◾
Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the
chain saw switched off and away from your body.
When transporting or storing the chain saw always
fit the guide bar cover. Proper handling of the chain
saw will reduce the likelihood of accidental contact
with the moving saw chain.
◾
Follow instructions for lubricating, chain
tensioning and changing accessories. Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or
increase the chance for kickback.
◾
Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss
of control.
◾
Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes
not intended. For example: do not use chain saw
for cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood building
materials. Use of the chain saw for operations different
than intended could result in a hazardous situation.
CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF
KICKBACK (Fig. B, C, D & E)
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 sudden
reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back
towards the operator (Fig. B).
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide
bar may push the guide bar rapidly back towards the
operator (Fig. C).
Fig. B & C operation description see below:
B-1
Rotational kickback
C-1
Linear kickback
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose con-
trol of the saw which could result in serious personal
injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices
built into your saw.
As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to
keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided
by taking proper precautions as given below:
◾
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers
encircling the chain saw handles, with both hands on
the saw and position your body and arm to allow you
to resist kickback forces (Fig. E). Kickback forces can
be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are
taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
56 VOLT LITHIUM-ION CORDLESS CHAIN SAW — CS1400E/CS1600E
◾
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder
height. This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chain saw in unexpected
situations.
◾
Only use replacement bars and chains specified
by the manufacturer. Incorrect replacement bars and
chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
◾
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to
increased kickback.
◾
Make sure that the area in which you are cutting 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.
◾
Always cut with the unit running at full speed. Fully
squeeze the switch trigger and maintain cutting speed.
◾
With a basic understanding of kickback, you can
reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden
surprise contributes to accidents.
◾
Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
◾
Push and Pull – The 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
the PUSH when cutting along the top edge (Fig. F).
KICKBACK SAFETY DEVICES ON THIS CHAIN SAW
Chain Brake
The chain saw comes equipped with a chain brake, which
stops both the motor and the motion of the chain when
kickback occurs. The chain brake can be activated by the for-
ward motion of the chain kickback brake handle as the saw
rotates backward during kickback; it can also be activated by
the inertial forces generated during rapid pushback.
WARNING:
Never modify or attempt to disable the
chain brake.
Make sure that the chain brake is working properly before
using the chain saw. The chain kickback brake handle
should move back and forth easily.
To test the operation of the chain brake, perform the
following steps (Fig. G):
◾
Place the chain saw on a flat bare surface and make sure
no objects or obstructions that could come in contact
with the bar and chain are in the immediate vicinity.
◾
Disengage the chain brake by pulling the chain
kickback brake handle towards the front handle.
◾
Start the chain saw.
EN
9