11
SKeep the engine at full speed the entire
time you are cutting.
SAllowthe chain to cut for you. E xert only
light downward pressure. If you force
thecut , damage to the bar,chain, or en-
gine can result.
SRelease the throttle t rigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the s aw at full
throttle without a cutt ing load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
and engine. It is recommended that
the engine not be operated for lon-
ger than 30 seconds at full throttle.
SToavoid losing control when cut is com-
plete, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
SStop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.

TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES

WARNING: Check for broken or
dead branches which can fall while cutting
causing serious injury. Donot cut near build-
ingsor electric al wires if you do not k now the
direction of tree fall, nor cut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during bad
weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc.
SCarefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
SClearthe work area. Youneeda c lear area
allaround the t ree so you can have secure
footing.
SStudy the natural conditions that can cause
the tree to fall in a particular direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
SThe wind direction and speed.
SThe lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
sloping terrain. Usea plumb or level to de-
termine the direction of tree lean.
SWeight and branches on one side.
SSurrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. If the t runkis rotted, i t
can snap and fall toward the operator. Check
for broken ordead branches which can fall on
you while cutting.
Makesure there is enough room for the tree to
fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2 treel engths
from the nearest person or other objects. En-
gine noise can drown out a warning call.
Removedirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag-
onal to the line of fall.
Direction of Fall
45_
Plan a clear retreat path

FELLING LARGE TREES

(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
Anotch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is
made on the opposite side of tree, the tree
will tend to fall intothe notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots,
removet hem before making the notch. Ifus-
ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw
chain from contacting ground t o prevent dull-
ing of the chain.

NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE

TREE

SMake notch cut by cutting the top of the
notch first. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
ofthe tree. Next complet e the notch by cut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Notch
First cut
Second cut
Final (felling) cut here. 2 inches
above center of notch.
Hinge
SAfter 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. Thiswill leav e enough uncut wood
between the felling cut and the notch to
form a hinge. This hinge will help prevent
the tree fromfalling inthe wrong direction.
Closing of
notch
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall Opening
of felling
cut
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut when necessary to
control the direction of fall. Toavoidk ickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
SBe alert to signs that the tree is ready tof all:
cracking sounds, widening ofthe felling cut,
or movement in the upper branches.
SAst reestarts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.