Advertisement
other side of the tree between one and two inches (3–5 cm) above
the edge of the notch. (Fig. 23)
24. Felling direction
25. 45° minimum notch opening
26. Hinge
27. Felling cut
Never saw completely through the trunk. Always leave a hinge.
The hinge guides the tree. If the trunk is completely cut through, you
lose control over the felling direction.
Insert a wedge or a felling lever in the cut well before the tree
becomes unstable and starts to move. This will prevent the guide
bar from binding in the felling cut if you have misjudged the falling
direction. Make sure no people have come into the range of the
falling tree before you push it over.
FELLING CUT, TRUNK DIAMETER MORE THAN TWICE GUIDE
BAR LENGTH
Cut a large, wide notch. Then cut a recess into the center of the
notch. Always leave a hinge on both sides of the center cut. (Fig. 24)
Complete the felling cut by sawing around the trunk as in the Fig. 25.
WARNING
These methods are extremely dangerous because they involve
the use of the nose of guide bar and can result in kickback.
Only properly trained professionals should attempt these
techniques.
LIMBING
Limbing is removing the branches from a feller tree.
24
25
26
27
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
WARNING
A majority of kickback accidents occur during Iimbing.
Do not use the nose of the guide bar. Be extremely cautious and
avoid contacting the log, other limbs or objects with the nose
of the guide bar. Be extremely cautious of limbs under tension.
They can spring back towards you and cause loss of control
resulting in injury. (Fig. 26)
Stand on the left side of the trunk. Maintain a secure footing and rest
the chain saw on the trunk. Hold the chain saw close to you so that
you are in full control of it. Keep well away from the chain. Move only
when the trunk is between you and the chain. Watch out for spring
back of limbs under tension.
LIMBING THICK BRANCHES
When limbing thick branches, the guide bar may get pinched easily.
Branches under tension often snap up, so cut troublesome branches
in small steps. Apply the same principles as for cross cutting. Think
ahead and be aware of the possible consequences of all your
actions.
CROSS CUTTING/BUCKING
Before starting to cut through the log, try to imagine what is going to
happen. Look out for stresses in the log and cut through it in such a
manner that the guide bar will not get pinched.
CROSS CUTTING LOGS, PRESSURE ON TOP
Take a fi rm stance. Begin with an upper cut. Do not cut too deeply,
about 1/3 of the log diameter is enough. Finish with a bottom cut.
The saw cuts should meet. (Fig. 27)
28. Relieving cut
29. Cross cut
30. Pressure on top
31. Pressure side
32. Tension side
33. Relative depth of saw cuts
THICK LOG, LARGER THAN GUIDE BAR LENGTH
Begin by cutting on the opposite side of the log. Pull the chain saw
towards you, followed by previous procedure. (Fig. 28)
If the log is lying on the ground make a boring cut to avoid cutting into
the ground. Finish with a bottom cut. (Fig. 29)
Fig. 26
30
28
31
32
29
33
Fig. 27
11
Advertisement
