Husqvarna 346XP EPA II, 353 EPA I manual How to avoid kickback, What is kickback?

Page 15

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Bar

Check regularly:

Whether there are burrs on the edges of the bar. Remove these with a file if necessary.

Whether the groove in the bar has become badly worn. Replace the bar if necessary.

Whether the tip of the bar is uneven or badly worn. If a hollow forms on the underside of the bar tip this is due to running with a slack chain.

To prolong the life of the bar you should turn it over daily.

WARNING! Most chain saw accidents

!happen when the chain touches the operator.

Wear personal protective equipment. See instructions under the heading Personal protective equipment.

Do not tackle any job that you feel you are not adequately trained for. See instructions under the headings Personal protective equipment, How to avoid kickback, Cutting equipment and General working instructions.

Avoid situations where there is a risk of

kickback. See instructions under the heading Machines safety equipment.

Use the recommended protective equipment and check its condition. See instructions under the heading General working instructions.

Check that all the chain saw safety features are working. See instructions under the headings General working instructions and General safety precautions.

How to avoid kickback

WARNING! Kickback can happen very

!suddenly and violently; kicking the chain saw, bar and chain back at the user. If this happens when the chain is moving it can cause very serious, even fatal injuries. It is vital you understand what causes kickback and that you can avoid it by taking care and using the right working technique.

What is kickback?

The word kickback is used to describe the sudden reaction that causes the chain saw and bar to jump off an object when the upper quadrant of the tip of the bar, known as the kickback zone, touches an object.

Kickback always occurs in the cutting plane of the bar. Normally the chain saw and bar are thrown backwards and upwards towards the user. However, the chain saw may move in a different direction depending on the way it was being used when the kickback zone of the bar touched the object.

Kickback only occurs if the kickback zone of the bar touches an object.

General rules

1If you understand what kickback is and how it happens then you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. By being prepared you reduce the risk. Kickback is usually quite mild, but it can sometimes be very sudden and violent.

2Always hold the chain saw firmly with your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front handle. Wrap your fingers and thumbs around the handles. You should use this grip whether you are right-handed or left- handed. This grip minimises the effect of kickback and lets you keep the chain saw under control.

Do not let go of the handles!

English – 15

Image 15
Contents Operator’s manual EPA Key to symbols KEY to SymbolsContents Please read the operator’s manual carefully Before using a new chain sawSafety Instructions Machine′s safety equipmentPersonal protective equipment Chain brake and front hand guard Right hand guard Stop switchThrottle lock Chain catcherChecking the inertia brake release MufflerChecking brake band wear Checking the front hand guardRight hand guard Stop switchThrottle lock Chain catcherBar Cutting equipmentGeneral rules Cutting equipment designed to minimise kickbackSharpening your chain and adjusting raker clearance Some terms that describe the bar and chainGeneral information on sharpening cutting teeth General advice on setting raker clearance Setting the raker clearanceSharpening cutting teeth Filling with chain oil Tensioning the chainLubricating cutting equipment Chain oilChecking wear on cutting equipment Checking chain lubricationLubricating the bar tip sprocket Needle bearing lubricationWhat is kickback? How to avoid kickbackGeneral safety precautions Fuel safety StartingTransport and storage General Basic safety rulesGeneral working instructions Basic cutting techniqueCutting Felling direction Tree felling techniqueLimbing Safe distanceDirectional cuts FellingFreeing a trapped tree General adviceFreeing a tree that has fallen badly Cutting the trunk into logsWhat is what on the chain saw? What is WHAT?Fitting the bar and chain AssemblyFuel Handling FuelFollowing applies to chain saws with catalytic converters Fuelling Chain oilFuel Handling Warm engine Starting and StoppingStarting and stopping Cold engineStopping Carburettor MaintenanceTensioning the recoil spring Correctly adjusted carburettorStarter Changing a broken or worn starter cordFitting the starter Air filterSpark plug MufflerCooling system Adjustment of the oil pumpAir Injection centrifugal cleaning Needle bearing lubricationElectrical carburettor heating Temperature 0 C 32 F or colderTemperature -5C 23 F or colder Heated handlesBelow you will find some general maintenance instructions Daily maintenanceWeekly maintenance Monthly maintenanceTechnical data Technical DataBar Chain Length, inches Pitch, inch Max nose radius Your Warranty Rights and Obligations Federal Emission Control Warranty StatementEmission Control Warranty Parts List 1140204-95