11
S Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to
fall: cracking sounds, widening of the fell-
ing cut, or movement in the upper
branches.
S As treestarts to fall, stop saw ,put itdown,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
S DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
withyour saw. Beextremely cautiouswith
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. When a tree doesn’t fall com-
pletely ,setthesawasideandpulldownthe
tree with 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
being cut. Any portion can roll causing loss
of 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 cut small logs. Never
allow another person to hold the log while
cuttingandneverholdthelogwithyourleg
or foot.
S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled.Drag the logs into a
clear area beforecutting by pulling out ex-
posed and cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
BUCKING
WARNING:Ifsaw becomespinched
or hung in a log,don’t try toforce it out. You
can lose controlof thesaw resulting ininjury
and/or damage to the saw . Stop the saw,
drive a wedge of plastic or wood into the cut
untilthesawcanberemovedeasily. Restart
thesawandcarefully reenterthe cut. Donot
attempttorestartyoursawwhenitispinched
or hung in a log.
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcuttingbeginsonthetopsideofthelog
with the saw against the log. When overcut-
ting use light downward pressure.
Overcutting
Undercutting
Undercuttinginvolvescuttingontheunder-
sideofthelogwithtopofsawagainstthelog.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
The saw will tend to push back toward you.
WARNING: Never turn saw upside
down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-
trolled in this position.
First c ut on pressure side of log
Second cut
First cut on pressure side of log
Second cut
BUCKING WITHOUT A
SUPPORT
S Overcut through 1/3 of thediameter of the
log.
S Roll the log over and finish with a second
overcut.
S Give special attention tologs under strain
to prevent the saw from pinching. Make
the first cut onthe pressure side torelieve
the stress on the log.
BUCKING USING A LOG OR SUP-
PORT STAND
S Remember your first cut is always on the
pressure side of the log.
S Your first cut should extend
1/3 of the
diameter of the log.
S Finish with your second cut.
1
st
Cut
2
nd
Cut
Usingalogforsupport
2
nd
Cut
1
st
Cut
1
st
Cut
2
nd
Cut
Using a supportstand
1
st
Cut
2
nd
Cut