6
S
Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of
the bar (plunge cuts).
S
Watch for shifting logs or other forces that
could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
S
Use the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar
and Low--Kickback Chain specified for
your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Never reverse
hand positions
Stand to the left of
the saw
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked
S
Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and don’t
let go. A firm grip will help you reduce kick-
back and maintain control of the saw. Keep
the fingers of your left hand encircling and
your left thumb under the front handlebar.
Keep your right hand completely around the
rear handle whether your are right handed or
left handed. Keep your left arm straight with
the elbow locked.
S
Position your left hand on the front handle-
bar so it is in a straight line with your right
hand on the rear handle when making
bucking cuts. Never reverse right and left
hand positions for any type of cutting.
S
Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
S
Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to
keep your body from being in a direct line
with the cutting chain.
S
Do not overreach. You could be drawn or
thrown off balance and lose control of the
saw.
S
Do not cut above shoulder height. It is diffi-
cult to maintain control of saw above
shoulder height.
I
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
WARNING
:
The following features are
included on your saw to help reduce the hazard
of kickback; however, such features will not to-
tally eliminate this dangerous reaction. As a
chain saw user, do not rely only on safety de-
vices. 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.
S
Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar, designed
with a small radius tip which reduces the
size of the kickback danger zone on the
bar tip. A Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar has
been demonstrated to significantly reduce
the number and seriousness of kickbacks.
Small Radius Tip
Reduced Kickback
Symmetrical
Guide Bar
Symmetrical Guide Bar
Large Radius Tip
S
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.
Low-Kickback Chain
Contoured Depth Gauge
Elongated Guard Link
Deflects Kickback
Force And Allows
Wood To Gradually
Ride Into Cutter
S
Handguard, designed to reduce the chance
of your left hand contacting the chain if your
hand slips off the front handlebar.
S
Position of front and rear handlebars, de-
signed with distance between handles and
“in-line” with each other. The spread and
“in-line” position of the hands provided by
this design work together to give balance
and resistance in controlling the pivot of
the saw back toward the operator if kick-
back occurs.
WARNING
:
DO NOT RELY UPON
ANY OF THE DEVICES BUILT INTO YOUR
SAW. YOU SHOULD USE THE SAW
PROPERLY AND CAREFULLY TO AVOID
KICKBACK. Reduced--kickback guide bars
and low--kickback saw chains reduce the
chance and magnitude of kickback and are
recommended. Your saw has a low kickback
chain and bar as original equipment. Repairs
on a chain brake should be made by an au-
thorized servicing dealer. Take your unit to
the place of purchase if purchased from a
servicing dealer, or to the nearest authorized
master service dealer.
S
Tip contact in some cases may cause a light-
ning fast reverse REACTION, kicking the
guide bar up and back toward the operator.
S
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the
guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly
back toward the operator.
S
Either of these reactions may cause you to
lose control of the saw which could result
in serious injury. Do not rely exclusively
upon the safety devices built into your saw.