13
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to
controlthedirectionoffall. To avoidkickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
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, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
S DO NOT cut down a part ially fallen tree
with your saw. Beextremely cautious with
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. When a t ree 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 u sed for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log size.
WARNING: Donot standon thelog
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
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 andnever holdthe logwith yourleg
or foot.
S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled such as in a blown
down area. Drag thelogs into acleararea
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. Youcanlosecontrol ofthesawresulting
in injury and/or damage to thesaw. Stop the
saw,driveawedge ofplastic orwood intot he
cut until thesaw canbe removed easily. Re-
startthesawandcarefullyreenterthecut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
use ametalwedge. Donotattempt torestart
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
Undercuttinginvolves cutting on theunder-
side ofthe logwith topofsaw againstthelog.
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.
Always make your first cut on the compres-
sion sideof thelog. Thecompression sideof
the log is where the pressure of the log’ s
weight is concentrated.
Second cut
First cut on compression side of log
First cut on compression side of log
Second cut
BUCKING WITHOUT A SUPPORT
S Overcut through 1/3 of the diameter of the
log.
S Roll the log over and finish with a second
overcut.
S Watch for logs with a compression side to
prevent the saw from pinching. See il-
lustrations for cutting logswith acompres-
sion side.
BUCKING USING A LOG OR
SUPPORT STAND
S Remember your first cut is always on the
compression side of the log.
(Refer to the illustrations below for your
first and second cut)
S Your first cut should extend
1/3 of the
diameter of the log.
S Finish with your second cut.
1
st
Cut
2
n
d
Cut
Using a log for support