11
SRelease the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing theen-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throttlewithout a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chai n, bar,
and engine. Itis recommended that
the enginenot be operated for lon-
gerthan 30 seconds at full throttle.
SToavoidlosing control when cut is com-
plete,do notput pressure on saw atend
ofcut.
SStop the engine before setting the saw
downafter cutti ng.
TREEFELLING TECHNIQUES
WARNING: Check for broken or
dead branches which can fall while cutting
causingserious injur y. Do not cut near build-
ingsor electrical wires if you do not 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 tree makes contact with any utility
line, the utility company should be notified
immediately.
SCarefullyplan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
SClearthe work area. You needa clear area
allaround the tree so you can have secur e
footing.
SThe chain saw operator should keep on
the uphill side of the terrain as the tr ee is
likelyto roll or slide downhill after it is fell ed.
SStudy the natural c onditions that c an cause
thetreetofallinaparticulardirection.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
SThewi nd direction and speed.
SThe lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
slopingterrain. Useaplumb or level t o de-
termine the direction of tree lean.
SWeight and branches on one side.
SSurroundingtrees and obstacles.
Lookfor decay and r ot. If the trunk is rotted,
it can snap and fall toward the operator.
Check for broken or dead branches which
canfal l on you while cutting.
Makesure there is enough room for the tree
to fall. Maintain a distance of 2-1/2 tree
lengthsfrom the near est person or other ob-
jects. Engine noise can dr ownout a warning
call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta-
ples,and wire from the tree where cuts are to
bemade.
Plana clear retreat path to the rear and diag-
onalto the line of fal l.
Direction ofFall
45_
Plana clear retreat path
FELLINGLARGE TREES
(6 inches (15cm) in diameter or larger)
Thenotch method is us ed to fell large trees.
Anotch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cutis
made on the opposite side of tree, the tree
will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: Ifthe tree has large buttres s roots,
removethem before making the notch. Ifus-
ingsaw to remove buttress roots, keep saw
chainfrom contacting ground to prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCHCUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
SMake notch cut by cutting the top of the
notchfirst. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
ofthetr ee.Next complete the notch by cut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notchof w ood from the tree.
Notch
First cut
Secondcut
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
Hinge
SAfter removing the wood from the notch,
makethe felling cut on theopposite side of
thenotch. This is done by mak ing a cut about
two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of
thenot ch. This wil l leave enough uncut wood
betweenthefelling cut andthe notch to form
ahinge. Thishi nge will hel p prevent the tree
fromfalling in the wrongdirection.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closing of
notch
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
controlfall
NOTE: Beforefelling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to
controlthe directionof fall. Toavoidkickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges,but nev er 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 starts to fall, s top saw,put it dow n,
andget away quickl y on your planned re-
treatpath.