26
OPERATING YOUR CHAIN SAW
CUTTING SPRINGPOLES
When bucking on a slope always stand on the uphill side of the log. when cutting through to maintain
complete control release the cutting pressure near the end of the cut without relaxing your grip on the
chainsaw handle. Don’t let the chain contact the ground. After completing the cut wait for the saw
chain to stop before you move the chainsaw. Always stop the motor before moving from tree to tree.
(See Figure 24)
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.
W A R N I N G
Springpoles are dangerous and could strike the operator, causing the operator to lose control of the
chain saw. This could result in severe or fatal injury to the operator.
Fig. 24
SPRINGPOLE
Bucking a log
Stand on uphill side when
cutting because log may roll
