Zenoah GZ7000 manual Tree felling technique, Safe distance, Felling direction

Page 24

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 that you feel unsure of!

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.

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.

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.

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3

2

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1

2

1Danger zone

2 Retreat path

3 Felling direction

24 – English

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Contents Operator’s manual KEY to Symbols Symbols on the machineSymbols in the operator’s manual Contents What is WHAT? What is what on the chain saw?General Safety Precautions Before using a new chain sawAlways use common sense Machine′s safety equipment Personal protective equipmentChain brake and front hand guard General Safety Precautions Throttle lockout Chain catcherRight hand guard Vibration damping systemStop switch Cutting equipmentMuffler General rulesCutting equipment designed to reduce kickback BarChain Injuries Some terms that describe the bar and chainSharpening your chain and adjusting depth gauge setting General information on sharpening cutting teethTensioning the chain Lubricating cutting equipment Which could lead to serious, even fatal injuries Chain oilFilling with chain oil Checking chain lubricationChain drive sprocket Needle bearing lubricationChecking wear on cutting equipment Assembly Fitting the bar and chainFitting a spike bumper Protect your hands from injuryFuel Handling FuelFuel safety FuellingTransport and storage Long-term storageStarting and Stopping Starting and stoppingCold engine Warm engineStopping Basic safety rules Working TechniquesBefore use General working instructionsGeneral rules Basic cutting technique TermsLimbing Tree felling technique Safe distanceFelling direction Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreatDirectional cuts Felling cutGeneral advice Freeing a tree that has fallen badlyFreeing a trapped tree Cutting trees and branches that are in tensionHow to avoid kickback What is kickback?Cutting the trunk into logs Maintenance Carburettor adjustmentGeneral Correctly adjusted carburettor High speed jet HChecking brake band wear Checking the front hand guardChecking the inertia brake release ImmediatelyMuffler Starter Changing a broken or worn starter cordTensioning the recoil spring Changing a broken recoil springAir filter Spark plugLubricating the bar tip sprocket Must always be replacedAdjustment of the oil pump Dust Free centrifugal cleaningRunning when making adjustments Needle bearing lubricationTemperature 0C or colder Winter useFitting the winterising kit Maintenance schedule Daily maintenance Weekly maintenance Monthly maintenanceTechnical Data Technical dataBar and chain combinations Saw chain filing and file gauges EC-declaration of conformityApplies to Europe only EN ISO 12100-22003, Cispr 122005, EN ISOLimited Warranty Limited warranty1151332-26
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