Poulan Pro 285 - Warnings and Safety Instructions

WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Additional Safety Instructions throughout this Manual)
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious in-
juiy. Do not rely only on the safety devices provided with
your saw. As a chain saw user, you must take special safety
§ recautions to help keep your cutting jobs free from acci-
ent or in jury. _
A KICKBACK WARNING
Kickback can occur when the moving oTia in eon*
tacts 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
lightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the
guide bar up andbacktoward the operator. If the
saw chain is pinched along the top of the guide
bar, the guide bar can be rapidly driven back to¬
ward the operator. Either or these reactions can
cause loss of saw control which can result in seri¬
ous injury
Kickback
ra
Figure 1
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK
1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the
element of surprise which contributes to accidents.
2. Never let the moving chain contact any object
at the tip of the guide bar. Figure 1.
3. Keep the working area free from obstructions
such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps,
etc. Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction
that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting
through a particular log or branch.
4. Keep your saw chain sharp and properly ten¬
sioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance
of kickback to occur. Follow manufacturer’s chain
sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals with the engine stopped,
never with the engine running. Make sure the bar
clamp nuts are securely tightened after tensioning
the chain.
5. Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If
the chain is movingat a slower speed, there is greater
chance for kickback to occur.
6. Cut one log at a time.
7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a pre¬
vious cut.
8. Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
10. Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
1. 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-
back and help you maintain control of the saw. Keep
the fingers of your left hand encircling and your left
thumb under the front handlebar. Keep your right
hand completely around the rear handle whether
your are right handed or left handed. Keep your left
arm straight with the elbow locked.
2. Position your left hand on the front handlebar
so it is in a straight line with your right hand
on the rear handle when making bucking cuts.
Figure 3 . Never reverse right and left hand posi¬
tions for any type of cutting.
3. Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
4. Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to
keep your body from being in a direct line
with the cutting chain. Figure 3.
5. Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown
off balance and lose control of the saw.
6. Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult
to maintain control of the saw abo ve shoulder height
and places the moving chain dangerously close to
your upper body.
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