Poulan 530088886 User Manual

Page 11

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. To avoid kickback
and chain damage, use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.

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.

As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.

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. Do not
cut down a partially fallen tree with your
saw.

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

Cut only one log at a time.

Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp
pieces of wood could be flung toward oper-
ator.

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.

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-
start the saw and carefully reenter the cut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not

use a metal wedge. Do not attempt to restart
your saw when it is pinched or hung in a log.

Use a wedge to remove pinched saw

Turn saw

OFF

and use a plastic or

wooden wedge to force cut open.

Overcutting begins on the top side of the log
with the bottom of the saw against the log.
When overcutting use light downward pres-
sure.

Overcutting

Undercutting

Undercutting involves cutting on the under-
side of the log with top of saw against the log.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
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.
Always make your first cut on the compres-
sion side of the log. The compression side of
the log is where the pressure of the log’s
weight is concentrated.

Second cut

First cut on compression side of log

Second cut

BUCKING WITHOUT A
SUPPORT

Overcut through

1/3

of the diameter of the

log.

Roll the log over and finish with a second
overcut.

Watch for logs with a compression side to
prevent the saw from pinching. See il-
lustration for cutting logs with a compres-
sion side.

BUCKING USING A LOG OR
SUPPORT STAND

Remember your first cut is always on the
compression side of the log.
(Refer to the illustration below for your first
and second cut)

Your first cut should extend

1/3

of the

diameter of the log.