SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
C Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreat
Remove any branches that are in the way. To do this it is best to work from the top down and keep the trunk between you and the chain saw. Never limb above shoulder height.
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 behind the intended felling direction.
D Felling
Felling is done using three cuts. First you make the DIRECTIONAL CUTS, which consist of the TOP CUT and the BOTTOM CUT; followed by the FELLING CUT. By placing these cuts correctly you can control the felling direction very accurately.
DIRECTIONAL CUT
To make the DIRECTIONAL CUT you begin with the TOP CUT. Stand to the right of the tree and cut downwards at an angle.
Next make the BOTTOM CUT so that it finishes at the end of the TOP CUT.
The directional cut should run 1/4 of the diameter through the trunk and the angle between the TOP CUT and BOTTOM CUT should be 45°.
The line where the two cuts meet is called the
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE. This line should be perfectly horizontal and at right angles (90°) to the chosen felling direction.
FELLING CUT
The felling cut is made from the opposite side of the tree and it must be perfectly horizontal. Stand on the left side of the tree and cut with the bottom edge of the bar.
Make the FELLING CUT about
DIRECTIONAL CUT.
Use full throttle and bring the bar and chain slowly into the tree. Make sure the tree does not start to move in the opposite direction to your intended felling direction. Drive a WEDGE or BREA- KING BAR into the cut as soon as it is deep enough.
Finish the FELLING CUT parallel with the DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE so that the distance between them is at least at least 1/10 of the trunk diameter. The uncut section of the trunk is called the HINGE.
The HINGE act as hinges that control the felling direction of the falling tree.
All control over the felling direction is lost if the HINGE is too narrow or if the directional cut and felling cut are badly placed.
When the felling cut and directional cut are complete the tree should start to fall under its own weight or with the aid of a FELLING WEDGE or BREAKING BAR.
22 – English