12
S
As tree starts to fall, stop saw, put it down,
and get away quickly on your planned re-
treat path.
S
DO NOT cut down a partially fallen tree
with your saw. Beextremely cautious with
partially fallen trees that may be poorly
supported. When a tree doesn’t fall com-
pletely,setthesawasideandpull downthe
tree with a cable winch, block and tackle,
or tractor.
CUTTING A FALLEN TREE
(BUCKING)
Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen
tree to the desired log size.
W ARNING:
Do not standon the log
being cut. Any portion can roll causing loss
of footing and control. Do not stand downhill
of the log being cut.
IMPORTANT POINTS
S
Cut only one log at a time.
S
Cut shattered wood very carefully; sharp
pieces ofwoodcould beflung towardoper-
ator.
S
Use a sawhorse to cut small logs. Never
allow another person to hold the log while
cutting andnever holdthe logwith your l eg
or foot.
S
Do not cut in an area where logs, limbs,
and roots are tangled such as in a blown
down a rea. Dragthe logs into aclear area
before cutting by pulling out exposed and
cleared logs first.
TYPES OF CUTTING USED FOR
BUCKING
W ARNING:
If saw becomes
pinched or hung in a log, don’t try to force it
out. Youcan l osecontrol ofthe sawresulting
in injury and/or damageto thesaw. Stopthe
saw, drive awedgeofplastic orwoodintothe
cut until thesaw canbe removed eas ily. Re-
startthesawandcarefully reenterthecut. To
avoid kickback and chain damage, do not
usea metal w edge. Do notattempt t orestart
your saw when it is pinched or hung i n a log.
Use a wedge to remove pinched saw
T u rn saw OFF and use a plastic or
wooden wedge to force cut open.
Overcuttingbeginsonthetop sideof thelog
with the bottom of the saw against the log.
When overcutting use light downward pres-
sure.
Overcutting
Undercutting
Undercuttinginvolves cutting ontheunder-
side ofthe log with t opofsaw against thelog.
When undercutting use light upward pres-
sure. Hold saw firmly and maintain control.
The saw will tend to push back toward you.
WARNING:
Never turn saw upside
down to undercut. The saw cannot be con-
trolled in this position.
Always make your first cut on the compres-
sion side ofthelog. Thecompression sideof
the log is where the pressure of the log’s
weight is concentrated.
Second cut
First cut on compression side of log
First cut on compression side of log
Second cut
BUCKING WITHOUT A SUPPORT
S
Overcut through
1/3
of the diameter of the
log.
S
Roll the log over and finish with a second
overcut.
S
Watch for logs with a compression side to
prevent the saw from pinching. See il-
lustrations forcutting logs with acompres-
sion side.
BUCKING USING A LOG OR
SUPPORT STAND
S
Remember your first cut is always on the
compression side of the log.
(Refer to the illustrations below for your
first and second cut)
S
Your first cut should extend
1/3
of the
diameter of the log.
S
Finish with your second cut.
1
st
Cut
2
nd
Cut
Using a log for support
2
nd
Cut
1
st
Cut
