12
NOTE: Ifthe tr ee has large buttress roots,
removethem before making the notc h. If us-
ingsaw to remove buttr ess roots, keep saw
chainfrom contact ing ground to prevent dull-
ingof the c hain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
SMake notch cut by cutting the top of the
notchfi rst. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
ofthe tree. Next complete 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
Firstcut
Second cut
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
Hinge
SAfter removing the wood from the notch,
make the felling cut on the opposite side of
thenotch. This is done by mak ing a cut about
two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of
thenotch. This will leave enough unc ut wood
between the felling cut and the notch to form
ahinge. This hinge will help prevent the tree
from falling in the wrong direction.
Openingof
fellingcut
Closing
of notch
Hinge holdstree on stump and helps
control fall
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necess ary to
controlthe direction of fall. Toavoidkick back
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
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.
SAstree st arts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
andget away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
SDO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
withyour s aw. Be extremely cautious with
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. Whena tree doesn’t f all com-
pletely,set the saw aside and pull down the
tree with a cable winch, block and tackle,
or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLENTREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log size.
WARNING: Do not s tand on the log
beingc ut. Anyportion can roll caus inglos s
offooting and c ontrol. Do not stand downhill
of the logbeing c ut.
IMPORTANTPOINTS
SCut only one log at a time.
SCut shattered wood very carefully; sh arp
pieces of wood could be flung toward opera -
tor.
SUse a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never
allow another person to hold the log while
cuttingand never hold the log w ith your leg
or foot.
SDo not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled such as in a blown
downarea. Dragthe logs into a clear area
before cutting by pulling out exposed and
cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
BUCKING
WARNING: If s aw becomes pinched
orhung in a log, don’t try to forc e it out. You
canlose c ontrol 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
untilthe saw can be r emoved easily. Restar t
the saw and carefully reenter the cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
usea metal wedge. Donot attempt to restart
yoursaw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turns aw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log
with the bottom of the saw against the log.
When overcutting use light downw ard pres-
sure.
Overcutting
Undercutting
Undercuttinginvolves cutting on the under-
sideof the log with top of s aw against the log.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Holdsaw firmlyand maintain c ontrol.
The saw will tend to push back toward you.
WARNING: Nev er turn saw upside
down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-
trolled in this position.
Always make your first cut on the compres-
sionside of the log. The c ompression side of
the log is where the pressure of the log’s
weight is concentrated.