OBJ_BUCH-716-001.book Page 36 Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:26 PM
36 | English
– Is the saw chain properly tensioned and
sharp? Check chain tension every 10 minutes
during operation. Upon initial operation, new
chains can lengthen considerably. The condi-
tion of the chain influences the the cutting
performance. Only a sharp chain protects
from overload.
– Is the kickback brake deactivated and its
function ensured?
– Are you wearing the required protective
equipment? Wear safety glasses and hearing
protection. Further protective equipment for
head, hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Suitable protective clothing reduces the dan-
ger of injury from thrown about cutting mate-
rial and accidental touching of the saw chain.
Kickback (see figure D)
Kickback is the sudden backward/upward mo-
tion of the chain saw, occuring when the chain
(at the tip of the chain bar) comes in contact
with a log or wood, or when the chain becomes
jammed.
When kickback occurs, the chainsaw reacts un-
predictable and can cause heavy injuries to the
operator or bystanders.
Particular attention must be given when sawing
sidewards, slanted or during length cuts, as the
gripping teeth 12 usually can not be applied.
To avoid kickback:
– Saw with the chain bar at a flat angle.
– Never work with a loose, widely stretched or
heavily worn out saw chain.
– Sharpen the saw chain as specified.
– Never saw above shoulder height.
– Never work with the tip of the chain.
– Always hold a chain saw firmly with both
hands.
– Always use a Bosch low-kickback saw chain.
– Apply the metal gripping teeth 12 for lever-
age.
– Ensure correct chain tension.
1 609 929 P88 | (13.1.09)
General Behaviour (see figures D – G)
Always hold the chain saw firmly with both
hands. Front handle with the left hand and rear
handle with the right hand. Fully grip both han-
dles with thumb and fingers at all times during
operation. Never operate chain saw using only
one hand. Always conduct the mains cable to
the rear, and keep it out of the range of the saw
chain and cutting material; position yourself in
such a manner that the mains cable can not get
caught in branches and twigs.
Use the chain saw only with secure footing. Hold
the chain saw at the right-hand side of your
body.
The chain must be running at full speed before
it makes contact with the wood. Use the grip-
ping teeth 12 to support the chain saw on the
wood. Use the gripping teeth as a leverage point
while cutting.
Reset the gripping teeth at a lower point when
sawing thicker logs or tree trunks. For this, pull
the chain saw slightly backwards until the grip-
ping teeth release, and reposition at lower level
to continue sawing. Do not remove the chain
saw completely out of the cut.
Do not force the saw chain while cutting, let the
chain do the work, using the gripping teeth 12 to
apply minimal leverage pressure.
Never operate the chain saw with arms fully ex-
tended. Do not attempt to saw areas which are
difficult to reach, or on a ladder. Never saw
above shoulder height.
Sawing is optimized when the chain speed re-
mains steady during cutting.
Beware when reaching the end of the cut. The
weight of the chain saw changes unexpectedly
as it cuts free from the wood. Danger of injury to
the legs and feet.
Always remove the chain saw from a wood cut
while the saw chain is running.
Cutting Logs (see figures E and H)
When cutting logs, observe the following safety
instructions:
Support logs so that the face sides at the cut do
not close in against each other, which would re-
sult in the chain being jammed.
Bosch Power Tools