11
SPractice cutting a few small logs us ing the
followingtechniques toget the “feel” of us-
ing your saw before you begin a major
sawing operation.
SSqueeze the throttle trigger and allow the
engine to reach full speed before cutting.
SBegin cutting with the saw frame
against the log.
SKeepthe engine at full speed the entir e
timey ou are cutting.
SAllowthe chain to cut for you. Exertonly
light downward pressure. If you f orce
thecut, damage to the bar, chain, or en-
ginec an result.
SRelease the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the s aw at full
throttlewithout a cuttingload, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
andengine.
SToavoidlosing control w hen cut is com-
plete,do not put pressure on saw atend
of cut.
SStop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.
TREE FELLINGTECHNIQUES
WARNING: Chec k for broken or
dead branches which can fall while c utting
causingserious injury. Do not cut nearbuild-
ingsor elec trical wires if you donot know the
directionof tree fall, nor cut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during bad
weathersuch as rain,snow, or strong winds ,
etc. If the tr ee makes contact with any utility
line, the utility company should be notified
immediately.
SCarefullyplan your sawingoperation in ad-
vance.
SClearthe work area. Youneed a clear area
allaround the tree so youcan have secur e
footing.
SStudy the natural conditions that can
cause the tree to fall in a particular direc-
tion.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
SThew ind direction and speed.
SThe lean of the tree. Thelean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
slopingterrain. Use a plumb or level to de-
termine the direction of tree lean.
SWeightand branc hes on one side.
SSurrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. Ifthe trunk is rotted,
it can snap and fall toward the operator.
Check for broken or dead branches which
can fall on you while cutting.
Makes ure there is enough room for the tree
to fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2 tree
lengthsfrom the neares t person or other ob-
jects. Engine nois e can drown out a warning
call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, s ta-
ples,and wire fromthe tree where cuts areto
bemade.
Plana clear r etreat path to the rear and diag-
onalt o the line of fall.
Direction of Fall
45_
Plana clearretreat path
FELLINGLARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
Thenotc hmethod is used to fell large trees.
Anotch is c ut 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:I f the tree has large buttress roots ,
removethem before making the notc h. Ifus-
ingsaw toremov e buttress roots, keep saw
chainfrom contact ing ground to prevent dull-
ingof the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLINGTHE
TREE
SMake notch cut by cutting the top of the
notchfi rst. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
ofthe tree. Next complete thenotch 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
Finalcut here. 2 inches above
centerof notch.
SAfter removing the wood from the notch,
makethe felling cut on the opposite side of
the notch. This is done by making a cut
abouttwo inc hes higher than the center of
the notch. T his will leave enough uncut
woodbetween the felling cut and the notch
to form a hinge. This hinge will help pre-
ventthe tree from falling in the w rong direc-
tion.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closingof
notch
Hinge holdstree on stump and helps
control fall