SUse the right tool, cut wood only. Don’t use pruner for purpose not intended; for example, don’t use pruner for cutting plastic, masonry,
non-wood building materials, etc.
SIf you strike or become entangled with a for- eign object, stop the unit immediately and check for damage. Have any damage re-
paired by your 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 motor and make sure chain has stopped moving before setting
the unit down.
SInspect cords periodically and if damaged,
have repaired by an authorized service dealer.
SUse only in daylight or good artificial light.
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.
SRotational Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts 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 toward the oper- ator.
S
direction of the chain rotation. The pruner is driven straight back toward the operator.
S
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, but never with the motor running. Make sure the bar clamp nut is se-
curely 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.
SUse extreme caution when
vious cut.
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 unit is running and don’t let go. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control. Keep the fingers of your left hand encircling and your left thumb under the assist handle. Keep your right hand com- pletely around the trigger handle whether your
are right handed 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
WARNING: 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 prun-
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