Poulan 530163467, PP5000P Operate Your Pruner Safely, Reduce the Chance Kickback

SInspect entire unit before each use. Replace damaged parts. Check for fuel leaks. Make sure all fasteners are in place and securely

fastened.

SMaintain unit according to recommended pro-

cedures.

S Use only recommended Poulan PRO→ parts and accessories. Never use wire, wire rope, string, flailing devices, etc.

SBe sure chain stops moving when engine

idles (see CARBURETOR ADJUST- MENTS section of powerhead manual).

SKeep others away when making carburetor adjustments.

SNever start the unit with the clutch housing re- moved. The clutch can fly off and cause seri-

ous injury.

SKeep the handles driy, clean, and free of oil or

fuel mixture.

SKeep fuel and oil caps, screws, and fasteners

securely tightened.

SHave all maintenance and service not ex- plained in this manual performed by an autho- rized service dealer.

OPERATE YOUR PRUNER SAFELY

SDo not operate a pruner with one hand. Se- rious injury to the operator, helpers, by- standers or any combination of these per- sons may result from one-handed operation. A pruner is intended for two-

handed use.

SOperate the pruner only in a well-ventilated outdoor area.

SDo not operate pruner from a ladder or in a tree.

SDo not use a pruner to cut down trees or any portion of the tree trunk.

S Only use for pruning limbs or branches overhead not greater than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

SNever stand under the limb you are pruning. Always position yourself out of the path of fal-

ling debris.

SDo not cut small brush and saplings with the pruner. Slender matter may catch in the chain and be whipped toward you, pulling you off

balance.

SMake sure the chain will not make contact with any object while starting the engine. Never try to start the unit when the guide bar is in a cut.

SDo not put pressure on the pruner at the end of the cut. Applying pressure can cause you

to lose control when the cut is completed.

SDo not run the unit at high speed when not

pruning.

SIf you strike or become entangled with a for- eign object, stop the engine immediately and check for damage. Have any damage re- paired by an authorized service dealer before attempting further operations.

SDo not operate a pruner that is damaged, im- properly adjusted, or not completely and se- curely assembled. Always replace bar and chain immediately if it becomes damaged, broken or is otherwise removed.

SAlways stop the unit when work is delayed or when walking from one cutting location to

another. Stop the engine before setting the unit down.

SUse only in daylight or good artificial light. S Use only for jobs explained in this manual (or

manuals for optional attachments).

KICKBACK

WARNING: Avoid kickback which can result in serious injury. Kickback is the backward, upward or sudden forward motion of the guide bar occurring when the chain near the upper tip of the guide bar contacts any object such as a log or branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches the chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign object in the wood can also result in loss of control.

S Rotational Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper tip of the guide bar. This contact 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.

SPinch-Kickbackcan occur when the wood closes in and pinches the moving chain in the cut along the top of the guide bar and the chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stopping of the chain results in a reversal of the chain force used to cut wood and causes the pruner to move in the opposite direction of the chain rotation. The pruner is

driven straight back toward the operator. S Pull-Incan occur when the moving chain

contacts a foreign object in the wood in the cut along the bottom of the guide bar and the chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stop- ping pulls the pruner forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the oper- ator to lose control of the pruner.

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF

KICKBACK

SRecognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which con-

tributes 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, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your chain could hit while you are cutting. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact branch or other

objects around it.

SKeep your chain sharp and properly ten- sioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback occurring. Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check tension at regular intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nut is securely tightened after tensioning the chain.

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

is greater chance of kickback occurring.

SCut one branch at a time.

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