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19
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
• Operator should keep on the uphill side of terrain as
the tree is likely to roll or slide after it is felled.
• Pick your escape route (or routes in case the in-
tended route is blocked). Clear the immediate area
around the tree and make sure there are no obstruc-
tions in your planned path of retreat. Clear the path of
safe retreat approximately 135° from the planned line
of fall.
• Consider the force and direction of the wind, the lean
and balance of the tree, and the location of large
limbs. These things inuence the direction in which
the tree will fall. Do not try to fell a tree along a line
different from its natural line of fall.
• Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails, staples, and
wire from the tree where felling cuts are to be made.
• Notched Undercut. Cut a notch about 1/3 the diam-
eter of the trunk on the side of the tree. Make the
notch cuts so they intersect at a right angle to the line
of fall. This notch should be cleaned out to leave a
straight line. To keep the weight of the wood off the
saw, always make the lower cut of the notch before
the upper cut.
• Felling Backcut. As the felling cut gets close to the
hinge, the tree should begin to fall. If there is any
chance the tree may not fall in the desired direction
or it may rock back and bind the saw chain, stop cut-
ting before the felling cut is complete and use wedg-
es of wood, plastic or aluminum to open the cut and
drop the tree along its desired line of fall. Make the
backcut level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2
in. (5 cm) above the horizontal cut of the notch.
Note: Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a
band of wood between the notch and back cut (approxi-
mately 2 in. (5 cm) or 1/10 the diameter of the tree). This
is called “hinge” or “hingewood.” It controls the fall of the
tree and prevents slipping or twisting or shoot back of
the tree off the stump.
• On large diameter trees, stop the back cut before
it is deep enough for the tree to either fall or settle
back on the stump. Then insert soft wooden or plastic
wedges into the cut so they do not touch the chain.
The wedges can be driven in, little by little, to help
jack the tree over.
• As tree starts to fall, stop the chain saw and put it
down immediately. Retreat along the cleared path,
but watch the action in case something falls your
way.
HINGE
2 in. (5 cm) OR 1/10 DIA
Back cut
2” (5cm)
Notch-
Approx.
1/3
Diameter
of trunk
Back cut
Hinge
Wedge
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