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S Pinch-Kickback can o ccur when the the
wood closes in and pinches the moving
saw chain in the cut along the top of the
guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly
stopped. This sudden stopping of the
chain results in a reversal of the chain
force used to cut wood and causes the
sawtomoveintheoppositedirectionofthe
chain rotation. The saw is driven straight
back toward the operator.
S Pu ll-In can occur when the m oving chain
contacts a foreign ob ject i n the wood in the
cut alongthe bottom ofthe guidebar and the
saw chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden
stopping pulls the saw forward and away
from theoperator and couldeasily causethe
operator to lose control of the saw .
Avoid Pinch--Kickback:
S Be extremely aware of situations or ob-
structions thatcan causematerial topinch
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 begincuttingwith theengineatfull
speed andthesawhousingagainstwood.
S Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
Kickback Path
A
void 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 Neverletthemovingchaincontactanyob-
ject a t the tip of t he guide bar.
S Keep the working area free f rom obstruc-
tionssuchas othertrees,branches,rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid
any obstruction that your saw chain could
hit while you are cutting. When cutting a
branch, do not let the guide ba r contact
branch or other objects around it.
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
andmaintenanceinstructions. Checkten-
sion at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Make sure the chain brake nuts are se-
curelytightenedaftertensioningthechain.
S Beginand continuecuttingat fullspeed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed,
thereis greater chanceofkickback 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 withthe 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
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked
S Keepagood,firmgriponthesawwithboth
hands when the engine is running and
don’tletgo. Afirmgripwillhelpyoureduce
kickback and m aintain control of the saw .
Keep the f ingers of your left h and encir-
cling and your left thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your right hand com-
pletely around the rear handle whether
yourarerighthandedorlefthanded. Keep
your left arm straight with the elbow
locked.
S Positionyourlefthand onthefronthandle-
bar so it is in a straight line with your right
hand on the rear handle when making
bucking cuts. Never reverse rightand left
hand positions for any type of cutting.
S Standwithyourweightevenlybalancedon
both feet.
S Stand slightly tothe leftside of the saw to
keep your body from being in a direct line
with the cutting chain.