OPERATION Buttress Roots A buttress root is a large root extending from the trunk of the tree above ground. Large buttress roots should be removed prior to felling. Make the vertical cut ( A ) into the buttress first, followed by the horizontal cut ( B ). Remove the resulting loose section ( C ) from the work area. Utilize the proper instructions from the Operation-Tree Felling section of the manual after the large buttress roots have been removed. Bucking with a Wedge If the wood diameter is large enough for you to insert a soft bucking wedge ( E ) without touching the chain, you should use the wedge to hold the cut open to prevent pinching. E A C B NOTE:
When bucking or felling with a wedge, it may be necessary to remove the Safe-T-Tip® anti-kickback device to allow the bar to be drawn through the cut. After the cut is complete, the tip should be replaced immediately. Bucking Bucking is the term used for cutting a fallen tree to the desired log length. Cut only one log at a time. Support small logs on a saw horse or another log while bucking. Keep a clear cutting area. Make sure that no objects can contact the guide bar nose and chain during cutting, this can cause kickback ( D ). To avoid the danger, keep the Safe-T- Tip® anti-kickback device attached while cutting.
Logs Under Stress Make the first bucking cut ( F ) 1/3 of the way through the log and finish with a 2/3 cut ( G ) on the opposite side. As the log is being cut, it will tend to bend. The saw can become pinched or hung in the log if you make the first cut deeper than 1/3 of the diameter of the log. D Log Supported at One End: (G) FINISHING CUT LOAD (F) 1st CUT 1/3 Dia Log Supported at Both Ends: LOAD (F) 1st CUT 1/3 Dia During bucking operations always stand on the uphill side so that the cut-off section of the log can not roll over you. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid pinching (with just stan- dard cutting techniques) or difficult to predict which way a log will settle when cut.
To avoid pinching while cutting, review the following sections, Bucking with a Wedge and Logs Under Stress. Give special attention to logs under stress to prevent the bar and chain from pinching. (G) FINISHING CUT 17 English