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USING THE NOTCH METHOD
The notch method is used to fell large trees. A notch is cut on
the side of the tree in the desired direction of fall. After a
felling cut is made on the opposite side of tree, the tree will
tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots, remove them
before making the notch. If using saw to remove buttress
roots, keep saw chain from contacting ground to prevent
dulling of the chain.
Make the notch cut by cutting the top of the notch first. Cut
through 1/3 of the diameter of the tree. Next complete the
notch by cutting the bottom of the notch. Once the notch is cut
remove the notch of wood from the tree.
After removing the wood from the notch, make the felling cut
on the opposite side of the notch. This is done by making a
cut about two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of the
notch. This will leave enough uncut wood between the felling
cut and the notch to form a hinge. This hinge will help prevent
the tree from falling in the wrong direction.
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use wedges to open
the cut if necessary to control the direction of fall. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall: cracking sounds,
widening of the felling cut, or movement in the upper
branches.
As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away
quickly on your planned retreat path.
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 fall completely, set the
saw aside and pull down the tree with a cable winch, block
and tackle, or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE (BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to the desired
log size.
WARNING! Do not stand on the log being cut.
Any portion can roll causing loss of footing
and control. Do not stand downhill of the log
being cut.
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IMPORTANT POINTS
·
Cut only one log at a time.
·
Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood
could be flung toward operator.
·
Use a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never allow another
person to hold the log while cutting and never hold the log
with your leg or foot.
·
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
clear area before cutting by pulling out exposed and
cleared logs first.
·
Make sure the chain will not strike the ground or any other
object during or after cutting.
WARNING! If saw becomes pinched or hung in
a log, don’t try to force it out.
You can lose
control of the saw resulting in injury and/or
damage to the saw. Stop the saw, drive a
wedge of plastic or wood into the cut until the
saw can be removed easily. Restart the saw
and carefully reenter the cut. To avoid kickback
and chain damage, do not use a metal wedge.
Do not attempt to restart your saw when it is
pinched or hung in a log.
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TYPES OF BUCKING CUTS
Overcutting
begins on the top side of the log with the bottom
of the saw against the log. When overcutting use light
downward pressure.
Undercutting
involves cutting on the underside of the log
with top of saw against the log. When undercutting use light
upward pressure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control. The
saw will tend to push back toward you.
Retreat path
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