we are above that plateau of experience. We then have to back up several times to retain the information to move along forward again.

Back to the top - We are told to do something without first given the ability to think through the why’s and how’s of the operation and or task. We fail because of it or the tool or technique is thought to be insufficient to the task. We are back to being told what to do to improve productivity, and we cant think through the reasoning because our brain can’t process it all in a given amount of time.

So, we need to train our brain to understand the basics, repeat as needed to retain the information and then move on…. This must be the reason we are not allowed to finish grades one through twelve in six years. Our one track brain needs one track information and it takes “One Track Training Time” to get us there.

Test Question - Do you consider on the job tasks during productivity a training program?

Try One Track Training and compare the results….

© 2013 Forest Applications Training, Inc. www.ForestApps.com

Sharp Point

Sharp Point Update...

by Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.

Way out here in California... with not a lot to do over the weekend, I drove to Dixon, CA to take a look at the progress of Sharp Point, LLC. 

Sharp Point, LLC is a chain maintenance system company that has been working with tree care and logging chainsaw users for about three years. They have a very automated system for sharpening saw chains for these organizations. You collect your chains, USPS or UPS them, in their prearranged shipping packs and drop them at the shipper, or have them picked up. 

SP receives them, cleans them, repairs them, and puts an edge on them that only a factory could match. The complete system is the key to this working in the field and your key to increased production reducing cost. 

They explained to me the next step is doing the same process with complete saws...? Leasing your favorite saw brand model... interesting!

If you are a large user of chainsaws and saw chain in your application Sharp Point LLC could be for you.

Send me a message with subject line Sharp Point to info@forestapps.com if you're wanting to know more.

Idling to Save...

Idling to Save…

By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.

Since cooler weather has come upon most chainsaw operations this year, I find age old idling problems again to still be a major issue. Consistently, every class and operation observed, at least a couple saws are idling too high or will not stay running at idle.

When a saw idles at too high RPM it creates issues that are just not good...

1. If a clutch and saw chain doesn't disengage at idle, the operator is put into a position that could end in a loss of control and laceration. Idle should be set low enough to disengage the clutch and the saw chain should stop all rotation.


2. Excessive heat and wear is created on the centrifugal clutch and drum as the clutch shoes and springs slip inside the drum. Especially when the chain brake is applied.

When a saw will not idle…

1. When the throttle is released the engine dies and has to be restarted. Often distressing the operator and taking concentration off the work at hand.


2. The starter system and rope receive a lot more stress and wear than necessary.

There are several steps to adjusting a chainsaw carburetor and you should consult your owners manual or your local dealer before making any adjustments, but the first step to adjustment can be accomplished without a screwdriver.

Is my chainsaw adjusted correctly? Follow these simple checks…

Assuming - Fresh, properly mixed fuel in tank. Engine will start. Air Filter is clean.

1. Air filter clean, start and warm up to run temperature.


2. Run up to full throttle. The engine should approach top no load RPM and level out. RPM should not continue to climb. We call this level RPM engine sound a high speed flutter. If RPM continues to climb the H screw adjustment is too lean.


3. Reduce throttle. The chain should stop any rotation and creep. If rotation continues adjustment to the T or LA screw is necessary.


4. With the saw idling, apply chain brake and roll the saw over, up and down. It should continue to idle without significant RPM change or dyeing. If idle doesn't continue, the L setting is too rich.


5. Release chain brake and depress throttle quickly. The RPM should return to high flutter without any hesitation. If hesitation is existent, L screw adjustment is too lean.

These five will troubleshoot for you if adjustment is necessary. Remember, you don’t need to have a screwdriver to adjust your saw. If you know its out of adjustment, you can take it to someone who is trained to use one. If your saw does not pass the five - choosing not to adjust - can also have negative mechanical and safety outcomes.

Make sure your saw is Idling to Save and don’t forget to wear your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when checking or operating your chainsaw.

Good Sawing, Tim

No Adjustment

Very Soon No Adjustments

By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.

Recently I had the opportunity to sit through a very interesting presentation at one of Stihl’s dealer training activities. Twenty years ago, I would have never imagined that one day a laptop would replace a screwdriver to tune up a chain saw…

To check the run history and current fuel air adjustments, newly released and future two-cycles, will be connected to a laptop to read its electronic brain (so to speak). Simply plug it in and it will tell you several hours of the engine’s running history. Fuel mix, ignition spark, heat history, all can be displayed right on your computer screen. This information allowing the technician to analyze the past running, or failure, and adjust the engine for future performance.

These electronic screwdriver controls will help keep ethanol fuel (some effects) and other run situations from taking down your favorite two-cycle power plant. It will keep a running engine in tune to its peak performance during all your sawing, cutting and trimming tasks.

If you think James Bond stays up with the latest technology -- check out some of the latest available to you at your local chainsaw dealer.

Good Sawing!

It Begins...

It Begins...
By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.

The summer thunderstorm and hurricane season has began again this year with marked devastation in the southern states. Heavy rainfall with high winds from the tropical storm Debby has lingered over the Florida Gulf area for several days and the effects have been felt northward for many miles. In the west, Colorado has been experiencing some of the hottest temp days in years accompanied by thousands of acres being devastated by wildfire. Those directly in the path of these disasters feel there is little left to the future other than many hours of clean up and rebuilding. Life continues, it begins again...

Somewhere, everyday, damages to life and property from storm and fire take place. Time after time the first tools to be placed into action are chainsaws. When the equipment is put into action, are plans in place to orchestrate this work process? Has training been previously conducted? Has an action plan been reviewed and incident prevention revisited before - It Begins...

Organized disaster relief has already made efforts to pre-train their workers if done properly. They know where their expertise resides and they concentrate on these properly placed skills to maximize their effectiveness and maintain an incident free work process. This organization and training must take place before the storm hits. It's documented that the cleanup operations, over time, have taken more people to the emergency rooms than the storms and fires themselves.

Sawing safely begins with a plan not the pull of the rope...

It Begins with...
Personal Protective Equipment
A chainsaw properly applied to the task
Understanding of the saw's owner's manual
Knowledge of the saw chain
Organizing saw supplies and accessories for operation
Plan and analyze the work area
Plan each cut
Communication with other workers
Know your limits!

Train for the future, don't wait till work begins.

Make certain you and your work team have had the proper beginning...

Sawing safely begins with a plan not the pull of the rope...

Tim Ard is President of Forest Applications Training, Inc. Find out more at www.ForestApps.com before the storm.


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