Husqvarna 23 COMPACT - Warnings and Safety Instructions; Guard Against Kickback; Maintain Control

WMNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
(SeeAdditional SafetyInstructions throughout this Manual)
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can leadto serious
injury. Donotrelyonlyonthesafetydevicesprovidedwith
oursaw.As achainsawuser,you musttakespecialsafety
recautions to help keep your cutting jobs free from acci-
ent or injury.
A KICKBACK WARNING
(ickback can occur when the moving chain con-
acts an object at the upper portion of the tip of
he guide bar or when the wood closes in and
)inchesthe saw chain in the cut. Contact at the
lpper portion of the tip of the guide bar can
;ause the chain to dig into the object, which
kops the chain for an instant. The result is a
ightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the
wide bar up and back toward the operator. If
he saw chain is pinched along the top of the
~ide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly
jack toward the operator. Either of these reac-
ions can cause loss of saw control which can re-
;ultin serious injury.
Figure 1
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Avoid
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Obstructions
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ClearThe
WOrkingArea ~&J7
Figure 2
Never Reverse
Hand Positions
I
Stand To
The Left
Of The Saw
Elbow
‘ Locked
Thumb On
Under Side
Of Handlebar
Figure 3
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
tJ~fJement of surprise which contributes to acci-
Never let the moving chain at the tip of the
guide bar contact any object. Figure 1.
Keep the working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches, recks, fences,
stumps, etc. Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any ob-
struction that your saw chain could hit while you
are cutting through aparticular log or branch.
Keep your saw chain sharp and properly ten-
sioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the
chance of kickback to occur. Followmanufacturer’s
chain sharpening and maintenance instructions.
Check tension at regular intervals with the engine
stopped,neverwith the engine running. Makesure
thebar clampnuts aresecurelytightened afterten-
sioning the chain.
Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If
thechainismoving ataslowerspeed,there isgreat-
er chance for kickback to occur.
Cut one log at a time.
Use extreme caution when recentering a
previous cut.
Do not attempt plunge cuts.
Watch for shifting logs or other forces thatcould
close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and don’t
let go. Figure 3.
A firm grip can neutralize kick-
backandhelpyou maintaincontrol ofthesaw. Kee
f
the fingers ofyour left hand encircling andyou le t
thumb under the front handlebar. Keepyour right
hand completely around the rear handle whether
your areright handedor lefthanded. Keepyour left
arm straight with the elbow locked.
Position your left hand on the front handle-
bar so it is in a straight line with your right
hand on the rear handle when making buck-
ing cuts. Figure 3.
Never reverse right and left
hand positions for any type of cutting.
Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to
keep your body and head from being in a di-
rect line with the cutting chain. Figure 3.
Do not overreach. Youcould be drawnor thrown
off balance and lose control of the saw.
Do not cut above shoulder height. Itisdifficult
to maintain control of saw above shoulder height.
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