AEG 82433674 Original Instructions Manual Download Page 27

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ENGLISH

–

should comply with EN381-5, be CE marked and provide
all-round protection.

Chainsaw safety boots

–

should comply with EN ISO 20345:2004 and be marked
with a shield depicting a chainsaw to show compliance with
EN 381-3. (Occasional users may use steel toe-cap safety
boots with protective gaiters which conform to EN 381-9
if the ground is even and there is little risk of tripping or
catching on undergrowth)

Chainsaw jackets for upper body protection

–

should comply with EN 381-11 and be CE marked

INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE PROPER TECHNIQUES
FOR BASIC FELLING, LIMBING, AND CROSS-CUTTING

Understanding the forces within the wood

When you understand the directional pressures and stresses inside
the wood you can reduce the “pinches” or at least expect them
during your cutting. Tension in the wood means the

bers are being

pulled apart and if you cut in this area, the “kerf” or cut will tend to
open as the saw goes through. If a log is being supported on a saw
horse and the end is hanging unsupported over the end, tension is
created on the upper surface due to the weight of the overhanging
log stretching the

bers. Likewise, the underside of the log will be

in compression and the

bers are being pushed together. If a cut is

made in this area, the kerf will have the tendency to close up during
the cut. This would pinch the blade.

Felling a tree

See figures 1 - 8.

When bucking and felling operations are being performed by two
or more persons at the same time, the felling operations should be
separated from the bucking operation by a distance of at least twice
the height of the tree being felled. Trees should not be felled in a
manner that would endanger any person, strike any utility line, or
cause any property damage. If the tree does make contact with any
utility line, the company should be noti

ed immediately.

The chainsaw operator should keep on the uphill side of the terrain
as the tree is likely to roll or slide downhill after it is felled.
An escape path should be planned and cleared as necessary
before cuts are started. The escape path should extend back and
diagonally to the rear of the expected line of fall.
Before felling starts, consider the natural lean of the tree, the
location of larger branches, and the wind direction to judge which
way the tree will fall.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from the
tree.
Do not attempt to fell trees which are rotten or have been damaged
by wind,

re, lightning, etc. This is extremely dangerous and should

only be completed by professional tree surgeons.

1. Notching

undercut

See figures 1 - 6.

Make the notch 1/3 the diameter of the tree, perpendicular to
the direction of the fall. Make the lower horizontal notching cut
first. This will help to avoid pinching either the saw chain or the
guide bar when the second notch is being made.

2. Felling-back

cut

See figures 1 - 6.

Make the felling-back cut at least 50 mm/2 in. higher than the
horizontal notching cut. Keep the felling-back cut parallel to the
horizontal notching cut. Make the felling back cut so enough
wood is left to act as a hinge. The hinge wood keeps the tree
from twisting and falling in the wrong direction. Do not cut
through the hinge.
As the felling gets close to the hinge, the tree should begin to
fall. If there is any chance that the tree may not fall in the desired
direction or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop
cutting before the felling-back cut is complete and use wedges

of wood, plastic or aluminium to open the cut and drop the tree
along the desired line of fall.
When the tree begins to fall remove the chainsaw from the cut,
stop the motor, put the chainsaw down, and use the retreat path
planned. Be alert for falling overhead limbs and watch your
footing.

Removing buttress roots

See figures 7 - 8.

A buttress root is a large root extending from the trunk of the tree
above the ground. Remove large buttress roots prior to felling.
Make the horizontal cut into the buttress

rst, followed by the

vertical cut. Remove the resulting loose section from the work area.
Follow the correct tree felling procedure after you have removed the
large buttress roots.

Bucking a log

See figures 9 - 11.

Bucking is cutting a log into lengths. It is important to make sure
your footing is

rm and your weight is evenly distributed on both

feet. When possible, the log should be raised and supported by the
use of limbs, logs or chocks. Follow the simple directions for easy
cutting. When the log is supported along its entire length, it is cut
from the top (overbuck).
When the log is supported on one end, cut 1/3 the diameter from the
underside (underbuck). Then make the

nished cut by overbucking

to meet the

rst cut.

When the log is supported on both ends, cut 1/3 the diameter from
the top (overbuck). Then make the

nished cut by underbucking the

lower 2/3 to meet the

rst cut.

When bucking on a slope always stand on the uphill side of the
log. To maintain control when “cutting through”, release the cutting
pressure near the end of the cut without relaxing your grip on the
chainsaw handles. Don’t let the chain contact the ground. After
completing the cut, wait for the saw chain to stop before you move
the chainsaw. Always stop the motor before moving from tree to
tree.

Limbing a tree

See figures 12 - 13.

Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing,
leave larger lower limbs to support the log off the ground. Remove
the small limbs in one cut. Branches under tension should be cut
from the bottom up to avoid binding the chainsaw.

Springpoles

See figure 14.

A springpole is any log, branch, rooted stump, or sapling which is
bent under tension by other wood so that it springs back if the wood
holding it is cut or removed.
On a fallen tree, a rooted stump has a high potential of springing
back to the upright position during the bucking cut to separate the
log from the stump. Watch out for springpoles—they are dangerous.

WARNING! Springpoles are dangerous and could strike the

operator, causing the operator to lose control of the chainsaw.
This could result in severe or fatal injury to the operator. This
should be done by trained users.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY WARNINGS

Some regions have regulations that restrict the use of the product.
Check with your local authority for advice.
Never allow children or people unfamiliar with the instructions to use
the product. Local regulations may restrict the age of the operator.
Ensure before each use that all controls and safety devices function
correctly. Do not use the product if the “off” switch does not stop
the motor.