Kickback Safety Precautions - Shindaiwa 269T Instruction Manual

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2. KICKBACK SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNING
KICKBACK SAFETY PRECAUTION FOR CHAIN
SAW USERS KICKBACK MAY OCCUR WHEN THE
NOSE OR TIP OF THE GUIDE BAR TOUCHES AN
OBJECT OR WHEN THE WOOD CLOSES IN AND
PINCHES THE SAW CHAIN IN THE CUT.
• Tip contact in some case may cause a lightning-fast
reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back
toward the operator (this is called a rotational
kickback).
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide
bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the
operator (this is called a linear kickback).
• Do not operate a chain saw with one hand!
Serious injury to the operator, helpers or bystanders
may result from one-handed operation. For proper
control, always use two hands when operating a
chain saw, one hand which operates the trigger. This
can result in the chain saw "skating "or skidding,
which can result in personal injury due to loss of
control.
• Keep a good firm grip on the saw which both hands,
with the right hand on the rear handle and the left
hand on the front handle, when the engine is
running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers
enriching the chain saw handles. A firm grip will
help you reduce kickback and maintain control of
the saw. Two hands must be used to control the saw
at all times.
DANGER
7
• Either or these reactions may cause you to lose
control of the saw and come in contact with the
moving chain, which could result in serious personal
injury. As a chain saw user, you should take several
steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
• With a basic understanding of kickback, you can
reduce or eliminate the element of surprise.
Sudden surprise contributes to accidents.
Understand that rotational kickback is preventable
by keeping an unshielded bar nose from touching an
object or the ground.
• Do not overreach or cut above chest height.
• Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is
free from obstructions. Do not let the bar nose
contact a log, branch, or any other obstruction which
could be hit while you are operating the saw.
• Cutting at high engine speeds may reduce the
likelihood of kickback. But cutting at part-throttle
or low engine speeds may be preferable to control
the chain saw in tight situations and may also
reduce the likelihood of kickback.
• Follow manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
• Use only replacement guide bars and chains
specified by the manufacturer, or the acceptable
equivalents of these guide bars and chains.