18 –
English
OPERATING
Pinching or jamming
Make a careful evaluation of how the object will move during
the final stage of the cutting to avoid pinching or jamming. The
cut must open during the cut. If the object sags and the cut
begins to close the blade may pinch, possibly resulting in a
kick-back or damage to the blade.
Cutting in line
Skewing or twisting in the line of cut will reduce cutting
efficiency and damage the blade.
Before each rescue operation
Check that the blade and th blade guard is not damaged or
cracked. Replace the blade or the blade guard if it is exposed
to impact or is cracked.
•
Check that no carbide tips have loosened from the cutting
blade.
•
Check that the blade is not skew or shows signs of
cracking or other defects.
When cutting in hard materials carbide tipped blades will
rapidly lose its sharpness. For best performance during
rescue operations we recommend that a new blade be
installed.
Kickback
Kickback is the sudden upward motion that can occur if the
blade is pinched or stalled in the kickback zone. Most
kickbacks are small and pose little danger. However a
kickback can also be very violent and throw the power cutter
up and back towards the user in a rotating motion causing
serious or even fatal injury.
Reactive force
A reactive force is always present when cutting. The force
pulls the machine in the opposite direction to the blade
rotation. Most of the time this force is insignificant. If the blade
is pinched or stalled the reactive force will be strong and you
might not be able to control the power cutter.
Kickback zone
Never use the kickback zone of the blade for cutting. If the
blade is pinched or stalled in the kickback zone, the reactive
force will push the power cutter up and back towards the user
in a rotating motion causing serious or even fatal injury.
Climbing kickback
If the kickback zone is used for cutting the reactive force
drives the blade to climb up in the cut. Do not use the
kickback zone. Use the lower quadrant of the blade to avoid
climbing kickback.
Pinching kickback
Pinching is when the cut closes and pinches the blade. If the
blade is pinched or stalled the reactive force will be strong and
you might not be able to control the power cutter.
If the blade is pinched or stalled in the kickback zone, the
reactive force will push the power cutter up and back towards
the user in a rotating motion causing serious or even fatal
injury.
!
WARNING! Kickbacks are sudden and can
be very violent. The power cutter can be
thrown up and back towards the user in a
rotating motion causing serious or even fatal
injury. It is vital to understand what causes
kickback and how to avoid it before using
the machine.
