Stihl 038 - Open-face technique; Making sapwood cuts; Felling cut

Open-face technique
A= felling notch — determines the
direction of the fall
For an open-face cut:
@ = Properly place felling notch
perpendicular to the line of fall,
close to the ground
© Cut down at app. 50-degree angle
to a depth of app. 1/5 to 1/4 of the
trunk diameter
© Make second cut from below at
app. 40 degree angle
@ Remove resulting 90-degree piece.
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001BA043 LA
Making sapwood cuts
For medium sized or larger trees
make cuts at both sides of the trunk
at same height as subsequent
felling cut
Cut to no more than width of guide
bar.
This is especially important in soft
wood in summer —
it helps prevent sapwood splintering
when the tree falls.
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B = Felling cut
Conventional and open-face
technique:
Begin 1 to 2 inches higher than
center of felling notch
Cut horizontally towards the felling
notch
Leave approx. '/10 of diameter uncut.
This is the hinge
Do not cut through the hinge — you
could lose control of the direction of
the fall.
Drive wedges into the felling cut where
necessary to control the fall.
Warning!
If the tip of the bar contacts a wedge,
it may cause kickback.
Wedges should be of wood or plastic —
never steel, which can damage the chain.
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