E N G L I S H
LIMBING
CAUTION!
Most kickback accidents take place when limbing. Pay very close attention to the kickback danger zone when cutting limbs under tension!
All the principles which apply to crosscutting also apply when cutting thick branches.
Cut complicated branches in several stages.
Ensure that your footing is secure at all times, whether moving about or standing in one place. Always work with the log to your right. For best control, hold the chain saw as close to your body as possible.
FELLING OPERATIONS
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CAUTION!
Felling a tree is a job which calls for experience. Do not attempt to fell trees if you are inexperienced. DO NOT CARRY OUT ANY OPERATIONS FOR WHICH YOU DO NOT FEEL QUALIFIED!
CAUTION!
Beginning chain saw operators should gain experience cutting logs on a sawhorse or similar arrangement.
CAUTION!
We advise operators without sufficient experience against felling trees with trunk diameters exceeding their guide bar length.
Danger zone
A danger zone surrounds the tree to a distance of 2 1/2 times the height of the tree. See to it that no one is standing within this zone while you are felling the tree.
Felling direction
When felling a tree, one always aims to place it where neither objects nor difficult terrain will hamper limbing and cutting. Unobstructed movement and secure footing are essential.
It is also important to avoid lodging the tree against another tree. A lodged tree is extremely dangerous.
After determining where you want the tree to fall, you must also consider the likely unaided direction of fall.
This is affected by the straightness and lean of the tree, wind direction, concentration of branches and any snow that may weigh the tree down.
After assessing all these factors, you may find you have no choice but to fell the tree in its natural direction of fall because your preferred direction of fall is likely to fail.
Another important factor affecting your personal safety, though it has no bearing on the direction of fall, is the presence of any dead branches which could fall while you are felling the tree.
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