SAFETY Precautions Against Kickback Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices provided with your saw. As a chain saw user, you must take special safety precautions to help keep your cutting jobs free from acci- dent or injury. Basic Safety Precautions Push and Pull The reaction force is always opposite to the direction the chain is moving when wood contact is made. Thus, the operator must be ready to control the PULL ( A ) when cutting on the bottom edge of the bar, and PUSH ( B ) when cutting along the top edge.
WARNING KICKBACK WARNING A KICKBACK occurs 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 your saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury. B With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contrib- utes to accidents. Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running. Place your right hand on the rear handle and the 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 reduce kickback and maintain control of the saw.
Make sure that the area in which you are cutting 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. Keep SAFE-T-TIP® Anti-Kickback Nose Guard properly mounted on the guide bar to prevent kickback. Always cut with the engine running at full speed. Fully squeeze the throttle trigger and maintain a steady cutting speed. Do not overreach or cut above chest height. Follow the sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain. Use only the replacement guide bars and low kickback chains specified for your saw.
Do not adapt your powerhead to a bow guide or use it to power any attachments or devices not listed for your saw. Always hold the chain saw with both hands when the engine is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. Never operate a chain saw when you are fatigued. Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the engine is running. Always carry the chain saw with the engine stopped and chain brake engaged, the guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from your body. When transporting your chain saw, use the appropriate guide bar scabbard. Apply chain brake prior to any repositioning of the operator in the cutting area.
Always use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw at least 10 feet (3m) from the fueling point before starting the engine. Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders, or any combination of these persons may result from one-handed operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use. Never let anyone use your chain saw who has not received adequate instructions in its proper use. This applies to rentals as well as privately owned saws. Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture. Before you start the engine, make sure the saw chain is not contacting any object. Shut off the engine before setting down the saw.
Do not leave the engine running unattended. As an additional safety precaution, apply the chain brake prior to setting down the saw. Operate the chain saw only in well ventilated areas. ATTENTION Your Chain Saw has been fully factory tested. It is normal to find some slight oil residue on the saw. 6 English