General Safety Rules, Read ALL Instructions

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING:

Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below, may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

nKnow your tool. Read the operator’s manual carefully. Learn the saw’s applications and limitations as well as the specific potential hazards related to this tool.

�n 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 lightning-fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator. Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw, which could result in serious personal injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into the saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.

•With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.

•Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running. Place your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front handle with your thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip together with a stiff left arm will help you maintain control of the saw if kickback occurs.

•Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstructions. DO NOT let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, fence, or any other obstruction that could be hit while you are operating the saw.

•Cut at high engine speeds. Always cut with the engine running at full speed. Fully squeeze the throttle trigger and maintain a steady cutting speed.

•Do not overreach or cut above chest height.

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

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

nDo not operate a chain saw with one hand. Serious injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders, or any com- bination of these persons may result from one-handed operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use.

nDo not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued. Fatigue causes carelessness. Be more cautious before rest periods and towards the end of your shift. Never operate a chain saw when you are tired or under the influence of medication, drugs, or alcohol.

nUse safety footwear. Wear snug-fitting clothing,

protective gloves, and eye, hearing, and head protection devices.

nDo not stand on any unstable surface while using the chain saw, that includes ladders, scaffolds, trees, etc.

nUse caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw at least 30 feet from the fueling point before starting the engine.

nDo not allow other persons to be near the chain saw when starting or cutting with the chain saw. Keep bystanders and animals out of the work area.

nDo not start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path from the falling tree.

nKeep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the engine is running.

nAlways carry the chain saw with the engine stopped and the brake engaged, the guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from your body. When transporting the chain saw, use the appropriate guide bar scabbard.

nDo not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improp- erly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the throttle control trigger is released.

�n Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw down. Do not leave the engine running unattended. As an additional safety precaution, apply the chain brake prior to setting down the saw.

�n Use extreme caution when cutting small-size brush and saplings because slender material may catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.

�n When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for springback so that you will not be struck when the tension in the wood fibers is released.

�n Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture.

nBeware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated areas.

�n Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have been specifically trained to do so.

nDo not cut from a ladder; this is extremely dangerous.

nAll chain saw service, other than the items listed in the instruction manual and all maintenance, should be performed by competent chain saw service personnel. (For example, if improper tools are used to remove the flywheel or if an improper tool is used to hold the flywheel in order to remove the clutch, structural damage to the flywheel could occur and subsequently could cause the flywheel to burst.)

nAlways have a fire extinguisher available when using chain saw.

nUse only the replacement guide bars and low kickback chains specified for the saw.