Reduce the Chance Kickback, Maintain Control

SPinch-Kickbackcan occur when the wood closes in and pinches the moving chain in the cut along the top of the guide bar and the 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 pruner to move in the opposite

direction of the chain rotation. The pruner is driven straight back toward the operator.

S Pull-Incan occur when the moving chain contacts a foreign object in the wood in the cut along the bottom of the guide bar and the chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stop- ping pulls the pruner forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the oper- ator 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 con- tributes to accidents.

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

SKeep 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 ten- sioned. 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, but never with the motor running. Make sure the bar clamp nut is se- curely 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.

SUse extreme caution when re-entering a

previous cut.

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

MAINTAIN CONTROL

SKeep a good, firm grip on the pruner with both hands when the unit 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 com- pletely around the trigger handle whether your

are right handed or left handed.

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

WARNING: The following features are included on your pruner to help reduce the hazard of kickback; however, such features will not totally eliminate this danger. As a pruner user, do not rely only on safety de- vices. 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.

SReduced--Kickback Guide Bar, designed with a small radius tip which reduces the size of

the kickback danger zone on the bar tip.

Reduced Kickback Symmetrical Guide Bar

Small Radius Tip

Symmetrical Guide Bar

Large Radius Tip

SLow--Kickback Chain, designed with a con- toured depth gauge and guard link which de- flect kickback force and allow wood to gradu- ally ride into the cutter. A low kickback chain

has met kickback performance requirements when tested on the representative sample of the chain saws specified in ANSI B175.1.

Contoured Depth Gauge

Elongated Guard Link

		Deflects
		kickback force
	Low--- Kickback	and allows wood
	Low--- Kickback	to gradually ride
	Chain	to gradually ride
	Chain	into cutter
		into cutter
		Can Obstruct Material

Not a Low--- Kickback Chain

MAINTAIN YOUR UNIT IN GOOD WORKING ORDER

SHave all service performed by a qualified service dealer with the exception of the

items listed in the maintenance section of this manual.

S Maintain unit according to recommended procedures.

SMake certain the chain stops moving when trigger switch is released.

SNever modify your unit in any way.