3
ventilated place; and use an approved,
marked container for all fuel purposes.
Wipe up all fuel spills before starting saw.
SMove at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fuel-
ing site before starting engine.
STurnthe engine off and let saw cool in a
non-combustible area, not ondry leaves,
straw,paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel cap
and refuel unit.
SStore the unit and fuel in an area where
fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or open
flamesfrom water heaters, electricmotors
or switches, furnaces, etc.
KICKBACK
WARNING: Kickback can occur when
the moving chain contacts an object at the
upper portion of the tip ofthe guide bar or
when the wood closes in and pinches the
saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper
portion of the tipo fthe guide bar can cause
thechain to dig into theobject, whichstops
the chain for an instant. Theresult isa light-
ning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the
guide bar upand back to ward the operator.
If the sawchain 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 con-
trolwhich can result inserious injury. Guard
against kickback
Rotational Kickback is the rapid upward
andb ackward motion of the chain sawthat
canoccur whe n the moving saw chain near
the upperportion of the tip ofthe guide bar
contacts an object such as a log or a
branch.
Pinch-Kickback and Pull-In occur when the
chain is suddenly stopped by being
pinched, caught, or by contacting a foreign
objectin thewood. This sudden stopping of
the chain results in a reversal of the chain
force used to cut wood and causes the saw
to move in the opposite direction of the
chain rotation. Pinch-Kickback drives the
sawst raight back toward the operator.Pull-
Inpulls the saw away from the operator. Ei-
therreaction canresult in loss of control and
serious injury.
Avoid Pinch---Kickback:
SBe extremely aware of situations or ob-
structions that can cause mate rial to
pinch the top of or otherwise stop the
chain.
SDo not cut more than one log at at ime.
SDo not twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
Av o i d P u l l --- I n :
SAlways begin cutting with engine at full
speed and saw housing against wood.
SUse wedges made of plastic or wood.
Neverusemetaltoholdthecutopen.
Kickback Path
Clear the work area; avoid obstructions.
REDUCETHECHANCEOFKICKBACK
SRecognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kickback,
you can reduce the element of surprise
which contributes to accidents.
SNever let the moving chain contact any
object at the tip of the guide bar.
SKeep theworking areafree from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,
rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or
avoidany obstruction that your saw chain
could hit while you are cutting through a
particular log or branch.
SKeep 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 maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals with the en-
ginestoppe d, never with engine running.
Make sure the barclamp nuts are secure-
ly tightened after tensioning the chain.
SBeginand continue cutting at f ull speed. If
chainis moving at a slower speed, there is
greater chance of kickback occurring.
SCutonelogatatime.
SUse extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
SDonot attempt cuts starting with the tip of
the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatchfor shifting logs or other forces that
couldclose a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
SUse Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-KickbackChain specified for your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
SKeepa good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and
don’t let go. A firm grip will help you reduce
kickback and maintain c ontrol of the saw.
Keep the fingers of your le ft hand encircling
andyo ur left thumb under the front handle-
bar. Keep your right hand completely
around the rear handle whether yo ur are
right handed or left handed. Keep your left
armstraight with the elbow locked.
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked