Remington Power Tools EL-3 Cutting a Limb, Felling a Tree, Felling Techniques, Limbing

OWNER’S MANUAL

Cutting a Limb

1.Make the first cut from the underside about 1/2 foot from the trunk and 1/3 through the diameter of the limb (See Figure 10).

2.Make the second cut two to four inches farther out on the limb from above until the limb falls.

3.Make the third cut 1/3 the diameter of the limb stub from underneath as close to the trunk as possible.

4.Make the fourth cut from above as close to the trunk as possible to meet the third cut.

4th Final	2nd Limbing Cut
	(to avoid pinching)
Stub Cut

6 "

(15cm)

2" to 4"

1st (5-10 cm) Limbing Undercut (to avoid splintering)

3rd Stub Undercut (to avoid splintering)

Figure 10 - Cutting A Limb

1.The chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side of the terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill after it is felled.

2.CONSIDER the natural lean of the tree, the location of larger branches and the wind direction to judge which way the tree will fall.

3.A RETREAT PATH should be planned and cleared as necessary before cuts are started. The retreat path should extend back and diagonally to the rear of the expected line of fall as illustrated in Figure 11.

4.CLEAR the work area around the tree to be cut and on your retreat path.

5.REMOVE dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from the tree where felling cuts are to be made.

Retreat Path

Direction of Fall

45°

4.As the felling cut gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to fall. If there is any chance that the tree may not fall in the desired direction or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling back cut is complete and use wedges of wood, plastic or aluminum to open the cut and drop the tree along the desired line of fall.

5.When the tree begins to fall remove the chain saw from the cut, stop the motor, put the chain saw down, then use the retreat path planned. Be alert for overhead limbs falling and watch our footing.

	Direction of
	Fall
3rd -	Hinge
Felling
	2nd - Upper
Cut
	Notching Cut
Approx. 2"	1st - Lower
(5 cm)
	Notching Cut

Figure 12 - Felling A Tree

FELLING A TREE

WARNING: Felling a tree should not be undertaken unless the person has extensive experi- ence or obtains professional as- sistance.

CAUTION: When bucking and felling operations are being per- formed by two or more persons at the same time, the felling op- eration should be separated from the bucking operation by a dis- tance of at least twice the height of the tree being felled. Trees should not be felled in a manner that would endanger any person, strike any utility line or cause any property damage. If the tree does make contact with any utility line, the utility company should be no- tified immediately.

Figure 11 - Retreat Path From Tree

FELLING TECHNIQUES

1.Make the first lower notching cut 1/3 the diameter of the tree and perpendicular to the line of fall. This will help to avoid pinching of either the saw chain or the guide bar when the second notching cut is made (See Figure 12).

2.Make the second upper notching cut at an angle to meet the first notching cut at 1/3 the diameter of the tree.

3.Make the felling back cut at least 2 inches higher than the horizontal notching cut as illustrated in Figure 12. Keep the felling back cut parallel to the horizontal notching cut. Make the felling back cut so enough wood is left to act as a hinge. The hinge wood keeps the tree from twisting and falling in the wrong direction. DO NOT cut through the hinge.

LIMBING

Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing, leave larger lower limbs to support the log off the ground. Remove the small limbs in one cut as illus- trated in Figure 13. Branches under tension should be cut from the bottom up to avoid binding the chain saw.

Keep work off ground. Leave sup- port limbs until log is cut.

Figure 13 - Limbing A Tree

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