OPERATING
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.
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 between 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.
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