Working Techniques; Using The Chainsaw; Basic Felling,Limbing And Cross-Cutting Techniques; Felling A Tree - McCulloch Li 40CS Operator's Manual

USING THE CHAINSAW

Always be sure of your footing and hold the chainsaw
firmly with both hands while the motor is running.
BASIC FELLING, LIMBING, AND
CROSS-CUTTING TECHNIQUES

FELLING A TREE

When bucking and felling operations are being per-
formed by two or more persons at the same time, the
felling operation should be separated from the bucking
operation by a distance of at least twice the height of
the tree being felled.
Trees should not be felled in a manner that would en-
danger any person, strike any utility line or cause any
property damage. If the tree does make contact with
any utility line, the utility company should be notified
immediately. The chainsaw operator should keep on
the uphill side of the terrain as the tree is likely to roll or
slide downhill after it is felled. An escape path should
be planned and cleared as necessary before cuts are
started. The escape path should extend back and
diagonally to the rear of the expected line of fall. Before
felling is started, consider the natural lean of the tree,
the location of larger branches and the wind direction
to judge which way the tree will fall. Remove dirt,
stones, loose bark, nails, and staples from the tree.
NOTCHING UNDERCUT (A NOTCH CUT IN A TREE
TO DIRECT THE FALL) Make the notch 1/3 in diam-
eter of the tree, perpendicular to the direction of fall.
Make the lower horizontal notching cut first, this will
help to avoid pinching of either the saw chain or the
guide bar when the second notch is being made.
FELLING BACK CUT (THE FINAL CUT IN A TREE
FELLING OPERATION, MADE ON THE OPPOSITE
SIDE OF THE TREE FROM THE NOTCHING UNDER-
CUT)
Make the felling back cut at least 50mm higher than
the horizontal notching cut. Keep the felling back cut
parallel to the horizontal notching cut. Make the felling
back cut to leave enough wood to act as a hinge. The
hinge wood keeps the tree from twisting and falling in
the wrong direction. Do not cut through the hinge.
As the felling cut gets close to the hinge, the tree
should begin to fall. If there is any chance that the tree
may not fall in the desired direction or it may rock back
and bind the saw chain, stop cutting before the felling
back cut is complete and use wedges of wood, plastic
or aluminium to open the cut and drop the tree along
the desired line of fall. When the tree begins to fall,
remove the chainsaw from the cut, stop the motor, put
the chainsaw down, and then use the retreat path as
planned. Be alert of overhead limbs falling and watch
10 - English(Original Language)

WORKING TECHNIQUES

your footing.
50mm
Direction of fall
Notch

LIMBING A TREE

Limbing is removing the branches from a fallen tree.
When limbing, leave the larger lower limbs to support
the log off the ground. Remove the small limbs in one
cut. Branches under tension should be cut from the
bottom up, to avoid binding the chainsaw.
Limb cut
Leave large support limbs until log is cut

BUCKING A LOG

Bucking is cutting a log into lengths. It is important
to make sure your footing is firm and your weight is
evenly distributed on both feet. When possible, the log
should be raised and supported by the use of limbs,
logs or chocks.
Follow the simple direction for easy cutting:
• When the log is supported along the entire length, it
is cut from the top (over buck).
• When the log is supported on one end, cut 1/3 of
the diameter from the underside (under buck). Then
make the finished cut by over bucking to meet the
first cut.
• When the log is supported on both ends, cut 1/3 of
that diameter from the top (over buck). Then make
Felling back cut
50mm
Hinge