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SPECIAL SAFETY SECTION
ill i i i liiliii,iii,i i i,
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback isa dangerous reaction that can lead toserious
injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices pro-
vided with yoursaw. As a chain saw user, you must take
special safety precautions to help keep your cutting jobs
free from accident or injury.
,A KICKBACK WARNING
Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts
anobject atthe upper portion of the tipoftheguide bar
or when the wood closes inand pinches the saw chain
inthe cut. Contact at the upper portion ofthe tip of the
guidebsrcan causethe chain to dig intothe 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.
i
Figure I
AVOID
OBSTRUCTIONS
CLEAR
WORKING AREA
Figure 2
NEVER STAND
REVERSE TO THE
HAND LEFT OF
POSITIONS THE SAW
ELBOW
LEFT HAND
Figure 3
MB ON
UNDER SIDE
_ OF HANDLEBAR
REDUCINGKICKBACK
1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
the element of surprise which contributes to
accidents.
2. Neverletthe moving chain contact any object atthe
tip of the guide bar. Figure1.
3. Keep the working area free from obstructions
such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences,
stumps, etc. Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you
are cutting through a particular Iogor branch.
4. Keep your saw chain Sharp and properly ten-
sioned. Followmanufacturer's chainsharpening and
maintenance instructions.Check tension_at regular
intervalswiththeenginestopped,neverwiththeengine
running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely
tightened after tensioningthe chain. A loose or dull
chaincan increase thechance ofkickback.
5. Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If the
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater
chance for kickback to occur.
6. Cutonlyone Iogatatime.
7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a cut.
8. Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into the chain.
Use only the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-Kickback Chain specifiedfor yoursaw.
10.
MAINTAINING CONTROL
1. Keep a good firm gripon the saw with both hands
when the engine is running and don't let go.
Figure 3. A firm grip can neutralize kickback and
help you 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
you are right handed or I.efthanded. Keep your left
arm straight with the e_bow locked,
2. Position your left hand on the front handlebar soit
isin a straight line with yourright hand on the rear
handle when making bucking cuts. Figure 3.Never
reverse right and left hand positionsfor any type of
cutting.
3. Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
4. Stand slightly to the left side of the saw, to keep
your body from being in a direct line with the
cutting chain. Figure 3.
5. Do not overreach. Yo0 could be drawn or thrown
off balance and lose control of the saw.
6. Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult to
maintain controlof the saw above shoulder height.
3