Original instructions
OPERATING YOUR CHAIN SAW
•
Operator should keep on the uphill side of terrain as the tree is likely to roll or slide after it is felled.
•
Pick your escape route (or routes in case the intended route is blocked). Clear the immediate area around the tree
and make sure there are no obstructions in your planned path of retreat. Clear the path of safe retreat approximately
135° from the planned line of fall.
•
Consider the force and direction of the wind, the lean and balance of the tree, and the location of large limbs. These
things influence the direction in which the tree will fall. Do not try to fell a tree along a line different from its natural
line of fall.
•
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and wire from the tree where felling cuts are to be made.
•
Notched Undercut. Cut a notch about 1/3 the diameter of the trunk in the side of the tree. Make the notch cuts so
they intersect at a right angle to the line of fall. This notch should be cleaned out to leave a straight line. To keep the
weight of the wood off the saw, always make the lower cut of the notch before the upper cut.
•
Felling Back cut. As the felling cut gets close to the hinge the tree should begin to fall. If there is any chance the tree
may not fall in the desired direction or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling cut is
complete and use wedges of wood, plastic or aluminum to open the cut and drop the tree along its desired line of
fall. Make the back cut level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2" (5 cm) above the horizontal cut of the notch.
Planned line of fall
Planned line of
Path of safe
Fall
retreat
135
°
From
Path of
Planned line of fall
safe retreat
Fig.16
NOTE: Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a band of wood between the notch and back cut
(approximately 2" (5 cm) or 1/10 the diameter of the tree). This is called
“hinge” or “hinge
wood.
” It controls the fall
of the tree and prevents slipping or twisting or shoot back of the tree off the stump.
•
On large diameter trees, stop the back cut before it is deep enough for the tree to either fall or settle back on the
stump. Then insert soft wooden or plastic wedges into the cut so they do not touch the chain. Drive wedges in,
little by little, to help jack the tree over.
•
As tree starts to fall, stop the chain saw and put it down immediately. Retreat along the cleared path, but
watch the action in case something falls your way.
21-English
