6
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
•
The following precautions should be followed to minimize kickback:
1. Always grip the saw firmly with both hands. Hold the saw firmly with both hands
when the unit is running. Place your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand
on the front handle, with your thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A
firm grip and a stiff left arm will help you maintain control of the saw if kickback
occurs.
2. Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free of obstructions. Do not let
the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, fence, or any other obstruction that
could be hit while you are operating the saw.
3. Always cut with the unit running. Fully squeeze the trigger switch and maintain
cutting speed.
4. Use only the replacement guide bars and low-kickback chains specified by the
manufacturer for the saw.
• With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or eliminate the element of
surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
• Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
• Do not cut above shoulder height or overreach when cutting.
• Follow the sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
WARNING:
Kickback may 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 and stop the chain for an instant. The result is a lightning fast
reverse reaction that 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. Do not rely exclusively on the safety
devices built into the saw. As a chainsaw user, you should take several steps to
keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
KICKBACK
(See Figures 1 - 2.)
ROTATIONAL
KICKBACK
KICKBACK
DANGER ZONE
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
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