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Rules foR safe opeRation
A. Kickback Safety Precautions for Chain Saw Users
Copyright© 2012 By Echo, Incorporated
All Rights Reserved.
B. Other Safety Precautions
1. Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious
injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders, or any com-
bination of these persons may result from one-handed
operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed
use.
2. Do not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued.
3. Use safety footwear; snug-tting clothing; protective
gloves; and eye, hearing and head protection devices.
Keep long hair away from engine and air intake. Retain
hair with cap or net.
4. Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw at
least 3 m (10 feet) from the fueling point before starting
the engine.
5. Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw
when starting or cutting with the chain saw. Keep by-
standers and animals out of the work area.
6. Do not start cutting until you have a clear work area,
secure footing, and a planned retreat path from the
falling tree.
7. Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain
when the engine is running.
8. Before you start the engine, make sure that the saw
chain is not contacting anything.
9. Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the guide
bar and saw chain to the rear, and the mufer away
from your body.
10. Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly
adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled.
Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the
throttle control trigger is released.
11. Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw
down.
12. Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush
and saplings because slender material may catch the
saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off
balance.
13. When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for
spring back so that you will not be struck when the
tension in the wood bers is released.
WARNING!
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 lightning fast
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.
The Kick Guard
®
device is not installed on the guide bar
when you purchase your ECHO chain saw. The Kick Guard
®
can be used in a majority of cutting operations, and is
especially recommended for beginners, homeowners, or
chain saw novices. Most cutting operations can be ac-
complished with the Kick Guard
®
in place.
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 in-
jury.
1. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise
contributes to accidents.
2. Keep a good rm grip on the saw with both hands, the
right hand on the rear handle, and the left hand on the
front handle, when the engine is running. Use a rm
grip with thumbs and ngers encircling the chain saw
handles. A rm grip will help you reduce kickback and
maintain control of the saw. Don’t’ let go.
3. 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, or any other obstruction which
could be hit while you are operating the saw.
4. Cut at high engine speeds.
5. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
6. Follow manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
7. Only use replacement bars and chains, or the equiva-
lent, specied by the manufacturer.