Craftsman 35182 Operation Manual - Page 11

TREE

FELLING

TECHNIQUES

_IkWARNING:

Check for broken

or

dead

branches

which

can fall while cut-

ting causing

serious

injury.

Do not cut

near buildings

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 noti-

fied immediately.

•

Carefully

plan your

sawing

operation

in advance.

• Clear the work

area. You need a clear

area all around

the tree so you can

have secure footing.

• The chain

saw operator

should

keep

on the

uphill side

of the terrain

as the

tree is likely to roll or slide

downhill

after it is felled.

• Study the natural conditions

that can

cause

the tree to fall in a particular

di-

rection.

Natural conditions

that can cause

a tree

to fall in a particular

direction

include:

• The wind direction

and speed.

• The lean of the tree. The lean of a

tree might not be apparent

due to un-

even or sloping

terrain.

Use a plumb

or level to determine

the direction

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 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 dis-

tance of 2-1/2tree lengths

from the near-

est 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 clear

retreat

path to the rear

and diagonal

to the

line of fall.

_1_

,<2,

Plan a clear retreat path

"_'_/'L_

....

(}--_-

Direction of Fall

-t

45 °

/_

/£xe'-

_"

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 desired

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 using

saw to remove

buttress

roots,

keep

saw

chain

from contacting

ground

to prevent

dulling

of the chain.

NOTCH

CUT AND

FELLING

THE

TREE

• Make notch

cut by cutting

the top of

the notch

first. Cut through

1/3of the

diameter

of the tree. Next complete

the notch

by cutting

the bottom

of the

notch. See

illustration.

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.

First cut

I

,2';

I

/

i

/

Notch __"

--_-,.,

After removing

the wood

from the

notch, make the felling cut on the op-

posite 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 prevent the tree from falling in the

wrong direction.

Hinge

holds

tree

on stump

and

helps

control

fall

Opening

of felling

Closing

of

notch

11

Craftsman 35182 Operation Manual - Page 11

Plan a clear retreat path

Page 11 highlights