OPERATING
Kickback
WARNING! Kickback can happen very
!suddenly and violently; kicking the power cutter and cutting blade back at the user. If this happens when the cutting blade 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.
The word kickback is used to describe the sudden reaction that causes the power cutter and cutting blade to be thrown from an object when the upper quadrant of the blade, known as the kickback zone, touches an object.
General rules
Kickback only occurs when the cutting blades kickback zone touches an object.
•Never use the kickback zone of the blade for cutting.
•Keep a good balance and a firm foothold. Stand at a comfortable distance from the work piece.
•Always cut at maximum speed.
•Take care when inserting the blade in an existing cut. Never cut in a narrower
•Never cut above shoulder height.
•Be alert to movement of the work piece or anything else that can occur, which could cause the cut to close and pinch the blade.
Pinching kickback
Pinching is when the cut closes and pinches the blade. If the blade is pinched or stalled the reactive force will be strong and you might not be able to control the power cutter.
If the blade is pinched or stalled in the kickback zone, the reactive force will push the power cutter up and back towards the user in a rotating motion causing serious or even fatal injury.
How to aviod kickback
Avoiding kickback is simple.
•The work piece must always be supported so that the cut stays open when cutting through. When the cut opens there is no kickback. If the cut closes and pinches the blade ther is always a risk of kickback.
•Take care when inserting the blade in an existing cut.
•Be alert to movement of the work piece or anything else that can occur, which could cause the cut to close and pinch the blade.
Transport and storage
•Secure the equipment during transportation in order to avoid transport damage and accidents.
•For transport and storage of Blades, see the section "Blades".
•For transport and storage of fuel, see the section "Fuel handling".
•Store the equipment in a lockable area so that it is out of reach of children and unauthorized persons.
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