A process and apparatus for cutting elongated material into shorter, predetermined lengths which is an improvement upon the same shown, described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,120, issued Dec. 23, 1969. The present process includes the steps of determining the existence of more than a predetermined cutting pressure exerted on the material in order to ascertain if the machine is operating properly and, additionally, to use such increase in pressure to stop the cutting operation as when the cutting blades become dull, when knots pass through the apparatus, or upon improper installation of a cutter, and so forth. The apparatus includes means to exert a cutting pressure against the material and means quickly to move said pressure means into and out of operative position when desired.