4
chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden
stopping pulls the pruner forward and away
from the operatorand coul d easily cause the
operator to lose control of the pruner.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OFKICKBACK
SRecognize that kickback can happen. With
abasic understanding ofkickback, you can
reduce the element of surprise which
contributes to accidents.
SNever let the moving chain contact any
object at the tip of the guide bar.
SKeep the working area free from
obstructions such as other trees, branches ,
rocks, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your chain could hit while
you are cutting. Whencuttin g a branch, do
notlet t heguide bar contact branchor other
objects around it.
SKeep your chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can
increase the chance of kickback occ urring.
Follow manufacturer ’s chain sharpening
and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals withthe engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Make sure the bar clamp nut is securely
tightened after tensioning the chain.
SBegin and continue cutting atfull speed. If
thechai n is moving at as lower speed, there
is greater chance of kickback occurring.
SCut one branch at a time.
SUse extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
SDo not attempt cuts starting with the tip of
the bar (plunge cuts).
SWatchfor shifting of wood or other forces that
could close a cut and pinch orf all into chain.
SUse the Reduced--KickbackGuide Bar and
Low--KickbackChain specified foryour unit.
MAINTAINCONTROL
SKeep a good, firm grip on the pruner with
both hands when the engine is running and
don’t let go. Afirm grip will help y ou reduce
kickback and maintain control. Keep the
fingers of your left hand encircl ing and your
left thumb under the assist handle. Keep
your right hand completely around the
throttle 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 ina direct line
with the cutting chain.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
The following features are included on your
pruner tohel p reduce thehazard of kickback ;
however, such features will not totally elimi-
natet his danger. Asapruner user, do not rel y
only on safety devices. You must follow all
safety precautions, instructions, and mainte-
nance in this manual to help avoid kickback
and other forces which can result inserious
injury.
SReduced--Kickback Guide Bar, designed
with a small radius tip which reduces the
sizeof the k ickback danger zone on the bar
tip.
Small Radius Tip
Reduced Kickback Symmetrical Guide Bar
Symmetrical Guide Bar
Large Radius Tip
SLow--Kickback Chain, designed with a
contoured depth gauge and guard link
which deflect kickback force and allow
wood to gradually ride into the cutter.
Low---Kickback
Chain
Nota Low ---KickbackChain
CanObstruct Material
Contoured DepthGauge
ElongatedGuard Link
Deflects
kickback force
andallows wood
tograd ually ride
intocutter
SAFETYNOTICE: E xposure to vibrations
through prolonged use of gasoline powered
hand tools could cause blood vessel or nerve
damage in the fingers, hands, and joints of
people prone to circulation disorders or ab-
normal swellings. Prolonged us e in cold
weatherhas been linked to blood vessel dam-
agein otherwise healthy people. If symptoms
occur such as numbness, pain, loss of
strength, change in ski n color or texture, or
loss of feeling in thefingers, hands , or joints,
discontinue the use of this tool and seek med-
ical attention. Ananti--vibration system does
not guarantee the avoidance of thes e prob-
lems. Users who operate power tools on a
continual and regular basis must monitor
closely their physical condition and the c ondi-
tion of this tool.