DeWalt DWOAS6PS, Instruction Manual

Page: 11 / 48

9
English
avoid kickback and other forces which can result in
serious injury.
• Reduced‑Kickback Guide Bar, designed with a small
radius tip which reduces the size of the kickback danger
zone on bar tip. A reduced‑ kickback guide bar is one which
has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the number
and seriousness of kickbacks when tested in accordance
with safety requirements for electric chain saws.
•
Reduced Kickback Chain,
designed with a contoured
depth gauge and guard link which deflect kickback
force and allow wood to gradually ride into the cutter.
A reduced‑kickback chain is a chain which has met
kickback performance requirements when tested on the
representative sample of chain saws.
Pole Saw Names and Terms
•
Drive Sprocket or Sprocket ‑
The toothed part that drives
the saw chain.
•
Guide Bar ‑
A solid railed structure that supports and
guides the saw chain.
•
Guide Bar Scabbard ‑
Enclosure fitted over guide bar to
prevent tooth contact when saw is not in use.
•
Kickback ‑
The backward or upward motion, or both of the
guide bar occurring when the saw chain near the nose of
the top area of the guide bar contacts any object such as a
log or branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches the
saw chain in the cut.
•
Reduced Kickback Chain ‑
A chain that complies with
the kickback performance requirements. (when tested on a
representative sample of chain saws.
• Reduced Kickback Guide Bar ‑ A guide bar which has
been demonstrated to reduce kickback significantly.
• Replacement Saw Chain ‑ A chain that complies
with kickback performance requirements when tested
with specific chain saws. It may not meet performance
requirements when used with other saws.
• Saw Chain ‑ A loop of chain having cutting teeth, that cut
the wood, and that is driven by the motor and is supported
by the guide bar.
• Spiked Bumper (Spike) ‑ The pointed tooth or teeth for
use when pruning to pivot the saw and maintain position
while sawing.
•
Switch ‑
A device that when operated will complete or
interrupt an electrical power circuit to the motor of the
chain saw.
• Switch Lockout ‑ A movable stop that prevents
the unintentional operation of the switch until
manually actuated.
•
Trimming (Pruning) ‑
Process of cutting limbs from a tree.
•
Undercut ‑
An upward cut from underside of a log or limb.
This is done while in normal cutting position and cutting
with top of guide bar.
Storage
1 .
Store indoors.
The best storage place is one that is cool
and dry away from direct sunlight, excess heat or cold and
out of the reach of children.
2 .
Always reduce the tension off the chain again after
finishing work. The chain contracts as it cools down. If
tension is not reduced, it can damage the saw.
Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance
instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
Guard Against Kickback
WARNING: 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 lightning 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 which could
result in serious injury to user.
The following precautions should be followed to
minimize kickback:
• Hold the saw firmly with both hands when the unit is
running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling
the saw powerhead handle and auxiliary handle. DO NOT
use the pole as a grasping surface.
• Do not overreach.
• Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
• Don’t let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch,
ground or other obstruction.
• Do not extend pole saw handle above shoulder height.
• Use devices such as reduced kickback chain, chain braking
system and special guide bars that reduce the risks
associated with kickback.
• Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
• Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of
the guide bar.
• Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other
trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or
avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while
you are cutting through a particular log or branch.
• Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose
or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback. Check
tension at regular intervals with the motor stopped and
battery removed.
• Begin and continue cutting only with the chain moving at
full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is a
greater chance for kickback to occur.
• Cut one branch at a time.
• Use extreme caution when re‑entering a previous cut.
Engage spiked bumpers into wood and allow chain to
reach full speed before proceeding with cut.
• Do not attempt plunge cuts or bore cuts.
• Watch for shifting branches or other forces that could close
a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
Kickback Safety Features
WARNING: The following features are included on
your pole saw to help reduce the hazard of kickback;
however such features will not totally eliminate this
dangerous reaction. As a pole saw user do not rely only
on safety devices. You must follow all safety precautions,
instructions, and maintenance in this manual to help