Craftsman 316.350220 Operator's Manual page 13

FELLING
Felling is the term for cutting down a tree. Small trees up
to 6-7 inches (15-18cm) in diameter are usually cut in a
single cut. Larger trees require notch cuts, Notch cuts
determine the direction the tree wil! fall.
WARNING:
A retreat path (A)
should be planned
and cleared as necessary before cuts are
started. The retreat path should extend back
and diagonally to the rear of the expected
line of fall, as illustrated in Fig. 12.
A __AI mTM_L_II" If felling a tree on
v_,_,m,_,. _. sloping ground, 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,
NOTE: Direction of fall (B) is controlled by the notching
cut. Before any cuts are made, consider the loca-
tion of larger branches and natural lean of the tree
to determine the way the tree will fall.
B = direction of fall
A = retreat path
Fig. 12 ........
WARNING: Do not o ut d own
a
tree during high or
changing winds or if there is a danger to
property. Consult a tree professional.Do not
cut down a tree if there is a danger of strik-
ing utility wires; notify the utility company
before making any cuts.
IAh'A D_II I__|t_. Never walk in front of
wwr'_u uuluu,a,_,.A, a tree that has been
notched. When felling, keep at least 2 tree
lengths away from your fe ow workers,
Make the felling cut (D) from the other side of the tree and
1.5 -, 2.0 inches (3-5 cm) above the edge of the notch (C)
(Fig. 13).
!.5"_
............................ Fig. 13
Never saw completely through the trunk. Always leave a
hinge. The hinge guides the tree. if the trunk is completely
cut through, control over the felling direction is lost.
___c Hinge
--F
WARNING:
Before making the !
final cut, always recheck
the area for bystanders, animals or obstacles.
Insert a wedge or felling lever in the felling cut well before
the tree becomes unstable and starts to move. This will
prevent the guidebar from binding in the felling cut if you
have misjudged the falling direction. Make sure no
bystanders have entered the range of the falling tree
before you push it over.
Felling Cut:
1. Use wooden or plastic wedges (G) to prevent binding
the bar or chain (H) in the cut. Wedges also control
felling (Fig. 14).
WARNING:
As the felling cut
gets close to the
hinge, the tree should begin to fall. When
tree begins to fall, remove saw from cut,
stop engine, put chain saw down, and leave
along retreat path (A). (Fig. 12)
Normally felling consists of 2 main cutting operations,
notching (C) and making the felling cut (D) (Fig. 13).
Start making the upper notch cut (C) on the side of the
tree facing the felling direction (E). Be sure you don t make
the lower notch cut too deep into the trunk (Fig. 13).
The notch (C) should be deep enough to create a hinge (F)
of sufficient width and strength. The notch should be wide
enough to direct the fall of the tree for as long as possible
(Fig. 13).
13
................. Fig. 14 ...........................................
,
If the diameter of the tree is greater than the bar
length, make 2 equal length cuts-one from each side
of the tree directly in front of the notch cut as
described in Fig.13
After making cut#t insert a wedge into this cut, then
make cut#2 (Fig. 15). BE SURE TO AVOID THE
WEDGE WHEN MAKING CUT#2.