measurement (front vs. rear handle), chain condition,
and the operational mode. Operators’ left hand
(usually positioned at the front handle of the saw) is
most exposed to vibration in the x-axis (i.e. the
direction from palm to back of the hand), whereas
operators’ right hand is most prone to vibration in
z-axis which is the direction from hand to elbow.
That is affected by the handle’s orientation with
regard to the biodynamic coordinate system, as well
as the construction method. The direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the grip (x-axis for
front and z-axis for rear handle) is the same direction
as the moving axes of the engine’s cylinders. The rear
handle was always associated with larger vibration
acceleration than the front handle, a finding also
reported by Pitts (2004) and emission data published
by the saws’ manufacturer. This is probably
due to the characteristics of the dampening system.
Vibration acceleration induced by cutting with blunt
chain is on average 7.5% higher than when operating
a saw with sharpened chain. This fact is also
documented by other authors (cf. Aspek & Manek,
1996; Brusl et al., 1988) who indicate the importance
of a properly sharpened chain in forest
operations. Another factor that is assumed to have
impact on the vibration magnitude during chainsaw
operation but was not evaluated in that study is