Other Safety Precautions, More about Kickback

2 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

15.OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORDS: Use only exten- sion cords intended for use outdoor use and so marked accordingly.

16.STAY ALERT: Watch what you are doing. Use com- mon sense. Do not operate the chain saw when you are tired. Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain when the motor is operating. Before you start the saw, make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything.

17.CHECK DAMAGED PARTS: Before further use of the chain saw, a guard or other part that is damaged should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of mov- ing parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and any other conditions that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service center unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this instruc- tion manual.

18.GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK: WARNING: Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Tip contact in some cases may cause a lightening fast reverse action, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the oper- ator. Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator. Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw which could result in serious injury to the user. The following precautions should be followed to minimize kick- back:

A.GRIP SAW FIRMLY: Hold the chain saw firmly with both hands when the motor is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. Note : If a manual oiler con- trol is provided, additional or modified instruc- tions regarding its use is to be provided.

B.Do not over reach.

C.Keep proper footing and balance at all times.

D.Don’t let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, ground or other obstruction.

E.Do not cut above shoulder height.

F.Use devices such as low kickback chain, guide bar nose guards, chain brakes and special guide bars that reduce the risks associated with kick- back.

G.Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the manufacturer or the equivalent.

H.There are no other replacement components for achieving kickback protection in accordance with CSA Z62.3.

19.POWER SUPPLY: Connect the chain saw to correct voltage, that is, be sure that the voltage supplied is the

same as that specified on the nameplate of the tool.

2-3. OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1.DO NOT operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the trigger is released.

2.DO NOT attempt operations beyond your capacity or experience.

3.DO NOT operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to the operator, helpers, or bystanders may result from one-handed operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use.

4.TO REDUCE potential for electric shock, do not oper- ate the saw on wet or slippery surfaces, or during snow storms, rain storms, and other adverse weather conditions.

5.Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or grease.

6.DO NOT allow dirt, debris or sawdust to build up on the motor or outside air vents.

7.Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and mainte- nance instructions for the saw chain.

8.Cut at high motor speeds.

9.Operation of a chain saw should be restricted to mature, properly instructed individuals.

10.Your chain saw is intended for occasional homeowner use. It is not made for continuous heavy duty use.

11.DO NOT FORCE a small saw to do a job requiring a heavier duty unit.

12.EXAMINE THE ELECTRICAL SWITCHES. Do not use the chain saw if the switches do not properly turn on and off. Do not attempt to make any repairs to the electric switches. Take your saw to a McCulloch Authorized Service Center.

13.MAINTAIN EXTENSION CORDS. Inspect the exten- sion cords periodically and replace if damaged. Only use power cords that are suitably marked for outdoor use.

14.DO NOT OPERATE YOUR CHAIN SAW near or around flammable liquids or gases, whether in or out of doors. An explosion and/or fire may result.

15.All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the user manual safety and maintenance instructions, should be performed by competent chain saw person- nel. Do not attempt to repair it yourself; there are no user serviceable parts inside.

16.NEVER REMOVE, modify or make inoperative any safety device furnished with your unit. The CHAIN BRAKE®/Hand Guard is a major safety feature. The saw will not run when the CHAIN BRAKE® is tripped.

17.This electric powered saw is classified according to CAN/CSA-Z62.1-03 as a Class 2C saw. It is intended for infrequent use by homeowner’s, cottagers and campers, and for such general applications such as clearing, pruning, cutting firewood, etc. It is not intend- ed for prolonged use. If the intended use involves pro- longed periods of operation, this may cause circulato- ry problems in the user’s hands due to vibration. It may be appropriate to use a saw having an anti-vibra- tion feature.

18.Safety clothing required by your safety organizations, government regulations, or your employer should be used; otherwise, snug fitting clothing, safety footwear, safety chaps and hand and ear protection should be worn.

19.When felling, keep at least two (2) tree lengths between yourself and your fellow workers.

NOTE: Low-kickback saw chain is chain that has met the kickback performance requirements of ANSI/UL 1662-1995 and is in accordance withCAN/CSA-Z62.1-03.

2-4. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR CHAIN SAW USERS

1.Fatigue causes carelessness. Be more cautious before rest periods and towards the end of your shift.

2.Personal protective clothing required by your safety organizations, government regulations, or your employer should be used. At all times when using a chain saw, snug-fitting clothing, safety chaps protec- tive eye wear, safety footwear, and hand, leg, and hearing protection should be worn.

3.When felling, keep at least two(2)tree lengths away from your fellow workers.

4.Plan your work, ensuring an obstacle-free work area and, in the case of felling, at least one escape path from the falling tree.

5.Follow the instructions in your operator’s manual for starting the chain saw and control the chain saw with a firm grip on both handles when it is in operation. Keep handles dry, clean, and free of oil.

6.When transporting your chain saw, use the appropri- ate transportation covers, which should be available for the guide bar and saw chain.

7.Never operate a chain saw that is damaged or improp- erly adjusted or that is not completely and securely assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the power control system trigger is released. Never adjust the guide bar or saw chain when the motor is operating.

8.Do not attempt a pruning or limbing operation in a standing tree unless specifically trained to do so.

9.Guard against kickback. Kickback is the upward motion of the guide bar that occurs when the saw chain, at the nose of the guide bar, contacts an object. Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of the chain saw.

10.A chain saw is intended for two-handed use. Serious injury to the operator, helpers, and/or bystanders could result from one-handed operation.

11.See section 1-6 for symbol defirmtions, page 14.

12.When carrying a chain saw with the motor running, engage the chain brake.

13.Keep other persons or animals a safe distance away from a running chain saw or the area where a tree is being felled.

14.Use extreme caution when cutting small brush and saplings because slender material can catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you.

15.When cutting a limb that is under tension or compres- sion, be alert for springback.

2-5. MORE ABOUT KICKBACK

WARNING

DANGER! BEWARE OF KICKBACK!

Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of the chain saw and result in serious or fatal injury to the saw operator or to anyone standing close by. Always be alert because rotational kickback and pinch kickback are major chain saw operational dangers and the leading cause of most acci- dents.

BEWARE OF:

ROTATIONAL KICKBACK (Figure 2-5A)

A = Kickback path

B = Kickback reaction zone

2-5A