4
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 engine 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.
Kickback Path
Avoid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
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 ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
S
Keep the 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 you are cutting through a particu-
lar log or branch.
S
Keep your saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback occurring.
Follow manufacturer ’s chain sharpening
and maintenance instructions. Check ten-
sion at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Make sure the chain brake nuts are se-
curely tightened after tensioning the chain.
S
Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greater chance of kickback occur-
ring.
S
Cut one log at a time.
S
Use extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
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
kickback and maintain control of the saw.
Keep the fingers of your left hand encir-
cling and your left thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your right hand com-
pletely 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.
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 danger. As a
chain saw user, do not rely only on safety de-
vices. You must follow all safety precau-
tions, 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
