REDUCE
THE CHANCE
OF
KICKBACK
The following
precautions
should be
followed to minimize kickback.
• Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding
of kick-
back, you can reduce the element of
surprise which contributes to acci-
dents.
• Never let the moving chain contact
any object at the tip of the guide bar.
• Keep working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,
rocks, fences,
stumps, etc. Eliminate
or avoid any obstruction
that your
saw chain could hit while cutting.
• When cutting a branch, do not let the
guide bar contact another branch or
other objects around it.
• Keep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned.
A loose or dull chain can
increase
the chance of kickback.
Follow manufacturer's
chain sharp-
ening and maintenance
instructions.
Check tension at regular intervals,
but never with engine running. Make
sure bar mounting
nuts are securely
tightened.
• Begin and continue
cutting at full
speed. If the chain is moving at a
slower speed, there is greater
chance of kickback occurring.
• Use extreme
caution when re-enter-
ing a cut.
• Do not attempt cuts starting with the
tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
• Watch for shifting logs or other ob-
jects that could close a cut and pinch
or fall onto chain.
• Use the specified
Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low Kickback
Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
• Be extremely
aware of situations
or
obstructions
that can cause material
to pinch the top of or otherwise
stop
the chain.
• Do not cut more than one log at a
time.
• Do not twist the saw as the bar is
withdrawn
from an undercut
when
bucking.
Avoid Putl-ln:
• Always begin cutting with the saw at
full speed and the saw housing
against wood.
• Use wedges made of plastic or
wood. Never use metal to hold the
cut open.
MAINTAIN
CONTROL
Never
Reverse
Hand
Positions
Correct
Position
Keep a firm grip
with both hands,
left thumb
under
handle
Correct Grip Incorrect Grip
• A good, firm grip on the saw with
both hands will help you maintain
control. Don't let go. Grip the rear
handle with your right hand whether
you are right or left handed. Wrap the
fingers of your left hand over and
around the front handlebar,
and your
left thumb under the front handlebar.
Keep your left arm straight with the
elbow locked.
• Position your left hand on the front
handlebar
so it is in a straight line
with your right hand on the rear han-
dle when making bucking
cuts.
Stand slightly to the left side of the
saw to keep your body from being in
a direct line with the cutting chain.
• Stand with your weight evenly bal-
anced on both feet.
• Do not overreach. You could be drawn
or thrown off balance and lose control.
• Do not cut above shoulder height. It
is difficult to maintain control of saw
above shoulder
height.
KICKBACK
SAFETY
FEATURES
_IWARNING:
Tile following fea-
tures are included on your saw to help
reduce hazard of kickback;
however,
such features will not totally eliminate
this danger. Do not rely only on safety
devices.
• Hand Guard: designed
to reduce the
chance
of your left hand contacting
the chain if your hand slips offthe
front handlebar.
• Position of front and rear handlebars:
designed
with distance between
handles and "in-line" with each other.
The spread and "in-line" position of
the hands provided by this design
work together to give balance
and
resistance
in controlling the pivot of
the saw back toward the operator if
kickback occurs.
• Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar: de-
signed with a small radius tip which
reduces the size of the kickback
danger zone on the bar tip. This type