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Allow the chain to cut for you. Ex-
ert only light downward pressure.
If you force the cut, damage to the
bar, chain, or engine can result.
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Release the throttle trigger as
soon as the cut is completed, al -
lowing the engine to idle. If you
run the saw at full throttle without
a cutting load, unnecessary wear
can occur to the chain, bar, and
engine.
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To avoid losing control when cut is
complete, do not put pressure on
saw at end of cut.
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Stop the engine before setting the
saw down after cutting.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance. Clear the work area. You need a
clear area all around the tree so you can
have secure footing. Studythe naturalcon-
ditions thatcancause thetree tofallinapar-
ticular 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 atree
might notbeapparent duetounevenor
sloping terrain. U se aplumb or level to
determine the direction of tree lean.
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Weight and branches on one side.
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Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is
rotted, it can snap and fall toward the
operator. Check for broken or dead
branches which can fall on you while
cutting.
Make surethere isenough room for thetree
to fall. Maintain a distance of
2-1/2
tree
lengths fromthenearest personorotherob-
jects. Engine noise can drown out awarn-
ing call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, sta-
ples, and wire from the tree where cuts are
to be made.
Planaclearretreatpathto therear anddiag-
onal to the line of fall.
Direction of Fall
45
_
Plan a clear retreat path
WARNING:
Do not cut near buildings or
electrical wires if you do not know thedirec-
tion of tree fall,at nightsince youwill not be
ableto see well,orduringbadweather such
as rain, snow, or strong winds. etc.
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used tofell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the
desired direction of fall. After afelling 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.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
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Make notchcut bycutting the top ofthe
notch first. Cut through
1/3
of the
diameter ofthe tree. Next complete the
notch by cutting the bottom of the
notch. See illustrated. Oncethe notchis
cutremove notchof woodfrom thetree.
Notch
First cut
Second cut
Final cut here. 2 inches abo
v
center of notch.
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After removing the cutout of wood,
make the felling cut on the opposite
side of the notch. This is done by mak-
ing acut about two inche s higher than
the center of the notch. This will leave
enoughuncutwood between thefelling
cut and the notch to form ahinge. This
hinge will helpprevent the tree fromfall-
ing in t he 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 whennecessary to
control the direction of fall. Use wood or
plastic wedges, but never steel or iron, to
avoid kickback and chain damage.