Craftsman 358.352162 Operator's Manual page 9

plumb o rlevel todetermine the
di-
rection of tree lean.
• Weight and branches on one side.
• Surrounding trees and obstacles.
• Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is
rotted, it can snap and fail toward the
operator.
• Make sure there is enough room for
the tree to fall. Maintain a distance of
2-1,2 tree lengths from the nearest
person or other objects, Engine noise
can drown out a warning call.
• Remove dirt, stones, loose bark,
nails, staples, and wire from the tree
where cuts are to be made.
, Plan a dear retreatpath
( )..i_- Directionof Fall
45 °
FELLING LARGE TREES
(6 inches in diameter or larger).
The notch method is used to fell large
trees. A notch is cut on the side of the
tree in the desired direction of fall. After
a felting cut is made on the opposite
side of tree, the tree wilt tend to fall in
the direction of the notch.
NOTE: If tree has large buttress roots,
remove them before m_.l<ingthe notch.
NOTCH CUT AND FELLING TREE
• Make notch out by cutting the top.of
• the notch first. Cut through 1/3 of the
diameter of the tree. Next complete
the notch by cutting the bottom. See
illustration. Once the notch is cut, re-
move the wedge of wood from tree,
Finalcut here
Firmcut ,=_ /
4 "
Notch_ _ _. ,.'2_'."_ r
'°::',:¢
;2
• After removing the wood, make the
fel!ing cut on the opposite side of the
notch. This is done by making a cut
about two inches higher than the cen-
ter of the notch. This will leave
enough uncut wood between the fell-
ing cut and the notch to form a hinge,
hetp prevent the tree
in the wrong direction.
Hingeholdstree on
stumpand helps
controlfall
Openingof
fellingcut
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete,
use wedges, to open the cut when
necessary to control the direction of fall.
To avoidkickback and chain damage,
use wood or plastic wedges, but never
steel or iron wedges.
• Be aled to signs that the tree is ready
to fall: cracking sounds, widening of
the felling cut, or movement in the up-
per branches.
• As tree stads to fail, stop saw, put it
down, and get away quickly on your
planned retreat path.
- Be extremely cautious with partially
fallen trees that may be poody sup-
ported. When a tree doesn't fall com-
pletely, set the saw aside and pull
down the tree with a cable winch,
block and tackle, or tractor. Donot
use your saw to cut down a partially
fallen tree.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a
fallen tree to the desired log size.
WARNING; Do not stand on the log
being cut. Any portion can roll causing
loss of footing and control. Do not stand
downhillof the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered wood very carefully;,
sharp pieces of wood could be flung
toward operator.
• Use a sawhorse to cut small logs.
Never allow another person to hold
the log while cutting and never hold
• the log with your leg or foot.
Do not cut inan area where logs,
limbs, and roots are tangled. Drag logs
into a clear area before cuttingthem.
BUCKING TECHNIQUES
WARNING: If saw becomes pinched
or hung in a log, don't try to force it out.
You can lose control of the saw result-
ing in injury and/or damage to the saw.
Stop the saw, drive a wedge of plastic
9