Craftsman 358.351080 - Manual (Page 13)

OPERATION
TREE FELLING
A
WARNING:
IF THE TRUNK OR LIMBS ARE ROTTING,
THEY CAN FALL UNEXPECTEDLY AND
CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.
AS YOU MAKE YOUR FELLING CUT, IF THE
SAW APPEARS TO BE BINDING, THE TREE
IS STARTING TO FALL IN THE WRONG
DIRECTION. IMMEDIATELY STOP THE SAW
AND USE A FELLING WEDGE AND MAUL
(HAMMER) TO FORCE THE FELLING CUT
OPEN.
THE WEDGE WILL HOLD THE
FELLING CUT OPEN ALLOWING YOU TO
REMOVE THE SAW. KEEP EVERYONE AWAY
FROM THE TREE IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
DETERMINE THE NATURAL FALL DIRECTION
• Wind - A tree evenly balanced will iail in the same direc­
tion the wind is blowing.
• Lean - Use a carpenter’s level or plumb bob to deter­
mine if tree has a natural lean. A leaning tree will tend to
fell in direction of lean.
• Shape - A tree will tend to fail towards side that is more
heavily branched.
• Other Factors - Contacting or nearby trees, buildings, or
wires can influence the direction the tree will fell.
CUTTING PROCEDURE (Fig. 12)
After determining the Natural Fail Direction, the tree should
be cut as follows;
IMPORTANT: BEFORE FELLING A TREE, MAKE SURE
YOU HAVE AT LEAST 3 FELLING WEDGES AND A
MAUL (HAMMER) AVAILABLE FOR USE IF NEEDED.
•
• Use some means to visually mark the Natural Fail
Direction.
• Mark your notch cut on the Natural Fail Direction side of
the tree approximately 18-24 inches above the ground.
• Cut top of the notch first at a 45 degree angle. Saw
through of the width of the tree.
• Cut bottom of the notch at a 45 degree angle until you
meet the top notch cut Remove notch of wotxl.
• On the side of the tree opposite the notch cut, make the
felling cut. The felling cut should be 2 inches afaoira the
center point of the notch cut. Before the felling cut is
complete, use wedges to open the cut when necessary
to control the direction of the fell. Use wood or plastic
wedges, but never steel or iron, to avoid kickback and
chain damage.
» Cracking sounds, widening of the felling cut, movement
in the upper branches are all signs that the tree is ready
to fell.
' As tree begins to fell, turn off saw, and move quickly
away from direction of fall.
If your chain saw binds in the felling cut, you have three
options:
• If the wrong direction of fail is acceptable, carefully
remo\ra the felling wedge.Cut deeper in the notch side of
the tree untH tree starts to fall.
• If the wrong direction of fall is not acceptabie, attempt to
use one or more felling wedges to force the tree in the
original direction of fall. Do so by driving the wedges
deeper into the felling cut.
• Keep everyone away from the tree in all directions and
then seek professional help!
FELLING TIPS
• Clear the work area of debris where you can have secure
footing.
• Make sure there is enough room for the tree to fall.
Maintain a distance of 2 1/2 tree lengths from the near­
est 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 to stand on the up-hill side when cutting on a slope.
• Plan a clear retreat path to the rear and diagonal to the
line of fall,
• Large buttress roots should be removed prior to notch
cut.
• Use a wedge if there is any chance that the tree will not
fall in the desired direction.
• We recommend you cut branches below shoulder height
before felling tree. (See Limbing and Pruning).
Be alert to signs that the tree Is ready to fall:
• Cracking sounds.
• Widening of the felling cut.
• Movement in the upper branches.
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