GB
7.1
Felling trees (19, 20)
Observe the following points before and during
felling operations:
■
When felling trees, care must be taken to en-
sure that other persons are not exposed to
danger, that no supply lines are connected
and that no damage to property is caused. If
a tree comes into contact with a supply line,
the utility company must be informed immedi-
ately.
■
Also pay attention to other people's property,
animals or objects. These must not be in the
danger zone. Immediately notify the owner in
case of damage.
■
The safe distance from other workplaces or
objects should be at least 2½ tree lengths.
■
Judge the falling direction of the tree.
Factors influencing the falling direction of the
tree:
■
Natural lean of the tree
■
The position of larger branches
■
Height of the tree
■
Branches growing on one side
■
Level ground or slope
■
Asymmetrical growth, wood damage
■
Wind direction and wind speed
■
Snow load
■
When working on a slope, always work uphill
of the tree to be felled.
■
Establish your escape route in advance, and
make sure that there are no obstacles in the
way. The escape route should be at an angle
of approx. 45° backwards from the falling di-
rection (19).
■
The trunk must be free from growth, branch-
es and foreign bodies (e.g. dirt, stones, loose
bark, nails, staples, wire, etc.).
Make two undercuts and one back cut in order to
fell a tree.
1. During back cuts and cross-cuts, place the
bumper spike firmly against the wood to be
cut.
2. Saw the first undercut (20/C) horizontally,
then the second undercut at an angle of at
least 45° from above. This prevents the chain
saw becoming trapped when you make the
second undercut. The undercut must be as
close as possible to the ground and in the re-
quired felling direction (20/E). The depth of
the undercut should be about 1/4 of the diam-
eter of the trunk.
42
Working behaviour and working technique
3. Cut the back cut (20/D) exactly horizontally
opposite to the undercut. The back cut must
be made 3-5 cm above the horizontal under-
cut.
4. Saw in the back cut (20/D) sufficiently deep
so that a bridge (20/F) of at least 1/10 the
trunk diameter remains between the undercut
(20/C) and the back cut (20/D). This bridge
prevents the tree from twisting and falling in
the wrong direction. The tree should start to
fall when the back cut (20/D) approaches the
bridge (20/F). Do not saw through the bridge!
If the tree falls whilst you are sawing:
■
Interrupt the back cut if the tree does fall
in the wrong direction or leans back and
traps the chain saw. To open the cut and
fell the tree, drive in wedges made of
wood, plastic or aluminium in the direc-
tion of the required felling line.
■
Immediately pull the chain saw from the
cut, switch it off and put it down.
■
Walk away in the direction of the escape
route.
■
Watch out for falling branches and twigs.
5. If the tree remains standing, drive wedges in-
to the back cut in order to cause it to fall in a
controlled way.
Note: Use only wedges made of wood, plas-
tic or aluminium.
6. At the end of sawing work, immediately re-
move your ear defenders and listen out for
signals or warning calls.
Only experienced or trained people should make
plunge cuts, longitudinal cuts and boring cuts
(20).
DANGER! Danger of fatal injury from a
falling tree! Having no escape route when felling
a tree represents a danger of serious and even
fatal injury!
■
Do not start the felling work until you are sure
there is an unobstructed escape route away
from the tree to be felled.
EKS 2000/35 | EKS 2400/40 | EKI 2200/40