Craftsman CMCCS620 Instruction Manual page 15

handy. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples,
and wire from the tree where the felling cuts are to
be made.
• notching Undercut - Make the notch 1/3 of the
diameter of the tree, perpendicular to the direction of
the 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 cut is being
made (Figure N).
Felling Back Cut - Make the felling back cut at least 2"
•
(51 mm) higher than the horizontal notching cut. Keep
the felling back cut parallel to the horizontal notching
cut. Make the felling back cut so enough wood is left
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 ((Figure N).
• 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 cut
is complete and use wedges to open the cut and drop
the tree along the desired line of fall. When the tree
begins to fall remove the chain saw from the cut, stop
the motor, put the chain saw down, then use the retreat
path planned. Be alert for overhead limbs falling and
watch your footing.
Fig. N
DIRECTION OF FALL
2" (51 mm)
NOTCH
Limbing
Removing the branches from a fallen tree. When limbing,
leave 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 of the branch towards the
top to avoid binding the chain saw as shown in Figure O.
Trim limbs from opposite side keeping tree stem between
you and saw. Never make cuts with saw between your legs
or straddle the limb to be cut.
Fig. O
FELLING BACK CUT
2" (51 mm)
HINGE
Bucking

WARNING: Recommend that first time users should
practice cutting on a saw horse.
Cutting a felled tree or log into lengths. How you should
cut depends on how the log is supported. Use a saw horse
(Figure P) whenever possible.
Fig. P
1. Always start a cut with the saw chain running at
full speed.
2. Place the bottom spike
area of the initial cut as shown in Figure Q.
3. Turn the chain saw on then rotate the saw chain and bar
down into the tree, using the spike as a hinge.
4. Once the chain saw gets to a 45° angle, level the chain
saw again and repeat steps until you cut fully through.
5. When the tree is supported along its entire length, make
a cut from the top (overbuck), but avoid cutting the
earth as this will dull your saw quickly.
Fig. Q
20
• Figure R- When supported at one end
first, cut 1/3 the diameter from the underside
(underbuck). Then make the finishing cut by
overbucking to meet the first cut.
Fig. R
2
1
English
20 of the chain saw behind the
CUT FROM TOP (OVERBUCK)
AVOID CUTTING EARTH
2nd CUT OVERBUCK
(2/3 DIAMETER)
TO MEET 1st CUT
(TO AVOID PINCHING)
1st CUT UNDERBUCK
(1/3 DIAMETER)
AVOID SPLINTERING
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