AST SIDE CUT SAW Owner's manual

For safe operation, read these
rules and instructions carefully
to avoid accidents that could
result in Death or Serious Injury.
TO THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THIS IMPLEMENT
Please read this manual “before” unpacking or using this implement for the first time.
This manual provides you with the necessary instructions to safely install and use your
purchase. Do not let other people use this attachment without first being instructed
how to safely use it.
Side Cut Saw
Owner’s/Operator’s Manual
AST Solutions LLC
PO Box 566
Galva, Ks. 67443
620-755-7970
Save this manual for future reference!

Model: SIDE CUT SAW (X)
Standard Hyd. Flow
S/N or MFG. Date
Dealer Name
Dealer Phone - -
Date of Purchase //
Thank You
Our sincere appreciation to you on the purchase of a quality Side Cut Tree Saw designed
and manufactured in the USA by AST Solutions LLC. Extensive Product experience is the
cornerstone of our company, and our goal is to provide you with a heavy duty product
that will give you years of satisfaction and operation.
Our record of successful and satisfied customers is evidence of the concern for quality
and designed strength that we place into each and every product we build.
As this manual expresses the need for safe operation of your acquisition from AST
Solutions LLC., it is important that you and all operators of this implement become
familiar with the operation, maintenance and safety instructions found in this manual,
as well as in the manual that accompanied the skid steer machine that will power this
attachment. Add some common sense to the items mentioned in these manuals as the
recipe for safe operation.
We invite you to look at more innovative products at
http://www.sidecutsaw.com or if in the area stop and visit our
manufacturing facilities located in Galva Ks.
Sincerely,
Management & Employees
AST Solutions LLC
Information
Record product information here for future reference.

Importance of
Safety
Accidents can be very
costly to human life and
property. As the operator
is the #1 safety device on
all types of vehicles or
equipment, it is
important that the
operator read, learn and
know all safety
recommendations for this
product. The user is
responsible to his family,
friends and co-workers to
operate in a safe manner.
Ensure that everyone
who operates or assists in
the operation or
maintenance of this
product read and
understand all the
elements required to
safely operate this piece
of equipment.
This attachment has
moving parts that
include additional
dangers.

Throughout this manual you will find
safety notes which are very important
to read and understand before
operating this piece of equipment.
These classifications alert you to
situations that could be harmful to you
or bystanders. When you see these
alerts in the manual, carefully read and
follow all instructions and also protect
other workers from the same danger.
Will result in
Death or Serious Injury.
Could result in
Death or Serious Injury.
Could result in
Minor or Serious Injury.
Not related to
Personal Injury.
Operator Safety
Training Tips
It is the responsibility of the operator
using this attachment to be acquainted
with the safe operation. In addition to
reading this manual, it is important
that the operator read the skid steer’s
operation manual and follow its
manufacturer’s recommendations!
Before lifting or lowering the
saw, make sure the area is clear of
bystanders or objects.
Machinery parts have sharp
edges. Wear work gloves when moving
parts. Always use caution around the
saw blade as it has very sharp edges.
Never use drugs or alcoholic
drinks when operating or servicing this
piece of equipment.
Always wear the proper personal
protection equipment when servicing
or operating this piece of equipment.
Never service or operate this
attachment with bare feet, sandals, or
other light footwear.
Always use eye protection during
operation. Mount this attachment on a
skid steer equipped an enclosed cab
Speed Kills! Operate this
implement at a safe workingspeed.
When transporting the implement,
keep a safe speed to avoid losing
control of the attachment or prime
mover.
Keep proper clearance between
the implement and objects (utilities,
tree stumps, large rocks, buildings,
etc.). Contacting these objects with the
implement could cause a loss of
control or damage to the implement
or property.
Never attempt to operate this
attachment from anywhere but when
seated in the skid steer operators
seat.
Stop the engine on the skid steer
to avoid the implement rolling
forward or backwards while you are
exiting.
Store this implement in an area
not frequented by children.
Allow no riders on this
attachment. Keep all bystanders clear
of attachment during operation.

Always replace worn, torn or
missing safety decals before operating.
Never operate the saw when
bystanders are within 100 feet (30 m)
of the work area.
Cut only during daylight or well-lit
artificial light.
Skid Steer
Requirements
Your Side Cut Tree Saw should only be
used on a skid steer with a lift capacity
of at least 1800 lbs. and with a weight
of at least 6500# with the bucket
removed. A skid steer equipped with
tracks will provide superior stability in
this application.
To protect the operator from any flying
debris, it is important that the skid
steer should be equipped with a
thermoplastic polycarbonate
windshield or similar material, and
similar protection on the sides of the
operator’s cab.
Make sure your
skid steer is in good working
condition. Follow the operating
instructions found in the manual that
accompanied your skid steer. Failure
to do so could result in Minor or
Serious Injury.
Unpacking Your
Shipment
Your attachment arrives from the
factory banded and requires no final
assembly before use.
Careless
removal of the shipping bands that
secure the implement to the pallet if
used could result in Minor or Serious
Injury.
Clear the area of all bystanders and
stand to the side when cutting the
bands with a pair of sheet metal
shears.
Using Your Implement
Connecting Saw to Skid
Steer
Never enter the
area underneath the coupler or any
part of the attachment when it is in
the raised position to avoid an
accident that will result in Death or
Serious Injury.
Verify that the hydraulic hoses are
clear from the front of the attaching
plate on the attachment and that the
mounting plate is free from dirt and
debris. When clear, move the skid
steer to proximity of attachment plate.
Tilt skid steer coupler forward to align
coupling point with the upper part on
the back of the attachment plate and
raise the coupler slightly.
Connecting Coupler to Attachment
When the top edge of the coupler is
seated in the top part of the coupler
plate, roll the skid steer tilt function
back until the attaching plate is flat
against the skid steer coupler. Lock
down the coupler levers. Note: If your
skid steer is equipped with a
hydraulically operated coupler,
activate the coupler lock at this time.
Shut the Skid steer’s engine off and
release the pressure in the auxiliary
circuit.

Pre-Operation Walk-
around Inspection
Wipe off any dirt
or dust from the male or female
hydraulic flat-face couplers with a
clean rag before attaching hoses to
keep contaminants from entering the
hydraulic system.
Connect the attachment hydraulic
hoses to the auxiliary supply couplers
located on your skid steer loader lift
arm. The high flow model must have a
case drain connection.
Do not operate a
high flow skid steer while using this
attachment. Operating a high flow
saw may result in a machinery failure
not covered under warranty.
Check the surrounding area for
bystanders and clear them before
starting the skid steer or attachment.
Before operating the attachment,
always visually inspect and verify that
the coupler lock pins are fully engaged
through the latch slots on the
attachment plate.
Check Coupler Lock Engagement
Before every use, it is important to
perform a short inspection and
certain maintenance on your tree
saw.
Item
✓
Check that all shields and
guards are in place.
✓
Look for loose bolts and
tighten them if necessary.
✓
Check that all safety decals
are in place and can be
read. Replace them if
necessary.
✓
Check that the saw cutters
are in good condition.
Sharpen or replace, if
necessary.
✓
Take care of our
environment. Repair any
hydraulic leaks.
Saw Boom Controls
Your Side Cut Tree Saw is designed to
operate from the skid steer’s auxiliary
hydraulic system, and is operated by a
control in the operator’s cab. Consult
your skid steer operator’s manual for
precise instructions on how to activate
and deactivate the auxiliary circuit.
Height and tilt functions of the tree
saw are operated with the control
handles or pedals in the cab. Consult
your skid steers operator’s manual for
precise instructions regarding these
functions.

Engaging Saw the First
Time
If this is your initial
startup with this attachment on this
machine, check the skid steer’s
hydraulic oil level and add oil, if
necessary, before and after doing
steps 1- 3 below.
After starting the skid steer, lift the
attachment 6” (152mm) off the ground
surface:
1. With the skid steer engine RPMs
just above idle, slowly engage the
auxiliary hydraulic to rotate the
saw. If the saw blade does not
turn at all, check the hydraulic
circuit connections between the
saw and skid steer.
2. Lower the tree saw attachment to
the ground, set the brake and
shut off the skid steer’s engine
and exit the operator’s
compartment.
3. Check the skid steers hydraulic oil
level, and add oil if necessary.
4. Inspect the tree saw’s hydraulic
plumbing for any noticeable leaks.
Correct these leaks before
continuing.
Stopping the Saw
The saw blade quits rotating when the
auxiliary control is neutralized. When
you are done cutting, stop the saw
blade’s rotation before exiting the
operator’s cab.
Getting Familiar with
the Attachment
Never operate the
saw when bystanders are within 100’
(30 m) of your work area. Flying &
falling debris could result in Death or
Serious Injury.
Be cautious when
operating on un-level ground
surfaces. A machine roll over could
result in Minor or Serious Injury.
Always wear your seat belt when
operating this type of machinery.
Before starting the skid steer engine
with this saw attached, make sure you
are knowledgeable and comfortable
with the operation of the tree saw
controls as outlined in the previous
and following sections of this manual.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
While watching the saw, also pay
attention to what obstacles or terrain
are in front of the saw and prime
mover’s wheels.
Cutting tree
branches with the saw in an elevated
position could result in Death or
Serious Injury if the skid steer
becomes unstable. Never raise the
saw more a few feet off the ground
when working on slopes or uneven
terrain.
Adjusting Saw Height &
Level
Use the skid steer loader lift to adjust
the elevation of the saw. The fore & aft
leveling can be accomplished by using
the skid steer’s attachment tilt
cylinders.

Avoid making saw
side movement adjustments during a
cut that could result in damage to the
saw blade and could result in Minor or
Serious Injury.
Starting the Job
Never cut trees in
the proximity of any above-ground
utilities. Felling a tree on electrical
power lines and making contact with
your skid steer or bystanders even at
an assumed safe distance will result in
Death or Serious Injury.
Never fell trees in the direction of
overhead power or communication
lines. Never cut a tree unless it is twice
the tree’s height away from the
overhead lines.
Moving or
engaging the tree saw with
bystanders in the area could result in
Death or Serious Injury. Before
engaging the tree saw hydraulics,
always make sure the area is clear of
bystanders.
Before cutting your first tree, always
visually inspect the surrounding area
for any objects that could be damaged
if a tree fell on it. Tree top branches
could entangle with other tree
branches and alter the course of the
tree fall.
To avoid a tree that falls in an
unexpected direction, always be ready
to move the skid steer quickly away
from the impending danger.
Exposure to
crystalline silica dust along with other
hazardous dusts may cause serious or
fatal respiratory disease. It is
recommended to use dust
suppression, dust collection and if
necessary personal protective
equipment during the operation of
any attachment that may cause a high
level of dust.

Felling a Tree
Never operate
this attachment when bystanders are
in proximity of the work area that
could result in Minor or Serious Injury
from flying debris, falling trees or
branches.
Use care when
operating on uneven terrain or any
type of sloped surface. Keep your saw
low to the ground when working in
these conditions to avoid a roll over
that could result in Minor or Serious
Injury.
1. Assess the size of the tree. Do not
exceed the capacity for this
attachment (8”).
2. Decide the direction of the tree
fall, and approach the tree from
the side behind the intended fall
direction.
3. Align the saw blade with the side
of the tree, but do not start the
cut until the blade comes up to
operating speed.
4. Slowly approach the tree and
ease the saw blade down into
the side of the tree.
5. Listen to the sound of the skid
steer. If the engine begins to bog
down and or the saw blade slows,
pause the downward advance
into the tree.
6. As the saw nears the completion
of the cut, allow the branch to
hang and then complete the
remainder of the cut.
7. Operate at a safe pace that will
allow you to watch the area
around the attachment & loader.
8. Your Side Cut Tree Saw is
capable of cutting trees and
other vegetation of up to 8”
(254mm) in diameter. Learn and
realize
which way the tree is likely to fall
so it does not end up crashing
onto you in the skid steer
Delimbing & Trimming
Your skid steer
should be equipped with forestry
screen guards to prevent falling limbs
from entering the cab area,
preventing an accident that could
result in Death or Serious Injury.
Delimbing and trimming branches is a
skilled operation requiring careful
safety planning. Limbs falling on your
skid steer are unsafe

Maintaining your
Attachment
Modifications
Modifications to the original design by
the end user may result in weakening
the designed structure and integrity of
this attachment and will void any
warranty.
Before Every Use
Check that all fasteners (nuts, bolts,
pins, keepers) are in their right place
and are tight.
There are no lubrication points
on the saw. If leaking is
experienced in the zero max
gear box it will need replaced..
Inspect and replace any worn, torn or
missing safety decals.
Investigate the location of any oil leaks
and repair.
Every Week
Check the condition of the blade and
cutters. Lower the attachment to the
ground.
Inspect the saw blade for any damage
or missing cutters. Sharp cutters will
cut more efficiently than dull cutters.
With heavy use, check the
hydraulic motor for leaks .
After Every Season
Inspect the implement for any loose or
worn parts that may need to be
replaced prior to the next cutting
season.
Visually inspect the cutting blade.
Sharpen or replace it, if necessary.
DO NOT add gear oil in the bearing
housing. The correct amount of
lubricant has been installed from the
factory.
Clean, sand & repaint any area that
looks worn or scratched to prevent
further rusting. Use an equipment-
paint found at your local hardware
store or building center.
Lubricate all the pivot joints before
storage. If storing in a saltwater
environment, apply grease to the
exposed fiiting(s).
Store your implement in a shed or
cover with a water-proof tarp to
protect it from the weather. Store in
an area not frequented by children.
Blade Rotation/
Replacement
Each saw tooth on the blade are fixed
and can not be removed. A low cost
Blade replacement can be purchased
from the factory
O
i
l