Husqvarna 1153136-26 Operator's Manual

WORKING TECHNIQUES24 – English 1153136-26 Rev.1 2009-12-29Turn the log and finish the cut from the opposite side. (70)The log is supported at one end. There is a high riskthat it will split. (71)Start by cutting from below (about 1/3 of the way through).Finish by cutting from above so that the two cuts meet.(72)The log is supported at both ends. There is a high riskthat the chain will jam. (73)Start by cutting from above (about 1/3 of the way through).Finish by cutting from below so that the two cuts meet. (74)Tree felling techniqueSafe distanceThe safe distance between a tree that is to be felled andanyone else working nearby is at least 2 1/2 tree lengths.Make sure that no-one else is in this ”risk zone” before orduring felling. (75)Felling directionThe aim is to fell the tree in a position where you can limband cross-cut the log as easily as possible. You want it tofall in a location where you can stand and move aboutsafely.Once you have decided which way you want the tree to fallyou must judge which way the tree would fall naturally.Several factors affect this:• Lean of the tree• Bend• Wind direction• Arrangement of branches• Weight of snow• Obstacles within the reach of the tree: for example,other trees, power lines, roads and buildings.• Look for signs of damage and rot in the stem, thismakes it more probably that the tree will break andstart to fall before you expect it to.You may find you are forced to let the tree fall in its naturaldirection because it is impossible or dangerous to try tomake it fall in the direction you first intended.Another very important factor, which does not affect thefelling direction but does affect your safety, is to make surethe tree has no damaged or dead branches that mightbreak off and hit you during felling.The main point to avoid is letting the tree fall onto anothertree. It is very dangerous to remove a trapped tree andthere is high accident risk. See instructions under theheading Freeing a tree that has fallen badly. (76)Clearing the trunk and preparing your retreatDelimb the stem up to shoulder height. It is safer to workfrom the top down and to have the tree between you andthe saw. (77)Remove any undergrowth from the base of the tree andcheck the area for obstacles (stones, branches, holes,etc.) so that you have a clear path of retreat when the treestarts to fall. Your path of retreat should be roughly 135degrees away from the intended felling direction. (78)1 Danger zone2 Retreat path3 Felling directionFellingFelling is done using three cuts. First you make thedirectional cuts, which consist of the top cut and thebottom cut, then you finish with the felling cut. By placingthese cuts correctly you can control the felling directionvery accurately.Directional cutsTo make the directional cut you begin with the top cut. Aimusing to the saw’s felling direction mark (1) toward a goalfurther forward in the terrain, where you would like the treeto fall (2). Stand on the right-hand side of the tree, behindthe saw, and cut with a pull stroke.Next make the bottom cut so that it finishes exactly at theend of the top cut. (79)The directional cuts should run 1/4 of the diameterthrough the trunk and the angle between the top cut andbottom cut should be 45°.The line where the two cuts meet is called the directionalcut line. This line should be perfectly horizontal and atright angles (90°) to the chosen felling direction. (80)Felling cutThe felling cut is made from the opposite side of the treeand it must be perfectly horizontal. Stand on the left sideof the tree and cut on the pull stroke.Make the felling cut about 3-5 cm (1.5-2 inches) above thebottom directional cut. (81)Set the spike bumper (if one is fitted) just behind thefelling hinge. Use full throttle and advance the chain/barslowly into the tree. Make sure the tree does not start tomove in the opposite direction to your intended fellingdirection. Drive a wedge or breaking bar into the cut assoon as it is deep enough.Finish the felling cut parallel with the directional cut line sothat the distance between them is at least 1/10 of thetrunk diameter. The uncut section of the trunk is called thefelling hinge.IMPORTANT! It takes a lot of experience to fell a tree.Inexperienced users of chain saws should not fell trees.Do not attempt any task that you feel unsure of!IMPORTANT! During critical felling operations, hearingprotectors should be lifted immediately when sawing iscompleted so that sounds and warning signals can beheard.! WARNING! Unless you have specialtraining we advise you not to fell treeswith a diameter larger than the bar lengthof your saw!