4
Avoid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
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 the moving chain cont act any ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
SKeep the working area free from obstruc-
tionssuch as othertrees, branches, rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid
any obstruction that your saw chai n 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 properly
tensioned. A loos e or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback occurring.
Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening
andmaintenanc e instructions. Check ten-
sion at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Make sure the chain brake nuts are se-
curely tightened aftertensioni ng thechain.
SBegin and continue cutting at full speed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greater chance of kickback occ ur-
ring.
SCut one log at a time.
SUse extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
SDo not attempt cuts starting withthe tip of
the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatch for shifting logs or ot her forces that
could close a cut and pinch or fall into
chain.
SUse the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar
and Low--Kickback Chain specified for
your saw.
MAINTAINCONTROL
Never reverse
hand positions
Stand to the
left of the saw
Thumb on
underside of
handlebar
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked
SKeepa good, f irm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and
don’t let go. Afirm grip will help you reduce
kickback and maintain control of the s aw.
Keep the fingers of your l eft hand encir-
cling and your left thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your right hand com-
pletely around the rear handle whether
yourare right handed or left handed. Keep
your left arm straight with the elbow
locked.
SPosition your left hand on the front handle-
bar so it is in a straight line with yourright
hand on the rear handle when making
bucking cuts. Never reverse right and left
hand positions for any type of cutti ng.
SStandwit h your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
SStand slightly to the left side of the saw to
keep your body from being in a direct line
with the cutting chain.
SDo not overreach. Youcould be drawn or
thrown off balance and lose control of the
saw.
SDonot cut above shoulder height . It is diffi-
cult to maintain cont rol of saw above
shoulder height.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
WARNING: The following features
are included on your saw to help reduce the
hazard of kickback; however, such features
will not totally eliminate this danger. As a
chain saw user,do not rely only on safety de-
vices. You must follow all safety precau-
tions, instructions, and maintenance in this
manual to help avoid kickback and other
forces which can result in serious injury.
SReduced--Kickback Guide Bar, designed
with a small radius tip which reduces the
size of the kickback danger zone on the
bar tip. A Reduced--Kickback Gui de Bar
has been demonstrated to significant ly re-
duce the number and seriousness of kick-
backs when tested in accordance with
safety requirements for gasoline powered
chain saws as set by ANSI B175.1.