Poulan 530087857 - Manual (Page 9)

9
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 Be extremely cautious with partially fall-
en 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. To avoid injury, do not cut down
a partially fallen tree with your saw.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fall-
en tree to the desired log size.
WARNING: Do not stand on the log be-
ing 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 to-
ward 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.
S Make the first bucking cut 1/3 of the way
through the log and finish with a 2/3 cut
on the opposite side. As the log is being
cut, it will tend to bend. The saw can be-
come pinched or hung in the log if you
make the first cut deeper than 1/3 of the
diameter of the log.
S Give special attention to logs under
strain to prevent the saw from pinching.
Make the first cut on the pressure side
to relieve the stress on the log.
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. Restart
the saw and carefully reenter the cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
use a metal wedge. Do not attempt to re-
start your saw when it is pinched or hung in
a log.
Overcutting begins on the top side of the
log with the bottom of the saw against the
log. When overcutting use light downward
pressure.
Undercutting involves cutting on the un-
derside of the log with top of saw against the
log. When undercutting use light upward
pressure. Hold saw firmly and maintain
control. The saw will tend to push back to-
ward you.
Overcutting Undercutting
WARNING:
Never turn saw upside
down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-
trolled in this position.
BUCKING WITHOUT A
SUPPORT
S Overcut through 1/3 of the diameter of
the log.
S Roll the log over and finish with a sec-
ond overcut.
S Watch for logs with a pressure side. See
illustration for cutting logs with a pres-
sure side.
Second cut
First cut on pressure side of log
First cut on pressure side of log
Second cut
BUCKING USING A LOG OR SUP-
PORT STAND
S Remember your first cut is always on
the pressure side of the log.
(Refer to the illustration below for your
first and second cut)
S Your first cut should extend 1/3 of the
diameter of the log.
S Finish with your second cut.
1 st Cut
2 nd Cut Using a log for support
Using a log for support
2 nd Cut
1 st Cut