AVOIDING KICKBACK
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object, or
when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Tip contact in
some cases may cause a very fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and
back towards the operator. Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar
may push the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator. Either of these
reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw and that could result in
serious injury to user. The following precautions should be followed to minimize
kickback:
• Always be aware of the position of the upper quadrant of the blade tip
(shaded area).
• Never engage the upper quadrant of the guide bar with the wood you are
cutting.
•
Do NOT
let the nose of the guide bar make contact with a log, branch, ground
or other obstruction.
• Always cut back bushes, vegetation and clear any obstructing debris before
attempting a cut that might trigger a kickback.
• Hold the chain saw firmly with both hands when the motor is running. Use a
firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles.
•
Do NOT
over reach.
• Ensure a firm footing and good balance at all times.
•
Do NOT
cut above shoulder height.
• Use devices such as low kickback chain, guide bar nose guard, chain brakes
and special guide bars that reduce the risks associated with kickback.
AVOIDING PULL-IN
Pull-in can occur when the bottom of the chain is used for cutting and is stopped
suddenly by hitting a foreign object or getting pinched. This pulls the chainsaw
forwards and may cause the user to lose control. Pull-in can also occur when the
chain is not running at full speed when contact is made with the wood and if the
bumper spike is not held securely against the wood being cut.
• Ensure the chain is rotating at full speed and the bumper spike is in correctly
positioned when making a cut.
AVOIDING PUSHBACK
Pushback can occur when the top of the chain is used for cutting and is stopped
suddenly by hitting a foreign object or getting pinched. This pulls the chainsaw
towards the user and may cause the user to lose control.
• Take care not to twist the chainsaw as it is removed when bucking from
underneath the log.
•
Do NOT
cut more than one log at any one time.
• Be aware of situations that may cause the chain to pinch or pull.
OPERATION
STARTING & STOPPING THE CHAINSAW
• Remove the chain guard.
• With the chainsaw unplugged, release the chain brake by pulling the front
hand guard firmly towards the back of the electric chain saw until a click is
heard. To check the chain brake has been released you should be able to move
the chain by hand.
• Connect the cable to the power supply.
• Ensure the brake is working efficiently; check its operation every time you use
the chainsaw before cutting any wood.
•
WARNING:
The on/off switch must never be depressed before pulling back the
front hand guard.
• Hold the electric chainsaw by its grips with both hands.
• To start the chainsaw, push the lock-off button forward and squeeze the
trigger (ON/OFF) towards the handle. Release the lock-off button.
• To stop the chainsaw, release the trigger (ON/OFF)
•
WARNING:
Hold the electric chainsaw with both hands until the chain is
completely still.
• The chain will continue to move for a short time after the trigger is released
while it decelerates to a stop. This is normal.
OPERATING THE CHAINSAW
When operating the chainsaw, always:
• Run the chainsaw motor at full speed. This is safer, as there is less chance of
pull-in (refer to Avoiding Pull-in section) or kick-back (refer to Avoiding
Kickback section).
• Position your body to the left of the chainsaw so if it kicks back uncontrollably,
it goes over your right shoulder, keeping the guide bar and chain on the line
furthest from the body.
• Keep a firm grip with your left hand on the front handle, with your thumb
securely below the handle. The swivel of the wrist in a kick-back situation will
activate the chain brake.
• Make sure the chain is tensioned correctly.
POWER CABLE POSITIONING
• During use, the chainsaw power cable will be
continually pulled as it is moved from one
position to another.
• There is a cable hook on the housing of the
chainsaw to prevent the electrical connection loosening and the power cable
releasing itself from the socket on the chainsaw.
•
Note:
The support is for the extension cord, and not the cable from the
chainsaw.
• To fit the power cable to the hook, make a tight loop in the power cable,
approximately 300mm from the socket on the chainsaw.
• Fit the loop into the rectangular recess at the rear of the chainsaw and over
the hook, ensuring the loop is securely in place.
• To seat the cable firmly, gently pull one of the two lengths of extension cable
on the right hand side of the chainsaw.
• When the cable is correctly seated, insert the chainsaw plug into the socket of
the extension cable.
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