Chainsaw Maintenance, Basic Operation and Felling Small Trees

Overview

This is a five-day course leading towards the NPTC Certificate in Chainsaw Operation and covers NPTC Units CS30 and CS31. The first day of the course will be spent at Hartpury College with the following days spent in various woodlands around the county.

• Safety clothing - HSE standards, various types
• Safety regulations
• Identification of safety features of chainsaw and legal requirements
• Safety awareness and chainsaw use
• Maintenance and working knowledge of power unit and cutting mechanism
• Safe starting procedures
• Safe use of chainsaw for cross cutting
• Handling and stacking procedure
• Cross cutting whole tree lengths
• Safety awareness, site consideration and legal constraints
• Related hazards of tree felling
• Felling of trees up to guide bar length (recommended 15")
• Branch removal techniques
• Take down of hung up trees

Progression

Other Agriculture and Countryside short courses

Entry Qualifications

None.

Additional Information:

The locations will be advised daily and, as you will be required to make your own way there, please provide your own transport and ensure that you have an up-to-date road map for your convenience.

Students may use their own protective clothing and serviceable chainsaw as long as they comply with safety standards. Anyone who does not have their own equipment and protective clothing can obtain them from Hartpury College . Equipment must be requested at least 14 days before the start of the course.

Protective Clothing includes:

• Chainsaw boots
• Chainsaw gloves
• Chainsaw helmet with visor and ear muffs
• Chainsaw trousers. Front protection only required for groundbased courses (type/design A) however all round protection (type/design C) will be required if progressing on to Aerial courses

Chainsaw equipment includes:

• Serviceable chainsaw (recommended 15 inch guide bar)
• Chainsaw toolkit
  • sharpening files and gauges to suit cutting chain
  • appropriate spanners
  • screwdriver
  • soft brush and cloth for cleaning dirt from chainsaw parts
• Chainsaw fuel mix and cutting bar oil for your chainsaw

Students must bring 2 passport sized photos, pen and notepad, packed lunch and suitable drinks

Note: Attendance on this course does not automatically achieve the Certificate of Competence

Assessment will take place on a separate day which will be arranged via the course tutor. Price includes use of equipment, NPTC assessment and registration fees

Dates available:

These courses may be charged lower fees due to co-funding from the Skills Funding Agency, ESF and other sources subject to an eligibility assessment. Please contact Hartpury Business on 01452 702154 to discuss whether you are eligible for lower prices.

For on site quotations and group bookings please contact Hartpury Business to discuss your specific requirements. Telephone (0)1452 702154 e-mail:hb@hartpury.ac.uk