20 - English
Fig. 18
WEDGE
WARNING:
Closely check for broken or dead branches,
which could fall while cutting and do not cut
near buildings or electrical wires if you do not
know the direction of tree fall. Do not cut at
night or during bad weather conditions, such as
rain, snow, or strong winds, which can reduce
visibility and control of the chain saw. If the tree
you are felling makes contact with any utility
line, you should discontinue use of the chain
saw and immediately notify the utility company.
Failure to follow these instructions could result
in death or serious personal injury.
When felling a tree, it is very important that you
closely follow these warnings and instructions to
prevent possible death or serious personal injury.
■
Do not cut down trees having an extreme lean or
large trees with rotten limbs, loose bark, or hol-
low trunks. Have these trees pushed or dragged
down with heavy equipment, then cut them up.
■
Do not cut trees near electrical wires or build-
ings.
■
Check the tree for damaged or dead branches
that could fall and hit you during felling.
■
Periodically glance at the top of the tree during
the backcut to assure the tree is going to fall in
the desired direction.
If the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction,
or if the saw gets caught or hung up during the
fall, leave the saw and save yourself!
Felling a tree — When bucking and felling
operations are being performed by two or more
persons, at the same time, the felling operation
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 utility company should be notified immedi-
ately.
Before any cuts are started, pick your escape
route (or routes in case the intended route is
blocked); clear the immediate area around the
OPERATION
tree and make sure there are no obstructions
in your planned path of retreat. Clear paths of
safe retreat should extend back and diagonally
(45°) to the rear of the planned line of fall. When
the tree begins to fall, you should retreat away
from the direction of fall along a retreat path and
at least 20 feet away from the trunk in case it
kicks back over the stump.
See Figure 15.
Before felling is started, 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 dif-
ferent from its natural line of fall.
The chain saw operator should keep on the
uphill side of the terrain as the tree is likely to
roll or slide downhill after it is felled.
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 tree, perpendicular to the direc-
tion of fall. Make the cuts of the notch 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.
See Figure 16.
Felling Backcut.
The backcut is always made
level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2 in.
above the horizontal cut of the notch.
See Fig-
ures 16 - 17.
Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a
band of wood between the notch and backcut
(approximately 2 in. or 1/10 the diameter of the
