Husqvarna 345e EPA II, 346XP EPA I, 353 EPA II manual Tree felling technique, Safe distance

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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 beyond your experience level!

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.

D

 

 

 

 

 

anger

zone

 

 

direction

 

 

Felling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retreat path

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D

 

 

Danger

zone

path

anger

zone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retreat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26 – English

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Contents TrioBrake Symbols in the operator’s manual KEY to SymbolsSymbols on the machine Contents Introduction Dear customerWhat is WHAT? What is what on the chain saw?Always use common sense General Safety PrecautionsBefore using a new chain saw Chain brake and front hand guard Machine′s safety equipmentPersonal protective equipment General Safety Precautions Right hand guard Throttle lockoutChain catcher Vibration damping systemMuffler Stop switchCutting equipment General rulesSharpening your chain and adjusting depth gauge setting Cutting equipment designed to reduce kickbackSharpening cutting teeth General advice on adjusting depth gauge settingAdjustment of depth gauge setting 345e TrioBrake Tensioning the chain346XP TrioBrake, 353 TrioBrake Filling with chain oil Lubricating cutting equipmentChain oil Checking chain lubricationChecking wear on cutting equipment Chain drive sprocketNeedle bearing lubrication 346XP TrioBrake, 353 TrioBrake AssemblyFitting the bar and chain 345e TrioBrakeAssembly Fuel Handling FuelTransport and storage Fuel safetyFueling Long-term storageCold engine Starting and StoppingStarting and stopping Warm engineStopping Before use Basic safety rulesWorking Techniques General working instructions General rules Terms Basic cutting techniqueGeneral Limbing CuttingFelling direction Tree felling techniqueSafe distance Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreatFelling Directional cutsFreeing a trapped tree General adviceFreeing a tree that has fallen badly Cutting trees and branches that are in tensionCutting the trunk into logs How to avoid kickbackWhat is kickback? General MaintenanceCarburetor adjustment Correctly adjusted carburetor High speed jet HChecking the brake trigger Changing a broken or worn starter cord MufflerStarter Fitting the starter Replacement of broken recoil and drive disc springsTensioning the recoil spring Lubricating the bar tip sprocket Air filterSpark plug Needle bearing lubricationCooling system Adjustment of the oil pumpAir Injection centrifugal cleaning Heated handlesTemperature 0C 32F or colder Maintenance schedule Daily maintenance Weekly maintenance Monthly maintenanceTechnical Data Technical dataBar and chain combinations Saw chain filing and file gaugesFederal Emission Control Warranty Statement Your Warranty Rights and ObligationsKickback safety precautions American Standard Safety PrecautionsSafety precautions for chain saw users Other safety precautionsPage 1150389-95 ´z+RF¶5&¨ ´z+RF¶5&¨