making the upper notch cut on the side of the tree
facing the feeling direction. Look through the kerf as
you saw the lower cut so you do not saw too deep
into the trunk. The notch should be deep enough to
create a hinge of suffi cient width and strength. The
notch opening should be wide enough to direct the
fall of the tree as long as possible. Saw the felling
cut from the other side of the tree between one and
two inches (3–5 cm) above the edge of the notch.
(Fig. 17)
18. Felling direction
19. 45° minimum notch opening
20. Hinge
21. Felling cut
Never saw completely through the trunk. Always
leave a hinge.
The hinge guides the tree. If the trunk is completely
cut through, you lose control over the felling
direction.
Insert a wedge or a felling lever in the cut well before
the tree becomes unstable and starts to move. This
will prevent the guide bar from binding in the felling
cut if you have misjudged the falling direction. Make
sure no people have come into the range of the
falling tree before you push it over.
FELLING CUT, TRUNK DIAMETER MORE THAN
TWICE GUIDE BAR LENGTH
Cut a large, wide notch. Then cut a recess into the
center of the notch. Always leave a hinge on both
sides of the center cut. (Fig. 18)
18
19
20
21
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Complete the felling cut by sawing around the trunk
as in the Fig. 19.
WARNING
These methods are extremely dangerous
because they involve the use of the nose of
guide bar and can result in kickback.
Only properly trained professionals should
attempt these techniques.
LIMBING
Limbing is removing the branches from a feller tree.
WARNING
A majority of kickback accidents occur
during Iimbing.
Do not use the nose of the guide bar. Be
extremely cautious and avoid contacting the
log, other limbs or objects with the nose of
the guide bar. Be extremely cautious of limbs
under tension. They can spring back towards
you and cause loss of control resulting in
injury. (Fig. 20)
Stand on the left side of the trunk. Maintain a secure
footing and rest the saw on the trunk. Hold the saw
close to you so that you are in full control of it. Keep
well away from the chain. Move only when the trunk
is between you and the chain. Watch out for spring
back of limbs under tension.
English
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
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