KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES
GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the operator’s manual maintenance instruction, is to be performed only 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 to remove the clutch, structural damage to the flywheel could occur. This could cause the flywheel to shatter, resulting in serious injury to operator and bystanders.)
Spark arrester mufflers are standard on ECHO chain saws to reduce the possibility of forest fires. Do not operate the chain saw with a loose or defective muffler. Do not remove the spark arrester screen.
Insist on a replacement guide bar with holes to allow the mounting of the Kick Guard TM device. Insist on the proper replacement saw chain for your chain saw.
PROPER GRIP ON THE SAW - A firm grip is one requirement for chain saw control. The saw should always be held firmly with both hands whenever the engine is running.
Wear
Grasp the front handle firmly behind the front hand guard with your left hand. Always use a wraparound grip, with fingers encircling and the thumb on the underside. Thumb position is the key to a strong grip.
WARNING! Never use a grip where the thumb and finger do not encircle the saw handle. If you use an improper grip, even a slight push or kick of the saw may dislodge your hand. The hand guard is not a handle. Do not pick up or hold the saw by the hand guard.
Grasp the rear handle in the same manner as the front handle. Use index finger to work the throttle trigger, and practice turning off the engine stop switch without losing your grip on the saw.
WARNING! Never hold the saw directly in front of your body where you would be in the line of a kickback. Always keep to the left of the saw.
PROPER STARTING TECHNIQUE- Start the chain saw on the ground. Grip the front handle with your left hand and hold the saw down by putting your right foot on the rear handle. Pull the starter rope with your right hand.
DON’T USE AN OPEN GRIP
KEEP BODY OUT OF CUTTING PLANE
USE PROPER
GROUND STARTING
WARNING! DROP STARTING IS PROHIBITED! DROP STARTING CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE SAW AND POTENTIAL INJURY.
PROPER STANCE, BALANCE AND BODY POSITION FOR CUTTING- After starting, pick up the saw and proceed as follows:
At completion of the cut, let go of the trigger, carefully lift the saw clear, and allow the engine to slow and chain to come to rest before moving away or to another cut.
Moving toward the next place to cut before throttling down and lifting the chain saw clear of the cut can cock the saw blade against the sides of the cut. This can result in a kickback. Always throttle down and let chain come to a stop and lift the saw clear of the wood before moving away.
PLANE OF
CHAIN
ROTATION
THUMB ON UNDER SIDE OF HANDLE BAR
BODY ENTIRELY TO ONE SIDE OF PLANE OF CHAIN ROTATION
STRONG
LEFT ARM
AND ELBOW
POSITION
FOR GOOD
CONTROL
GOOD
CONTROL
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