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.
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.
S
driven straight back toward the operator. S
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.
S Use extreme caution when
SDo not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatch for shifting of wood or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
SUse the
MAINTAIN CONTROL
SKeep a good, firm grip on the pruner with both hands when the engine is running and don’t let go. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control. Keep the fin- gers of your left hand encircling and your left thumb under the assist handle. Keep your right hand completely around the
throttle handle whether your are right hand- ed or left handed.
SStand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
SStand slightly to the left side of the pruner to keep your body from being in a direct line with the cutting chain.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
The following features are included on your pruner to help reduce the hazard of kickback; however, such features will not totally eliminate this danger. As a pruner user, do not rely only on safety devices. You must follow all safety precautions, instructions, and maintenance in this manual to help avoid kickback and other forces which can result in serious injury.
S
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