operation
FELLING TREES
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
WARNING:
Do not fell trees during periods of high wind or heavy precipitation. Wait until the hazardous weather has ended.
When felling a tree, it is important that you heed the following warnings to prevent possible serious injury.
■nDo not cut down trees having an extreme lean or large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark, or hollow trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged down with heavy equipment, then cut them up.
■nDo not cut trees near electrical wires or build- ings.
■nCheck the tree for damaged or dead branches that could fall and hit you during felling.
■nPeriodically glance at the top of the tree during the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in the desired direction.
nIf the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, or if the saw gets caught or hung up during the fall, leave the saw and save yourself!
planned line
of fall
| 90° |
135° from |
|
planned |
|
line of fall | PATH OF |
| SAFE RETREAT |
planned | 135° |
| PATH |
line of |
| OF SAFE | |
fall |
| 45° | RETREAT |
|
|
| 90° |
45°
135°
Fig. 21
PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE FELLING
See Figures 21 - 24.
nPick your escape route (or routes in case the intended route is blocked). Clear the immediate area around the tree and make sure there are no obstructions in your planned path of retreat. Clear the path of safe retreat approximately 135° from the planned line of fall.
nConsider the force and direction of the wind, the lean and balance of the tree, and the loca- tion of large limbs. These things influence the direction in which the tree will fall. Do not try to fell a tree along a line different from its natural line of fall.
nCut a notch about 1/3 the diameter of the trunk in the side of the tree. Make the notch cuts so they intersect at a right angle to the line of fall.
HINGE
2 in. or 1/10 DIA
NOTCH -
APPROX. 1/3
DIAMETER OF
TRUNK
BACK CUT
2 in.
Fig. 22
Page 20 — English
