| IIIII IIIIIIII |
| II I I I IIIIIIIII |
SPECIAL |
| SAFETY SECTION | |
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GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices pro- vided with yoursaw. As a chain saw user, you must take
special safety precautions to help keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
,A KICKBACK WARNING
Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts
an object atthe upper portion of the tipoftheguide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Con tact at the upper portion of the tip of the guidebsrcan causethe chain to dig intothe object and stop the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be
driven rapidly back toward the Operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control which
can result in serious injury.
i
Figure I
AVOID
OBSTRUCTIONS
CLEAR
WORKING AREA
Figure 2 |
|
NEVER | STAND |
REVERSE | TO THE |
HAND | LEFT OF |
POSITIONS | THE SAW |
| ELBOW |
LEFT HAND |
|
| MB ON |
| UNDER SIDE |
_ | OF HANDLEBAR |
Figure 3 |
|
IIIIII | m | iI_ | IIIll | I | llllfill |
REDUCINGKICKBACK
1.Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which contributes to accidents.
2.Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar. Figure 1.
3.Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences,
stumps, etc. Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you
are cutting through a particular Iogor branch.
4.Keep your saw chain Sharp and properly ten- sioned. Followmanufacturer'schainsharpening and maintenance instructions. Check tension_at regular intervalswith theengine stopped,neverwith the engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely tightened after tensioning the chain. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance ofkickback.
5.Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater chance for kickback to occur.
6.Cutonlyone Iogatatime.
7.Use extreme caution when
8.Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9.Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into the chain.
10.Use only the
MAINTAINING CONTROL
1.Keep a good firm gripon the saw with both hands when the engine is running and don't let go. Figure 3. A firm grip can neutralize kickback and help you maintain control of the saw. Keep the fingers of your left hand encircling and your left thumb under the front handlebar, Keep your right hand completely around the rear handle whether
yo u are right handed or I.eft handed. Keep your left arm straight with the e_bow locked,
2.Position your left hand on the front handlebar so it
is in a straight line with you r right hand on the rear handle when making bucking cuts. Figure 3. Never
reverse right and left hand positions for any type of cutting.
3.Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet.
4.Stand slightly to the left side of the saw, to keep your body from being in a direct line with the cutting chain. Figure 3.
5.Do not overreach. Yo0 could be drawn or thrown off balance and lose control of the saw.
6.Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult to maintain controlof the saw above shoulder height.
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