The Rural Voice, 1983-02, Page 34MIIIIMMIllIMMIII=IIMIWARM ADVICE
CHAW SAW BASICS
(Deere and Company Illustration,
UNCUT
HINGEWOOD
MAKE BACKCUT 2" OR MORE
ABOVE HORIZONTAL CUT
OF NOTCH
HINGE CONTROLS
LINE OF FALL
OPENINGLi
OF BACKCUT
HINGE
NOTCH
IkI
„a -CLOSING
OF
NOTCH
DIRECTION OF FALL MIIMI*
Notch And Felling Cuts Must Be Made Correctly To
Make The Tree Fall In The Desired Direction
Courtesy Ontario Farm
Safety Association
A chain saw can be a dangerous
weapon in the hands of a careless,
unskilled operator. Safe, productive
cutting depends on proper care and use
of a saw.
Any chain saw must be properly
maintained to be sate. Most important
are sharp teeth, correct chain tension,
lubrication, and a properly tuned
engine.
If the chain tends to 'walk' sideways
while cutting, or if the cut shows a fine
powder instead of wood chips, your saw
needs sharpening. Keep the engine
adjusted so that it remains running but
the chain stops moving when the throttle
is released.
Refer to your operator's manual for
detailed maintenance information. It
describes the correct procedures to be
followed for efficient cutting action and
longer chain life.
Naturally, the operator is the most
important ingredient of chain saw safety.
Personal protective equipment should
be provided for the head, ears, eyes, feet
and hands.
Don't head for the bush on very windy
or stormy days. Proper sawing tech-
niques demand full operator concen-
tration - risks are greatly increased if you
also have to cope with unfavourable
climatic conditions.
The novice chain saw user should
master steady and even cutting before
attempting to fell a tree. Be sure that the
chain won't contact limbs or logs other
than the one that is to be cut. Don't allow
the chain to touch the ground while it's
operating. Dangerous kickback can
result if the nose or top of the bar touches
an obstruction.
Check the situation carefully before
felling a tree. Take note of larger
branches and wind direction to deter-
mine how the tree will fall. There should
be a clear working area around the tree,
and an open pathway for an escape
route.
PG. 34 THE RURAL. VOICE, FEBRUARY 1983
Felling tips
1. A single cut should be used to fell
trees that are less than eight inches in
diameter.
2. For larger trees, make the notch cut
on the side to which the tree is expected
to fall. Notch to a depth of approximately
one-third of the tree's diameter. Make the
lower notch cut first. This prevents
binding and pinching of the chain.
3. Make the felling or back cut at least
two inches higher than the notch. This
allows the wood fibres to act as a hinge
and prevent the tree from twisting and
falling in the wrong direction.
4. Keep the guidebar in the middle of
the cut so that the cutters returning in the
top groove are clear of the wood. Don't
twist the guidebar in the groove. Guide
the saw into the tree — don't force it. The
rate of feed will depend on the size and
species of tree.
5. The tree will begin to fall as the felling
cut approaches the hinge fibres. Re-
move the saw from the cut and shut it off
before the tree falls. Move to a safe spot.
6. Don't cut through the hinge fibres. If
you do, the tree could fall in your
direction.
Obviously, it is impossible to cover
every aspect of chain saw use in a
limited article. Experience will lead to
greater efficiency. However, an under-
standing of basic cutting techniques and
proper felling procedures is vital to
safety in the woodlot. ■