4
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Follow all safety rules to help avoid k ick-
back and other forces which can result in
serious injury.
Kickback Path
A
v
oid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
WARNING: Avoid kickback which
canresult in serious injury. Kickback is
the backward, upward or sudden for-
ward motion of the guide bar occurring
whenthe saw chain near the uppertip of
the guide bar contactsany object such
as a log or branch, or when the wood
closes in and pinches the saw chain in
the cut. Contacting a foreign objectin
thewood can also result in loss of chain
saw control.
SRotational Kickbackcan occurwhen
the moving chain contacts an objectat
the upper tip of the guide bar.This con-
tactcancausethechaintodigintothe
object, which stops the chain for an
instant. The result is a lig htning fast, re-
versereaction which kicksthe guide bar
up and back toward the operator.
SPinch-Kickback can occur when the
the wood closes in and pinches the
moving saw chain in thecut along the
topof the guide bar and the saw chain is
suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-
ping ofthe chain results in a reversal of
the chain force used to cut wood and
causes the sawto move in the opposite
direction ofthe ch ainrotation. The saw
isdriven straight back toward the opera-
tor.
SPull-In can occur when the moving
chain contacts a foreign object in the
wood in the cut along the bottom ofthe
guidebar and the saw chain is suddenly
stopped.This sudden stopping pulls the
saw forward and away fromthe opera-
tora ndcould easily cause the operator
to lose controlof the saw.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
The following precautions should be fol-
lowed to minimize kickback:
SRecognize that kickback can happen.
Witha basic unde rstanding of kickback,
you can reducethe element of surprise
which contributes toa ccidents.
SNever let the moving chain contact any
object at the tip of the guide bar.
SKeep working area free from obstru c-
tions such as other trees, branches,
rocks,fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or
avoid any obstruction that your saw
chain could hit while cutting.
SWhen cutting a branch, do not let the
guidebar contact another branch or oth-
er objects aroundit.
SKeep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dullchain can in-
crease the chance of kickback.Follow
manufacturer’s chain sharpening and
maintenance instructions. Check ten-
sion at regular intervals, but never with
engine running. Make sure bar clamp
nuts are securely tightened.
SBeginand continue cutting at full speed.
Ifthe chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greaterchanc eof kickback oc -
curring.
SUse extreme caution when re-entering
acut.
SDo not attempt cutsstarting with the tip
of the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatch for shifting logs or other objects
that could close a cut and pinch orfall
onto chain.
SUse the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low Kickback Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
SBe extremelya wareof situations or ob-
structions that can cause material to
pinch the top of or otherwisestop the
chain.
SDo not cutmore than one log at a time.
SDo not twistthe saw as thebar is with-
drawn froman un dercut when bucking.
AvoidPull-In:
SAlwaysbe gincu ttingwith the saw at full
speed and the saw housing against
wood.
SUse wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metalto hold the cut open.
MAINTAINCONTROL
SA good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands will help you maintain control.
Don’t let go. Grip the rear handle with
yourright hand whe ther you are right or
lefthanded. Wrap the fingers ofyour left
hand over and aroundthe front handle-
bar,and yourleft thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your left arm straight
with the elbow locked.