• Practice
cutting a few small logs using the
following techniques
to get the "feel" of us-
ing your
saw before
you begin
a major
sawing
operation,
•
Squeeze the throttle trigger and allow the
engine to reach full speed before cutting,
•
Begin
cutting
with
the
saw
frame
against the log,
•
Keep the engine at full speed the entire
time you are cutting.
•
Allowthechaintocutforyou.
Exertonly
light downward
pressure,
If you force
the cut, damage
to the bar, chain, or en-
gine can result.
•
Release
the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed,
allowing
the en-
gine to idle.
If you run the saw at full
throttle without a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
and engine.
•
To avoid losing control when cut is com-
plete, do not put pressure
on saw at end
of cut.
• Stop the engine
before
setting
the saw
down after cutting,
TREE
FELLING
TECHNIQUES
_WARNING:
Check for broken
or
dead branches
which
can fall while cutting
causing
serious injury, Do not cut near build-
ings or electrical
wires if you do not know the
direction
of tree fall, nor cut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during
bad
weather
such as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc. If the tree makes contact with any utility
line, the utility
company
should
be notified
immediately.
• Carefully
plan your sawing operation
in ad-
vance.
• Cleartheworkarea,
You needacteararea
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
• Study the natural conditions that can cause
the tree to fall in a particular direction.
Natural
conditions
that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular
direction
include:
• The wind direction
and speed.
• The lean of the tree.
The lean of a tree
might
net be apparent
due to uneven
or
sioping terrain,
Use a plumb or level to de-
termine the direction
of tree lean.
• Weight and branches
on one side.
• Surrounding
trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot, If thetrunk
is rotted,
it can snap and fall toward
the
operator.
Check
for broken
or dead branches
which
can fall on you while cutting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree to
fall
Maintain a distance
of 2-I/2 tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objects.
En-
gine noise can drown out a warning call
Remove
dirt, stones,
loose bark, nails, sta-
ples, and wire from the tree where cuts are to
be made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag-
onal to the line of fail.
_,,_et_
Plan a clear retreat
path
_,....
_..,_-'"""_-
Direction
of Fall
45 ° /
_,./e¢
j 4"
FELLING
LARGE
TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
sired direction
of fall.
After a felling
cut is
made on the opposite
side of tree, the tree
will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE:
If the tree has large buttress
roots,
remove them before making the notch,
Ifus-
ing saw to remove
buttress
roots, keep saw
chain from contacting
ground to prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH
CUT
AND
FELLING
THE
TREE
• Make notch
cut by cutting
the top of the
notch first. Out through
1/3 of the diameter
of the tree. Next complete
the notch by cut-
ting the bottom
of the notch, See illustra-
tion. Once the notch
is cut, remove
the
notch of wood from the tree.
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 era) above center
of notch
First cut
2"
Hinge
Second
cut
• After
removing
the wood from the notch,
make the felling cut on the opposite side of
the notch. This is done by making a cut about
two inches
higher than the center of the
notch.
This will leave enough uncut wood
between the fe_ling cut and the notch to form
a hinge, This hinge will help prevent the tree
from falling in the wrong direction.
Hinge
holds tree on stump and helps
control
fall
Opening
offeliing
cut
Closing
of
notch
11