Troy-Bilt TB4516CC - Manual (Page 11)

11
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
A
B
Do not cut down a
tree during high or
changing winds or if there is a danger to
property. Consult a tree professional.Do not
cut down a tree if there is a danger of
striking utility wires; notify the utility
company before making any cuts.
WARNING:
FELLING
Felling is the term for cutting down a tree. Small trees up
to 6-7 inches (15-18cm) in diameter are usually cut in a
single cut. Larger trees require notch cuts. Notch cuts
determine the direction the tree will fall.
NOTE: Direction of fall (B) is controlled by the notching
cut. Before any cuts are made, consider the
location of larger branches and natural lean of the
tree to determine the way the tree will fall.
A retreat path (A)
should be planned
and cleared as necessary before cuts are
started. The retreat path should extend
back and diagonally to the rear of the
expected line of fall, as illustrated in Fig. 8.
WARNING:
If felling a tree on
sloping ground, 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.
CAUTION:
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Normally felling consists of 2 main cutting operations,
notching (C) and making the felling cut (D).
Start making the upper notch cut (C) on the side of the
tree facing the felling direction (E). Be sure you don t
make the lower cut too deep into the trunk.
The notch (C) should be deep enough to create a hinge
(F) of sufficient width and strength. The notch should be
wide enough to direct the fall of the tree for as long as
possible.
Never walk in front of
a tree that has been
notched.
WARNING:
Never saw completely through the trunk. Always leave a
hinge. The hinge guides the tree. If the trunk is completely
cut through, control over the felling direction is lost.
Insert a wedge or felling lever in the cut well before the
tree becomes unstable and starts to move. This will
prevent the guidebar from binding in the felling cut if you
have misjudged the falling direction. Make sure no
bystanders have entered the range of the falling tree
before you push it over.
Before making the
final cut, always recheck
the area for bystanders, animals or obstacles.
WARNING:
Make the felling cut (D) from the other side of the tree
and 1.5 - 2.0 inches (3-5 cm) above the edge of the
notch (C) (Fig. 9).
G H
Fig. 10
Felling Cut:
1. Use wooden or plastic wedges (G) to prevent binding
the bar or chain (H) in the cut. Wedges also control
felling (Fig. 10).
2. When diameter of wood being cut is greater than the
bar length, make 2 cuts as shown (Fig. 11).
As the felling cut
gets close to the
hinge, the tree should begin to fall. When
tree begins to fall, remove saw from cut,
stop motor, put chain saw down, and leave
area along retreat path (Fig. 8).
WARNING: