PRECOMMERCIAL THINNING TWO WEEK COURSE

Copyright Silvi-Crew Ltd. 2002.

Daily Time Schedule

Week # 1: Day 1

Classroom Module 1

8:00 - 8:20 am -- Introduction of Instructor Attendance Requirements -- Registration Forms -- Review of Course Outline by Module

8:20 - 8:30 am -- "F" Test

8:30 - 9:00 am -- The Components of the Spacing Saw

• The Powerhead
• The Power Transfer System
• The Cutting Attachment

9:00 - 9:30 am -- Introduction to Personal Protective Equipment

• Helmet and Attachments .(ear protection, eye protection)
• Cutting Vest
• Cutting Pants
• Gloves
• Safety Boots
• Pressure Bandage
• Emergency Whistle

9:30 - 10:00 am --Safe and Productive Work Ethic

• Occupational Safety Regulations and Workman's Compensation
• The Role of Protective Equipment - accident vs. injury
• Responsibility - The Human Factor

10:00 - 10:10 am -- Coffee Break

10:10 - 10:20 am -- Tree Identification Module 2

10:20 - 10:45 am -- Outline of Daily Maintenance Procedures

10:45 - 11:15 am -- Outline of Periodic Maintenance Procedures

11:15 -11:40 am -- Film entitled: - "General Brushsaw Maintenance" (substituted with presentation by instructor)

11:40 -12:00 am -- Discussion of Maintenance Procedures

12:00 -1:00 pm -- Noon lunch hour

1:00 - 1:30 pm --- Outline of Repair Potentials

1:30 -2:30 pm -- Introduction of Maintenance Filing Procedures

• File Guides
• Filing Angles
• Filing Position
• Function of Filing Angles
• Filing Practice

2:30 - 2:45 pm -- Brief Introduction to Repair Filing

2:45 - 3:00 pm -- Components of the Tool Kit

3:00 - 3:15 pm -- Coffee Module 3

3:15 - 3:30 pm -- Fuel Mixing

3:30 - 3:50 pm -- Starting the Spacing Saw

3:50 - 4:15 pm -- Adjustment of Harness and Suspension Eyelet

4:15 - 4:30 pm -- Working Checklist

4:30 - 5:00 pm -- Blade Cutting Characteristics

• The Clock Face
• The Kickback Zone
• Rotation
• Tilt
• Blade Speed
• Thrust or Follow Through

Week # 1: Day 2

Classroom

8:00 - 8:15 am -- Review of Blade Cutting Characteristics

8:15 - 8:30 am -- Discussion of Kickback Zone

• On the Blade
• To the Right of the Operator

8:30 - 9:00 am -- Working a Face Factors Effecting Ease of Cutting

9:00 - 9:15 am -- Film entitled: - "Working with a Clearing Saw"

9:15 - 9:45 am -- Factors effecting Direction of Fall

9:45 - 10:00 am -- Coffee Break

10:00 - 10:20 am -- Film entitled: - "Directional Felling with a Spacing Saw"

10:20 - 10:40 am -- Unidirectional Felling

10:40 - 11:15 am Multidirectional Felling

• Backward to the Right
• Backward to the Left
• Forward to the right
• Forward to the left

11:15-12:00 am -- Stem Size Factors

• Touch and Cut Stems (0-1.5 inches)
• Medium (1.5-3.0 inches)
• Large to Oversized (3-6 inches)

12:00 - 1:15 pm -- Noon Lunch Hour (and Twig Collection)

1:15 - 2:00 pm -- Safety Precautions While Cutting (MODULE 7)

2:00 - 3:00 pm -- Twig and Tree Identification

3:00 - 3:15 pm -- Coffee Break

3:15 - 3:45 pm -- Characteristics and Selection of Crop Trees

3:45-4:30 pm -- Spacing of Crop Trees -- Variable Spacing For: Plus Tree Selection Species Preference Poor Stocking

4:30-5:00 pm Quality Control Parameters

(a) Quantitative Factors

(b) Qualitative Factors

Week # 1: Day 2

Field Day Modules 1,2,3,4, & 7

7:00 - 7:30 am -- Assemble Group & Equipment

7:30 - 8:00 am -- Travel to Work Site

8:00 - 8:15 am -- Individual Adjustments of Harness and Equipment

8:15 - 9:30 am -- Demonstration of Directional Felling and Introduction of Work Method by the Instructor

9:30 - 11:45 am -- Assignment of Individual Trainee Strips and Orientation (Discussion of strips and block layout)

11:45 - 12:00 am -- Group Discussion of first attempt at cutting

12:00 - 12:30 pm -- Field Lunch 12:30-12:45 pm Individual Strip Assignment

12:45 - 3:45 pm -- Practical Application of Modules 2,3,4 & 7

3:45 - 4:15 pm -- Travel back to Classroom

4:15 - 4:30 pm -- Daily Maintenance

Week # 1: Day 4

Field/Classroom

8:00 - 8:15 am -- Assemble Group and Equipment

8:15 - 8:45 am -- Travel to the Work Site

8:45 - 12:00 am -- Individual Instruction of Work Techniques Described to Date.

Main Topics Will Include:

• Saw Maintenance and Filing
• General Preparations
• Directional Felling
• Crop Tree Selection and Spacing
• Working a Face etc, As the Instructor Deems Necessary

12:00 - 12:30 am -- Field lunch

12:30 - 2:30 am -- Continued Field Practical

2:30 - 3:00 am -- Travel Back to Classroom

3:00 - 3:15 am -- Daily Maintenance

3:15 - 3:30 am -- Coffee Break

(Module 5)

3:30-4:00 pm Advanced Filing Procedures

4:00-4:30 pm Daily/Periodic Maintenance vs. Repair Time

4:30-5:00 pm Time and Motion Parameters

• Scheduled Time
• Productive Time
• Service Time
• Repair Time
• Operational Lost Time
• Personal Time

Week # 1: Day 5

Field/Classroom

8:00 - 8:15 am --Assemble Group And Gear

8:15 - 8:45 am --Travel to Work Site

8:45 - 9:15 am -- Introduction and Demonstration of the Crop Tree Weave Work Technique by the Instructor to the Group.

9:15 - 9:30 am -- Explanation of the Combination of the "Crop Tree Weave" and the "Working a Face" Work Techniques, by the Instructor to the Group.

9:30 - 11:45 am -- Return to Individual strips and Continued work Practical.

11:45 - 12:00 am -- Group Discussion

12:00 - 12:30 am -- Field Lunch

2:30 - 1:00 am -- Travel back to Classroom

1:00 - 1:30 am -- Introduction to Silvicultural Techniques and Precommercial Thinning as a Silvicultural Treatment.

1:30 - 2:00 pm -- Objectives of PCT

2:00 - 2:45 pm -- Site Requirements and Variability

2:45 - 3:00 pm -- Coffee Break

3:00 - 3:30 pm -- Results of PCT

3:30 - 3:45 pm -- Film entitled - "Prescription for Dollars"

3:45 - 4:30 pm -- Recap and Discussion of Week

Week # 2: Day 6

In The Field

8:00 - 8:30 am -- Assemble Group and Gear

8:15 - 8:30 am -- Discussion and Recap of Previous Week

8:30 - 9:00 am -- Travel to Worksite

9:00 - 12:00 am -- Circulation By The Instructor to Each of The Cutters, In Each of Their Strips. Personal Instruction In Any of The Following Areas As Is Deemed Necessary By The Cutter And The Instructor.

• Working a Face
• The Crop Tree Weave and selection
• Directional Felling
• Filing Spacing Saw Blades
• Mechanical Maintenance and Filing
• Quality Control Procedures The New Technique of Working Natural Boundaries and Variable Spacing Will Also Be Examined.

12:00 - 12:30 pm -- Field Lunch

12:30 - 3:30 pm The Instructor will consult with the Foreman for instruction focusing on:

• Supervision of Crews
• Strip layout and Mapping
• Work Technique Methods including;
• Working A Face
• The Crop Tree Weave
• Maintenance and Filing
• Post Assessment and Quality Control Procedures

3:30 - 3:45 pm -- Daily Maintenance

3:45 - 4:00 pm -- Group Discussion of Problems encountered During the Day

4:00 - 4:30 pm -- Travel back to Classroom

Week # 2: Day 7

In The Field

8:00-8:15 am -- Assemble Group & Gear

8:15-8:45 am -- Travel to Work Site (Module 9)

8:45-9:15 am -- Review and discussion of Various Problem Felling Situations

• Maple Clumps
• Natural Boundaries
• Large Trees and/or Leaning Trees
• Crop Tree Selection
• Rocky and/or Uneven Terrain
• Various Stand/Site Variability

9:15 - 12:00 am -- Return to Strips for Practical Work Training

12:00 - 12:30 pm -- Field Lunch

12:30 - 3:30 pm -- Practical Work Training with Individual Instruction in needed Topics.

3:30 - 3:45 pm -- Daily Maintenance Procedures

3:45 - 4:00 pm -- Group Discussion of Daily Routine

4:00 - 4:30 pm -- Travel back to Classroom

Week # 2: Day 7

In The Field / Classroom

8:00 - 8:15 am -- Assemble Group & Gear

8:15 - 8:45 am -- Travel to Work Site

8:45 - 12:00 am -- Practical Work Training

12:00 - 1:00 pm -- Field Lunch & Travel back to Classroom

1:00 - 1:15 pm -- Tool Kit Inventory

1:15 - 2:00 pm -- Review and Demonstration by Student of Daily/Periodic Maintenance and Repair Procedures.

2:00 - 2:20 pm -- Film entitled - "General Brushsaw Maintenance"

2:20 - 3:00 pm -- Discussion on Maintenance with Particular Emphasis on Filing

3:00 - 3:15 pm -- Coffee Break

3:15 - 3:30 pm -- Review and Discussion of Fuel Mixing and Saw Starting Procedures

3:30 - 3:45 pm -- Review and Discussion of Working Posture and Checklist.

3:45 - 4:30 pm -- Review of Factors effecting Direction of Fall, Working a Face, and the Crop Tree Weave.

4:30 - 5:00 pm -- Review of Films entitled

• "Working With a Clearing Saw"
• "Directional Felling with a Spacing Saw"

Week # 2: Day 9

In The Field

8:00 - 8:15 am -- Assemble Group & Gear

8:15 - 8:45 am -- Travel to Work Site

8:45 - 12:00 am -- Circulation by the Instructor to each Cutter, in each of their strips. This individual instruction will emphasize Production Oriented Working Procedures.

12:00 - 12:30 am -- Field Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 am -- Group Discussion of Strip Layout and Mapping Procedures employed in determining areas for payroll.

1:30 - 3:30 am -- Field Practical with Emphasis on Production Cutting.

3:30 - 3:45 am -- Daily Maintenance

3:45 - 4:00 am -- Group Discussion of Work Techniques

4:00 - 4:30 am -- Travel back to Classroom

Week # 2: Day 10

In The Field/Classroom

8:00 - 8:15 am -- Assemble Group & Gear

8:15 - 8:45 am -- Travel to Work Site

8:45 - 12:00 am -- Final morning of On-site Instruction. The Instructor will circulate among the Cutters addressing any Topics Required.

12:00 - 12:30 pm --Field Lunch

12:30 - 1:00 pm -- Field Discussion of Practical Situations

1:00 - 1:30 pm -- Travel back to Classroom

1:30 - 2:30 pm -- Recap of Maintenance Procedures and Tool Inventory

2:30 - 3:00 pm -- Recap of Work Technique Methods

3:00 - 3:15 pm -- Coffee Break

3:15 - 3:45 pm -- Recap of Work Technique Methods (Con't)

3:45 - 4:30 pm -- Course / Instructor Evaluations and Presentation of Certificates.