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Before each rescue operation
Check that the blade and the blade guard are not damaged or cracked. Replace the blade or the blade
guard if it has been exposed to impact or is cracked.
- Check that no carbide tips have loosened from the cutting blade.
- Check that the blade is not skew or shows signs of cracking or other defects.
When cutting in hard materials carbide tipped blades will rapidly lose its sharpness. For best perfor-
mance during rescue operations we recommend that a new blade be installed.
Kickback
Kickback is the sudden upward motion that can occur if the blade is pinched or stalled in the kickback
zone. Most kickbacks are small and pose little danger. However a kickback can also be very violent and
throw the power cutter up and back towards the user in a rotating motion causing serious or even fatal
injury.
Reactive force
A reactive force is always present when cutting. The force pulls the machine in the opposite direction
to the blade rotation. Most of the time this force is insignificant. If the blade is pinched or stalled the
reactive force will be strong and you might not be able to control the power cutter.
Never move the machine when the cutting equipment is rotating. Gyroscopic forces can obstruct the
intended movement.
WARNING! Kickbacks are sudden and can be very violent. The power cutter can
be thrown up and back towards the user in a rotating motion causing serious or
even fatal injury. It is vital to understand what causes kickback and how to avoid it
before using the machine.
