•
Release
the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed,
allowing
the en-
gine to idle.
If you run the saw at full
throttle without a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
and engine.
•
To avoid losing control when cut is com-
plete, do not put pressure
on 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 while cutting
causing
serious injury, Do not cut near build-
ings or electrical
wires if you do not know the
direction
of tree fall, nor cut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during
bad
weather
such as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc. if the tree makes contact with any utility
line, the utility
company
should
be notified
immediately.
• Carefully
plan your sawing operation
in ad-
vance.
• Cleartheworkarea,
You needacieararea
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
• Study
the
natural
conditions
that
can
cause the tree to fail h_a particular
direc-
tion,
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 plumb or 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 thetrunk
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 2-1/2 tree
lengths from the nearest person or other ob-
jects, Engine noise can drown out a warning
call,
Remove
dirt, stones,
loose bark, nails, sta-
ples, 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,
e_ Plan a clear retreat
path
(}--_-
Direction
of Fall
45 ° ./._
FELLING
LARGE
TREES
(6 inches in diameter or _arger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
sired direction
of fail.
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 prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
• Make notch
cut by cutting
the top of the
notch first. Cut through
1/3 of the diameter
of the tree. Next complete
the notch by cut-
ting the bottom
of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch
is cut, remove
the
notch of wood from the tree.
Final cut here. 2 i!"lches above
center of notch.
/
First
out
÷ I/
K\ :'L___Ji
N°tch _
__'.
-.--;- - 2"
s::°n;7/
• After removing
the wood from the notch,
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 felling cut and the notch
to form a hinge,
This hinge will help pre-
vent the tree from falling in the wrong direc-
tion,
Hinge
holds tree on stump and helps
control
fall
Opening
of felling
cut
/
Closing
of
notch
NOTE:
Before felling 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 fall:
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.
11