4
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Follow all safety rules to help avoid kick-
back and other forces which can result in
serious injury.
Kickback Path
Avoid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
WARNING:
Avoid kickback which
can result in serious injury.
Kickback
is
the backward, upward or sudden for-
ward motion of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the upper tip 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. Contacting a foreign object in
the wood can also result in loss of chain
saw control.
S
Rotational Kickback
can occur when
the moving chain contacts an object at
the upper tip of the guide bar. This con-
tact can cause the chain to dig into the
object, which stops the chain for an
instant. The result is a lightning fast, re-
verse reaction which kicks the guide bar
up and back toward the operator.
S
Pinch-Kickback
can occur when the
the wood closes in and pinches the
moving saw chain in the cut along the
top of the guide bar and the saw chain is
suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-
ping of the chain results in a reversal of
the chain force used to cut wood and
causes the saw to move in the opposite
direction of the chain rotation. The saw
is driven straight back toward the opera-
tor.
S
Pull-In
can occur when the moving
chain contacts a foreign object in the
wood in the cut along the bottom of the
guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly
stopped. This sudden stopping pulls the
saw forward and away from the opera-
tor and could easily cause the operator
to lose control of the saw.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
The following precautions should be fol-
lowed to minimize kickback:
S
Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kickback,
you can reduce the element of surprise
which contributes to accidents.
S
Never let the moving chain contact any
object at the tip of the guide bar.
S
Keep working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,
rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or
avoid any obstruction that your saw
chain could hit while cutting.
S
When cutting a branch, do not let the
guide bar contact another branch or oth-
er objects around it
.
S
Keep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback. Follow
manufacturer’s chain sharpening and
maintenance instructions. Check ten-
sion at regular intervals, but never with
engine running. Make sure bar clamp
nuts are securely tightened.
S
Begin and continue cutting at full speed.
If the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greater chance of kickback oc-
curring.
S
Use extreme caution when re-entering
a cut.
S
Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip
of the bar (plunge cuts).
S
Watch for shifting logs or other objects
that could close a cut and pinch or fall
onto chain.
S
Use the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low Kickback Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
S
Be extremely aware of situations or ob-
structions that can cause material to
pinch the top of or otherwise stop the
chain.
S
Do not cut more than one log at a time.
S
Do not twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid Pull-In:
S
Always begin cutting with the saw at full
speed and the saw housing against
wood.
S
Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
S
A good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands will help you maintain control.
Don’t let go. Grip the rear handle with
your right hand whether you are right or
left handed. Wrap the fingers of your left
hand over and around the front handle-
bar, and your left thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your left arm straight
with the elbow locked.
