Ryobi RY40505 Operator's Manual page 20

As the log is being cut, it will tend to bend. The saw can
become pinched or hung in the log if you make the first cut
deeper than 1/3 of the diameter of the log.
Give special attention to logs under stress to prevent the
bar and chain from pinching.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED
See Figure 22.
OVERBUCKING
Begin on the top side of the log with the bottom of the saw
against the log; exert light pressure downward. Note that
the saw will tend to pull away from you.
UNDERBUCKING
Begin on the under side of the log with the top of the saw
against the log; exert light pressure upward. During under-
bucking, the saw will tend to push back at you. Be prepared
for this reaction and hold the saw firmly to maintain control.
LIMBING
See Figure 23.
WARNING:
Never climb into a tree to limb or prune. Do not stand on
ladders, platforms, a log, or in any position which can
cause you to lose your balance or control of the saw,
which could result in death or other serious personal
injury.
Limbing is removing branches from a fallen tree.
Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with
a firm grip. Always make sure your footing is secure and
your weight is distributed evenly on both feet.
Leave the larger support limbs under the tree to keep the
tree off the ground while cutting.
Limbs should be cut one at a time. Remove the cut limbs
from the work area often to help keep the work area clean
and safe.
Branches under tension should be cut from the bottom
up to avoid binding the chain saw.
Keep the tree between you and the chain saw while limb-
ing. Cut from the side of the tree opposite the branch
you are cutting.
OPERATION
PRUNING
See Figure 24.
Pruning is trimming limbs from a live tree.
Work slowly, keeping both hands on the chain saw with
a firm grip. Always make sure your footing is secure and
your weight is distributed evenly on both feet.
Do not cut from a ladder, this is extremely dangerous.
Leave this operation for professionals.
Do not cut above chest height as a saw held higher is
difficult to control against kickback.
When pruning trees it is important not to make the finish-
ing cut next to the main limb or trunk until you have cut
off the limb further out to reduce the weight. This prevents
stripping the bark from the main member.
Underbuck the branch 1/3 through for your first cut.
Your second cut should overbuck to drop the branch off.
Now make your finishing cut smoothly and neatly against
the main member so the bark will grow back to seal the
wound.
WARNING:
If the limbs to be pruned are above chest height, hire a
professional to perform the pruning. Failure to do so could
result in death or serious personal injury.
SPRINGPOLES
See Figure 25.
A springpole is any log, branch, rooted stump, or sapling
which is bent under tension by other wood so that it springs
back if the wood holding it is cut or removed. On a fallen
tree, a rooted stump has a high potential of springing back
to the upright position during the bucking cut to separate
the log from the stump. Watch out for springpoles, they are
dangerous.
WARNING:
Springpoles are dangerous and could strike the operator,
causing the operator to lose control of the chain saw.
This could result in severe or fatal injury to the operator.
14 - English