Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Closing of
notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete,
use wedges to open the cut if necessary
to control the direction of fall. To avoid
kickback and chain damage, use wood
or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron
wedges.
• Be alert to signs that the tree is
ready to fall: cracking sounds, widen-
ing of the felling cut, or movement in
the upper branches.
• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it
down, and get away quickly on your
planned retreat path.
cut down a partially fallen tree
•
DO NOT
with your saw. Be extremely cautious
with partially fallen trees that may be
poorly supported. When a tree doesn't
fall completely, set the saw aside and
pull down the tree with a cable winch,
block and tackle, or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a
fallen tree to the desired log size.
WARNING:
log being cut. Any portion can roll
causing loss of footing and control. Do
not stand downhill of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered wood very carefully;
sharp pieces of wood could be flung
toward operator.
• Use a sawhorse to cut small logs.
Never allow another person to hold
the log while cutting and never hold
the log with your leg or foot.
• Do not cut in an area where logs,
limbs, and roots are tangled such as in
a blown down area. Drag the logs into
a clear area before cutting by pulling
out exposed and cleared logs first.
Opening
of felling
cut
Do not stand on the
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
BUCKING
WARNING:
pinched or hung in a log, don't try to
force it out. You can lose control of the
saw resulting in injury and/or damage
to the saw. Stop the saw, drive a
wedge of plastic or wood into the cut
until the saw can be removed easily.
Restart the saw and carefully reenter
the cut. To avoid kickback and chain
damage, do not use a metal wedge.
Do not attempt to restart your saw
when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcutting begins on the top side of
the log with the bottom of the saw
against the log. When overcutting use
light downward pressure.
Overcutting
Undercutting involves cutting on the
underside of the log with top of saw
against the log. When undercutting
use light upward pressure. Hold saw
firmly and maintain control. The saw
will tend to push back toward you.
WARNING:
side down to undercut. The saw can-
not be controlled in this position.
Always make your first cut on the com-
pression side of the log. The compres-
sion side of the log is where the pres-
sure of the log's weight is
concentrated.
First cut on compression side of log
Second cut
First cut on compression side of log
13
If saw becomes
Undercutting
Never turn saw up-
Second cut