OPERATION
• As the felling cut gets close to the hinge the tree should
begin to fall. If there is any chance that the tree may not fall
in the desired direction or it may rock back and bind the saw
chain, stop cutting before the felling cut is complete and use
wedges to open the cut and drop the tree along the desired
line of fall. When the tree begins to fall remove the chain saw
from the cut, stop the motor, put the chain saw down, then
use the retreat path planned. Be alert for overhead limbs
falling and watch your footing
LIMBING
• Removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing,
leave larger lower limbs to support the log off the ground.
Remove the small limbs in one cut. Branches under tension
should be cut from the bottom of the branch towards the top
to avoid binding the chainsaw. Trim limbs from opposite side
keeping tree stem between you and saw. Never make cuts
with saw between your legs or straddle the limb to be cut.
BUCKING
WARNING: Recommend that first time users should practice
cutting on a saw horse. Cutting a felled tree or log into lengths. How you should cut
depends on how the log is supported. Use a saw horse whenever possible. Always start a
cut with the chain running at full speed.
When supported on a saw horse:
• Place the bottom spike of the chain saw behind the area of the initial cut.
• Turn the chain saw on then rotate the chain and bar down into the tree, using the spike
as a hinge.
• Once the chain saw gets to a 45 degree angle, level the chain saw again and repeat
steps until you cut fully through.
When the tree is supported along its entire length:
• Make a cut from the top (overbuck), but avoid cutting the
earth as this will dull your saw quickly.
When supported at one end:
• First, cut 1/3 the diameter from the underside (underbuck).
Then make the finished cut by overbucking to meet the first
cut.
When supported at both ends:
• First, cut 1/3 down from the top overbuck. Then make the
finished cut by underbucking the lower 2/3 to meet the first
cut.
When on a slope:
• Always stand on the uphill side of the log. When "cutting
through", to maintain complete control release the cutting
pressure near the end of the cut without relaxing your grip on the
chain saw handles. Don't let the chain contact the ground. After
completing the cut, wait for the saw chain to stop before you
move the chain saw. Always stop the motor before moving from
cut to cut.
Direction
of fall
Notch
Felling
back cut
Hinge
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