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Poulan 3450 User Manual

Page 8

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8

FELLING LARGE TREES

(6 inches 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.
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 il-

lustration. Once the notch is cut remove

the notch of wood from the tree.

S

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 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.

Notch

First cut

Second cut

Final cut here. 2 inches

above center of notch.

Opening

of felling

cut

Closing of

notch

Hinge holds tree on stump and helps

control fall

NOTE

: Before felling cut is complete, use

wedges to open the cut when necessary to

control the direction of fall. Use wood or

plastic wedges, but never steel or iron, to

avoid kickback and chain damage.
S

Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to

fall: cracking sounds, widening of the fell-

ing 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 re-

treat path.

S

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.

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 length.

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.

I

mportant points

S

Cut only one log at a time.

S

Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp

pieces of wood could be flung toward op-

erator.

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. Drag the logs into a

clear area before cutting by pulling out ex-

posed 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. Restart

the saw and carefully reenter the cut. Do not

attempt to restart your saw when it is

pinched or hung in a log.

Overcutting begins on the top side of the

log with the saw against the log. When over-

cutting use light downward pressure.

Overcutting

Undercutting

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 con-

trol. The saw will tend to push back toward

you.

WARNING:

Never turn saw upside

down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-

trolled in this position.

Second cut

First cut on pressure side of log