Desa EL-7 100089-07 Felling a Tree, Cutting Down a Tree, Felling Procedure Felling Notch

OWNER’S MANUAL

OPERATING CHAIN SAW

Continued

FELLING A TREE

(Cutting Down a Tree)

WARNING:

• Avoid kickback. Kickback can

result in severe injury or death.

See Kickback, page 3 to avoid

risk of kickback.

• Do not fell a tree without ample

skill or expert help.

• Keep children, animals, and

Retreat

Path

Direction

of Fall

45°

Retreat	Tree
Path

Figure 10 - Retreat Path From Tree

Felling Procedure

A) Felling Notch

3rd Cut - Felling Cut

2 Inches

2"

Direction

of Fall

Hinge

2nd Cut - Upper Notch Cut

1st Cut -

Lower

Notch Cut

bystanders away from area

when felling a tree.

• If two or more persons perform

bucking and felling operations

WARNING: When felling a tree, be aware of your surround- ings. Do not endanger any per- son, strike utility lines, or cause property damage. If tree strikes utility lines, contact utility com- pany at once.

Felling is the process of cutting down a tree. Make sure your footing is firm. Keep feet apart. Divide your weight evenly on both feet. Follow directions below to fell a tree.

Before Felling a Tree

1.Before felling, inspect tree. Make sure there are no dead limbs or branches that may fall on you. Study natural lean of tree, location of larger branches, and wind direction. This will help you judge which way tree will fall.

2.Clear work area around tree.

3.Plan and clear a retreat path before fell- ing. Make retreat path opposite to planned direction of fall of tree and at 45° angle (see Figure 10).

4.Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from tree where you will make felling cuts.

5.Stay on uphill side when felling tree. Tree could roll or slide downhill af- ter falling.

A properly placed felling notch will deter- mine direction tree will fall. Place felling notch on side of tree in direction you want tree to fall (see Figure 11). Follow direc- tions below to create a felling notch.

1.Make lower notch cut as close to ground as possible. Hold saw so guide bar is horizontal. Cut 1/3 the diameter of tree trunk (see Figure 11). Note: Al- ways make this horizontal lower notch cut first. If you make this cut second, tree can pinch chain or guide bar.

2.Start upper notch cut the same distance above first cut as first cut is deep.

Example: If lower notch cut is eight inches deep, start upper notch cut eight inches above it. Cut downward at 45° angle. The upper notch cut should meet end of lower notch cut (see Figure 11).

3.Remove tree trunk wedge created by notching cuts.

B) Felling Cut

1.Make felling cut two inches higher than lower notch cut and on opposite side of tree (see Figure 11). Keep felling cut parallel to lower notch cut.

2.Cut towards notch.

WARNING: Do not cut all the way through tree. Leave about two inches of tree diameter un- cut directly behind felling notch (see Figure 11). This uncut por- tion acts as a hinge. The hinge helps keep tree from twisting and falling in wrong direction.

Figure 11 - Felling A Tree

3.As felling cut nears hinge, tree should begin to fall. Note: If needed, drive wedges into felling cut to control direc- tion of fall. If tree settles back and pinches chain, drive wedges into felling cut to remove saw. Only use wedges made of wood, plastic, or aluminum. Never use wedge made of steel. This could cause kickback and damage to chain.

4.When tree begins to fall, quickly

•remove saw from felling cut

•release trigger to turn saw off

•put saw down

•exit area using retreat path

WARNING: Be alert for falling overhead limbs. Watch your foot- ing while exiting area.

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