Cut wood or low-density material only. Do
not use chain beam saw for purposes not
intended. For example: do not use chain
beam saw for cutting metal, plastic, masonry,
or non-wood building materials. Use of the
chain beam saw for operations different than
intended could result in a hazardous situation.
Additional Safety Instructions for Chain Beam Saws
Kickback causes and related
warnings
Kickback is a reaction to a pinched or jammed
saw chain, mostly occurring at the back side of
the guide bar not adequately protected by the
chain barrier or at the nose of the guide bar
not protected by the tip guard. Kickback causes
a sudden motion of the chain beam saw in a
direction opposite to the saw chain motion at the
point where the saw chain is being jammed.
When the saw chain is jammed at the front
of the guide bar, the cutting action will pull
the chain beam saw tightly to the workpiece
surface, but when the saw chain is jammed
at the back of the guide bar, the kickback
will suddenly push the chain beam saw up
and away from the workpiece surface. The
jamming of the saw chain at the nose of the
guide bar will create a kickback that rotates
the chain beam saw's guide bar back
towards the operator.
During the cutting process, most frequently
the saw chain pinching/jamming occurs
when the workpiece is weakened by the cut
and sags under its own weight or when the
operator is trying to "steer" and correct the line
of the cut.
An improperly installed/adjusted chain barrier
guard or tip guard can also allow undue exposure
and pinching/jamming of the saw chain.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse, incorrect
operating
procedures
both, and can be avoided by taking proper
precautions, as follows. The kickback force
can be managed by an alert operator properly
bracing and controlling the chain beam saw
with both hands.
A chain barrier shall always be attached
and properly aligned and positioned with
respect to the guide bar when operating
the chain beam saw. Chain barrier will
reduce the likelihood of a kickback and reduce
or
conditions,
or
Never hold the material being cut in your
hands or across your leg while cutting.
Secure the material to be cut to a stable
platform. It is important to support the work
properly to minimize body exposure, saw
chain binding, or loss of control.
the possibility of a serious injury.
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on
the handles of the chain beam saw and
position your arms to resist kickback
forces. Position your body to either side
of the chain, but not in line with the plane
of the guide bar. Kickback could cause the
chain beam saw to jump up and/or backwards.
The base plate of the chain beam saw shall
be resting on the surface of the workpiece
and the saw chain shall not be in contact
with the material prior to starting the
motor. If the base plate is held above the
workpiece surface during the cutting process
and the moving saw chain makes contact
with the workpiece, the reaction to the cutting
action can slam the chain beam saw onto the
workpiece, causing loss of operator control.
When restarting a chain beam saw in the
workpiece, center the saw chain in the kerf
so that the saw chain teeth are not engaged
into the material. If a saw chain binds in the
workpiece as the motor is restarted, it can
cause sudden jerking of the Chain Beam Saw
and loss of control.
Support large beams to minimize the risk
of saw chain pinching and kickback. Large
beams tend to sag under their own weight.
Supports shall be placed under the beam on
both sides of the guide bar, near the line of cut
and near the edge of the beam.
All adjustment levers for the base plate
shall be tight and secure before making the
cut. If the guide bar adjustments shift while
cutting, it can cause binding and kickback.
Only use replacement guide bars and
chains specified by the manufacturer.
Incorrect replacement guide bars and chains
can 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.
5