Poulan 2550T User Manual - Page 11

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Release the throttle trigger as soon as

the cut is completed, allowing the en-

gine to idle. If you run the saw at full

throttle without a cutting load, unneces-

sary wear can occur to the chain, bar,

and engine.

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To avoid losing control when cut is com-

plete, do not put pressure on saw at end

of cut.

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Stop the engine before setting the saw

down after cutting.

TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES

WARNING:

Check for broken or

dead branches which can fall while cutting

causing serious injury. Do not cut near build-

ings or electrical wires if you do not know the

direction of tree fall, nor cut at night since you

will not be ale to see well, nor during bad

weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds,

etc. If the tree makes contact with any utility

line, the utility company should be notified

immediately.

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Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-

vance.

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Clear the work area. You need a clear area

all around the tree so you can have secure

footing.

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Study the natural conditions that can cause

the tree to fall in a particular direction.

Natural conditions that can cause a tree to

fall in a particular direction include:

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The wind direction and speed.

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The lean of the tree.

The lean of a tree

might not be apparent due to uneven or

sloping terrain. Use a plumb or level to de-

termine the direction of tree lean.

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Weight and branches on one side.

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Surrounding trees and obstacles.

Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted, it

can snap and fall toward the operator. Check

for broken or dead branches which can fall on

you while cutting.

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. En-

gine 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 clear retreat path to the rear and diag-

onal to the line of fall.

Direction of Fall

45

_

Plan a clear retreat path

FELLING LARGE TREES

(6 inches (15 cm) 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 de-

sired direction of fall.

After a felling cut is

made on the opposite side of tree, the tree

will tend to fall into the notch.

NOTE:

If the tree has large buttress roots,

remove them before making the notch. If us-

ing saw to remove buttress roots, keep saw

chain from contacting ground to prevent dull-

ing of the chain.

NOTCH CUT AND FELLING THE

TREE

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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.

Notch

First cut

Second cut

Final (felling) cut here, 2 inches

(5 cm) above center of notch.

Hinge

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After removing the cutout of wood, 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. This will leave enough uncut

wood between the felling cut and the notch

to form a hinge. This hinge will help pre-

vent the tree from falling in the wrong direc-

tion.

Closing of

notch

Hinge holds tree on stump and helps

control fall

Opening

of felling

cut

NOTE:

Before felling cut is complete, use

wedges to open the cut when necessary to

control the direction of fall. To avoid kickback

and chain damage, use wood or plastic

wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.

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Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall:

cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut,

or movement in the upper branches.

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As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,

and get away quickly on your planned re-

treat path.

Poulan 2550T User Manual - Page 11

Tree Felling Techniques, Felling Large Trees, Notch Cut And Felling

Page 11 highlights