OPERATING CHAIN SAW
Figure 8 - Switch Lockout and Trigger Location
FELLING A TREE
(Cutting Down a Tree)
WARNING:
• Avoid kickback. Kickback can result in
severe injury or death. See
to avoid risk of kickback.
• Do not fell a tree without ample skill or
expert help.
• Keep children, animals, and bystanders
away from area when felling a tree.
• If two or more persons perform buck-
ing and felling operations at the same
time, provide ample distance between
operations. Provide distance of at least
twice the height of tree being felled.
WARNING: When felling a tree, be
aware of your surroundings. Do not endan-
ger any person, strike utility lines, or cause
property damage. If tree strikes utility lines,
contact utility company at once.
Felling is the process of cutting down a tree. Make
sure your footing is firm. Keep feet apart. Divide
your weight evenly on both feet. Follow directions
below to fell a tree.
Before Felling a Tree
1. Before felling, inspect tree. Make sure there are
no dead limbs or branches that may fall on you.
Study natural lean of tree, location of larger
branches, and wind direction. This will help you
judge which way tree will fall.
2. Clear work area around tree.
3. Plan and clear a retreat path before felling. Make
retreat path opposite to planned direction of fall
of tree and at 45° angle (see Figure 9).
For parts contact: www.PartsFor.com
Switch Lockout
Trigger
Kickback,
4. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and
wire from tree where you will make felling cuts.
5. Stay on uphill side when felling tree. Tree could
roll or slide downhill after falling.
Retreat Path
45°
Retreat Path
Figure 9 Retreat Path From Tree
Felling Procedure
A) Felling Notch
A properly placed felling notch will determine direc-
tion tree will fall. Place felling notch on side of tree in
direction you want tree to fall (see Figure 10. Follow
directions below to create a felling notch.
1. Make lower notch cut as close to ground as
possible. Hold saw so guide bar is horizontal.
Cut 1/3 the diameter of tree trunk (see Figure
10). Note: Always make this horizontal lower
notch cut first. If you make this cut second, tree
can pinch chain or guide bar.
2. Start upper notch cut the same distance above
first cut as first cut is deep.
Example: If lower notch cut is eight inches deep,
start upper notch cut eight inches above it. Cut
downward at 45° angle. The upper notch cut should
meet end of lower notch cut (see Figure 10).
3. Remove tree trunk wedge created by notching cuts.
B) Felling Cut
1. Make felling cut two inches higher than lower
notch cut and on opposite side of tree (see Figure
10). Keep felling cut parallel to lower notch cut.
2. Cut towards notch.
3. As felling cut nears hinge, tree should begin to fall.
Note: If needed, drive wedges into felling cut to
control direction of fall. If tree settles back and
pinches chain, drive wedges into felling cut to re-
move saw. Only use wedges made of wood, plastic,
or aluminum. Never use wedge made of steel. This
could cause kickback and damage to chain.
4. When tree begins to fall, quickly
• remove saw from felling cut
• release trigger to turn saw o
• put saw down
• exit area using retreat path
11
Direction of Fall
Tree