Poulan P4018AV, P4018WM, P3818AV Operating Tips, Tree Felling Techniques, Felling Large Trees

OPERATING TIPS

SCheck chain tension before first use and after 1 minute of operation. See CHAIN

TENSION in the ASSEMBLY section.

SCut wood only. Do not cut metal, plastics, masonry, non-wood building materials, etc.

SStop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign object. Inspect the saw and repair or re- place parts as necessary.

SKeep the chain out of dirt and sand. Even a small amount of dirt will quickly dull a chain

and thus increase the possibility of kickback.

SPractice cutting a few small logs using the following techniques to get the “feel” of us- ing your saw before you begin a major sawing operation.

S Squeeze the throttle trigger and allow the engine to reach full speed before cutting.

S Begin cutting with the saw frame against the log.

S Keep the engine at full speed the entire time you are cutting.

S Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only light downward pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the bar, chain, or en- gine can result.

S Release the throttle trigger as soon as the cut is completed, allowing the en- gine to idle. If you run the saw at full throttle without a cutting 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.

S To avoid losing control when cut is com- plete, do not put pressure on saw at end

of cut.

S Stop 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. Do not cut near build- ings or electrical wires if you do not know 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. If the tree makes contact with any utility

Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it can snap and fall toward the operator. Check for broken or dead branches which can fall on you while cutting.

Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2tree lengths from the nearest person or other objects. En- gine noise can drown out a warning call.

Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta- ples, 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.

Plan a clear retreat path

Direction of Fall

45_

FELLING LARGE TREES

(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or larger) The notch method is used to fell large trees. A notch 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 into the notch.

NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots, remove them before making the notch. If us- ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw chain from contacting ground to 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 of the 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.

Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches (5 cm) above center of notch.

line, the utility company should be notified im- mediately.

SCarefully plan your sawing operation in ad- vance.

SClear the work area. You need a clear area all around the tree so you can have secure footing.

SThe chain saw operator should keep on the uphill side of the terrain as the tree is

likely to roll or slide downhill after it is felled.

SStudy the natural conditions that can cause

First cut

Notch

Second cut

Hinge

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.

S The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree might not be apparent due to uneven or sloping terrain. Use a plumb or level to de- termine the direction of tree lean.

SWeight and branches on one side. S Surrounding trees and obstacles.

S After removing the wood from the notch, make the felling cut on the opposite side of the notch. This is done by making a cut about two inches (5 cm) 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 hinge will help prevent the tree from falling in the wrong direction.

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