Thereshouldbenosmoking,openflames, orworkthatcouldcausesparks.AIIowen- gineto coolbeforerefueling.
•Mixandpourfuelin an outdoorareaon bareground;storefuelinacool,dry,well ventilatedplace;and use an approved, markedcontainerfor all fuel purposes. Wipeupallfuelspillsbeforestartingsaw.
•Moveatleast10feet(3meters)fromfuel- ingsitebeforestartingengine.
•Turntheengineoff andletsawcoolin a
•Storetheunitandfuelinanareawherefuel vaporscannot reach sparks or open flamesfromwaterheaters,electricmotors orswitches,furnaces,etc.
KICKBACK
a_WARNIN_: Avoidkickbackwhich canresultinseriousinjury.Kickbackis the
backward, upward orsudden forward motion of the guide bar occurring when the saw chain near the upper tip of the guide bar con- tacts any object such as a log or branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contacting aforeign ob- ject in the wood can also result in loss of chain saw control.
•RotationalKickbackcanoccurwhenthe moving chain contacts an object at the up- per tip of the guide bar. This contact 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 to- ward the operator.
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stopped. This sudden stopping of the chain results in a reversal of the chain force used to cut wood and causes the
sawto move inthe oppositedirectionofthe chain rotation. The saw is driven straight back toward the operator.
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cause the operator to lose control of the saw.
Avoid
•Be extremely aware of situations or ob- structions that can cause material to pinch the top of or otherwise stop the chain.
•Do not cut more than one log at a time.
•Do not twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid
•Always begincuttingwiththeengineatfull speed and the saw housing against wood.
•Use wedges made of plastic or wood. Never use metal to hold the cut open.
ack Path
Avoid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
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 ob- ject at the tip of the guide bar.
•Keep the working area free from obstruc- tions such as othertrees, branches, rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact branch or other objects around it.
•Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback occurring. Follow manufacturer's chain sharpening
and maintenanceinstructions. Checkten- sion at regular intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely tightened after tensioning the chain.
•Beginandcontinuecuttingatfullspeed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greaterchance of kickback occur- ring.
•Cut one log at a time.
•Use extreme caution when
•Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
•Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
•Use the
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Stand to the left of_ the saw
Never reverse hand positions
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