Crosscut

Question 1

Required checklist for crosscut saw team (8 items)

Answer 1

PPE
First aid kit
Emergency communication device
Crosscut saw, handles and sheath
Bucking wedges
Single-bit, straight-handled axe and sheath
Pruning saw and sheath
Flagging tape

Question 2

PPE required for crosscut saw operation (5 items)

Answer 2

Hard Hat
Safety Glasses
Gloves
Long sleeves
Cut-resistent boots

Question 3

What is the acronym for crosscut saw planning

Answer 3

OHLEC
Objective, Hazards, Leans/Binds, Escape routes, Cut plan

Question 4

O: Objective

Answer 4

Bucking: Where do you want the log to end up?

Question 5

H: Hazards

Answer 5

Overhead (Widow makers? Loose bark? Fire?)
Log (Rot, hollow, poison oak?)
Springpoles
People in area

Question 6

L: Leans & Binds
What are the 4 main types?

Answer 6

Binds: Top, Bottom, Side, End & Compound

Question 7

E: Escape Routes

Answer 7

Safer side of the tree?
Determine escape route(s)

Question 8

C: Cut Plan

Answer 8

What technique will we use?
Where will we make cuts?
Wedge use and placement?

Question 9

Binds: Top
What is a top bind?
Where is the compression?
Where is the Tension?
Generally how do we cut?

Answer 9

A Top Bind: bearing points on either side of the section to be cut
Compression is on top
Tension is below
Cut top and finish from bottom; use wedges or pie cut

Question 10

Binds: Bottom Bind
What is a bottom bind?
Where is the compression?
Where is the tension?
Cut plan?

Answer 10

Bottom Bind generally has one bearing point
Tension is on top of the suspended log section
Compression is below the suspended log section
Under buck and finish with top cut. Cut at bearing point if possible. Be ready for movement

Question 11

Binds: Side Bind
What is a side bind?
Where is the tension?
Where is the compression?
Cut plan?

Answer 11

A side bind is when pressure is exerted sideways on the log. Side binds occur when one side of the log is under compression and the other is under tension. Side bind usually occurs when a log has fallen and is resting between other trees

Cut the compression side first and finish by cutting the side under tension.

Question 12

Binds: End Bind
What is an end bind
Where is the compression?
Cut plan?

Answer 12

In an end bind, the weight of the log causes compression on entire section.
Use wedges

Question 13

Cut Types (4 main types)

Answer 13

Straight cut
Compound cut
Off-set cut
Double cut

Question 14

Cut Type: Straight

Answer 14

Use for small logs, low-bind risk

Question 15

Cut Type: Compound

Answer 15

A compound cut is placed at an angle that is narrower than perpendicular to the log and angled so that the bottom of the cut slopes toward the part of the log that is being removed.

This cut typically is used when clearing a large log that is across a trail. Two cuts need to be made

Question 16

Cut Type: Off-set

Answer 16

The offset cut is placed so that the bottom underbucking cut does not match up exactly with the top cut.

Use for continuous bind; best protection for crosscut saw

Question 17

Cut Type: Double Cut
What is it?
When do you use it?

Answer 17

Cut out bigger top chunk, then release cut from below.

Used with rotten or shattered logs, to relieve side bind or ease torsion.

Question 18

Safe crosscut saw handling (7 things)

Answer 18

Saw should be sheathed whenever not in use.
Put on Gloves/Glasses/Helmets/Boots before unsheathing saw.
Pick up the saw with teeth away from your body.
When attaching handles, keep teeth away from your body.
Rotate the teeth toward your body before handing the saw to another.
Do not reach across a moving saw.
Keep legs and feet out of saw path.

Question 19

What is a spring pole? How do you relieve tension?

Answer 19

Smaller diameter trees or brush pinned under a larger tree.

Cut only when necessary.
1) Make several (4-6) shallow cuts about one-half inch on the under side of the pole.
2) Release cut made on top, past end of smaller cuts