Ryobi RY10520, RY10518 Felling Trees Hazardous Conditions, Proper Procedure for Tree Felling

OPERATION

the saw at full throttle without a cutting load can result in unnecessary wear to the chain, bar, and engine.

nDo not put pressure on the saw at the end of the cut.

FELLING TREES

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS

WARNING:

Do not fell trees during periods of high wind or heavy ­precipitation. Wait until the hazardous weather has ended.

When felling a tree, it is important that you heed the following warnings to prevent possible serious injury.

■n Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean or large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark, or hollow trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged down with heavy equipment, then cut them up.

■n Do not cut trees near electrical wires or buildings.

■n Check the tree for damaged or dead branches that could fall and hit you during felling.

■n Periodically glance at the top of the tree during the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in the desired direction.

nIf the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction, or if the saw gets caught or hung up during the fall, leave the saw and save yourself!

PROPER PROCEDURE FOR TREE FELLING

See Figures 21 - 24.

nPick your escape route (or routes in case the intended route is blocked). Clear the immediate area around the tree and make sure there are no obstructions in your planned path of retreat. Clear the path of safe retreat approximately 135° from the planned line of fall.

nConsider the force and direction of the wind, the lean and balance of the tree, and the location of large limbs. These things influence the direction in which the tree will fall. Do not try to fell a tree along a line different from its natural line of fall.

PLANNED LINE

OF FALL

90°

135° FROM

PLANNED

LINE OF FALLPATH OF SAFE RETREAT

PLANNED	135°		PATH
LINE OF			OF SAFE
FALL		45°	RETREAT
			90°

45°

135°

Fig. 21

HINGE 2 in. OR 1/10 DIA

NOTCH -

APPROX. 1/3

DIAMETER OF TRUNK

BACK CUT

2 in.

Fig. 22

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