Apparatus and method for felling trees

Claim 1

An improved tree cutting apparatus comprising in combination: a chain saw having a cutter bar with a projecting flange adjacent one end there of, and a saw chain peripherally mounted for rotation around said cutter bar in cutting and noncutting runs, the edge of said cutter bar adjacent said noncutting run defining a recess for receiving said latter run therein for preventing a cut and falling tree from stripping the saw chain off the cutter bar and also to prevent said latter run from engaging adjacent objects; a hollow anvil directly pivoted by an end to said cutter bar adjacent its flanged end for scissors action therewith, said hollow anvil having parallel inner edges opposing the cutter bar and an oppositely disposed closed back, said inner edges receiving the cutting run and adjacent edge of the cutter bar for shielding them from a cut and falling tree; driving means mounted on said cutter bar behind the pivot with the anvil to remove it from range of tree damage and for driving the saw chain; reciprocating power means pivotally mounted in said hollow anvil for protection from a cut and falling tree, and pivotally connected with said projecting flange to pivot the chain saw and the anvil in scissors action for engaging and cutting a tree therebetween, whereby both runs of saw chain, the reciprocating power means and the driving means are prevented from becoming casualties of their operating results.