chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stopping pulls the pruner forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the operator to lose control of the pruner.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
SRecognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which
contributes to accidents.
S Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar.
S Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other trees, branches, rocks, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your chain could hit while you are cutting. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact branch or other objects around it.
S Keep your chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback occurring. Follow manufacturer ’s chain sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check tension at regular intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nut is securely tightened after tensioning the chain.
SBegin and continue cutting at full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater chance of kickback occurring.
SCut one branch at a time.
S Use extreme caution when
SDo not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatch for shifting of wood or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
SUse the
MAINTAIN CONTROL
SStand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet.
SStand slightly to the left side of the pruner to keep your body from being in a direct line with the cutting chain.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
The following features are included on your pruner to help reduce the hazard of kickback; however, such features will not totally elimi- nate this danger. As a pruner user, do not rely only on safety devices. You must follow all safety precautions, instructions, and mainte- nance in this manual to help avoid kickback and other forces which can result in serious injury.
S
Reduced Kickback Symmetrical Guide Bar
Small Radius Tip
Symmetrical Guide Bar
Large Radius Tip
S
Contoured Depth Gauge
Elongated Guard Link
S Keep a good, firm grip on the pruner with both hands when the engine is running and don’t let go. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control. Keep the fingers of your left hand encircling and your left thumb under the assist handle. Keep your right hand completely around the throttle handle whether your are right handed or left handed.
| Deflects | |
kickback force | ||
and allows wood | ||
Chain | ||
to gradually ride | ||
| into cutter |
Can Obstruct Material
Not a
SAFETY NOTICE: Exposure to vibrations through prolonged use of gasoline powered hand tools could cause blood vessel or nerve damage in the fingers, hands, and joints of people prone to circulation disorders or ab- normal swellings. Prolonged use in cold weather has been linked to blood vessel dam- age in otherwise healthy people. If symptoms occur such as numbness, pain, loss of strength, change in skin color or texture, or loss of feeling in the fingers, hands, or joints, discontinue the use of this tool and seek med- ical attention. An
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