Operating Guide
25
OPERATING YOUR CHAIN SAW
LIMBING
(See Figure 22)
Limbing is removing branches from a fallen tree.
• Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with a rm grip. Always make sure your
footing is secure and your weight is distributed evenly on both feet.
• Leave the larger support limbs under the tree to keep the tree off the ground while cutting.
• Limbs should be cut one at a time. Remove the cut limbs from the work area often to help
keep the work area clean and safe.
• Branches under tension should be cut from the bottom up to avoid binding the chain saw.
• Keep the tree between you and the chain saw while limbing. Cut from the side of the tree
opposite the branch you are cutting.
PRUNING
(See Figure 23)
Pruning is trimming limbs from a live tree.
• Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with a rm grip. Always make sure your
footing is secure and your weight is distributed evenly on both feet.
• Do not cut from a ladder, this is extremely dangerous. Leave this operation for professionals.
• Do not cut above chest height as a saw held higher is difcult to control against kickback.
• When pruning trees it is important not to make the nishing cut next to the main limb or trunk
until you have cut off the limb further out to reduce the weight. This prevents stripping the bark
from the main member.
• Underbuck the branch 1/3 through for your rst cut.
• Your second cut should overbuck to drop the branch off.
• Now make your nishing cut smoothly and neatly against the main member so the bark will
grow back to seal the wound.
W A R N I N G
If the limbs to be pruned are above chest height, hire a professional to perform the pruning.
Fig. 23Fig. 22
Second
Cut
LOAD
CUT LIMBS ONE AT A TIME AND
LEAVE SUPPORT LIMBS
UNDER TREE UNTIL LOG IS CUT
First Cut
1/3 Diameter
Finishing
Cut
0