Craftsman 358.351900 Operator's Manual page 12

NOTE: If the tree has large buttress
roots, remove them before making the
notch. If using saw to remove buttress
roots, keep saw chain from contacting
ground to prevent dulling of the chain.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
• Make notch cut by cutting the top of
the notch first. Cut through 1/3 of the
diameter of the tree. Next complete
the notch by cutting the bottom of the
notch. See illustration. Once the
notch is cut remove the notch of
wood from the tree.
• After removing the wood from the
notch, make the felling cut on the op-
posite side of the notch. This is done
by making a cut about two inches (5
cm) higher than the center of the
notch. This will leave enough uncut
wood between the felling cut and the
notch to form a hinge. This hinge will
help prevent the tree from falling in the
wrong direction.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Opening
of felling
7
Closing of
notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete,
use wedges to open the cut if necessary
to control the direction of fall. To avoid
kickback and chain damage, use wood
or plastic wedges, but never steel or iron
wedges.
• Be alert to signs that the tree is
ready to fall: cracking sounds, widen-
ing of the felling cut, or movement in
the upper branches.
• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it
down, and get away quickly on your
planned retreat path.
• DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
with your saw. Be extremely cautious
with partially fallen trees that may be
poorly supported. When a tree doesn't
fall completely, set the saw aside and
pull down the tree with a cable winch,
block and tackle, or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a
fallen tree to the desired log size.
_IkWARNING: Do not stand on the
log being cut. Any portion can roll
causing loss of footing and control. Do
not stand downhill of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered wood very carefully;
sharp pieces of wood could be flung
toward operator.
• Use a sawhorse to cut small logs.
Never allow another person to hold
the log while cutting and never hold
the log with your leg or foot.
• Do not cut in an area where logs,
limbs, and roots are tangled such as
in a blown down area. Drag the logs
into a clear area before cutting by
pulling out exposed and cleared logs
first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
BUCKING
_/L WARNING: If saw becomes
pinched or hung in a log, don't try to
force it out. You can lose control of the
saw resulting in injury and/or damage
to the saw. Stop the saw, drive a
wedge of plastic or wood into the cut
until the saw can be removed easily.
Restart the saw and carefully reenter
the cut. To avoid kickback and chain
damage, do not use a metal wedge.
Do not attempt to restart your saw
when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcutting begins on the top side of
the log with the bottom of the saw
against the log. When overcutting use
light downward pressure.
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