4
CS-355T
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
Kickback Safety Precautions for Chain Saw Users
1. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can
reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden
surprise contributes to accidents.
2. Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands,
the right hand on the rear handle, and the left hand
on the front handle, when the engine is running. Use
a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the
chain saw handles.
A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and
maintain control of the saw. Don’t let go.
3. Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is
free from obstructions.
Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log,
branch, or any other obstruction which could be hit
while you are operating the saw.
4. Cut at high engine speeds.
5. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
6. Follow manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
7. Only use replacement bars and chains specified by
the manufacturer or the equivalent.
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 personal injury.
The Kick Guard
®
device is not installed on the guide bar
when you purchase your ECHO chain saw. The Kick
Guard
®
can be used in a majority of cutting operations,
and is especially recommended for beginners, home-
owners, or chain saw novices. Most cutting operations
can be accomplished with the Kick Guard
®
in place.
Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into
your saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several
steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
Linear kickback
Rotational kickback
Chain moving downward at impact
Rotational kickback
Reduced radius
belongs on top
Pinch
Kickback