Manual

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FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
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.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before making the notch. If us-
ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw
chain from contacting ground to prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
• Make notch cut by cutting the top of the
notch first. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
of the tree. Next complete the notch by cut-
tiog the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Finat (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
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Notch _ _.2_
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• After remowog the wood from the notch,
make the felliog cut on the opposite side of
the notch. This is done by making a cut about
two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of
the notch Th_swilI Ieave enough uncut wood
between the felling cut and the notch to form
a hinge. This hinge will he{p prevent the tree
from fa_liog in the wrong direction.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Opening
of felling
NOTE: Before fefliog cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to
control the direction of fa_L To avoid kickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges
• Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to
fal_: cracking sounds, widening of the fell-
_og cut, or movement in the upper
branches.
• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
• DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
with your saw. Be extremely cautious with
partiaIly fallen trees that may be poody
supported. When a tree doesn't fall com-
pIetely, set the saw aside and pull down the
tree with a cable winch, biock and tackle,
or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log size.
_tL WARNING: Do not stand on the log
being cut. Any portion can roll causing loss
of footing and contref. Do not stand downhill
of the _og being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp
pieces of wood could be flung toward opera-
toe
• Use a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never
allow another person to hefd the log while
cutting and never hold the _og with your _eg
or foot.
• Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled such as in a bIown
down area. Drag the logs into a clear area
before cutting by pul}iog out exposed 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 losecontrol of the saw resuIting ininjury
and/or damage to the saw. Stop the saw,
drive awedge of plastic or wood intothe cut
until the saw can be removed easily. Restart
the saw and carefulIy reenter the cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
use a metalwedge. Do not attempt to restart
your saw when itis pinched or hung ina log
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Closing of
notch
Turn
saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log
with the bottom of the saw aga;nst the log
When overcutt_ng use _ight downward pres-
sure.
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