Operation Manual

ManualsBrandsMcCulloch ManualsChainsawM3616

Natural conditions that can cause a tree to

fall in a particular direction include:

S The wind direction and speed.

S The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree

might not be apparent due to uneven or

slopingterrain. Usea plumbor level to de-

termine the direction of tree lean.

S Weight and branches on one side.

S Surrounding trees and obstacles.

Look for decay and rot. If thetrunk is rotted,

it can snap and fall toward the operator.

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 objects. En-

gine noise can drown out a warning call.

Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta-

ples,andwirefromthetreewherecutsareto

be made.

Direction of Fall

45_

Plan a clear retreat path

FELLING LARGE TREES

(15cmindiameterorlarger)

The notch method is used to fell large trees.

Anotchis cutonthesideofthetreeinthede-

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.

NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE

TREE

S Make notch cut by cutting the top of the

notch first. Cut through

1/3 of thediameter

ofthetree.Nextcompletethenotchbycut-

ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-

tion. Once the notch is cut remove the

notch of wood from the tree.

Notch

First cut

Second cut

Final cut here. 5 cm above

center of notch.

5cm

S After removing the wood from the notch,

make the felling cut on the opposite side of

thenotch.This is doneby makinga cutabout

two inches higher than the center of the

notch. This will leave enough uncut wood

between the felling cut and the notch to form

a hinge. This hinge will help prevent thetree

from falling in the wrong direction.

Opening

of felling

cut

Closing

of notch

Hinge holds tree on stump and helps

control fall

NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use

wedges to open the cut when necessary to

controlthedirectionoffall. Toavoidkickback

or chain damage, use wood or plastic

wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.

S Bealerttosignsthatthetreeisreadytofall:

cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut,

or movement in the upper branches.

S As treestarts to fall, stop saw,put it down,

and get away quickly on your planned re-

treat path.

S DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with

your saw . Be extremely cautious with par-

tially fallen trees that may be poorly sup-

ported. When a tree doesn’t fall completely ,

set thesawasideandpull downthe treewith

a cable winch, block and tackle, or tractor .

CUTTING A FALLEN TREE

(BUCKING)

Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen

tree to the desired log length.

WARNING: Do not stand on the log

beingcut.Anyportioncanrollcausinglossof

footing and control. Do not stand downhill of

the log being cut.

Important points

S Cut only one log at a time.

S Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp

piecesofwoodcouldbeflungtowardoper-

ator.

S Use a sawhorse to cu t small logs. Never

allow another person to hold the log while

cuttingandneverholdthelogwithyour leg

or foot.

S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,

and roots are tangled.Drag the logs into a

clear area before cutting by pulling out ex-

posed and cleared logs first.

TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR

BUCKING

WARNING:If saw becomes pinched

or hung in a log, don’t try to force it out. You

can losecontrolof the saw resulting in injury

and/or damage to the saw. Stop the saw ,

drive a wedge of plastic or wood into the cut

untilthesawcanberemovedeasily. Restart

thesaw andcarefully reenter the cut. Donot

attempttorestartyoursawwhenit ispinched

or hung in a log.

Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or

wooden wedge to force cut open.