11
SRelease the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throttlewithout a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
and engine. Itis recommended that
the engine not be operatedfor lon-
ger than 30 seconds at full throttle.
SToavoidlosing control w hen 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 FELLINGTECHNIQUES

WARNING: Chec k for broken or
dead branches which can fall while c utting
causingserious injury. Do not cut near build-
ingsor elec trical 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 s trong winds,
etc. If the tr ee makes contact with any utility
line, the utility company should be notified
immediately.
SCarefullyplan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
SClearthe work area. Youneeda clear area
allaround the tree so you can hav e secure
footing.
SStudy the naturalc onditionsthat c an cause
the tree to fall in a particular direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
SThew ind direction and speed.
SThe lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
slopingterrain. Usea 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. If the trunk is rott ed, it
can snap and fall toward the operator.Chec k
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 2-1/2 tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objec ts. En-
gine noise can drown out a warning call.
Removedir t, stones, loose bark, n ails, staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
Plana clear r etreat path to the rear and diag-
onalt o the line of fall.
Direction of Fall
45_
Plana clear retreat path

FELLINGLARGE TREES

(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or larger)
Thenotc hmethod is us ed to fell large trees.
Anotch is c ut on the side of the tree in the de-
sired direction of fall. A fter 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. If us-
ingsaw to remov e buttress roots, keep saw
chainfrom contact ing ground to prevent dull-
ingof t he chain.

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
(5cm) ab ove center of notch.
Hinge
SAfter removing the cutout of wood, make
the felling cut on the opposite side of the
notch.T his is doneby making a c utabout
twoinches (5 cm) higher than the center of
the notch. This 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.
Closingof
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
controlthe direction of fall. Toavoidkickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
SBealerttosignsthatthetreeisreadytofall:
cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut,
or movement in the upper branches.
SAstree st arts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
andget aw ay quickly on your planned re-
treat path.