McCulloch MAC 838 Reduce the Chance of Kickback, Maintain Control, Avoid Pinch-Kickback

SMix and pour fuel in an outdoor area on bare ground; store fuel in a cool, dry, well venti- lated place; and use an approved, marked container for all fuel purposes. Wipe up all

fuel spills before starting saw.

SMove at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fuel- ing site before starting engine.

STurn the engine off and let saw cool in a non-combustible area, not on dry leaves, straw, paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel cap and refuel unit.

SStore the unit and fuel in an area where fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames from water heaters, electric motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

KICKBACK

WARNING: Avoid kickback which can result in serious injury. Kickback is the backward, upward or sudden forward motion of the guide bar occurring when the saw chain near the upper tip of the guide bar con- tacts any object such as a log or branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign ob- ject in the wood can also result in loss of chain saw control.

SRotational Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the up- per tip of the guide bar. This contact can cause the chain to dig into the object, which stops the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back to- ward the operator.

SPinch-Kickbackcan occur 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 saw to move in the opposite direction of the chain rotation. The saw 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 saw chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stopping pulls the saw forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the operator to lose control of the saw.

Avoid Pinch-Kickback:

SBe extremely aware of situations or obstruc- tions that can cause material to pinch the top

of or otherwise stop the chain.

SDo not cut more than one log at a time.

SDo not twist the saw as the bar is with- drawn from an undercut when bucking.

Avoid Pull-In:

SAlways begin cutting with the engine at full

speed and the saw housing against wood. S Use wedges made of plastic or wood.

Never use metal to hold the cut open.

Kickback Path

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 through a particular log or branch.

S Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback occurring. Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening and main- tenance instructions. Check tension at regu- lar intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely tightened after ten- sioning 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 log 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 logs 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 saw.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Stand to the left of the saw

Never reverse hand positions

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