Ryobi Essential Safety Guidelines for Your Chainsaw: Understanding Kickback with the P542

general SAFETY RULES

Kickback

See Figures 1 - 3.

nWARNING: Kickback may occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control which can result in serious injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into the saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.

nThe following precautions should be followed to minimize kickback:

1.Hold the saw firmly with both hands when the motor is running. Place your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand on the front handle with your thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip together with a stiff left arm will help you maintain control of the saw if kickback occurs.

2.Make sure that the area in which you are cut- ting is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, fence, or any other obstruction that could be hit while you are operating the saw.

3.Always cut with the unit running at full speed. Fully squeeze the switch trigger and maintain a steady cutting speed.

4.Use replacement parts such as low kickback chain and special guide bars that reduce the risks associated with rotational kickback.

Use only the replacement guide bars and low kickback chains specified by the manufacturer for the saw.

nWith a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.

nKeep proper footing and balance at all times.

nDo not cut above shoulder height or overreach when cutting.

nFollow the sharpening and maintenance instruc- tions for the saw chain.

nPush and Pull - This reaction force is always opposite to the direction the chain is moving where wood contact is made. Thus, the operator must be ready to control the PULL when cutting on the bottom edge of the bar, and PUSH when cutting along the top edge. See Figure 3.

ROTATIONAL

KICKBACK

Fig. 1

KICKBACK

DANGER ZONE

Fig. 2

PULL

PUSH

Fig. 3

4 - English