Poulan Pro P4018WTL Instruction Manual page 12

NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE
TREE
• Make notch cut by cutting the top of the
notch first. Cut through 1/3 of the diameter
of the tree. Next complete the notch by cut-
ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-
tion Once the notch is cut remove the
notch of wood from the tree.
Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches
(5 cm) above center of notch.
Notch -..._. __IZ
/f
• After remowog the wood from the notch,
make the felling cut on the opposite side of
the notch This is done by making a cut about
two inches (5 cm) higher than the center of
the notch Th_s wilI leave enough uncut wood
between the felling cut and the notch to form
a hinge. This hinge w{ll help prevent the tree
from fa_liog in the wrong direction.
Hinge holds tree on stump and helps
control fall
Opening
of failing
_i_ WARNING:
Do not stand on the log
being cut. Any portion can roll causing loss
of footing and control Do not stand downhill
of the _og being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
• Cut only one log at a time.
• Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp
pieces of wood could be flung toward opera-
toe
• Use a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never
allow another person to hold the log while
cutting and never hold the Iog with your leg
or foot.
• Do not cut in an area where logs, Iimbs,
and roots are tangled such as in a blown
down area. Drag the logs into a clear area
before cutting by pulIiog out exposed and
cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
SUCKING
_, WARNING:
if saw becomes pinched
or hung in a log, don't try to force it out. You
can lose control of the saw resulting in injury
and/or damage to the saw. Stop the saw,
drive a wedge of plastic or wood into the cut
until the saw can be removed easily Restart
the saw and carefully reenter the cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
use a metal wedge. Do not attempt to restart
your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
Closing of
notch
NOTE: Before felling cut is complete, use
wedges to open the cut if necessary to
control the direction of fall. To avoid kickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
• Be aIert to signs that the tree is ready to
fail: cracking sounds, widening of the felI-
ing cut, or movement in the upper
branches.
• As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path
• OO NOT cut down a partiaIly faIlen tree
with your saw. Be extremely cautious with
partially fallen trees that may be poedy
supported. 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.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log size
Turn saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open
Overcutting begins on the top side of the log
with the bottom of the saw against the log
When overcutflog use _ight downward pres-
sure
,\Overcutting i!_
Undercutting involves cutting on the under-
side of the log with top of saw against the log.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
The saw will tend to push back toward you.
_I_WARNING:
Never turn saw upside
down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-
trolIed in this position.
Always make your first cut on the compres-
sion side of the log. The compression side of
the log is where the pressure of the log's
weight is concentrated.
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