Warning – Partner Formula 400 Chrome 2007 User Manual

Page 42

TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES

WARNING

: Do not cut near buildings

or electrical wires if you do not know the di-

rection of tree fall, at night since you will not

be able to see well, or during bad weather

such as rain, snow, or strong winds. as fall is

unpredictable.

Carefully plan your sawing operation in ad-

vance. You need a clear area all around the

tree so you can have secure footing. Check

for broken or dead branches which can fall

on you causing serious injury.

Natural conditions that can cause a tree to

fall in a particular direction include:
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The wind direction and speed.

The lean of the tree. The lean of a tree

might not be apparent due to uneven or

sloping terrain. Use a plumb or level to de-

termine the direction of tree lean.

Weight and branches on one side.

Surrounding trees and obstacles.

Look for decay and rot. If the trunk is rotted,

it can snap and fall toward the operator.

Make sure there is enough room for the tree to

fall. Maintain a distance of

2-1/2

tree lengths

from the nearest person or other objects. En-

gine 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.

Direction of Fall

45_

Plan a clear retreat path

FELLING LARGE TREES

(15 cm 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 de-

sired 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

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 cut-

ting the bottom of the notch. See illustra-

tion. Once the notch is cut remove the

notch of wood from the tree.

Notch

First cut

Second cut

Final cut here. 5 cm above

center of notch.

5 cm

After removing the wood from the notch,

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.

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

or chain damage, use wood or plastic

wedges, but never steel or iron wedges.
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Be alert to signs that the tree is ready to fall:

cracking sounds, widening of the felling 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.

DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree with

your saw. Be extremely cautious with par-

tially fallen trees that may be poorly sup-

ported. 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.

CUTTING A FALLEN TREE

(BUCKING)

Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen

tree to the desired log length.

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.