Filter
Top Products
12
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm ) in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to f ell large trees.
A notch is c ut on the side ofthe tree in t hede-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is
made on the opposite side of tree, the tree
will tend to fall into the not ch.
NOTE: If the t ree has lar ge buttress r oots,
removethem before making the not ch. If us-
ing saw to r emo ve but tress roots, keep saw
chain from contacting groundto prevent dull-
ing of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
S Make notch cut by cutting the top of the
notch fi rst. Cut through
1/3 of the diameter
ofthe t ree. N extcomplete the notc h bycut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of w ood from the tree.
Notch
First cut
Second cut
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
Hinge
S After removing the wood from the notch,
make the felling cut on the opposite side of
the n otch. T his is done by mak ing a cut abou t
two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of
the notch. This will leave enough uncut wood
between the felling cut and t he notch to f orm
a hinge. This hinge will help prevent the tree
from falling in the wrong direction.
Opening
of felling
cut
Closing of
notch
Hinge holds tree on stump a nd helps
control fall
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to
controlthe directionof fall. Toavoidkickback
and chain damage, use w ood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron w edges.
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 tree starts to fall, s top 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
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. When a tree doesn’t f all com-
pletely,set t hesaw asideand pull downthe
tree with a cable winch, block and tackle,
or tractor .
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term u sed for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log size.
WARNING: Do notstand on the log
being cut. Any portion can roll causing loss
of footing and control. D o not stand downhill
of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
S Cut only one log at a time.
S Cut shattered wood very carefully; s harp
pieces of wood could be flung toward opera-
tor .
S Use a sawhorse to cut small logs. N ever
allow another person to hold the log while
cutting and nev er holdthe logwith your leg
or foot.
S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled such as in a blown
down area. Drag the logs into a c lear area
before cutting by pulling 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 canlosecontrol o fthe sawresulting
in injury and/or damage to the saw . Stop the
saw, drive awedge ofplastic orwood intothe
cut until the sa w can b e r emoved easily. Re-
startthe sawand ca refully r eenterthe cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
use a metal w edge. Do notattempt to restart
your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
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 against the log.
When overcutting use light downward pres-
sure.
Overcutting
Undercutting
Undercutting involves cutting on theunder-
side of the logwith top of saw against t helog.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
The saw will tend to push back t oward you.