9
tip in the danger zone with any hard object.
Kickback can also be caused by pinching the
sawchain along the top of the guide bar. This
action may push the guide bar rapidly back
toward the operator. Either of these events
may cause you to lose control of the saw
which could result in serious injury or even
death. DONOT RELY UPON ANY OF THE
SAFETY DEVICES BUILT INTO YOUR
SAW. YOU SHOULD USE THE SAW
PROPERLY AND CAREFULLYTO AVOID
KICKBACK. Reduced--kickback guide bars
and low--kickback saw chains reduce the
chance and magnitude of k ickback and are
recommended. Your saw has a low kick-
back chain and bar as original equipment . If
the brake band is worn too thin it maybreak
when the chain brake is triggered. With a
broken brake band, the chain brake will not
stopthe chain. Thechain brake should be re-
placed by an authorized service deal er if any
part is worn to less than 1/32” thick. Repairs
on a chain brake should be made by an au-
thorized service dealer. Take your unit to the
place of purchase if purchased from a ser-
vicing dealer, or to the nearest authorized
master service dealer.
SThis saw is equipped with a chain brake.
The brake is designed to stop the chain if
kickback occurs.
SThe inertia--activated chain brake is
activated if the front handguard is pushed
forward, either manually (by hand) or
automatically (by sudden movement).
SIf the brake is already activated, it is
disengaged by pulling the f ront hand guard
back toward the front handle as far as
possible.
SWhenc utting with the saw, the chain brake
must be disengaged.

Disengaged

Engaged

Braking function control

CAUTION: The chain brake must be
checked several times daily. The engine
mustbe running whenperforming this proce-
dure. This is the only ins tance when the saw
should be placed on theground wit h theen-
gine running.
Place the saw on firm ground. Hold the han-
dles with both hands and apply full throttle.
Activate the chain brake by turning your left
wrist against the handguard without releas -
ing your grip around the front handle. The
chain should stop immediately.

Inertia activating function control

WARNING: When performing the
following procedure, the engine must be
turned off.
Hold the chain saw approximately 14” (35
cm)above a stump or other wooden surface.
Release your grip on the front handle and
use the weight of the saw to let the top of the
guide bar fall forward and contact t he stump.
When the tip of the bar hits the stump, the
brake should activate.
CUTTING METHODS

IMPORTANTPOINTS

SCheck chain tension before first use and
after 1 minute of operation. See CHAIN
TENSION in the ASSEMBLY section.
SCut wood only. Do not cut metal, plasti cs,
masonry, non-wood building materials,
etc.
SStop the saw if the chain strikes a foreign
object. Inspect the saw and repair or re-
place parts as necessary.
SKeepthe chain out of dirt and sand. Evena
small amount of dirt will quickly dull a chain
and thus increase the possibility of kick-
back.
SPractice cutting a f ew small logs using t he
following techniques toget the “feel” of us-
ing your saw before you begin a major
sawing operation.
SSqueeze the throttle trigger and al-
low the engine to reach full speed
before cutting.
SBegin cutting with the saw frame
against the log.
SKeep the engine at full speed the en-
tire time you are cutting.
SAllow the chain to cut for you. Exert
only light downward pressure. If you
force the cut, damage to the bar,
chain, or engine can result.
SRelease the throttle trigger assoon
as the cut is completed, allowing the
engine to idle. If you run the saw at
full throttle without acutting load, un-
necessary wear can occur to the
chain, bar, and engine.
SToavoid l osing control when cut is
complete, do not put pressure on
saw at end of cut.
SStop the engine before setting the saw
down after cutting.

TREE FELLING TECHNIQUES

WARNING: Check for broken or
dead branches which can fall while cutting
causing serious injury. Donot cut near build-
ingsor electric al wires if you do not knowthe
direction of tree fall, nor cut at night since you
will not be ale to see well, nor during bad
weather such as rain, snow, or strong winds,
etc.
SCarefully plan your sawing operation in ad-
vance.
SClearthe work area. Youneeda c lear area
allaround the t ree so you can have secure
footing.
SStudy the natural conditions that can
cause the tree to fall in a particular direc-
tion.