Electrolux Gladiator 550 Instruction Manual page 11

USE OF THE SAW
The following list is a theoretical disquisition regarding the
most common situations one using the saw must face.
CUTTING
G2. Trunk on the ground
1. No risk of chain blocking or breaking of the trunk. Cut
from top to bottom through the trunk. Proceed with
caution at the end of cutting to avoid the chain hitting
the ground. Maintain the maximum speed of the chain
but stay prepared to face any possible surprises.
A If possible (is it possible to turn the trunk?) Finish at
2/3 of the thickness of the trunk.
B Rotate the trunk and cut the remaining part from top
towards bottom.
G3. Trunk set on only one part
1. Risk of breaking during cutting
Begin cutting from below by about 1/3 of the diameter.
B Finish cutting from top going to meet the cut already
performed.
G4. Trunk leaning against two extremities
1. The trunk leans against the two extremities. Risk of
squashing the chain.
Begin cutting from above by about 1/3 of the diameter.
B Finish the cut from below going to meet the cut
already executed.
GENERAL ADVICE FOR THOSE CUTTING DOWN TREES
ATTENTION! During pulling down operations,
therefore with the bar parallel to the ground, the
chain brake can be activated only by inertia.
G5. Safety distance
The safety distance from the tree to be knocked down is of
2,5 times the height of the tree itself. Check that there is no
one else in the danger zone before and during the cutting
down.
G6. Direction of cutting down
The purpose of the pulling down is to make the tree fall in the
best position for following cutting off of the branches and the
cutting of the trunk on ground where it is possible walk without
difficulty. Avoid that a falling tree gets entangled in another.
Making an entangled tree fall is a very dangerous operation.
After deciding in what direction you wish to have the tree fall,
evaluate the natural direction of the tree's fall.
The decisive factors are:
• Inclination of the tree
• Its curvature
• Wind direction
• Concentration of branches
• The weight of any accumulated snow
Another important factor not to be neglected, one that does
not affect the direction of tree's fall but rather your personal
safety, is the presence of dead or broken branches which
could fall off while cutting down and represent a danger.
ATTENTION! During critical cutting down
operations, raise acoustic ear protection
immediately after cutting, so as to be able to
perceive any unusual noises and possible
warning signals.
ENGLISH - 8
G7. Disbranching before cutting and withdrawal path
For disbranching operations the same principles apply as
they do for normal cutting.
1. Remove the branches that obstruct work. Begin from
bottom to top and keep the trunk between you and the
saw as shown in the Fig. for avoiding the branches that
can strike you. Remove the most difficult branches
subsequently piece by piece. Do not operate machine at a
height above the shoulders.
2. Remove the low vegetation around the tree and look for
possible obstacles (stones, roots, ditches etc.) so as have
a withdrawal path without obstacles.
The path should be at about 135° to the back in respect to the
direction of the trunk's fall.
FALLING THE TREE
Execute three cuts for falling. First of all the UPPER PART of
the DIRECTIONAL CUT, then THE LOWER PART and then
THE FALLING CUT.
The correct position of these three cuts ensures perfect
control over the direction of the fall.
G8. Directional cut
1. First execute the UPPER PART of the directional cut on
the side towards which the tree will be felled. Stay to the
right of the tree and cut pulling the chain.
Then execute the LOWER PART of the directional cut
which must finish at the end of the upper part.
2. The depth of the directional cut must be 1/4 of the trunk
diameter, with an angle between the upper cut and that
lower than at least 45°.
3. The meeting between the two cuts is called
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE. The line must be perfectly
horizontal and at a right-angle (90°) in respect to the
direction of the fall.
G9. Tree falling cut
On the other side effect the falling cut, just beyond the line
of the directional cut. Stay to the left of the tree and cut
pulling the chain. .
1. Position the falling cut 3-5 cm above the line of the
directional cut.
Using the harpoon
2. The harpoon is used as a fulcrum in the cutting of trunks
and the falling of trees. For correct use thrust the harpoon
into the bark or the superficial part of the trunk. This is to
have greater control over the direction of the cut
Work with the chain at full speed and advance the blade
slowly into the trunk. Check that the tree doesn't move
in the opposite direction to that foreseen for the fall.
Insert a FALLING WEDGE or a PICKLOCK as soon as
possible.
3. The FALLING CUT must finish parallel to the
DIRECTIONAL CUT LINE, with a distance between the
two of at least 1/10 of the trunk diameter. The uncut
trunk is the fulcrum.
4. The fulcrum is the hinge that drives the tree in its fall.
5. If the fulcrum is insufficient, if it has been completely
sawed or if the directional cut is badly executed,
controlling the fall of the tree is not possible.
6. As soon as the falling and directional cuts are
completed, the tree must start falling, by itself or with
the help of a PULLING DOWN WEDGE or PICKLOCK.