Black & Decker NPP2018R instruction manual General Safety Rules, Service

625116-00 NPP2018 Pole 11/12/04 9:11 AM Page 3

-if Pole Saw is damaged, adjusted wrong, or not fully and securely assembled

-if trigger does not turn Pole Saw on and off. Chain must stop moving when you release trigger. Have faulty switch replaced by authorized service center. See “Service Information”.

-while in a hurry

-while in tree or on a ladder

-while on aerial booms, buckets or platforms

-during high wind or storming weather

General Safety Rules

WARNING: Shock Hazard. To protect yourself from electrocution, do not operate within 50 feet (15 m) of overhead electrical lines. Failure to do this could result in severe personal injury.

•To protect yourself from falling branches do not stand directly under the branch or limb being cut. This unit should not be held at an angle over 60 degrees from ground level.

•Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil.

•Before you start the unit, make sure the chain is not contacting any object.

•Make sure the cutting chain has stopped before setting the unit down.

Service

•Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury. See “Service Information”.

•When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance Instructions may create a risk of electric shock or injury.

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 lightning fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the operator. 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 user.

The following precautions should be followed to minimize kickback:

•Grip Pole Saw firmly. Hold the saw firmly with both hands when the unit is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the saw handle and pole.

•Do not over reach.

•Keep proper footing and balance at all times.

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

•Do not extend Pole Saw handle above shoulder height.

•Use devices such as low kickback chain, chain braking system and special guide bars that reduce the risks associated with kickback.

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

•Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar.

•Keep the working area free from obstructions 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.

•Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback. Check tension at regular intervals with the motor stopped and battery removed.

•Begin and continue cutting only with the chain moving at full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is a greater chance for kickback to occur.

•Cut one branch at a time.

•Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut. Engage spiked bumpers into wood and allow chain to reach full speed before proceeding with cut.

•Do not attempt plunge cuts or bore cuts.

•Watch for shifting branches or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.

3