Craftsman 315.3413 - Manual (Page 13)

13 - English
OPERATION
TREE FELLING
See Figures 12-16.
Unusual Hazardous Tree Felling conditions
Do not fell trees during periods of high wind or
heavy precipitation. Wait to do your cutting until
the hazard has ended.
WARNING: Do not cut down trees having
an extreme lean or large trees that have rotten
limbs, loose bark, or hollow trunks. Have these
trees pushed or dragged down with heavy
equipment, then cut them up.
WARNING: Electrocution hazard. Do
not cut trees or branches near power lines or
electrical wires. Contact with power lines or live
electrical wires will result in serious personal
injury or possible death.
WARNING: Do not cut trees or branches
near buildings, which may result in serious
injuries or property damage.
WARNING: Check the tree for damaged
or dead branches that could fall and hit you
during felling.
WARNING: Periodically glance at the top
of the tree during the backcut to assure the tree
is going to fall in the desired direction.
WARNING: If the tree starts to fall in the
wrong direction, or if the saw gets caught or
hung up during the fall, leave the saw and save
yourself!
 Felling a tree - When bucking and felling
operations are being performed by two or more
persons, at the same time, the felling operation
should be separated from the bucking
operation by a distance of at least twice the
height of the tree being felled. Trees should
not be felled in a manner that would endanger
any person, strike any utility line or cause any
property damage. If the tree does make contact
with any utility line, the utility company should
be notified immediately.
 Before any cuts are started, pick your escape
route (or routes in case the intended route is
blocked); clear the immediate area around the
tree and make sure there are no obstructions
in your planned path of retreat. Clear path
of safe retreat approximately 135° from
planned line of fall. The retreat path should
extend back and diagonally to the rear of the
expected line of fall. See Figure 12.
 Before felling is started, consider the force
and direction of the wind, the lean and
balance of the tree, and the location of large
limbs. These things influence 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.
 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.
 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 diameter of the tree, perpendicular to the
direction of fall. Make the cuts of the notch 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. See Figure 14.
 Felling Backcut. The backcut is always made
level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2
in. above the horizontal cut of the notch. See
Figures 14 - 15.
 Never cut through to the notch. Always
leave a band of wood between the notch
and backcut (approximately 2 in. 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.
See Figures 14 - 15.
 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.
See Figure 16.