Pruning - Craftsman 358.351191 Operator's Manual

OPERATION
PRUNING AND LIMBING
Pruning is removing branches from a standing tree,
Limbing is removing branches from a felled tree.
LIMBING (Fig. 27)
', Start at base of the felled tree and work toward the top°
° Leave the larger limbs underneath the felled tree to
support the tree as you work.
Figure 27
PRUNING (Fig. 28)
Small branches - smaIler than width of guide bar,,
Large branches - larger than width of guide bar,
° Remove small limbs with one cut.
= Remove larger, supporting branches with the 1/3 - 2/3
cutting techniques described in the bucking section
i_ Cut 2
Cut
)
I
t
Cut 1
Figure 28
PRUNING AND LIMBING TIPS
• Work slowly, keeping both hands firmly gripped on the
saw. Maintain secure footing and balance.
• Keep a clear work area., Frequently clear branches out
of the way to avoid tripping over them.
• Leave the larger limbs underneath the felled tree to
support the tree as you work,,
• Start at the base of the felled tree and work toward the
top,,
° Keep the tree between you and the chain. Cut from the
side of the tree opposite the branch you are cutting
= Limit pruning to limbs shoulder height or below.
• Keep out of the way of the falling limb
PRUNING PROCEDURE
• First - Undercut t/3 of the way through the limb near
the trunk of the tree.,
• Second - Finish with an overcut farther out from the
trunk until the limb fails
• Pruning Cut - Cut the limb stump flush at the edge of
the collar.
OPERATION SAFETY
°
PRUNING AND LIMBING SAFETY
_ ARNING
NEVER CLIMB INTO A TREE TO LIMB OR
PRUNE UNLESS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED
TO DO SO. DO NOT STAND ON LADDERS,
PLATFORMS, A LOG, OR IN ANY POSITION
WHICH CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE YOUR
BALANCE OR CONTROL OF THE SAW.
BE ALERT FOR AND GUARD AGAINST
KICKBACK. DO NOT ALLOW THE MOVING
CHAIN TO CONTACT ANY OTHER
BRANCHES OR OBJECTS AT THE NOSE
OF THE GUIDE BAR WHEN LIMBING OR
PRUNING. ALLOWING SUCH CONTACT
CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
DO NOT CUT IF BRANCHES ARE HIGHER
THAN YOUR SHOULDER. GET A PROFES-
SIONAL TO DO THE JOB. THIS MAY
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Watch out for springpoles, Use extreme caution
when cutting small size limbs° Slender material may
catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull
you off balance
Be alert for springback. Watch out for branches that
are bent or under pressure as you are cutting to avoid
being struck by the branch or the saw when the tension
in the wood fibers is released
-18-