•
Release the throttJetrigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throttle without a cutting _oed,unneces-
sa
wear can occur to the chain, bar,
an_engine.
•
To avoid losing controlwhen cut is com_
plete,do not put pressureon saw at end
of cut.
• Stop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.
TREE FELLING
TECHNIQUES
_WARNING:
Check for broken or
dead branches which can fall whi_e cutting
causing serious injury. Do not cut near boild-
ings or electrical wires if you do not know the
direction oftreefaH, norcut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during bad
weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc.
• Carefully plan your sawing operabon in ad-
vance.
• Cleartheworkarea.
Youneedacleararea
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
• Study the naturalconditions th_ can cause
the tree to fall in a perticu_ardireof_on.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
• The wind direction and speed.
• The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
sloping terrain. Use a p_umbor level to de-
termine the direction of tree lean.
• Weight and branches on one side.
• Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it
can snap and fall toward the operator. Check
for broken or dead branches which can fall on
you while cutting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree to
fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objects. En-
gine no_secan drown out a warning ca_l.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails,staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag-
onal to the line of fall.
_k,p_.
Plan a clear retreat path
;_ _- - L_-====_k
- Direction of Fall
FELLING
LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notchmethod is usedto fell large trees.
A notch iscut ontheside ofthe tree inthe de-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is
made on the opposite side of tree, the tree
will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before making the notch. If us-
ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw
chain from contacting ground to preventdull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING
THE
TREE
• Make notch cut by cutting the top of the
notch first. Cut through 1/3of the diameter
of the tree. Next complete the notch bycut*
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Fina_(fe!_ing)cut here. 2 inches
above center of notch.
First cut _
_2"'_-
Notch _
!
"
" 2
Second cut
• After removing the cutout of wood, make
the felling cut on the opposite side of the
notch. This is done by making a cut about
two inches higher than the center of the
notch. This will leave enough uncut wood
between the fel_ing cut and the notch to
form a hinge. This hing,ewiH help prevent
the tree from falling in the wrong direction.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Opening
of felling
Ctosing of
notch
NOTE: Before fel_ing cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut when 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 fal£
cracking sounds, widening 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 re-
treat path.
• DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
with your saw. Be extremely cautious with
pertial_y fallen trees that may be poorty
supported. When a tree doesn't fall com-
pletety, set the saw aside and pull down the
tree with a cable winch, block and tackle,
or tractor.
11