Felling A Tree - Shindaiwa 269T Instruction Manual

FELLING A TREE

A falling tree can seriously damage anything it may
hit a car, a house, a fence a powerline or another tree.
There are ways to make a tree fall where you want it,
so first decide where that is!
Before cutting, clear the area around the tree. You
will need good footing while working and you should
be able to work the saw without hitting any obstacles.
Next select a path of retreat.
When the tree begins to fall you should retreat away
from the direction of fall at a 45-degree angle to avoid
the trunk kicking back over the stump. (See right
above figure)
Begin the cut on the side to which the tree is to fall.
Cut a notch approximately 1/3 of the way into the tree.
(See figure A)
The position of this notch is important since the tree
will try to fall "into" the notch. (See figure A)
The felling cut is made on the side opposite the notch.
Make the felling cut placing spiked bumper 2.5 cm to
5 cm above the bottom of the notch and stop cutting
at approximately 1/10 of diameter to the inner edge of
the notch (See figure B) in order to leave the uncut
portion of the wood as a hinge.
Do not try to cut through to the notch with the felling
cut.
The remaining wood between the notch cut and
felling cut will act as a hinge when the tree falls,
guiding it in the desired direction.
When the tree starts to fall, kill the engine, place the
saw on the ground and make your retreat quickly.
To fell big trees with a diameter exceeding twice the
bar length start the notching cuts from one side and
draw the saw through to the other side of the notch.
Start the back cut on one side of the tree with spiked
bumper engaged, pivoting the saw through to form
the desired hinge on that side.
Then remove the saw for the second cut.
Insert the saw in the first cut very carefully so as not
to cause kickback.
The final cut is made by drawing the saw forward in
the cut to reach the hinge. (See figure C)
Fall
90°
45°
Retreat
Figure A
Uncut hinge wood
Backcut
2.5to5 cm
Figure B
Wedges
(when room)
Backcut
Leave 1/10 of diameter
Hinge
Figure C
2
Draw‐across
method
Felling cuts
Wedges
17
45°
Retreat
Not this way
Side view
1/10 of diameter
Notch
1/3 of diameter
Top view
Notch cuts
FALL
90°
Top view
1
Notching cuts
3
5
4