Limbing And Pruning - Craftsman 358.350830 Operator's Manual

LIMBING AND PRUNING
_IWARNING: Be alert for and
guard against kickback. Do not allow the
moving chain to contact any other
branches or objects at the nose of the
guide bar when limbing or pruning. Al-
lowing such contact can result in serious
injury.
_WARNING: Never climb into a
tree to limb or prune. Do not stand on
ladders, platforms, a log, or in any posi-
tion which can cause you to lose your
balance or control of the saw.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Work slowly, keeping both hands firmly
gripped on the saw. Maintain secure
footing and balance.
• Watch out for springpoles. Springpoles
are small size limbs which can catch
the saw chain and whip toward you or
pull you off balance. Use extreme cau-
tion when cutting small size limbs or
slender material.
• Be alert for springback. Watch out for
branches that are bent or under
pressure. Avoid being struck by the
branch or the saw when the tension
in the wood fibers is released.
• Keep a clear work area. Frequently
clear branches out of the way to avoid
tripping over them.
LIMBING
• Always limb a tree after it is cut
down. Only then can limbing be done
safely and properly.
• Leave the larger limbs underneath the
felled tree to support the tree as you
work.
• Start at the base of the felled tree and
work toward the top, cutting branches
and limbs. Remove small limbs with
one cut.
• Keep the tree between you and the
chain. Cut from the side of the tree
opposite the branch you are cutting.
• Remove larger, supporting branches
with the cutting techniques described
in BUCKING WITHOUT A SUPPORT
• Always use an overcut to cut small
and freely hanging limbs. Undercutting
could cause limbs to fall and pinch the
saw.
PRUNING
_ILWARNING: Limit pruning to limbs
shoulder height or below. Do not cut if
branches are higher than your shoulder.
Get a professional to do the job.
• Make your first cut 1/3of the way
through the bottom of the limb.
• Next make a 2nd cut all the way
through the limb. Then cut a third
overcut leaving a 1 to 2 inch (2.5 to 5
cm) collar from the truck of the tree.
_Thi_r_ ic Second cut_" _ "
Collar tit_
"x_l_ _ First cut
/ Pruning technique
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