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.
SRotationalKickbackc an occur when
themoving chain contacts an objectat
theupper tip of theguide bar. This con-
tactcan cause the chain to dig into the
object, which stops the chain for an
instant. The result is a lightning fast,
reversereaction which kicks theguide
bar up and back towardthe operator.
SPinch-Kickbackca n occur when the
the wood closes in and pinches the
movingsaw chain in the cut along the
topof the guide bar and the saw chain
is suddenly stopped. This sudden
stoppingof the chain resultsin a rever-
salof the chain force used to cut wood
andcauses the saw to move in the op-
posite direction of the chain rotation.
Thesaw is driven straight back toward
the operator.
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-
torandcould easilycause the operator
to losec ontrolof 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 tipof the guide bar.
SKeep working areafree from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,
rocks, fences, stumps, etc.Eliminate
oravoid any obstruction that your saw
chain could hitwhile cutting.
SWhen cutting a branch,do not let the
guide bar contact another branch or
otherobjects around it.
SKeep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned.A loose or dullchain can in-
creasethe chance of kickback. Follow
manufacturer’schain sharpening and
maintenanceinstructions. Check ten-
sionat regular intervals,but never with
engine running.Make sure bar clamp
nuts aresec urelytightened.
SBegin and continue cutting at full
speed.If the chain is moving at a slow-
er speed, there is greater chance of
kickbackoccurring.
SUse extreme caution when re-enter-
ing a cut.
SDonot atte mpt cuts starting with the tip
of the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatchfor shiftinglogs or other objects
thatcould close a cut and pinch or fall
onto chain.
SUse the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bara nd Low Kickback Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
SBe extremely aware of situations or
obstructions that can cause material
to pinch the top ofor otherwise stop
the chain.
SDonot cut more than one log at a time.
SDonot twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when buck-
ing.
AvoidPull-In:
SAlways begin cutting with thes aw at
full speed and the saw housing
against wood.
SUse wedges made ofplastic or wood.
Neveruse metal to hold the cut open.
MAINTAINCONTROL
SA good,firm grip on the saw with both
hands will help you maintain control.
Don’tlet go. Grip the rear handle with
your righthand whether you are right
orleft handed.Wrap the fingers ofyour
left hand over and around the front
handlebar,and your left thumb under
thefront handlebar.Keep your left arm
straightwith the elbow locked.