Final (felling) cut here.
2" (5 cm) above center of_otch.
First cut,5c_ _ /
--x!". /I
Seco__Notch6 cut_ | : | .... | _ 5 cm |
•After removing the cutout of wood, make the felling cut on the opposite side of the notch. This is done by making a cut about two inches higher than the center of the notch. This will leave enough uncut wood between the felling cut and the notch to form a hinge. This hingewill help prevent the tree from falling in the wrong direction.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps control fall
Opening of felling cut
Closing of
notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use wedges to open the cut when necessary to controlthe directionof fall. To avoid kickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
•Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall: cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, or movement in the upper branches.
•As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned re- treat path.
•DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with your saw. Be extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poorly supported. When a tree doesn't fall com- pletely, set the saw aside and pull down the tree with a cable winch, block and tackle, or tractor.
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.
IMPORTANT POINTS
•Cut only one log at a time.
•Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood could be flu ng toward oper- ator.
•Use 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.
•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
DWARNIN_5:If saw becomes
pinched or hung in a log, don'ttry 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. Re- start the saw and carefully reenter the cut. Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or wooden wedge to force cut open. Overcutting beginson thetop sideofthelog with the saw against the log. When overcut- ting use light downward pressure.
OvercuttingUndercutting
Undercuttinginvolves 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.
_kWARNING: Neverturn saw upside down to undercut. The saw cannot be con- trolled in this position.
Always make your first cut on the compres- sion side ofthelog. Thecompression sideof the log is where the pressure of the log's weight is concentrated.
First cut on co['npression side of log
Second cut
Second cut
First cut on compression side of log
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