MTD CSH40 Original Operating Instructions page 26

EN
Safety information for chainsaws
When the saw is running, keep all body parts
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away from the saw chain. Before starting the
saw, ensure that the saw chain is not touching
anything. When working with a chainsaw, one
moment of inattention may lead to clothing or
body parts getting caught by the saw chain.
Always hold the chainsaw with your right
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hand on the rear handle and your left hand on
the front handle. Holding on to the chainsaw the
other way around when working increases the
risk of injuries and must not be applied.
The power tool must only be held at the
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insulated gripping surfaces, because the saw
chain may contact covered wires. Saw chains
which contact a live wire make metallic parts of
the power tool live and could subject the user to
an electric shock.
Wear protective goggles and hearing pro-
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tection. Additional protective equipment for
head, hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Appropriate protective clothing reduces the risk of
injury from chips and splinters flying around and
accidental contact with the saw chain..
Do not work on a tree with the chainsaw.
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There is a risk of injury when operating on a tree.
Always ensure you have a firm footing and
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use the chainsaw only when you are standing
on solid, safe and level ground. Slippery
ground or unsteady footing, such as on a ladder,
may cause you to lose your balance or lose con-
trol of the chainsaw.
When cutting branches that are under ten-
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sion, remember that they can swing back.
When the tension in the wood fibres is released,
the tensioned branch may hit the user and/or
knock the chainsaw out of the user's control.
Be particularly careful when cutting under-
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growth and young trees. The thin material can
get caught in the saw chain and hit you or upset
your balance.
Hold the chainsaw at the front handle in a
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deactivated state, with the saw chain held
away from your body. Always fit the protective
cover when transporting the chainsaw or put-
ting it away for storage. Careful handling of the
chainsaw reduces the probability of accidental
contact with the running saw chain.
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Safety information
Follow the instructions for lubrication, chain
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tension and the changing of accessories. A
chain which has not been tensioned or lubricated
properly can either snap or increase the risk of
kickback.
Keep the handles dry, clean and free of oil and
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grease. Greasy and oily handles are slippery and
will cause loss of control.
Saw wood only. Do not use the chainsaw for
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work for which it is not designed. Example:
Do not use the chainsaw for sawing plastic,
masonry or building materials not made of
wood. Use of the chainsaw for tasks for which it
is not intended may lead to hazardous situations.
Causes and prevention of kickback:
Kickbacks can occur when the tip of the guide bar
contacts an object or when the wood bends and the
saw chain jams during cutting.
Contact with the tip of the bar may lead to an unex-
pected jolt backwards in some cases, at which point
the guide bar is knocked upwards and towards the
user.
The jamming of the saw chain at the top edge of the
guide bar may knock the bar back quickly towards
the user.
Each of these reactions may lead to you losing
control of the saw and possibly injuring yourself. Do
not solely rely on the safety equipment integrated
within the chainsaw. As the user of a chainsaw, you
should take different measures to enable you to
work free of accidents and injury.
Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/
or incorrect operating procedures or conditions. It
can be avoided by taking proper precautions as
described below.
Hold the saw securely with both hands, with
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the thumbs and fingers connecting around
the chainsaw handle. Bring your body and
arms into a position in which you are able to
absorb kickback forces. If appropriate meas-
ures are taken, the user will be able to manage
kickback forces. Never let go of the chainsaw.
Avoid abnormal postures and do not saw
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above shoulder height. This will ensure un-
intended contact with the tip of the bar will be
avoided will enable better control of the chainsaw
in unexpected situations.
Always use spare bars and saw chains pre-
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scribed by the manufacturer. Incorrect replace-
ment bars and saw chains may lead to the chain
breaking and/or kickbacks.
Follow the instructions of the manufacturer
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with respect to sharpening and maintaining
the saw chain. Excessively low depth limiters
increase the tendency for kickbacks.
Safety information