Chainsaw Efco 137. December 2006

Transcription

1 Chainsaw Efco 137 December 2006 An Ecological Services company involved in numerous environmental activities, including the maintenance of the city of Parma s parks Podere della Rosa Azienda Agricola di Nerella Incerti An Agricultural enterprise specialised in the production of Salamino grapes for the making of Lambrusco Doc wines

2 Testing Purposes and Objectives Efco decided to submit some of its range of models to test-drives carried out in various real everyday situations: these trials have been carried out in genuine working contexts and professional activities, so as to check the machines performance in the field and take into consideration the reactions and comments of those using them. The people who physically carried out the trials have all been highly qualified professionals in prestigious contexts. In the specific case of the Efco 137 chainsaw, the saw s special versatility made it possible to test it in two particularly meaningful situations. To investigate its use in a strictly professional woodcutting context, trials were carried out by personnel belonging to one of Italy s most important Ecological Services companies, Enia. The company looks after over 100,000 trees in the area of Parma, employing numerous skilled operators: this means a need for a range of equipment that is versatile, easy to use and extremely high performing. The second trial took place in a context that was equally meaningful, representing a slightly different market target: a modern family-run agricultural enterprise producing grapes for Lambrusco Doc wine, with vegetable and fruit produce, a garden, and a wood-burning central heating system. All of which implies frequent need for chainsaw use, both for maintenance work on the vineyard and for the cutting of consistent amounts of wood for burning in the high-yield ecological burner that heats the radiators and the domestic water supply. The two trials therefore tested the saw in different situations that nonetheless had in common the aspects of genuine real-life situations, the expertise of the users and their attentive and demanding attitudes.

3 ENIA tester profile Enìa is an Italian Ecological Services company that combines the history and experience of three different companies with deep roots in the territories of Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia. Created in February 2005 from the merger between TESA Piacenza, AMPS Parma and AGAC Reggio Emilia, ENIA is the second largest Italian operator in this sector in terms of the area it serves: 108 towns totalling over 990,000 inhabitants. It employs over 2,200 people. Specifically, the trial was carried out by Enìa Parma, which supplies numerous services in and around the city and is a partner of the Municipality in its Vivilverde parks project. Enia works for the promotion, protection and awareness of urban green areas through a wide ranging programme of ordinary and extraordinary maintenance. Enia is in charge of the management and maintenance of all Parma s parks and trees, as well as of the Ducal Gardens, an extraordinary artistic and natural treasure whose ancient and highly prestigious trees require particular expertise and care. Carried out in December 2006 by Enia personnel, the trial was conducted during maintenance work on trees (Lime trees and other tall species) involving pruning and cleaning operations high up in the trees and further cutting and re-ordering on the ground.

4 The Enia personnel tested the saw during work on winter maintenance of Parma s trees. The importance of the saw s lightness emerged clearly from this test. The pruning operations regarding secondary branches of medium to large size were done quickly and comfortably. The operator noted that the weight/power ratio was excellent, having tested it on lengthy cutting operations high up in the tree despite the model not being especially suitable for altitude use. Versatility: high-grade. The operator carried out various different operations on the upper regions of lime trees, plane trees and robinias. The instrument was thus tested in a mixed situation, both on cutting small branches (where a normal pruner would have been sufficient) and medium diameter branches where pruning shears would have been quite inadequate. The results were especially satisfactory in view of the versatility shown. A clear sky but temperatures below zero provided good conditions for testing the Ice Device, designed to avoid icing on the air filter.

5 Working in a city where environmental awareness and sensitivity are ever-present, and where they often operate with spectators who stop to observe and comment, the Enia personnel emphasised the importance of the saw s ecological aspects. For example, the adjustable oil pump meant that the operator could adjust the flow of oil according to the saw s use: the total reduction of oil when the engine was running at minimum speed saved oil and reduced pollution, to the benefit of both the environment and the operator. The anti-vibration system (with 3 spring-absorbers and 2 rubberised absorbers between the command grip and the engine frame) were considered very satisfactory: the operator pointed out the excellent vibration isolation and the consequent increase in working comfort. There were positive opinions on the cutting speed (over 17 m/second) that made for quick work with fast clean cuts, avoiding damage even on thick branches and therefore helping not to damage the trees health.

6 Working in mid-air on cutting medium and larger section branches in densely branched trees, the operator noted the usefulness of the double hook that guarantees a firm hold on the wood and makes the saw more stable and more manageable. In certain cases it would have been easier to use a model with a shorter cutting-piece, but the saw s lightness and manoeuvrability overcame this problem. The continuous changeovers between working on different trees made it necessary to frequently turn off the motor. The smooth starting system, which cuts down kickback stress during starting, was much appreciated for the way it significantly reduced the effort and stress related to continuously stopping and starting the motor. The operator also expressed a positive reaction to the starting mechanism and the way it worked right from the beginning, when the motor was started after refuelling and a long period of inactivity. After cutting a series of quite large branches, the operator then carried out lengthy cutting operations on the ground. The saw s technical features enabled it to perform consistently and reliably. The reduction of noise levels was also appreciated. The operator s trained ear noted the lack of more unpleasant frequencies and levels. During these operations the multifunction lever controlling on/off-chokeand semi acceleration functions was extremely useful, being both practical and easy to use.

7 Tester profile Podere della Rosa Azienda Agricola di Nerella Incerti The Podere della Rosa farm, in the countryside near Carpi not far from Modena, is directed by a youthful woman: a few years ago Nerella Incerti began grape production, mostly of Salamino grapes for use in making Lambrusco Doc wine. Her agricultural enterprise includes cultivated areas, a large vegetable and flower garden and orchard with numerous fruit trees, and a large family house with an ecological heating system: the burner powering the central heating uses wood as fuel, whose energy is exploited to the full by a high performance system. There is also an antique terracotta wood-burning stove, used above all for nostalgic reasons. Carried out in December 2006, the trial was conducted by Signor Incerti, the owner s father, who tested the saw while cutting and preparing logs for burning.

8 Podere della Rosa Signor Incerti represents a typical kind of user target, not professional but attentive to detail while being both expert and demanding. The first part of the test was conducted on cutting old vineyard poles down to burnable sizes. Before starting the saw Signor Incerti, who always does his own machinery maintenance, carefully inspected it, pointing out the advantages of the selfcleaning nylon filter and the filter cover that opens without needing tools thanks to a convenient little knob. The instant starting system and the reduced effort required to activate it, facilitated by a reel that is electronically adjusted before activation, were the first positive elements to emerge. Handled before use, the saw seemed rather heavy, but once cutting began the optimum weight distribution and the positioning of the handles and controls permitted a safe ergonomic working posture that avoided tiring arms and back. The second phase of cutting was done on medium diameter oak branches, and here the saw showed itself to be both efficient and comfortable. The aluminium oil pump proved its effectiveness in maintaining optimum lubrication levels. The saw was stopped and started various times during this phase, in order to test the starting system. No difficulties were encountered, nor was more than one attempt ever necessary: this was much appreciated as it reduced fatigue and irritation and avoided trying the operator s patience.

9 Podere della Rosa Signor Incerti tested cutting speed both on soft wood such as the old pine vineyard poles and on hard wood like the thick matured oak branches. He commented positively on the way the motor never slowed down even under stress, thanks to its elevated capacity. After the lengthy cutting session on the stand, there was no sense of fatigue caused by vibrations or by excessively loud or irritating noise. While cleanness of cut is important for the health of trees in pruning operations, Signor Incerti pointed out that in the case of log-cutting the logs have to be handled daily and therefore must not have splintered edges. The precision and cleanness of the cutting were judged to be excellent by this demanding user. A test cutting was then carried out by Signor Incerti s daughter, the farm manager, who commented on its easiness of use despite not being familiar with this type of machine. She found the saw a little heavy but comfortable to manoeuvre due to its good balance, while once the cutter was resting on the wood its cut was decisive and relatively effortless.