Poulan 530088788 operating instructions Reduce the Chance Kickback, Maintain Control

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.

STurn the engine off and let saw cool in a non-combustible area, not on dry 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 flames from water heaters, electric motors or switches, furnaces, etc.

KICKBACK

WARNING: Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause the chain to dig into the object, which stops the chain for an instant. The result is a light- ning 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. Guard

against kickback

Rotational Kickback is the rapid upward and backward motion of the chain saw that can occur when the moving saw chain near the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar contacts an object such as a log or a branch. Pinch-Kickback and Pull-Inoccur when the chain is suddenly stopped by being pinched, caught, or by contacting a foreign object in the wood. 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 saw straight back toward the operator. Pull-In pulls the saw away from the operator. Either reaction can result in loss of control and seri- ous injury.

Avoid Pinch-Kickback:

S Be extremely aware of situations or ob- structions that can cause material to pinch the top of or otherwise stop the chain.

SDo not cut more than one log at a time.

S Do not twist the saw as the bar is with- drawn from an undercut when bucking.

Avoid Pull-In:

S Always begin cutting with engine at full speed and saw housing against wood.

SUse wedges made of plastic or wood. Nev- er use metal to hold the cut open.

Kickback Path

Avoid Obstructions

Clear The Working Area

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF

KICKBACK

S Recognize 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 ob- ject at the tip of the guide bar.

SKeep the working area free from obstruc- tions such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could

hit while you are cutting through a particu- lar 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 ten- sion at regular intervals with the engine stopped, never with engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely tight-

ened after tensioning the chain.

SBegin and continue cutting at full speed. If chain is moving at a slower speed, there is

greater chance of kickback occurring.

SCut one log at a time.

S Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut.

SDo not attempt cuts starting with the tip of

the bar (plunge cuts).

SWatch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.

SUse Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low- Kickback Chain specified for your saw.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Stand to the left of the saw

Never reverse hand positions

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