NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use wedges to open the cut when necessary to control the direction of fall. Use wood or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron, to avoid kickback and chain damage.
SBe alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall: cracking sounds, widening of the fell- ing cut, or movement in the upper branches.
SAs tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
SBe extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poorly supported. When a tree doesn’t fall completely, set the saw aside and pull down the tree with a cable winch, block and tackle, or tractor. To avoid injury, do not cut down a partially fall- en tree with your saw.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to the desired log length.
WARNING: Do not stand on the log being cut. Any portion can roll causing loss of footing and control. Do not stand downhill of the log being cut.
Overcutting Undercutting
Undercutting involves cutting on the under- side of the log with top of saw against the log. When undercutting use light upward pres- sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control. The saw will tend to push back toward you.
WARNING: Never turn saw upside down to undercut. The saw cannot be con- trolled in this position.
First cut on pressure side of log
Second cut
Second cut
Important points
SCut only one log at a time.
SCut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood could be flung toward oper- ator.
SUse a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never
allow another person to hold the log while cutting and never hold the log with your leg or foot.
S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs, and roots are tangled. Drag the logs into a clear area before cutting by pulling out ex- posed and cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR BUCKING
WARNING: If saw becomes pinched or hung in a log, don’t try to force it out. You can lose control of the saw resulting in injury and/or damage to the saw. Stop the saw, drive a wedge of plastic or wood into the cut until the saw can be removed easily. Restart the saw and carefully reenter the cut. Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
First cut on pressure side of log
BUCKING WITHOUT A
SUPPORT
SOvercut through 1/3 of the diameter of the log.
SRoll the log over and finish with a second
overcut.
SGive special attention to logs under strain to prevent the saw from pinching. Make the first cut on the pressure side to relieve the stress on the log.
BUCKING USING A LOG OR SUPPORT STAND
SRemember your first cut is always on the pressure side of the log.
S Your first cut should extend 1/3 of the diameter of the log.
SFinish with your second cut.
Using a support stand 
2nd Cut
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log with the saw against the log. When overcut- ting use light downward pressure.
1st Cut
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