PINCHING, BINDING & SPLITTING
Wind bends trees. Gravity bends logs that are not flat on the ground. A log | HINGE |
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weakened by a cut over 1/3 the log diameter is like two logs hinged together. The |
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cut may either close or open wider, depending on how the log is positioned. |
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| MOVING OPENED |
In bucking logs, always make the weakening cut from the direction (opposite
the “hinge” side) which causes the cut to widen. If made from the wrong side, PINCHING CLOSED HINGE the cut will close, binding the saw and pinching the chain.
If the log is under heavy stress, prevent splitting by making a shallow cut (up to 1/ 3 dia.) on the “hinge” side first. But, always finish with the final cut in a direction towards the “hinge” side.
CUT UP OR
UNDERBUCK
HINGE
1ST 1/3 CUT
2ND FINISHING CUT
When the log is supported on both ends and is best to be cut in between, underbuck (cut upward from the bottom side) for the finishing cut.
When you wish to cut off an unsupported section from the end of a log, the weakening or finishing cut should be an overbuck (from top down). However, you may begin with a shallow underbuck to avoid splitting.
When the lie is such that the cutoff section will settle, guard against binding and pinching of the saw between the log sections. This can be done by inserting a soft wedge into the cut (after the chain is out of the way) to hold the cut open. In certain cases, the cut may be made on an angle so that it will widen as the log settles.
CUT DOWN OR
UNDERBUCK
UNSUPPORTED END
WEDGE
If you’re unsure how a log actually lies, and how it will bend, change its lie. If too heavy to move without strain on the back muscles, use a lever bar such as a cant hook to move or roll it. NOTE: You may have need to use this procedure to free the saw, if you misjudged the position of the log.
When a log is flat on the ground, overbuck as far through as possible without cutting into the earth. Then roll the log over to finish the cut.
LOGGER’S HOOK FOR
ROLLING LOGS
MAKE ANGLED CUT WHEN ONE SECTION MAY
SETTLE AGAINST ANOTHER. KEEP BODY OUT OF
BAR/CHAIN PATH!
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