Craftsman 358.352680 - 18 IN. BAR manual Operate Your SAW Safely, Guard Against Kickback

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OPERATE YOUR SAW SAFELY

•Do not operate with one hand. Seri- ous injury to the operator, helpers, or bystanders may result from one- handed operation. A chain saw is in- tended for two-handed use.

•Operate the chain saw only in a well- ventilated outdoor area.

•Do not operate saw from a ladder or

in a tree, unless you are specifically trained to do so.

•Make sure the chain will not make

contact with any object while starting the engine. Never try to start the saw when the guide bar is in a cut.

•Do not put pressure on the saw, es- pecially at the end of the cut. Doing so can cause you to lose control when the cut is completed.

°Stop engine before setting saw down.

•Store the unit and fuel in a cool, dry well ventilated space where fuel va- pors cannot reach sparks or open flames from water heaters, electdc motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK

Follow all safety rules to help avoid kickback and other forces which can

result in serious injury.

_ .,,._/, Kickback Path

Avon Obstructions

•Hand carry saw only when engine is stopped. Carry with muffler away from body; guide bar & chain projecting be- hind you; guide bar preferably cov- ered with a scabbard.

Clear The WorkingArea

WARNING; Rotational Kickback can

occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip

MAINTAIN YOUR SAW IN GOOD

WORKING ORDER

-Have all chain saw service performed

by a qualified service dealer except the items listed in the maintenance section of this manual.

•Make certain the saw chain stops moving when the throttle trigger is re- leased. For correction, refer to "Car-

buretor Adjustments."

•Keep the handles dry, clean, and free from oil or fuel mixture.

•Keep caps and fasteners securely tightened.

•Use only Craftsman accessories and replacement parts as recommended. Never modify your saw.

HANDLE FUEL WITH CAUTION

•Do not smoke while handling fuel or while operating the saw.

•Eliminateall sources of sparks or flame in areas where fuel is mixed or poured.

•Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area and use an approved, marked con- tainer for aU fuel purposes. Wipe UP all fuel spills before starting saw.

•Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fueling site before starting.

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

of the guide bar, Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar 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 toward the operator.

Pinch-Kickback and Pull-In occur when the chain is suddenly stopped by being pinched, caught, or by contacting a for- eign object in the wood. This sudden

stopping of the chain results in a rever- sal of the chain force used to cut wood

and causes the saw to move in the op- posite direction of the chain rotation. Pinch-Kickback drives the saw straight back toward the operator. Pull-In pulls the saw away from the operator.

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK

•Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which contributes to accidents.

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

•Keep 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 cutting.

•Keep saw chain sharp and propedy tensioned. A loose or dull chain can