Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2727-20 Manuel De L'utilisateur page 10

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.
Planned
Line of Fall
• Before any cuts are started, pick your escape route
(or routes in case the intended route is blocked);
clear the immediate area around the tree and make
sure there are no obstructions in your planned path
of retreat. Clear paths of safe retreat should extend
back and diagonally (45°) to the rear of the planned
line of fall. When the tree begins to fall, you should
retreat away from the direction of fall along a retreat
path and at least 20 feet away from the trunk in case
it kicks back over the stump.
• 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 chainsaw 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 (a notch cut in a tree that directs
the tree's fall). 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. This notch should be cleaned out
to leave a straight line. To keep the weight of the
wood off the saw, always make the lower cut of the
notch before the upper cut.
Back Cut
45°
45°
Back Cut
Hinge
• Felling Backcut (the final cut in a tree felling opera-
tion made on the opposite side of the tree from the
notching undercut). The backcut is always made
level and horizontal, and at a minimum of 2 in. above
the horizontal cut of the notch.
• Never cut through to the notch. Always leave a
band of wood between the notch and backcut (ap-
proximately 2 in. or 1/10 the diameter of the tree).
This is called "hinge" or "hingewood." It controls the
fall of the tree and prevents slipping or twisting or
shoot-back of the tree off the stump.
• On large diameter trees, stop the back cut before it is
deep enough for the tree to either fall or settle back
on the stump. Then insert soft wooden or plastic
wedges into the cut so they do not touch the chain.
The wedges can be driven in, little by little, to help
jack the tree over.
• As tree starts to fall, stop the chainsaw and put it
down immediately. Retreat along the cleared path,
but watch the action in case something falls your
way. Be alert for overhead limbs or branches that
may fall and watch your footing.
10
Hinge
2 in.
or
1/10
dia.
2 in.
Wedge
Direction of fall
Notch -
Approx. 1/3
Diameter of
Trunk
Notch