operation
UNDERBUCKING
See Figure 30.
Begin on the under side of the log with the top of the saw against the log; exert light pressure upward. During under- bucking, the saw will tend to push back at you. Be prepared for this reaction and hold the saw firmly to maintain control.
LIMBING AND PRUNING
See Figures 31 - 32.
nWork slowly, keeping both hands on the saw with a firm grip. Maintain secure footing and balance.
■nKeep the tree between you and the chain while limbing.
nDo not cut from a ladder. This is extremely dangerous. Leave this operation for professionals.
■nDo not cut above chest height. A saw held higher than chest height is difficult to control against kickback.
LOAD
Underbucking | Fig. 30 |
Second cut
WARNING:
Never climb into a tree to limb or prune. Do not stand on ladders, platforms, a log, or in any position which can cause you to lose your balance or control of the saw.
■nWhen pruning trees it is important not to make the flush cut next to the main limb or trunk until you have cut off the limb further out to reduce the weight. This prevents stripping the bark from the main member.
• Underbuck the branch 1/3 through for your first cut.
•Overbuck the branch to drop it.
•Finish by cutting smoothly and neatly against the main member so the bark will grow back to seal the wound.
WARNING:
If the limbs to be pruned are above chest height, hire a professional to perform the pruning.
First cut 
1/3 diameter
Finishing cut
Fig. 31
CUT LIMBS ONE AT A TIME AND leave support limbs
under tree until log is cut
Fig. 32
CUTTING SPRINGPOLES
See Figure 33.
A springpole is any log, branch, rooted stump, or sapling |
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which is bent under tension by other wood so that it springs |
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back if the wood holding it is cut or removed. On a fallen |
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tree, a rooted stump has a high potential of springing back |
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to the upright position during the bucking cut to separate | SPRINGPOLE | Fig. 33 |
the log from the stump. Watch out for springpoles — they |
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are dangerous. |
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WARNING:
Springpoles are dangerous and could strike the operator, causing the operator to lose control of the chain saw. This could result in severe or fatal injury to the operator.
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