ENGLISH – 9
- At the end of each cutting operation the user will
notice a considerable change in the strength
necessary for controlling the machine. Great care
must be taken not to loose control .
Below is a description of two different types of cutting
operation:
Cutting action by pulling the chain (from top to
bottom) (fig.2) can lead to dangerous sudden
movement of the machine towards the trunk with
consequential loss of control. Where possible, use the
spiked bumper during cutting operations.
Cutting action pushing the chain (from bottom to top)
(fig.3) will lead to the danger of a sudden movement
of the machine in the direction of the user, with the
risk of hitting the user, or an impact of the “kickback
danger zone” on the trunk resulting in strong
kickback; extreme care must be taken when cutting in
this manner.
The safest method for using the machine, is to block
the log on a sawhorse, cutting from top to bottom, on
the portion outside the sawhorse. (fig.4)
Spiked bumper use.
Where possible, use the spiked bumper to ensure
safer cutting action: plant it in the bark or surface of
the trunk in order to maintain more control over the
machine.
Below are descriptions of typical cutting procedure to
be adopted for specific situations. However, these
should be assessed each time to calculate whether
the method is most suitable or not, in order to use a
method with the least possible risk.
Trunk on the ground.
(Risk of touching the ground
with the chain once the bar has passed trough the
trunk). (fig.5)
Cut from top to bottom through the whole trunk.
Towards the end of the cut, proceed very carefully to
prevent the chain from hitting the ground. If it is
possible, cut 2/3 of the trunk, roll it over, and cut the
remaining third from top to bottom to limit the risk of
the chain touching the ground.
Trunk supported at one end only
(Risk of trunk
breaking during cutting action). (fig.6)
Begin the cut from underneath for about 1/3 of the
diameter, and then finish the cutting action from the
top to meet the undercut.
Trunk supported at both ends.
(Risk of pinching the
chain). (fig.7)
Begin the cut from above for about 1/3 of the
diameter, and then continue from underneath to meet
the overcut.
Tree felling.
ATTENTION! : Never attempt to fell a tree if you do
not have the necessary experience, and in any case
never fell trees that have trunks with a diameter larger
than the length of the bar ! This operation is reserved
for expert machine users with adequate equipment.
When felling a tree, the aim is to have the tree fall in
the most convenient position for the following limbing
and bucking operations. (Avoid trees falling on top of
other trees: Felling trees that are entangled with other
trees is a very dangerous operation).
First of all decide which is the best direction for the
tree to fall by evaluating the following: objects or other
plants around the tree, the inclination, the curve, wind
direction, and greatest branch concentration. Take
into account dead or broken branches that may break
off during felling creating a further danger risk.
ATTENTION!
During tree felling operations in critical
conditions, always remove ear protection immediately
after cutting operations to be able to listen for unusual
noises and any warning signals.
Preliminary cutting operations and identifying the
retreat path.
Eliminate any branches that interfere with the job
(fig.8), starting from top to bottom, and then, always
keeping the trunk between the user and the machine
eliminate the more difficult branches afterwards, piece
by piece. Eliminate all plants that interfere with work
operations and control the area for possible obstacles
(rocks, roots, ditches,etc.) when planning the retreat
path (to follow during tree fall); Refer to the illustration
(fig.9) for the directions to be maintained (A. predicted
tree fall direction. B. Retreat path. C. Danger zone).
FELLING CUTS
(fig.10)
In order to ensure that the user has complete control
over the tree fall, the cutting instructions are as
follows:
The cut that controls the fall direction of the tree is to
be executed first: First of all cut the UPPER PART of
the directional notch on the side the tree must fall.
Remain on the right hand side of the tree and cut
using the chain pull method; then cut the LOWER
PART that must meet the end of the upper part. The
depth of the directional notch must be ¼ of the trunk
diameter, with an angle of at least 45° between upper
