Disciplines

The UKL competition consists of 5 disciplines that all relate to chainsaw felling and processing of a tree performed by a forest worker during a working day: Fitting a new chain, accurately crosscutting a log that is either on the floor or across another log, Felling a tree and snedding (removing branches). All events are against the clock. The disciplines are judged and scored in accordance with the International Association of Logging Championships (IALC ) regulations which may be found at: http://ialc.ch/Englisch/Basics/The-ialc-Worldcup-Disciplines/

Tree Felling

A tree must be cut down within three minutes, which is aimed to fall as near as possible to a pre-determined marker post. During the discipline, the competitor must work within the safety regulations and working techniques set out in the regulations.

Fitting another chain

The competitor must dismantle and assemble the cutting apparatus of the chainsaw. The chain must be taken off, the bar must be turned and another chain must be fitted. The new chain must be fitted so that the chainsaw is ready to use in the following two cross-cutting disciplines without adjustments.

Bucking by Combined Cuts  

From two logs, the competitor must cut a disc of wood no thinner than 30 mm and no thicker than 80 mm from each, as quickly and safely as possible. This must be done by cutting the first half upwards from beneath the log and the second half from the top. The competitor gets the highest points when the upper and downward cuts meet each other, without a step, within the marked red zone and at right-angles to the length of the log.

Precision Bucking

From two logs, the competitor must cut a disc of wood no thinner than 30 mm and no thicker than 80 mm from each, as quickly and safely as possible. The disc must be cut at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the stem in a downwards direction. The competitor must try to cut the whole disc without damaging the board. Damaging the board will lead to zero points for the accuracy of the cut. The discipline is performed while the log lies in a thin layer of sawdust that hides where the log contacts the surface of the board.

Limbing

Limbing is performed on a cylindrically rounded stem, into which 30 round branches, all equal in diameter have been inserted in a predetermined branching pattern. These are cut off by the competitor as quickly and safely as possible. The branches must be cut flush with the stem, leaving stubs or damaging the stem results in penalties.

Relay race

The relay race is a team competition in which the 4 competitors must cut off disks from a series of specially prepared standing or lying poles as quickly and safely as possible. The poles are specially marked to identify the cutting points and the order and direction of travel is carefully judged. Special attention is paid to the compliance of the safety regulations. The relay race is scored as a team competition and is not included in the scores and ranking for the individual competition(s).