4
or work that could cause sparks. Allow en-
gine to cool before refueling.
S
Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area on bare
ground; store fuel in a cool, dry, well venti-
lated place; and use an approved, marked
container for all fuel purposes. Wipe up all
fuel spills before star ting saw.
S
Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fuel-
ing site before starting engine.
S
Turn the engine off and let saw cool in a
non-combustible area, not on dry leaves,
straw, paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel cap
and refuel unit.
S
Store the unit and fuel in an area where fuel
vapors cannot reach sparks or open
flames from water heaters, electric motors
or switches, furnaces, etc.
KICKBACK
WARNING
:
Kickback can occur
when the moving chain contacts an object at
the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar or
when the wood closes in and pinches the
saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper
portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause
the chain to dig into the object, which stops
the chain for an instant. The result is a light-
ning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the
guide bar up and back toward the operator. If
the saw chain is pinched along the top of the
guide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly
back toward the operator. Either of these
reactions can cause loss of saw control
which can result in serious injury.
Guard
against kickback.
Rotational Kickback
is the rapid upward
and backward motion of the chain saw that
can occur when the moving saw chain near
the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar
contacts an object such as a log or a branch.
Pinch-Kickback and Pull-In occur when the
chain is suddenly stopped by being pinched,
caught, or by contacting a foreign object in
the wood. This sudden stopping of the chain
results in a reversal of the chain force used to
cut wood and causes the saw to move in the
opposite direction of the chain rotation.
Pinch-Kickback drives the saw straight back
toward the operator. Pull-In pulls the saw
away from the operator. Either reaction can
result in loss of control and serious injury.
Avoid Pinch--Kickback:
S
Be extremely awar e of situations or obstruc-
tions that can cause material to pinch the top
of or otherwise stop the chain.
S
Do not cut more than one log at a time.
S
Do not twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid Pull--In:
S
Always begin cutting with the engine at full
speed and the saw housing against wood.
S
Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
Kickback Path
Avoid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
REDUCETHECHANCEOF
KICKBACK
S
Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kickback,
you can reduce the element of surprise
which contributes to accidents.
S
Never let the moving chain contact any ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
S
Keep the working area free fr om obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches, rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could hit
while you are cutting through a particular log
or branch.
S
Keep your saw chain sharp and proper ly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase
the chance of kickback occurring. Follow
manufacturer’s chain shar pening and main-
tenance instr uctions. Check tension at regu-
lar intervals w ith the engine stopped, never
with the engine running. Make sure the bar
clamp nuts are securely tightened after ten-
sioning the chain.
S
Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greater chance of kickback occur-
ring.
S
Cut one log at a time.
S
Use extreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
S
Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of
the bar (plunge cuts).
S
W atch for shifting logs or other for ces that
could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
S
Use the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar
and Low--Kickback Chain specified for
your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Never reverse
hand positions
Stand to the left of
the saw
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