Champion 100641 Operator's Manual page 19

100641 - ChAiNSAw
1. Make a horizontal cut into the trunk of the tree (Fig. 11).
The cut should be about 1/3 the diameter of the tree and
close to the ground. To prevent the guide bar from being
pinched by the weight of the wood, always make this cut first.
2. Make a 45º cut into the trunk of the tree, above the first cut
(Fig. 11). Continue cutting until the two cuts meet.
3. Remove the loose section from the work area.
1/3 diameter
Figure 11
Step 3: making the Felling Back Cut
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Always recheck the area for bystanders, animals and obstacles
before making the felling back cut.
This cut fells the tree.
1. Make a horizontal cut into the opposite side of the tree from
the notched undercut (Fig. 12). Make the cut approximately 2
inches (5 cm) above the bottom of the notched undercut
(Fig. 12).
2. As the cut gets close to the notched undercut, only a thin
band of wood will support the tree. This band of wood is
referred to as the hinge (Fig. 12). The hinge helps control the
fall of the tree. Leave approximately 2 inches (5 cm) of hinge
in place. Do not cut through the hinge. Cutting through the
hinge could cause the tree to fall in any direction.
Felling back cut
2 inches
(5 cm)
Figure 12
Direction of fall
Second cut
Notched undercut
First cut
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2 inches (5 cm)
hinge
3. Periodically glance up during the felling back cut to see if
the tree is going to fall in the correct direction. If there is a
chance that the tree might not fall in the desired direction, or
if the tree might rock back and bind the chain saw, remove
the guide bar from the cut, stop the chainsaw and use
wedges to open the cut and direct the fall (Fig. 13). Only use
soft plastic or wooden wedges. Drive the wedges into the
cut slowly. Once the wedges are in place and the cut is held
open, either carefully reinsert the guide bar and continue
the cut or slowly drive the wedges in further to push the tree
over.
4. As the hinge gets smaller, the tree should begin to fall. When
the tree begins to fall, remove the chain saw from the cut,
stop the engine and set the chainsaw down immediately.
Promptly exit the area along the retreat path, but keep
watching the tree as it falls.
If the tree starts to fall in the wrong direction and binds
the chain saw, leave the chainsaw and evacuate the area
immediately! Do not try to save the chain saw!
Stay clear of spring poles when operating the chainsaw. Spring
poles are branches, logs, roots or saplings that are bent under
tension by other wood (Fig. 14). When the tension is released,
spring poles can strike the operator, causing serious injury
and potentially knocking the chain saw into the operator's
body. Use extreme caution when cutting spring poles or when
releasing the cause of tension.
19
OPERATiON
Wedge
Figure 13
DANGER
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Spring pole
Figure 14