Petrol Chainsaw support

You must have experience to fell a tree. If possible, engage in a training course in chainsaw operation. Speak to an operator with experience for more knowledge.

1. Make sure that persons around you keep a safe distance at a minimum of 2 1/2 tree lengths.
   

2. Make sure that no person is in the risk zone before or during felling.

WARNING:

• If it is dangerous or not possible to fell the tree in its natural direction, fell the tree in a different direction.

• Rot in the stem can mean a risk that the tree falls before you complete the cutting.

• During critical felling operations, lift your hearing protection immediately when the sawing is complete. It is important that you hear sounds and warning signals.

1. Examine in which direction it is necessary for the tree to fall. The goal is to fell it in a position where you can limb and cut the trunk easily. It is also important that you are stable on your feet and can move about safely.

2. Examine the natural fall direction of the tree. For example the tilt and bend of the tree, wind direction, the location of the branches and weight of snow.

3. Examine if there are obstacles, for example other trees, power lines, roads and/or buildings around.

4. Look for signs of damage and rot in the stem.

5. Make sure the tree has no damaged or dead branches that can break off and hit you during felling.

6. Do not let the tree fall onto a different standing tree. It is dangerous to remove a caught tree and there is a high accident risk. Refer to To free a trapped tree

Cut off all branches from your shoulder height and down.

1. Cut on the pull stroke from the top down. Make sure that the tree is between you and the product.
   

2. Remove undergrowth from the work area around the tree. Remove all cut off material from the work area.

3. Do a check of the area for obstacles such as stones, branches and holes. You must have a clear path of retreat when the tree starts to fall. Your path of retreat must be approximately 135 degrees away from the felling direction.

   • The danger zone

   • The path of retreat

   • The felling direction

Husqvarna recommends you to make the directional cuts and then use the safe corner method when you fell a tree. The safe corner method helps you to make a correct felling hinge and control the felling direction.

WARNING:
Do not fell trees with a diameter that is more than two times larger than the guide bar length. For this, you must have special training.

The most important procedure during tree felling is to make the correct felling hinge. With a correct felling hinge, you control the felling direction and make sure that the felling procedure is safe.

The thickness of the felling hinge must be equal and a minimum of 10% of the tree diameter.

WARNING:
If the felling hinge is incorrect or too thin, you have no control of the felling direction.

1. Make the directional cuts ¼ of the diameter of the tree. Make a 45°-70° angle between the top directional cut and bottom directional cut.

   • Make the top directional cut. Align the felling direction mark (1) of the product with the felling direction of the tree (2). Stay behind the product and keep the tree on your left side. Cut with a pull stroke.

   • Make the bottom directional cut. Make sure that the end of the bottom directional cut is at the same point as the end of the top directional cut.
     

2. Make sure that the bottom directional cut is horizontal and at a 90° angle to the felling direction.

The felling cut must be made slightly above the directional cut.

WARNING:
Be careful when you cut with the guide bar tip. Start to cut with the lower section of the guide bar tip as you make a bore cut into the trunk.

1. If the usable cutting length is longer than the tree diameter, do these steps (a-d).

   • Make a bore cut straight into the trunk to complete the felling hinge width.
     

   • Cut on the pull stroke until ⅓ of the trunk is left.

   • Pull the guide bar 5-10 cm/2-4 in rearward.

   • Cut through the remaining of the trunk to complete a safe corner that is 5-10 cm/2-4 in wide.
     

2. If the usable cutting length is shorter than the tree diameter, do these steps (a-d).

   • Make a bore cut straight into the trunk. The bore cut must extend 3/5 of the tree diameter.

   • Cut on the pull stroke through the remaining trunk.
     

   • Cut straight into the trunk from the other side of the tree to complete the felling hinge.

   • Cut on the push stroke, until ⅓ of the trunk is left, to complete the safe corner.
     

3. Put a wedge in the kerf straight from behind.
   

4. Cut off the corner to make the tree fall.
   Note:
   If the tree does not fall, hit the wedge until it does.

5. When the tree starts to fall, use the path of retreat to move away from the tree. Move a minimum of 5 m/15 ft away from the tree.

WARNING:
It is very dangerous to remove a trapped tree and there is a high accident risk. Keep out of the risk zone and do not try to fell a trapped tree.

The safest procedure is to use one of the following winches:

• Tractor-mounted

• Portable

1. Figure out which side of the tree or branch that is in tension.

2. Figure out where the point of maximum tension is.
   

3. Examine which is the safest procedure to release the tension.
   Note:
   In some situations the only safe procedure is to use a winch and not your product.

4. Keep a position where the tree or branch can not hit you when the tension is released.
   

5. Make one or more cuts of sufficient depth necessary to decrease the tension. Cut at or near the point of maximum tension. Make the tree or branch break at the point of maximum tension.
   
   WARNING:

   • Do not cut straight through a tree or branch that is in tension.

   • Be very careful when you cut a tree that is in tension. There is a risk that the tree moves quickly before or after you cut it. Serious injury can occur if you are in an incorrect position or if you cut incorrectly.

6. If you must cut across tree/branch, make 2 to 3 cuts, 1 in. apart and with a depth of 2 in.
   

7. Continue to cut more into the tree until the tree/branch bends and the tension is released.
   

8. Cut the tree/branch from the opposite side of the bend, after the tension is released.