Poulan P3314WS User Manual - Page 12

S The wind direction and speed. S 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 determine the direction of tree lean. S Weight and branches on one side. S 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. 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. Plan a clear retreat path Direction of Fall 45_ 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 S 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 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 Notch Second cut Hinge S After removing 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. 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 cut 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. S Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall: cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, or movement in the upper branches. S As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down, and get away quickly on your planned retreat path. S DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with your saw. Be extremely cautious with partially fallen trees that may be poorly supported. When a tree doesn't fall completely, 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. 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 log being cut. IMPORTANT POINTS S Cut only one log at a time. S Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp pieces of wood could be flung toward operator. S 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. S Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs, and roots are tangled such as in a blown down area. Drag the logs into a clear area before cutting by pulling out exposed and cleared logs first. TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR BUCKING 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. Re- 12