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11
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Release the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throttle without a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar
and engine.
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Toavoid losing control whencutiscom-
plete, donotput pressureonsawatend
of cut.
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Stoptheenginebeforesettingthe sawdown.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
WARNING:
Checkforbrokenordead
branches w hich c an fall while cutting causing
serious injury. Do not cut near buildings or
electrical wiresif you donot knowthe direction
of tree fall, at night since you w ill not be abl e to
see well, or during bad w eather such as r ain,
snow, or strong winds, etc. If tree makes con-
tact with any utility line, the utility company
should b e n otified immediately.
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Carefully plan yoursawingoperation inad-
vance.
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Clearthe w orkarea. You needaclear area
all around the treeso youcan have secure
footing.
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The chain saw operator should keep on
the uphill side of the terrain as the tree is
likely torollorslide downhill afterit isfelled.
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Study the nat ur al condi tions t hat can cause
the tr ee t o fall in a particular direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
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The wind direction and speed.
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The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
sloping terrain. Usea plumb or level tode-
termine the direction of tree lean.
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Weight and branches on one side.
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Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look f or decay and rot. If t he trunk is rotted, i t
can s nap and fall tow ar d t he operator.
Make sur e thereis enoughroom for the treeto
fall. Maintain a dis ta nc e o f
2-1/2
tree lengths
from the near est per son or other objects. En-
gine noise can drow n out a warning call.
Removedirt, stones, loosebark, nails, staples,
and w ire from the tree w her e c uts ar e to be
made.
Plan aclear retreat path to t he r ear anddiago-
nal to the line o f fall.
Direction of Fall
45
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Plan a clear retreat path
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method i s used to fell large trees.
Anotch iscut onthe side ofthe treein thede-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is
made on the opposite side o f 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 groundto prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
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Make notch cut by cutting the top of the
notch first. Cut through
1/3
of the diameter
ofthetree. Nextcomplete the notch bycut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood f rom the tree.
Notch
First cut
Second cut
Final cut here 2 inches
above center of notch.
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After r emoving the wood from the notch,
makethefelling cuton the opposite sideof
the notch. This is done by making a cut
about two inches higher than the c enter of
the notch. This will leave enough uncut
woodbetween the felling cutand the notch
toformahinge. Thishinge will helpprevent
the tree from falling in the wrong direction.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closing o f
notch
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
NOTE
: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if nec essary to
control the direction of fall. Toavoid kickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
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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.
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As tree starts to f all, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
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DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
with your saw. Be extremely cautious with
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. When a tree doesn’t fall com-
pletely,setthesawasideand pull downthe
tree with a cable w inch, block and tackle,
or tractor.