Sears 358.356100-3.7/18"PS, 358.356090-3.7/20 manual Controlling Kickback

C. CONTROLLING KICKBACK ........

Kickback isa dangerous reaction thatcancause

serious personal injury. Carefully study this man- ual before you make the first cut with your new saw. "You must understand what causes kickback,

.how you can reduce the chance of kickback, and how :you can remain in the best control of the saw if kickback does occur.

1. _WHAT CAUSES KICKBACK :

Kickback can occur when the moving chain

-__ contacts an object at the tip or nose of the guide bar. This contact causes the chain to dig

_-_into. the object and stops the chain for an instant.

The result is a lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the saw tip up and back toward the operator. The operator can lose control of the saw and the cutting chain can cause serious personal injury if it contacts any part of the body.

Figure 15

AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS

CLEAR WORKING AREA

		Figure 16
			NEVER
;	b		_EVERSE
THUMB ON	,_/,	RM
UNDERSIDE _
OAFRANDLE_	_,Y,_#j STRAIGHT

Figure 17 .....................

2. REDUCETHE CHANCE OF	: :,:
KICKBACK

a. Recognize that kickback can happen. By understanding and knowing about kickback, you are better equipped to deal with an occur- rence.

b.Never let the moving chain contact any ob- ject at the tip of the guide bar. Figure 15.

c.Keep the working area free from obstruc- tions such as other trees, branches, rocks,

fences, stumps, etc. Figure 16. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting through a par- ticular log or branch.

d.Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickbackl

e.Begin and continue cutting at full throttle.

If the chain is moving_ataslower-speedTthere ........................! is greater chance for kickback to occur.

f.Cut one log at a time.

g. Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut.

h.Do not attempt plunge cuts.

i.Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into the chain.

j.Use the Lo-Kick_Guide Bar and Guard Link Chain specified for your particular saw.

These devices have.been_designed to reduce the hazard of kickback: ""

k.Use extra caution if your saw is equipped with the Power Sharp-" System. The Power Sharp '_saw is equipped with a Lo-Kick =.Guide Bar and a Guard Link Chain. However, due to

the chain requirements of the built-in sharpen-

.ing mechanism, the kickback force from the Power Sharp'" chain may be greater than that from other Guard Link chains.

3.MAINTAIN THE BEST CONTROL

a.Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both

hands. Figure 117.A firm grip can neutralize kickback and help you maintain control of the saw. Keep the fingers of your left hand encirc- ling and your left thumb under the front han- dlebar. Keep your right hand completely around the rear handle whether you are right :handed or/eft handed. Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked.

b.Position your left hand on the front han- dlebar so it is in a straight line with your right hand on the rear handle. Figure 17. Never reverse rightand left hand position.

c.Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet.

d.Stand slightly to the left side of the saw, to keep your body from being in a direct line with the cutting chain; Figure 17.

e.Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown off batance and lose controlof the saw.

f.Do not cut above shoulder height. It is diffi- cult to maintain control of the saw above

shoulder height.

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