OPERATING
CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
LIMBING
Limbing is removing branches from a fallen tree.
Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with a firm grip.
Always make sure your footing is secure and your weight is distributed
evenly on both feet.
Leave the larger support limbs under the tree to keep the tree off the
ground while cutting.
Limbs should be cut one at a time. Remove the cut limbs from the work
area often to help keep the work area clean and safe.
Branches under tension should be cut from the bottom up to avoid
binding the chain saw.
Keep the tree between you and the chain saw while limbing. Cut from
the side of the tree opposite the branch you are cutting.
WARNING:
Never climb into a tree to limb or prune. Do not stand on
ladders, platforms, a log, or in any position which can cause you to
lose your balance or control of the saw.
PRUNING
Pruning is trimming limbs from a live tree.
Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with a firm grip.
Always make sure your footing is secure and your weight is distributed
evenly on both feet.
When pruning trees it is important not to make the finishing cut next to
the main limb or trunk until you have cut off the limb further out to
reduce the weight. This prevents stripping the bark from the main
member.
Under
-
buck the branch 1/3 through for your first cut. Your second cut
should over
-
buck to drop the branch off. Now make your finishing cut
smoothly and neatly against the main member so the bark will grow
back to seal the wound.
WARNING:
SPRINGPOLES
A springpole is any log, branch, rooted stump, or sapling which is bent
under tension by other wood so that it springs back if the wood holding
it is cut or removed. On a fallen tree, a rooted stump has a high
potential of springing back to the upright position during the bucking cut
to separate the log from the stump. Watch out for springpoles, they are
dangerous. They could result in severe or fatal injury.
As the 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. Be alert for overhead limbs or
branches that may fall and watch your footing.
WARNING:
Never cut through to the notch when making a back
-
cut.
The hinge controls the fall of the tree, this is a section of wood be-
tween the notch and back
-
cut.
BUCKING
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to the desired log
length.
Always make sure your footing is secure and your weight is
distributed evenly on both feet.
Cut only one log at a time. Support small logs on a saw horse or
another log while bucking.
Keep a clear cutting area. Make sure that no objects can contact the
guide bar nose and chain during cutting, this can cause kickback.
When bucking on a slope, always stand on the uphill side of the log.
To maintain complete control of the chain saw when cutting through
the log, release the cutting pressure near the end of the cut without
relaxing your grip on the chain saw handles. Do not let the chain
contact the ground. After completing the cut, wait for the saw chain
to stop before you move the chain saw. Always stop the motor
before moving from tree to tree.
BUCKING LOGS UNDER STRESS
When the log is supported along its entire length, it should be cut
from the top or over
-
bucking.
When the log is supported on one end, cut 1/3 diameter from the
underside or under
-
bucking. Then make the finishing cut by
over
-
bucking to meet the first cut.
As the log is being cut, it will tend to bend. The saw can become
pinched or hung in the log if you make the first cut deeper than 1/3
of the diameter of the log.
Give special attention to logs under stress to prevent the bar and
chain from pinching.
OVERBUCKING
– Begin on the top
side of the log with the bottom of the
saw against the log; exert light pressure
downward. Note that the saw will tend
to pull away from you.
UNDER
-
BUCKING
– Begin on the
under side of the log with the top of the
saw against the log; exert light pressure
upward. During under
-
bucking, the
saw will tend to push back at you. Be
prepared for this reaction and hold the
saw firmly to maintain control.
10
UNDERBUCKING
CUT LIMBS ONE AT A TIME AND LEAVE
SUPPORT LIMBS UNDER TREE UNTIL
LOG IS CUT
LOAD
SECOND CUT
FIRST CUT
1/3 DIA.
FINISHING CUT
NOTCH
BACK CUT
HINGE
OVERBUCKING
