Tree Felling - Craftsman 138.98946 Operator's Manual

TREE FELLING
See figure 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.
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WARNING: Do not cut down trees hav-
ing 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.
DANGER: Electrocution hazard. Do not cut
trees or branches near power lines or elec=
trical 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!
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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.
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.
[] 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
15 - English