Homelite EL14 - Manual (Page 9)

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OWNER’S MANUAL
Figure 13 - Felling A Tree
Direction
of Fall
2"
1st Cut -
Lower
Notch Cut
2nd Cut -
Upper
Notch Cut
Hinge
2
Inches
3rd Cut -
Felling Cut
WARNING: Do not cut all the
way through tree. Leave about
two inches of tree diameter uncut
directly behind felling notch (see
Figure 13). This uncut portion acts
as a hinge. The hinge helps keep
tree from twisting and falling in
wrong direction.
WARNING: Be alert for falling
overhead limbs. Watch your
footing while exiting area.
Felling is the process of cutting down a tree.
Make sure your footing is firm. Keep feet
apart. Divide your weight evenly on both
feet. Follow directions below to fell a tree.
Before Felling a Tree
1. Before felling, inspect tree. Make sure
there are no dead limbs or branches that
may fall on you. Study natural lean of
tree, location of larger branches, and
wind direction. This will help you judge
which way tree will fall.
2. Clear work area around tree.
3. Plan and clear a retreat path before
felling. Make retreat path opposite to
planned direction of fall of tree and at
45
°
angle (see Figure 12).
4. Remove dirt, stones, loose bark, nails,
staples, and wire from tree where you
will make felling cuts.
5. Stay on uphill side when felling tree.
Tree could roll or slide downhill after
falling.
WARNING:
• Avoid kickback. Kickback can
result in severe injury or death.
See
Kickback, page 2 to avoid
risk of kickback.
• Do not fell a tree without ample
skill or expert help.
• Keep children, animals, and
bystanders away from area
when felling a tree.
• If two or more persons perform
bucking and felling operations
WARNING: When felling a tree,
be aware of your surroundings.
Do not endanger any person,
strike utility lines, or cause
property damage. If tree strikes
utility lines, contact utility
company at once.
Figure 12 - Retreat Path From Tree
Direction
of Fall
Retreat
Path
Retreat
Path
45
°
Tree
FELLING A TREE
(Cutting Down a Tree)
Felling Procedure
A) Felling Notch
A properly placed felling notch will deter-
mine direction tree will fall. Place felling
notch on side of tree in direction you want
tree to fall (see Figure 13). Follow direc-
tions below to create a felling notch.
1. Make lower notch cut as close to ground
as possible. Hold saw so guide bar is
horizontal. Cut 1/3 the diameter of tree
trunk (see Figure 13).
Note: Always
make this horizontal lower notch cut
first. If you make this cut second, tree
can pinch chain or guide bar.
2. Start upper notch cut the same distance
above first cut as first cut is deep.
Example: If lower notch cut is eight
inches deep, start upper notch cut eight
inches above it. Cut downward at 45
°
angle. The upper notch cut should meet
end of lower notch cut (see Figure 13).
3. Remove tree trunk wedge created by
notching cuts.
B) Felling Cut
1. Make felling cut two inches higher than
lower notch cut and on opposite side of
tree (see Figure 13). Keep felling cut
parallel to lower notch cut.
2. Cut towards notch.
3. As felling cut nears hinge, tree should
begin to fall. Note: If needed, drive
wedges into felling cut to control
direction of fall. If tree settles back and
pinches chain, drive wedges into felling
cut to remove saw. Only use wedges
made of wood, plastic, or aluminum.
Never use wedge made of steel. This
could cause kickback and damage to
chain.
4. When tree begins to fall, quickly
• remove saw from felling cut
• release trigger to turn saw off
• put saw down
• exit area using retreat path