Maintain Control - Poulan Pro 3450 Operator's Manual

Poulan chainsaw user manual

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Instruction manual (18 pages)

Operator's manual (17 pages)

Instruction manual (35 pages)

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Enlarged version

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.