Craftsman 358.34160 Operator's Manual page 14

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FELLING SMALL TREES _ LESS THAN 6 _'
IN DIAMETER
a. If you knowthe directionoffall:
1.) Make a single felting cut on the side away
from the direction of fall
2.) Cut all the way through.
3.) Stop the saw, put it down, and get away
quickly on your planned retreat path.
b. If you are not sure which way the tree willfall,
use the notch method described for felling
large trees.
AWARNING
Do not cut a tree in any manner that would en-
danger people, cause property damage, or strike
a utility line. Notify the utility company im-
mediately if a tree makes any contact with a utility
line.
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Figure24 Figure25
3. FELLING LARGE TREES-- 6" DIAMETER
OR MORE
The notch method is used to cut large trees, A
notch is cut on the side of the tree in the desired
direction of fall. After a felling cut is made on the
opposite side of the tree, the tree will tend to fall
into the notch.
NOTE: if the tree has large buttress roots, re-
move before making the notch Cut intothe but-
tresses ve,_calty, then horizontally Figure25.
a. Make the notchcut. Figure26.
1) Cut the bottom of the n0tch first, through
1/3 ofthe diameter of the tree.
2.) Complete the notch by making the slant
cut.
3.) Remove the notchof wood.
b, Make the feiling cut on the opposite side of the
notch about 2" higher than the bottom of the
notch.
c. Leave enough uncut wood between the felling
cut and the notch to form a hinge. Figure 27.
d,
NOTE: The hinge helps to keep the tree from
twisting and failingin the wrong direction.
Use a wedge if there is any chance that the
tree wil!not fall in the desired direction
HINGE HOLDS THE TREE ON STUMP
ANO CONTROLS THE FALL.
Figure26 F_jure27
A WARNING
Stay on the uphill side of the terrain to avoid the
tree rolling or sliding downhill after it is felled.
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NOTE: Before the felling cut is complete,drive
wedges to open up the cut when necessary to
controlthe directionof fall. Use wood or plastic
wedges but never metal, to avoid kickback and
chain damage,
Be alert for signsthat the tree isready to fall:
1.) cracking sounds
2.) widening ofthe felling<:ut
3.) movement in the upper branches.
As the tree starts to fall, stop the saw; put it
down, and get away quickly on your planned
retreat path.
Be extreme!y cautious with partially fallen
trees that may be poody supported. When a
tree doesn't fall completely, set the saw aside
and pull down the tree with a cable winch,
block and tackle or tractor.To _oid injury,do
notcut downa partiallyfallentree withyoursaw.
DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN THESE POSITIONS
Check thewind.
Don'tcutdownwind:
i 14
Check the lean.
Don'tcut on lean side.
Checkthebalance.
Don't cut on weighted side.