• Inspect Pole Saw before each use and after dropping or other
impacts. Ensure there are no significant defects or damage.
Do not operate pole Saw
- while under the influence of alcohol, medication, or drugs.
- in rain or in damp or wet areas.
- where highly flammable liquids or gases are present
- if Pole Saw is damaged, adjusted incorrectly, or not fully and
securely assembled.
- if trigger does not turn Pole Saw on and off. Chain must stop
moving when you release trigger. Have faulty switch replaced by
authorized service center. See "Service Information".
- while in a hurry.
- while in tree or on a ladder.
- while on aerial booms, buckets or platforms.
- during high wind or storming weather.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
DANGER:
Shock hazard. Serious Injury Or Death From
Electrocution If Power Lines Are Contacted. Never Use Near Any
Electrical Source, Wires, Or Power Lines.
WARNING:
For Safe Operation Read And Understand Owner's
manual. Wear Face Shield (And/Or Safety Glasses) And Hard Hat To
Protect Against Falling Debris. Always Have A Clear Work Area, Retreat
Path, And Be Aware Of Limb/Branch Location To Avoid Falling Limbs
And Debris. Keep Bystanders 50 Ft (15 m) Away When Operating Saw.
To Reduce The Risk Of Electric Shock Do No Use On Wet Surfaces. Do
No Expose To Rain. Store Indoors.
• To protect yourself from falling branches do not stand directly under
the branch or limb being cut. This unit should not be held at an angle
over 60 degrees from ground level.
• Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil.
• Before you start the unit, make sure the chain is not contacting any object.
• Make sure the cutting chain has stopped before setting the unit down.
Service
• Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair
personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified
personnel could result in a risk of injury. See "Service Information".
• When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts.
Follow instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual.
Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow Maintenance Instructions
may create a risk of electric shock or injury.
Guard Against Kickback
WARNING:
KICKBACK may occur when the nose or tip of the
guide bar touches an object, or when the wood closes in and pinches
the saw chain in the cut. Tip contact in some cases may cause a lightning
fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar
rapidly back towards the operator. Either of these reactions may cause you to
lose control of the saw which could result in serious injury to user.
The following precautions should be followed to minimize kickback:
• Grip Pole Saw firmly. Hold the saw firmly with both hands when the unit
is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the saw
handle and pole.
• Do not over reach.
• Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
• Don't let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, ground or
other obstruction.
• Do not extend Pole Saw handle above shoulder height.
• Use devices such as low kickback chain, chain braking system and
special guide bars that reduce the risks associated with kickback.
• Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the manufacturer
or the equivalent.
• Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar.
• Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other trees,
branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting through
a particular log or branch.
• Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull
chain can increase the chance of kickback. Check tension at regular
intervals with the motor stopped and extension cord unplugged.
• Begin and continue cutting only with the chain moving at full speed.
If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is a greater chance for
kickback to occur.
• Cut one branch at a time.
• Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut. Engage
spiked bumpers into wood and allow chain to reach full speed
before proceeding with cut.
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