Husqvarna 576 XP EPA II, 570 EPA II manual Tree felling technique, Safe distance, Felling direction

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WORKING TECHNIQUES

Tree felling technique

IMPORTANT! It takes a lot of experience to fell a tree. Inexperienced users of chain saws should not fell trees. Do not attempt any task beyond your experience level!

Safe distance

The safe distance between a tree that is to be felled and anyone else working nearby is at least 2 1/2 tree lengths. Make sure that no-one else is in this ”risk zone” before or during felling.

Felling direction

The aim is to fell the tree in a position where you can limb and cross-cut the log as easily as possible. You want it to fall in a location where you can stand and move about safely.

Once you have decided which way you want the tree to fall you must judge which way the tree would fall naturally.

Several factors affect this:

Lean of the tree

Bend

Wind direction

Arrangement of branches

Weight of snow

Obstacles within the reach of the tree: for example, other trees, power lines, roads and buildings.

Look for signs of damage and rot in the stem, this makes it more probably that the tree will break and start to fall before you expect it to.

The main point to avoid is letting the tree fall onto another tree. It is very dangerous to remove a trapped tree and there is high accident risk. See instructions under the heading Freeing a tree that has fallen badly.

IMPORTANT! During critical felling operations, hearing protectors should be lifted immediately when sawing is completed so that sounds and warning signals can be heard.

Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreat

Delimb the stem up to shoulder height. It is safer to work from the top down and to have the tree between you and the saw.

Remove any undergrowth from the base of the tree and check the area for obstacles (stones, branches, holes, etc.) so that you have a clear path of retreat when the tree starts to fall. Your path of retreat should be roughly 135 degrees away from the intended felling direction.

You may find you are forced to let the tree fall in its natural direction because it is impossible or dangerous to try to make it fall in the direction you first intended.

Another very important factor, which does not affect the felling direction but does affect your safety, is to make sure the tree has no damaged or dead branches that might break off and hit you during felling.

Danger

zone

 

Retreat path

Danger

zone

 

Retreat path

Felling

direction

 

 

Danger

zone

 

 

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Contents English Operator’s manual EPA II 576 XP EPASymbols on the machine KEY to SymbolsSymbols in the operator’s manual You will find the following labels on your chain sawContents Dear customer IntroductionWhat is what on the chain saw? What is WHAT?Before using a new chain saw General Safety PrecautionsAlways use common sense Machine′s safety equipmentPersonal protective equipment Chain brake and front hand guardGeneral Safety Precautions Chain catcher Throttle lockoutRight hand guard Cutting equipment Stop switchVibration damping system MufflerBar Cutting equipment designed to reduce kickbackChain General information on sharpening cutting teeth Sharpening your chain and adjusting depth gauge settingTensioning the chain Filling with chain oil Lubricating cutting equipmentChecking chain lubrication Needle bearing lubrication Chain drive sprocketChecking wear on cutting equipment Fitting the bar and chain AssemblyWorking with the chain Fuel Fuel HandlingFueling Fuel safetyTransport and storage Long-term storageStarting and stopping Starting and StoppingCold engine Warm engineStopping Working Techniques Basic safety rulesBefore use General working instructionsGeneral rules Terms Basic cutting techniqueLimbing Safe distance Tree felling techniqueFelling direction Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreatFelling cut Directional cutsFreeing a tree that has fallen badly General adviceFreeing a trapped tree Cutting trees and branches that are in tensionWhat is kickback? How to avoid kickbackCutting the trunk into logs Carburetor adjustment MaintenanceGeneral High speed jet H Correctly adjusted carburetorChecking brake band wear Checking the front hand guardImmediately Checking the inertia brake releaseMuffler Changing a broken or worn starter cord StarterTensioning the recoil spring Changing a broken recoil springSpark plug Air filterLubricating the bar tip sprocket Must always be replacedAir Injection centrifugal cleaning Adjustment of the oil pumpWhen making adjustments Needle bearing lubricationHeated handles Winter useDaily maintenance Weekly maintenance Monthly maintenance Maintenance scheduleTechnical data Technical DataSaw chain filing and file gauges Your Warranty Rights and Obligations Federal Emission Control Warranty StatementSafety precautions for chain saw users American Standard Safety PrecautionsKickback safety precautions Other safety precautions´z+SÆ=¶52¨ Page 1151002-95