4
straw,paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel c ap
andr efuel unit.
SStorethe unit and fuel in an area where fuel
vapors cannot reach sparks or open
flamesfrom water heaters , electric motors
or switches, furnaces, etc.
KICKBACK
WARNING: Avoid k ickback which
canr esult in serious injury. Kickback is the
backward,upward or sudden forward motion
of the guide bar occurring when the s aw
chainnear the upper tip ofthe guide bar con-
tacts any object such as a log or branch, or
when the wood closes in and pinches the
sawchain in the cut. Contac ting a foreign ob-
ject in the wood can also result in loss of
chain saw control.
SRotationalK ickback canoccur when the
movingchain c ontacts an object at the up-
per 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 lightning fast, reverse reaction
which kicks the guide bar up and back to-
ward the operator.
SPinch-Kickback can occur when the the
wood closes in and pinches the moving
saw chain in the cut along the top of the
guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly
stopped. This sudden stopping of the
chain results in a revers al of the chain
force used to cut wood and causes the
sawto move in the opposite direction of the
chain rotation. The saw is driven straight
back toward the operator.
SPull-In can occur when the moving chain
contacts a foreign object in the woodin the
cutalong the bot tom of the guide bar and the
sawc hainis s uddenly stopped. This sudden
stopping pulls the saw forward and away
fromthe operator and c ould easily cause the
operator to lose control of the saw.
Avoid Pinch--Kickback:
SBe 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.
SDo not twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
AvoidPu ll--In:
SAlways begin cutting with the engine at full
speedand the saw housing against w ood.
SUse wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
Kickback Path
Clear The
WorkingArea
AvoidO bstructions
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
SRecognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kickback,
you can reduce the element of surprise
which contributes to accidents.
SNeverlet t he moving chain contac t any ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
SKeep the working area free from obstruc-
tionssuch as other trees, branc hes, rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid
anyobs truction that your saw 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 saw chain sharp and pr operly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback occurring.
Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening
andmaintenance instruc tions. Check ten-
sion at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Makes ure the bar nuts are securely tight-
enedaft er tensioning the chain.
SBegin and continue cutting at full speed. If
thec hain is moving at a slower speed, there
is greater chance of kickback occurring.
SCut one log at a time.
SUse extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
SDo notattempt 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 c hain.
SUse the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar
and Low--Kickback Chain specified for
your saw.
MAINTAINCONTROL
Never reverse
handpos itions
Standto the
left of the saw
Thumbon
underside of
handlebar
Thumbon underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked
SKeepa good, firm grip on the saw w ith both
hands when the engine is running and
don’tlet go. Afirm grip w ill help you reduce
kickback and maintain control of the saw.
Keep the fingers of your left hand encir-
cling and your left thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your right hand com-