Reduce the Chance Kickback, Maintain Control

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.

SNever let the moving chain contact any ob- ject at the tip of the guide bar.

SKeep 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. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact branch or other objects around it.

SKeep 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 engine running. Make sure the chain brake nuts are securely tightened after tensioning the chain.

SBegin and continue cutting at full speed. If

chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater chance of kickback occurring.

SCut one log at a time.

S Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut.

SDo not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts).

SWatch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.

SUse Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low- Kickback Chain specified for your saw.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Stand to the left of the saw

Thumb on underside of handlebar

Never reverse hand positions

Elbow locked

Thumb on underside of handlebar

SKeep 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 complete- ly around the rear handle whether your are right handed or left handed. Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked.

SPosition 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.

SStand with your weight evenly balanced on

both feet.

SStand 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 saw.

SDo 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 dangerous reac- tion. As a chain saw user, do not rely only on safety devices. You must follow all safety precautions, 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 bar tip. A Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the number and seriousness of kickbacks when tested in accordance with safety re- quirements for gasoline powered chain saws as set by ANSI B175.1.

Reduced Kickback Symmetrical Guide Bar

Small Radius Tip