8 Proper Techniques for Basic Bucking, Limbing, Pruning and Felling
WARNING
■ Be aware of rolling logs. Rolling logs can cause serious or
fatal personal injury. To prevent a log from rolling while
bucking:
– Make sure the log is secure and will not roll downhill
before starting your cut. If necessary, use sturdy
wedges, shims or chocks.
– If on a slope, always stand on the uphill side of the
log.
– Never stand on the log.
■ To reduce the risk of kickback caused by contacting the
nose of the guide bar with other logs or limbs:
– Cut only one log at a time.
– Do not cut logs in a pile.
■ When cutting splintered wood, sharp slivers of wood may
be caught and flung in the direction of the operator of the
saw or bystanders.
– Use caution when cutting splintered wood and
always wear appropriate apparel and personal
protective equipment, including eye protection.
– Keep bystanders out of the work area.
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■ When cutting smaller logs, make sure the log is properly
supported to reduce the risk of personal injury from loss of
control of the chain saw or movement of the log. Small
logs can move when contacted by the teeth of the chain:
– Place logs through "V-shaped" supports on top of a
sawhorse whenever possible.
– Never permit another person to hold the log.
– Never stabilize the log with your leg or foot.
■ Failing to control the saw at the bottom of a bucking cut
can cause severe personal injury or death.
– Prepare the saw to exit the bottom of the cut by
reducing the feed force you exert on the saw.
– Cushion the weight of the saw so that the bar and
chain are not thrust downward into your lower body
and legs as the bar/chain exits the cut.
When bucking:
► Position the bumper spike of the saw against the log and
use it as a fulcrum.
► Continually reposition the bumper spike while pushing the
guide bar completely through the log.
8.3
Limbing
Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree.
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