Page 8 — English
ROTATIONAL
KICKBACK
KICKBACK
DANGER ZONE
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
BAR SHOWN WITHOUT
SAFE-T-TIP NOSE GUARD
FOR ILLUSTRATION
PURPOSES ONLY
KICKBACK
See Figures 1 - 2.
WARNING:
Kickback may occur when the moving chain
contacts an object at the upper portion of the
tip of the guide bar or when the wood closes in
and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at
the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can
cause the chain to dig into the object and stop
the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning
fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar
up and back toward the operator. If the saw
chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar,
the guide bar can be driven rapidly back toward
the operator. Either of these reactions can cause
loss of saw control which can result in serious
injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety
devices built into the saw. As a chain saw user,
you should take several steps to keep your cut-
ting jobs free from accident or injury.
The following precautions should be followed
to minimize kickback:
Always grip the saw firmly with both hands.
Hold the saw firmly with both hands when
the unit is running. Place your right hand on
the rear handle and your left hand on the
front handle with your thumbs and fingers
encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip
together with a stiff left arm will help you main-
tain control of the saw if kickback occurs.
Make sure that the area in which you are cut-
ting is free from obstructions. Do not let the
nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch,
fence, or any other obstruction that could be
hit while you are operating the saw.
Always cut with the unit running. Fully
squeeze the switch trigger and maintain cut-
ting speed.
Use replacement parts such as low kickback
chain, chain brakes, SAFE-T-TIP anti-kick-
back nose guards and special guide bars that
reduce the risks associated with rotational
kickback. Use only the replacement guide
bars and low kickback chains specified by
the manufacturer for the saw.
With a basic understanding of kickback, you
can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise.
Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times.
Do not cut above chest height or overreach
when cutting. Do not let nose of guide bar con-
tact log, branch, ground, or other obstruction.
Keep the SAFE-T-TIP anti-kickback nose guard
properly mounted on the guide bar to prevent
rotational kickback.
Follow the sharpening and maintenance instruc-
tions for the saw chain.
Push and Pull — This reaction force is always
opposite to the direction the chain is moving
where wood contact is made. Thus, the operator
must be ready to control the PULL when cutting
on the bottom edge of the bar, and PUSH when
cutting along the top edge.
See Figure 3.
CHAIN SAW SAFETY WARNINGS
