Field sawbuck for cantilever support of a felled tree

Abstract

A field sawbuck having a tree gripper forming a top side fulcrum for holding an end of a felled tree and a tree engaging arm for pivoting the felled tree about the fulcrum to bring the felled tree to an elevated condition whereby the limbs can be removed and the tree can be conviently cut into desired length without concern for pinching or binding the saw or having the saw blade accidentally contact a support soil for the felled tree as well a method for delivering a felled tree to a field sawbuck that can cantileverly support the felled tree during the process of removing limbs from the tree or during the process of field cutting of the felled tree into firewood lengths.

I claim: 
     
         1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of positioning a felled tree in a cutting condition on a field sawbuck housing comprising the steps of:
 bringing a cut end of a felled tree into proximity of a field sawbuck housing;   confining a cut end of the felled tree in a tree gripper in the sawbuck housing to form a topside fulcrum therein;   applying a torque to the felled tree through a tree-engaging member to pivot the felled tree about the topside fulcrum to thereby rotate the felled tree into an elevated cutting condition.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  including the step of extending stabilizing feet from the housing to enhance the stability of the field sawbuck housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  including the step of clamping the felled tree to prevent rotation of the felled tree during the cutting condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  including the step of limiting a penetration of the felled tree in the housing by engaging an end of the felled tree with a tree stop and engaging the felled tree with a second tree gripper to inhibit sway of the felled tree. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  including the step winching the felled tree into the field sawbuck with a winch secured to the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  including the step of mounting the field sawbuck on a tractor and using a hydraulic system of the tractor to apply the torque to the felled tree through hydraulic power of the tractor supporting the field sawbuck and moving the field sawbuck ahead after removing limbs from the felled tree to bring the felled tree free of the limbs to thereby facilitate cutting the felled tree into firewood lengths.