3
ventilated place; and use an approved,
marked container for all fuel purposes.
Wipe up all fuel spills before starting 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 con-
trol 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. Ei-
ther reaction can result in loss of control and
serious injury.
Avoid Pinch---Kickback:
S
Be extremely aware of situations or ob-
structions 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 engine at full
speed and saw housing against wood.
S
Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
Kickback Path
Clear the work area; avoid obstructions.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
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
object at the tip of the guide bar.
S
Keep the 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 you are cutting through a
particular log or branch.
S
Keep your saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback occurring.
Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening
and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals with the en-
gine stopped, never with engine running.
Make sure the bar clamp nuts are secure-
ly tightened after tensioning the chain.
S
Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is
greater chance of kickback occurring.
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
Watch for shifting logs or other forces that
could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
S
Use Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
S
Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and
don’t let go. A firm grip will help you reduce
kickback and maintain control of the saw.
Keep the fingers of your left hand encircling
and your left thumb under the front handle-
bar. 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.
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked
