SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNINGDANGER

Do not attempt to start or operate your pole saw until you have carefully read and completely understand your Operator’s and Safety Manuals. Locate, understand and follow the warning decals on your pole saw. Be familiar with the controls and the proper use of the unit. Know how to shut the unit off. Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious injury or death.

WARNINGDANGER

Kickback Safety Precaution for Pole Saw Users

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 (this is called a rotational kickback). Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator (this is called a linear kickback). Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the unit, which could result in serious injury.

Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your pole saw. As a pole 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. Understand that rotational kickback is preventable by keeping an unshielded guide bar nose from touching an object or the ground.

•Do not operate a pole saw with one hand! This can result in the pole saw “skating” or skidding, which can result in personal injury due to loss of control. Serious injury to the operator, helpers or bystanders may result from one-handed operation. For proper control, always use two hands when operating a pole saw.

•Keep a good firm grip on the pole saw with both hands, with the right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle, when the engine or motor is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the pole saw handles and grips. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control of the pole saw. Don’t let go.

•Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from obstruc- tions. Do not let the unshielded guide bar nose contact a log, branch, or any other obstruction while you are operating the unit.

•Normally cutting at high engine speeds will reduce the likelihood of kickback. However, cutting at part-throttle or low engine speeds may be preferable to control the pole saw in tight situations and may also reduce the likelihood of kickback.

8