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The All New Chipper Course... Has it gone legislation mad?

Running through the new Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Manually Fed Woodchippers course today (why do all the new qualifications have to have such long titles?), it struck just how much has changed from the 'old' chippers certificate. The new one is much better written, more logical and covers all the salient points - but legislation... getting the candidate to remember information on five different regulations on a one day short course is a bit much!

Or is it? We all know it's important to maintain health and safety standards - we work in a dangerous industry after all, and stupid 'mistakes' are still being made such as this example where a worker lost an arm in a chipper, and this example of an unsupervised and untrained teenager operating a chipper who lost his toes after pushing the brash into it. These aren't accidents from decades ago either... how is it there is still such ignorance about the law surrounding this equipment?

All of the new Level 2 Awards have a common thread through them - risk assessment, emergency planning, and legislation - and I think that's a good thing, but why does the Level 2 Woodchippers talk about the following NINE regulations...

Management of Health & Safety At Work Act '99
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations '98
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations '05
Personal Protective Equipment Regulations '92
Manual Handling Operations Regulations '92
Noise at Work Regulations '89
COSHH
"Countryside and Wildlife Act '81" (shouldn't that be the Wildlife and Countryside Act anyway?
RIDDOR

...when the Level 2 chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting only has:

Health & Safety at Work Act
PUWER
AFAG guides (no mention of INDG317: Chainsaws At Work or the FISA guides which have taken over from some of the formally relevant AFAG guides)

No mention of RIDDOR there... and no mention of the PPE regulations either... or the manual handling regs, control of vibration, noise at work, or COSHH for that matter! All of which apply equally to using chainsaws as much as using the chipper.

Perhaps City & Guilds NPTC should consider separating out the legislative stuff and running it as a distinct assessment? Then enforcing refresher training on this.

What do you think?

DriveLink is on Facebook

I've just created a page on Facebook! This has the chainsaw videos easily available through the Links element, and I'll be posting some new stuff on the page in due course...

You can find DriveLink at http://facebook.com/drivelink

Crossword Competition

Fancy winning an Oregon Timber Vice? Well, now you have the chance with DriveLink. Find out more after the jump...

This is your chance to win an Oregon timber vice - real useful out in the woods for getting a more accurately sharpened chain whilst out in the woods (or anywhere where you can find a chuck of wood to stick the prongs in!).

It's new, boxed and waiting for a winner of this competition. So, how do you enter? Download and print off the crossword puzzle shown in the image above (it's A4 sized in real life, when printed).

Complete the crossword puzzle - it's all related to the CS30 NPTC schedule, so if you're not too sure of an answer you should be able to go looking for it.

Print the puzzle off and complete it. Send your copy to me by the start of May (01/05/2010) and I'll choose a winner. Make sure to include your name and address, or at the very least your name and email address so I can contact you if you are the winner!

I can also assure you that I won't be selling your details off to anyone, but I might contact you if there are any exciting developments in the world of DriveLink (however unlikely that is!).

If you are a chainsaw trainer and would like to use the crossword with your students, then please feel free to download, copy and use at will.

Terms & Conditions: there is just the one prize and no cash alternative! The competition entries must be in by the 1st May 2010. This is a UK only competition.

I should also mention that many of you know that I work for Sparsholt College - this competition has nothing to do with the College! Despite that, competition entries should be sent to:

David Vickers
c/o Sparsholt College
Forestry & Arboriculture
Winchester
Hampshire
SO21 2NF

Understanding Chain Ident.

Over the last few chainsaw maintenance courses that I've run, it's become obvious that there is some confusion over how to identify a chain. So, if this is something that you're not entirely sure about, here's your chance to get it nailed. Read on for more information...

Perhaps the easiest way to find out how to identify the chain correctly is to have a look at the following table. We'll just stick to Oregon, Stihl and Husqvarna...

	Oregon	Stihl	Husqvarna
No. on drive link	ID #. Look up in filing table.	Chain gauge. Ignore for now.	ID #. Look up in filing table.
No. on depth gauge.	Depth gauge setting in thousandths of an inch.	Chain pitch. Look up in filing table.	N/A

For Oregon and Stihl chains you'll also need to compare the cutter profile with that described in the filing table - that way you'll ensure you are looking at the relevant chain information.

Take a look at this previous post if you need to convert between Stihl's terminology for cutter profiles and others... Name Your Chain

Teaching Tension & Compression

I recently had a student that found it difficult to fully grasp the concept of tension and compression wood. This student understood that if a piece of timber was only held at one end, then the compression wood was underneath, and that's where the first cut would be made; but when it was balanced at either end, they just couldn't see it. What I needed was a way to help this student understand where the cut should be made - this gained particular significance as I'd been told that they had failed a previous attempt at CS30 on demonstrating knowledge of tension and compression! Find out my solution after the jump...

After we had been down the woodyard, practicing the crosscutting, I have to admit that I thought we'd got it sussed. But we hadn't - my fault really and now I needed to come up with something that would help this student. Walking back, I was running various ideas through my head when I had a moment of inspiration.

I needed something quick, simple and easy to understand. Perhaps something this student could take away with them to practice with.

The result can be seen in the picture at the top of this post - click on it to get it full size (A4). Here's how it works...

Cut out around the edge of the rectangles, and then fold in half as it shows.

After folding it, glue it together just to hold the halves in place.

The elliptical pads represent where the wood is held up - so if you place the single pad touching on a table, or whatever, with the other end free, you'll see that the free end sags down (because there's nothing holding it up). Holding it this way, you can also see that the letter 'T' (tension) is uppermost and the number '2' (second cut) is showing. This tells you that the compression wood, which you would cut into first, is on the underside of the timber.

Now turn the paper over and balance the two pads at either end across your hands. You can now see that the letter 'C' (compression) is on top, and the number '1' (first cut) is showing. This tells you that the first cut to make is the compression wood on top.

It's easier to do, than to explain ;-)

Anyway, if it's of use to anyone, then please feel free to download it and give it a go. If you're a trainer, then feel free to use it. As for my student? They passed with flying colours.

Supporting Dyslexic Learners

This year I've been much more aware of many learners attending my courses who are dyslexic - whether they have mild 'symptoms' or serious dyslexia and find it extremely difficult to read at all. Whilst the NPTC assessments are practical based, with questions asked to test knowledge, the problem still remains for trainers to put across information in a manner suitable for everyone, irrespective of any learning difficulties.

This is an area that I'm just starting to learn about myself, and over the last 6-9 months I've been trying to help those that are dyslexic so that they can revise skills and knowledge learnt on a course. Find out more after the jump...

Here at Sparsholt College, at the start of the year I tweaked the application process so that I knew in advance if learners with learning difficulties, dyslexia and so on, were to attend a course. This sort of knowledge is important to a trainer so that we can make our lessons inclusive for everyone.

For starters, I rely heavily on imagery when I teach, although I can't get away entirely from text here and there; and of course the course notes that every student gets have large areas of text. From what I've learnt, the colour of the paper that the notes are written on can make a big impact, improving readability. I now make it a point to ask any students if they would prefer to have their notes printed on something other than standard white paper.

It's only a small thing, but the response from dyslexic students has been interesting - it really seems to make a difference. In fact, one student was really taken by the fact that I had asked and made a comment along the lines of "Thanks, yes I'd like it on pale yellow paper. I can't believe you care - where I was before just treated me as if I was stupid". That's no way to treat anyone and I;ve had other students who have benefited from this small change.

It's also why I have introduced some audio stuff here on DriveLink, as well as video. It's just another way of getting across the information, some will prefer to watch a video, others will hate it. That's fine - as long as they get the skills and knowledge they need to operate a chainsaw, fell a tree, or climb, safely.

The image at the top of the screen was actually destined to be a storyboard for another instructional video that I want to make (I've got so many ideas for videos!), but I also wondered of it was useful to others as a quick reference on how to sharpen a chain. Naturally, it's a bit light on actual information (that's what the video will be for), but as an aide-memoire or quick reference, if it's useful to someone then print it off. It's sized for A4 paper, so should just print out fine.

If you're reading this, and you've got staff, or you know someone that has learning difficulties of some sort, then make sure they get the training they deserve - improving the effectiveness of the training we deliver will help reduce accidents and increase knowledge across this industry.

- David -

Chainsaw Multi-Tool

Here's a neat took that one of my collegues, Mark, has just got hold of - his downfall was showing it to me! That's it in the picture, find out more after the jump...

This multi-tool is specially designed for chainsaws and it seems like a great idea - so let's take a closer look and see if it could be sticking in your toolbox (or on your belt).

The 'Top Saw Pocket Wrench' is pretty small at 4½ inches long, containing all the useful implements one needs to keep a chainsaw running...

Long reach spark plug spanner (16mm / 19mm)

13mm spanner

4mm allen key

Torx driver

Bar cleaner

Small flat screwdriver

Large flat screwdriver

The whole lot fits into a nylon pouch with a belt loop, allowing you to keep the tool close to hand for when you need tweak the idle adjust screw, or sort out the chain tension.

The long reach spanner is reversible, although you'll need to unscrew the Nyloc nut, switch the spanner round to the size you need and then tighten it back up again. However, the chances are that you'll only need one size for most saws, so it's not a problem; but I could imagine that if you need to maintain several saws that use both 19mm and 16mm spark plugs / nuts, it would get a bit tedious swapping it round as you'd need to carry round a Philips screwdriver and a 10mm spanner to swap it round. As I said, if your saw(s) use the same size spark plug, it's not an issue. The 13mm spanner fits on to the smaller nuts that hold on the Husqvarna side plate, but interestingly enough this has two small holes drilled through the side of it, allowing a file to be fitted. This turns the tool into a file handle, and you can keep the file guide on the file as well. Having said that, I found that a 4.8mm (3/16") file wasn't held really securely, but a 5.5mm (7/32") does fit better - I didn't try it with a 4.0mm file. The other slight issue is that there's no way to store the file either on the tool or in the pouch. Still, it's a very simple idea and it does work.

The 4mm allen key fits Husqvarna allen bolts - which would be very useful for my 350 as the exhaust bolts seem to have a habit of working themselves loose!

The Torx driver fits the Stihl & Makita screwheads, allowing you to gain access to the recoil starter and chain brake mechanisms. This makes it a really useful tool with the ability to work with Husqvarna, Stihl and Makita chainsaws.

The large flat screwdriver is perfect for setting chain tension, adjusting the idle screw or removing Stihl air filters, and the small one fits the carburettor H & L screws.

The bar scraper tool will help clean out the debris that inevitably builds up between the rails on the guide bar.

So, is it worth buying one? Yes. My order will be forwarded in due course; having the one tool instead of carrying round separate spanners, screwdrivers and so on, and being able to carry it around in a small case makes this a very useful tool indeed. Check it out at http://topsaw.com.

Dealing WIth Hung Up Trees

If you read some of the articles in this blog site, you'll know that I like to use videos and pictures wherever possible, but I've also wanted to try out something with audio too. So, here's a 5 minute podcast about dealing with hung-up trees. It's just a trial, rather than a full program but I'd like your feedback. Find out more after the jump...

This short podcast aims to take you through dealing with hung-up trees. It's only 5 minutes long and that's not enough time to try and fit in every possibility, but it's hopefully long enough to get an idea of what I'm trying to do.

I'd be grateful for your feedback - is this sort of thing useful to you? As it's an MP3 file it could sit on your iPod nestled between Shania Twain and Leonard Cohen!

Latest Update On Assessments

As I mentioned way back in my last blog article, the chainsaw certification process is to be changed at some point in the future, and I had some doubt as to what the changes would be. However, NPTC had made the proposed schedules available and after reading through them and forwarding on my comments before the consultation period ended, I think (on the whole) the changes would be good. Find out more after the jump...

So what are the changes? Firstly they are proposing to amend the actual structure of the certification, as well as changing the schedules. Here, in brief, is a summary of those changes...

The risk assessment, emergency planning and various other knowledge elements are to be brought together and made in to a 'knowledge unit' that is to form part of the foundation certificates. The CS30 is the other foundation course and, by and large, remains similar to the existing one.

The CS31 small fell is to include rope / winch work (winching is currently part of CS32).

The CS32 (medium fell) is to now include the felling of weighted trees. This is a major change and one which makes some sense as although the same cuts are used as small fell, the method of achieving them is different.

The climbing and aerial rescue course is to be called CS38 (as it used to be!) and some major changes are being proposed for this; including... a tree identification element where the student will have to recognise 10 different tree species. The aerial rescue will also have to include a pole rescue as well as a 'tree' rescue. I think this is to be applauded and definitely a move in the right direction.

The CS39, using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, is to have additional cuts added to the schedule. This will result in the student having to complete both horizontal and vertical cuts, which is basically simulating the cuts required for dismantling.

The above summary of changes is only a proposal at the moment, and I'm not sure that anything will happen until LANTRA get the National Occupational Standards approved - which could take some time.

For now, the courses and assessment schedules remain as they are - so I can get back to creating some new videos and writing some more about chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting.

Congratulations Go To...

I'd just like to congratulate the latest students that passed various NPTC assessments this month. Speaking of which, where on earth has this month gone?

And so, a "Well done" goes to...

...the following individuals for passing chainsaw maintenance & crosscutting / chippers / small fell & MEWP assessments.

CS30 Chainsaw Maintenance:

Kevin D. (how much use of a chainsaw can you get on an oil-rig?)

Andy L.

Jo J.

Sara B.

Rich S.

Ryan T. - best wishes with the new venture

Andy W.

CS31 Small Fell:

Kevin D.

Samantha D.

Dom C. - with that much metal in his back; the man who must surely set off airport security scanners whenever he goes on holiday.

Ian A.

Brushwood Chippers

Adam

Kenny

Dean

Colin

Neal

MEWPs:

Rich B.

Michael S.

Jason S.

Well done, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Xmas Break & The New Year Ahead...

I'd like to take the chance to thank everyone who reads this blog and also to those who have been involved in some way, shape or form. If you are celebrating the Christmas period, then I hope you have an enjoyable time and if you're not, then all these festivities must be driving you mad! Either way, have fun over the next couple of weeks. We'll be back in the new year, looking to continue the DriveLink site with more help and advice on chainsaw related bits and bobs; find out more after the jump...

Originally I had thought that this site would be giving chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting a once over, and then maybe move on to felling. After roughly 8 months we haven't really got on to cross-cutting, which either means that I'm really slow at getting to the point, or someone out there is liking the information being put out - who is it anyway? Is it you?

The majority of readers are from the U.S. & U.K., but I notice that we've also had visits from Croatia, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Finland, South Africa, and on goes the list.

So, next year, we need to finish off the audio version of the assessment schedule, but for the next bit (essentially NPTC CS30.2 on-site preparation and crosscutting), I may take a slightly different tack by producing proper little podcast shows that you can download. Each show will deal with several bits from the assessment schedule and [hopefully] be a little lesson in it's own right. From there, we can move on to crosscutting and so on.

I hope you'll stick with us in the new year, for more great content. Until then "Happy Xmas & New Year!", thanks for reading, commenting and thanks to Makita and Oregon in particular.

Welcome to TreeStuff

I'd like to take the opportnity to welcome Luke at TreeStuff to the hallowed corridors of DriveLink HQ; if you're in the U.S. and a chainsaw user on the ground, dangling from a rope or a mobile elevated work platform, TreeStuff probably stocks something of interest to you. In fact, even if you're not in the U.S., they probably have something that'll pique your interest. Find out more after the jump...

Luke, at TreeStuff runs an internet based store (but has a real bricks and mortar store too) and blog. I'll let Luke explain in his own words...

TreeStuff.com is an online arborist supply retailer that sells its products in North America as well as globally. We are dedicated to selling the equipment that professional arborists need to get the job done right. Most importantly our stuff costs less. We opened in 2006 with the plans to use a different business model. We don't print a catalog, but instead are trying to market our products to a new generation of computer savvy arborists. We also have physical location called Metro Arborist Supplies in Indianapolis, Indiana where arborists can see and try out the equipment. In our store we sell and service Stihl and Husqvarna chain saws.

Not much to add to that, other than 'take a look'!

CS30.1.18: Fuel / Oil Filters

Finally, the last bit of your maintenance assessment - maintaining the fuel and oil filters. Although it's not the end of the test, as you'll still have to get through the crosscutting bit yet! Anyhow, back to the filters, this bit is easy - to find out how easy click on Read More...

Well, for starters this is another one of those 'demonstrate knowledge of' activities, and that means just answering a question about it; you're not expected to actually do it.

Do what you may ask? As there is no need to remove the fuel, or oil, filter, you'll be expected to explain how to set about replacing them. This essentially comes down to undoing the fuel / oil tank filler cap, using a bit of bent wire to hook the filter out, removing / replacing it and dropping it back in (you might want to mention about draining the tank out first too). Listen below to the assessment activity for this last section of the maintenance assessment.

CS30.1.17: Service The Recoil Starter

If it hasn't happened to you yet, you can be sure it will do at some point in your 'chainsawing career'. That moment when you pull the starter handle and it just keeps on coming. The cord has snapped and you are going to have to replace it; and so it is with your assessment. Find out more after the jump...

Part of the assessment is to simulate the replacement of a starter cord; fortunately you don't need to put a new length of cord in, but you will need to retension the spring and check it's OK. You will also need to tell the assessor where it's most likely to break (essentially at either end). To view the article about recoil starters, check out Recoil Starters, or listen to the relevant bit of the assessment schedule.

CS30.1.16: Service The Spark Plug

Whilst you could be asked about cleaning the electrodes, pointing out erosion, checking plug types and testing the electrode gap with feeler gauges, in reality the assessment is much easier. So, to find out more about this section, click on Read More...

You'll need to be able to give the assessor an idea of the state of engine tune based on the colour of deposits on the electrodes.

You can find out more about spark plugs here, or click on the audio broadcast below to hear what the assessment schedule says.

CS30.1.15: Reassemble And Tension Chain

This bit of the assessment is about sticking the bar and chain back on to the saw and then sorting out the tension. Now, there's an emotive issue if ever there was; chain tension. It's something that here at DriveLink HQ we've covered a little bit before, so find out more by clicking on the Read More link...

As well as being able to listen to what the assessment schedule says about reassembling and tensioning the chain at the end, here's a couple of links that you might find useful, related to chain tension: Chain Tension, Too Hot To Handle and Creating Tension In A Video.

CS30.1.14: Sprocket Types And Replacement

Sprockets. Types, replacement ratios and how to change them. That pretty much sums up what you'll be expected to tell the assessor in section 30.1.14. Once again, you'll only need to "demonstrate knowledge" of this information, and that means answering a couple of questions. Find out a bit more after the jump...

There's only two types of sprocket that you need to remember ("spur" and "rim & spline") and a replacement ratio of 1 sprocket every 2-3 chains. The bit about replacing the drive sprocket only refers to the machine that you'll have in front of you - so for those of you with a Stihl it really couldn't be easier.

With a Stihl saw, you'll have an inboard clutch and it's easy to see what needs to be done just by looking at it. You might find it a bit more difficult with a chainsaw that uses an outboard clutch, but listen in to what the assessment schedule has to say about it...

CS30.1.13: Maintain The Chain Brake

The chain brake is so important, but for your assessment it really couldn't be easier, as all you need to do is show that you know what should be done if you find that the brake on your machine is worn or broken. Click on 'Read more' to find out what the assessor wants to hear...

This has got to be one of the easiest questions of the whole assessment; forget about having to actually deal with chain brake springs and brake bands, worrying about whether you have the chain brake in teh side plate housing or integral to the power unit. Nope, all you need to say is that in the event that you find something not quite right about the chain brake, you'd 'replace the unit with a new one."

That's it! To find out exactly what the assessment schedule has to say, listen by clicking on the audio link below...

CS30.1.12: Check And Clean Power Unit

The next section of the assessment is a quick clean and check over of the main power unit. Cleaning the saw will help with maintenance anyway and so it's a good idea to give it a quick once over with a brush or (even better) an airline to get rid of that sawdust / chain oil mix. Find out more after the jump...

Whilst your cleaning every nook and cranny of the chainsaw engine housing with a toothbrush (please don't use your usual toothbrush for this - I'd recommend you keep one by specially for this purpose), take the opportunity to ensure that the engine covers are in one piece, that any missing nuts / bolts are noted and then replaced. Chainsaws have a fairly hard life, and you may well be relying on yours for your income so it pays to look after it. Follow the audio link below to hear what the assessment schedule has to say about it.

CS30.1.11: Air Filter Maintenance

This little bit of the assessment schedule is pretty simple and shouldn't cause anyone too many problems; you just need to tell the assessor how to clean the air filter and tell them what it's function in life is. Find out more after the jump...

So, it's no big deal - explaining the function of the air filter; the clue is in the name, it's just there to prevent debris from entering the carburettor / engine, i.e. to filter the air.

The assessor will also want to know suitable ways of cleaning the filter both in the field and in the workshop. For more information either listen to the audio podcast, or visit Air Filters on DriveLink.

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