How To Avoid Kickback; What Is Kickback - Husqvarna 435 II Operator's Manual

Felling cut
The felling cut is made from the opposite side of the tree and
it must be perfectly horizontal. Stand on the left side of the
tree and cut on the pull stroke.
Make the felling cut about 3-5 cm (1.5-2 inches) above the
bottom directional cut. (86)
Set the spiked bumper (if one is fitted) just behind the felling
hinge. Use full throttle and advance the chain/bar slowly into
the tree. Make sure the tree does not start to move in the
opposite direction to your intended felling direction. Drive a
wedge or breaking bar into the cut as soon as it is deep
enough.
Finish the felling cut parallel with the directional cut line so
that the distance between them is at least 1/10 of the trunk
diameter. The uncut section of the trunk is called the felling
hinge.
The felling hinge controls the direction that the tree falls in.
(87)
All control over the felling direction is lost if the felling hinge
is too narrow or non-existent, or if the directional cuts and
felling cut are badly placed. (88)
When the felling cut and directional cut are complete the
tree should start to fall by itself or with the aid of a felling
wedge or breaking bar. (89)
We recommend that you use a bar that is longer than the
diameter of the tree, so that you can make the felling cut and
directional cuts with single cutting strokes. See instructions
under the heading Technical data section to find out which
lengths of bar are recommended for your saw.
There are methods for felling trees with a diameter larger
than the bar length. However these methods involve a much
greater risk that the kickback zone of the bar will come into
contact with the tree. (4)
Freeing a tree that has fallen badly
Freeing a "trapped tree"
It is very dangerous to remove a trapped tree and there is
high accident risk.
Never try to fell the tree that is trapped.
Never work in the risk zone of the hanging trapped tree. (90)
The safest method is to use a winch.
• Tractor-mounted
• Portable
Cutting trees and branches that are in tension
Preparations: Work out which side is in tension and where
the point of maximum tension is (i.e. where it would break if
it was bent even more). (91)
Decide which is the safest way to release the tension and
whether you are able to do it safely. In complicated
situations the only safe method is to put aside your chain
saw and use a winch.
General advice:
Position yourself so that you will be clear of the tree or
branch when the tension is released. (92)
24 – English
WORKING TECHNIQUES
Make one or more cuts at or near the point of maximum
tension. Make as many cuts of sufficient depth as necessary
to reduce the tension and make the tree or branch break at
the point of maximum tension. (93)
Never cut straight through a tree or branch that is in
tension!
If you must cut across tree/limb, make two to three cuts, one
inch apart, one to two inches deep. (94)
Continue to cut deeper until tree/limb bends and tension is
released. (95)
Cut tree/limb from outside the bend, after tension has been
released.

How to avoid kickback

WARNING! Kickback can happen very
!
suddenly and violently; kicking the chain
saw, bar and chain back at the user. If
this happens when the chain is moving it
can cause very serious, even fatal
injuries. It is vital you understand what
causes kickback and that you can avoid
it by taking care and using the right
working technique.

What is kickback?

The word kickback is used to describe the sudden reaction
that causes the chain saw and bar to jump off an object
when the upper quadrant of the tip of the bar, known as the
kickback zone, touches an object. (66)
Kickback always occurs in the cutting plane of the bar.
Normally the chain saw and bar are thrown backwards and
upwards towards the user. However, the chain saw may
move in a different direction depending on the way it was
being used when the kickback zone of the bar touched the
object. (7)
Kickback only occurs if the kickback zone of the bar touches
an object. (4)
Limbing
WARNING! A majority of kickback
!
accidents occur during limbing. Do not
use the kickback zone 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 toward
you and cause loss of control resulting
in injury.
Make sure that you can stand and move about safely. Work
on the left side of the trunk. Work as close as possible to the
chain saw for maximum control. If possible, let the weight of
the chain saw rest on the trunk.
Keep the trunk between you and the chain saw as you move
along the trunk.
Cutting the trunk into logs
See instructions under the heading Basic cutting technique.
1158413-38 Rev.1 2016-09-05