Husqvarna 576 XPG, 1153181-95 Felling direction, Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreat

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WORKING TECHNIQUES

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.

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.

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.

Danger

zone

 

 

direction

 

 

Felling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retreat path

 

Danger

 

Danger

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path

zone

 

 

 

 

Retreat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Felling

WARNING! Unless you have special

! training we advise you not to fell trees with a diameter larger than the bar length of your saw!

Felling is done using three cuts. First you make the directional cuts, which consist of the top cut and the bottom cut, then you finish with the felling cut. By placing these cuts correctly you can control the felling direction very accurately.

Directional cuts

To make the directional cut you begin with the top cut. Aim using to the saw’s felling direction mark (1) toward a goal further forward in the terrain, where you would like the tree to fall (2). Stand on the right-hand side of the tree, behind the saw, and cut with a pull stroke.

26 – English

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Contents 570 576 XP 576 XPG Symbols in the operator’s manual KEY to SymbolsSymbols on the machine EPA Contents Introduction Dear customerWhat is WHAT? What is what on the chain saw?General Safety Precautions Before using a new chain sawPersonal protective equipment Machine′s safety equipmentAlways use common sense Chain brake and front hand guardGeneral Safety Precautions Right hand guard Throttle lockoutChain catcher Vibration damping system Stop switchCutting equipment MufflerChain Cutting equipment designed to reduce kickbackBar Sharpening your chain and adjusting depth gauge setting General information on sharpening cutting teethTensioning the chain Checking chain lubrication Lubricating cutting equipmentFilling with chain oil Checking wear on cutting equipment Chain drive sprocketNeedle bearing lubrication Working with the chain AssemblyFitting the bar and chain Fuel Handling FuelTransport and storage Fuel safetyFueling Long-term storageCold engine Starting and StoppingStarting and stopping Warm engineStopping Before use Basic safety rulesWorking Techniques General working instructionsGeneral rules Basic cutting technique TermsLog is supported at one end. There is a high risk Tree felling techniqueLimbing Safe distanceDirectional cuts Felling directionClearing the trunk and preparing your retreat Felling cut Freeing a tree that has fallen badly How to avoid kickbackWhat is kickback? Cutting the trunk into logs General MaintenanceCarburetor adjustment Checking brake band wear Correctly adjusted carburetorWhen the bar hits the stump the brake should be applied Checking the front hand guardChecking the brake trigger ImmediatelyChanging a broken or worn starter cord MufflerStarter Changing a broken recoil spring Air filterTensioning the recoil spring Fitting the starterNeedle bearing lubrication Spark plugLubricating the bar tip sprocket Must always be replacedWhen making adjustments Adjustment of the oil pumpAir Injection centrifugal cleaning Cooling systemHeated handles Temperature 0C 32F or colderTemperature -5C 23F or colder Fitting the winterising kitMaintenance schedule Daily maintenance Weekly maintenance Monthly maintenanceTechnical Data Technical dataSaw chain filing and file gauges Federal Emission Control Warranty Statement Your Warranty Rights and ObligationsMAINTENANCE, Replacement Repair of EMISSION-RELATED Parts Kickback safety precautions American Standard Safety PrecautionsSafety precautions for chain saw users Other safety precautionsOriginal instructions 1153181-95