21
Operating the Chainsaw
Chainsaw Model CS1418-091
• 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, then use the retreat path
planned
• Be alert for overhead limbs falling and watch
footing
LIMBING A TREE
CAUTION: Limbs under tension can
“spring back” and contact the operator
or throw the chainsaw out of control
resulting in personal injury. Always be
alert for wood under tension which may
strike the operator or chainsaw when cut.
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
(Fig 22)
BUCKING A LOG
CAUTION: Bucking logs under tension
increases the chance of kickback. Use one
of the methods below to support the log
when bucking.
Bucking is cutting a log into lengths It is
important to make sure footing is firm and
weight is evenly distributed on both feet
When possible, the log should be raised and
supported by the use of limbs, logs or chocks
• When the log is supported along its entire
length, cut from the top (overbuck) (Fig 23)
• When the log is supported on one end, cut
1/3 the diameter from the underside
(underbuck), then make the finished cut by
overbucking to meet the first cut (Fig 24)
TREE LIMBING
LIMB CUT
KEEP WORK OFF GROUND
LEAVE SUPPORT LIMBS UNTIL LOG IS CUT
FIG. 22
LOG IS SUPPORTED
ALONG ITS ENTIRE LENGTH
CUT FROM TOP (OVERBUCK)
AVOID CUTTING EARTH
FIG. 23
LOG IS SUPPORTED ONE END
1ST CUT UNDERBUCK (1/3 DIAMETER)
TO AVOID SPLINTERING
2ND CUT OVERBUCK (2/3 DIAMETER)
TO MEET 1ST CUT (TO AVOID PINCHING)
FIG. 24
