Tree Felling Techniques - Poulan Pro PP4620AV Instruction Manual

Braking function control
CAUTION: The chain brake must be
checked several times daily. The engine must
be running when performing this procedure.
This is the only instance when the saw sbeuld
be placed on the ground with the engine run-
ning.
Place the saw on firm ground. Grip the rear
handle with your right hand and the front han-
dle with your left hand. Apply fulI throtbe by
fully depressing the throttle trigger. Activate
the chain brake by turning your left wrist
against the hand guard without refeasing
your grip around the front handle. The chain
should stop immediately.
Inertia activating function control
_I_WARNING: When performing the
feffawing procedure, the engine must be
turned off.
Grip the rear haodfa w_ your right hand and
the front handle with your left hand. Hold the
chain saw approximately 14-" (35 cm) above a
stump or other wooden surface. Refaase your
grip on the front handle and use the weight of
the saw to let the tip of the guide bar fall forward
and contact the stump When the tip of the bar
hits the stump, the brake should activate.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Check chain tension beforefirst use, after
1 minute of operation, and each time be-
fore you start the chain saw. See CHAIN
TENSION in the ASSEMBLY section.
• Cut wood onty. Do not cut metal, plaefics,
masonry, non-wood building materials, etc.
• Stop the saw ff the chain strikes a foreign
object, inspect the saw and repair or re-
place parts as necessary. If the chain
jumps off the guide bar. inspect the chain
for damaged drive links before reinstalling.
Burrs on drive links, which prevent them
from entering the groove of the guide bar,
can be removed with a flat rite.
• Keep the chain out of dirt and sand Even a
small amount of dirt w_ll dull a chain, increase
the possibility of kickback, and require chain
sharpening or replacement
• Practice cutting a few small logs using the
fef fawing techniques to get the"feel" of us-
ing your saw before you begin a major
sawing operation.
• Squeeze the thro_e trigger and a_low the
engine to reach full speed before cutting.
• Begin cutting with the saw frame
against the log.
• Keep the engine at full speed the entire
time you are cutting
• Allow the chain to cut for you. Exert only
light downward pressure. If you force
the cut, damage to the bar, chain, or en-
gine can result.
• Release the throttle trigger as soon as
the cut is completed, allowing the en-
gine to idIe If you run the saw at full
throttIe without a cutting load, unneces-
sary wear can occur to the chain bar,
and engine
• To avoid fas fag control when cut is com-
pfate, do not put pressure on saw at end
of cut.
• Stop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.
TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES
_WARNING: Check for broken or
dead branches which can fall while cutting
causing serious fajury. Do not cut near build-
ings or electdcal wires if you do not k now the
direction of tree fall nor cut 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 saw fag operation in ad-
vance
• Clear the work area. You need a clear area
all around the tree so you can have secure
footing.
• Study the natural coodr_ions that can cause
the tree to fall in a padicuIar direction.
Natural conditions that can cause a tree to
fall in a particular direction include:
• The wind direction and speed
• The _ean of the tree. The lean of a tree
might not be apparent due to uneven or
sfapfag terrafa Use a plumb or levef to de-
termfae the direction of tree lean.
• Weight and branches on one side.
• Surrounding trees and obstacles
Look for decay and rot. Ifthe trunk is rotted, it
can snap and fall toward the operator Check
for broken or dead branches which can fall on
you while cutbng. Make sure there is enough
room for the tree to fail Maintain a distance of
21/2 tree lengths from the nearest person or
other objects. Engine noise can drown out a
warning call. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark,
naits, staptes, and wire from the tree where
cuts are to be made. Plan a clear retreat path to
the rear and diagonal to the line of fall
_._e_. Plan a clear retreat path
_,--- - O--""""_ *_ Direction of Fall
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger)
The notch method is used to felI large trees
A notch is cut on the side of the tree in the de-
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.
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