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EnGLIsh
of the chain saw for operations different than intended could
result in a hazardous situation.
Causes and Operator Prevention of Kickback:
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 sudden 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. 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.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating
procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper
precautions as given below:
•
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling
the chain saw handles, with both hands on the saw
and position your body and arm to allow you to resist
kickback forces.
Kickback forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions are taken. Do not let go of the
chain saw.
•
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height.
This helps prevent unintended tip contact and enables better
control of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
•
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer.
Incorrect replacement bars and chains may
cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
•
Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge
height can lead to increased kickback.
The Following Precautions Should Be
Followed to Minimize Kickback:
1 .
Grip saw firmly. Hold the chain saw firmly with both
hands when the motor is running. Use a firm grip with
thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles.
Chain saw will pull forward when cutting on the bottom edge
of the bar, and push backward when cutting along the top
edge of the bar.
2 .
Do not over reach.
3 .
Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
4 .
Don’t let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch,
ground or other obstruction.
5 .
Don’t cut above shoulder height.
6 .
Use devices such as low kickback chain and reduced
kickback guide bars that reduce the risks associated
with kickback.
7 .
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
8 .
Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip
of the guide bar.
9 .
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.
10 .
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
tool unplugged, never with the motor running.
11 .
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.
12 .
Cut one log at a time.
13 .
Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut.
Engage ribbed bumpers into wood and allow chain to reach
full speed before proceeding with cut.
14 .
Do not attempt plunge cuts or bore cuts.
15 .
Watch for shifting logs 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
saw to help reduce the hazard of kickback; however such
features will not totally eliminate this dangerous reaction.
As a chain saw user do not rely only on safety devices.
You must follow all safety precautions, instructions, and
maintenance in this manual to help 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.
• Low-Kickback Chain, designed with a contoured depth gauge
and guard link which deflect kickback force and allow wood to
gradually ride into the cutter.
• Do not operate chain saw while in a tree, on a ladder, on a
scaffold, or from any unstable surface.
• Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an
operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring.
Contact with a “live” wire will make exposed metal parts of the
tool “live” and shock the operator.
• Do not attempt operations beyond your capacity or
experience. Read thoroughly and understand completely all
instructions in this manual.
• Before you start chain saw, make sure saw chain is not
contacting any object.
• Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to the
operator, helpers, or bystanders may result from one handed
operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use only.
• Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or grease.
• Do not allow dirt, debris, or sawdust to build up on the motor
or outside air vents.
• Stop the chain saw before setting it down.
• Do not cut vines and/or small under brush.
