Husqvarna 385XP manual Tree felling technique, Safe distance, Felling direction

Page 25

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.

1

3

2

1

1

2

1Danger zone

2Retreat path

3Felling direction

English – 25

Image 25
Contents 385XP 390XP Symbols on the machine KEY to SymbolsSymbols in the operator’s manual Contents Dear Customer IntroductionWhat is what on the chain saw? What is WHAT?Before using a new chain saw General Safety PrecautionsAlways use common sense Personal protective equipment Machine′s safety equipmentChain brake and front hand guard General Safety Precautions Chain catcher Throttle lockRight hand guard Cutting equipment Stop switchVibration damping system MufflerCutting equipment designed to reduce kickback General rulesBar ChainGeneral information on sharpening cutting teeth Sharpening your chain and adjusting depth gauge settingSharpening cutting teeth Adjustment of depth gauge setting General advice on adjusting depth gauge settingIf the depth gauge setting is too large Tensioning the chainChain oil Lubricating cutting equipmentFilling with chain oil Checking chain lubricationNeedle bearing lubrication Chain drive sprocketChecking wear on cutting equipment Fitting the bar and chain AssemblyFitting a spike bumper Working with the chainFuel Fuel HandlingFuelling Fuel safetyTransport and storage Long-term storageStarting and stopping Starting and StoppingCold engine Warm engineStopping Working Techniques Basic safety rulesBefore use General working instructions Always use a fast cutting speed, i.e. full throttle General Basic cutting techniqueTerms Cutting LimbingSafe distance Tree felling techniqueFelling direction Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreatDirectional cuts FellingFelling cut Freeing 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 Carburettor adjustment MaintenanceGeneral Carburettor with movement limitersCorrectly adjusted carburettor Fine adjustment of the idle speed TCarburettor without movement limiters Low speed jet LChecking brake band wear Checking the front hand guard When the bar hits the stump the brake should be appliedChecking the inertia brake release Checking the brake triggerMuffler Changing a broken or worn starter cord StarterTensioning the recoil spring Changing a broken recoil springSpark plug Air filterLubricating the bar tip sprocket Fitting the starterAir Injection centrifugal cleaning Adjustment of the oil pumpNeedle bearing lubrication Cooling systemHeated handles Temperature 0C or colderElectrical carburettor heating 385XPG, 390XPGDaily maintenance Weekly maintenance Monthly maintenance Maintenance scheduleTechnical data Technical DataSaw chain filing and file gauges Bar and chain combinationsApplies to Europe only EC-declaration of conformityEN ISO 12100-22003, Cispr 121997, ISO ´z+R16¶6a¨ Page 1150172-26 ´z+R16¶6a¨ ´z+R16¶6a¨