Poulan Pro 220 LE Instruction Manual page 11

• Release the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idle. If you run the saw at full
throttle without a cuttthg load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,
and engine. It is recommended that
the engine not be operated for lon-
ger than 30 seconds at full throttle,
• To avoid losing controlwhen cut is com-
plete, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
• Stop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
_I_WARNING:
Check for broken or
dead branches which can fall while cutting
causing serious injury. Do not cut near bui_d-
thgs or electrical wires Jfyou do not know the
direction oftreefall, norcut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during bad
weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc. If the tree makes contact with any utility
line, the utility company should be notified
immediately.
• Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
• Cleartheworkarea. You needacleararea
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
• Study the natural conditions that can cause
the tree to fall in a pedicular direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
• The wind direction and speed.
• The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
sloping terrain. Use a ptumb or level to de-
termine the direction of tree _ean.
• Weight and branches on one side.
• Surrounding trees and obstacles.
Look for decay and rot. tfthe trunk is rolled, it
can snap and fatl toward the operator. Check
for broken or dead branches which can fail on
you while cL_ting.
Make sure there is enough room for the tree to
fall. Maintath a distance of 2-1/2 tree lengths
from the nearest person or other objects. En-
gine nc4se can drown out a warnthg call.
Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where cuts are to be
made.
Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diag-
onal to the line of fall.
Plan a clear retreat path
:t" ÷- "O" u,,,,,,_ - Direction of Fall
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches (15 cm) in diameter or targer)
The notch method is used to fell large trees.
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in thede-
sired direction of fall. After a felling cut is
made on the opposite side of tree, the tree
will tend to fall into the notch.
NOTE: If the tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before making the notch. If us-
ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw
chain from contacting ground to prevent dull-
ing 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
ofthetree. Next complete the notch bycut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion. Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Final felling cut here, 2 inches
5 cm above center o notch.
Firstcot \ '!.,_
Notch _
Second cut _
• After removing the cutout of wood, make
the felling cut on the opposite side of the
notch. This is done by making a cut about
twoinches (5 cm) higher than the center of
the notch. This will leave enough uncut
wood between the felli ng cut and the notch
to form a hinge. This hinge will help pre-
vent the tree from falling in the wrong direc-
tion.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Opening
of felling
Closing of
notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut when necessary to
controtthedirection 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 falh
cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut,
or movement in the upper branches.
• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put Jtdown,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
11