Special Safety Section; Guard Against Kickback; Reduct The Chance Of Kickback; Maintain Control - Craftsman 358.34021 Operator's Manual

SPECIAL SAFETY SECTION
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback Is a dangerous reaction that can lead to
ser[o us pe rso hal Injury, Do not rely only on the safety
devices provided with yoursaw. As achain saw user, you
must take special safety precautions to help keep your
cutting jobs free from accident or Injury,
KICKBACK WARNING
Kickback'can occur when the moving chain contacts
an objec,tat 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 upperportlon of the tip of the
guidebarcan causethe chain to dig into the object and
stop the,chain for an instant, The result is a lightning
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 _apidiy backtoward the operator. Eitherofthesa
reactions can cause loss of saw control which can
result in serious persona/ injur_,
KICKBACK
"_ PATH
J
I
Figure I
AVOID
OBSTRUCT|ONS
CLEAR
WORKING AREA
Figure 2
" _ "_,_ KEEP A FIRM GRIP
J _U_ . '\ WITH BOTH HANDS
\ _:.-- _ WITH LEFTTHUMB
NDL_:BAR
CORRECT GRIP INCORRECT GRIP
NEVER REVERSE
HAND POSITIONS
LEFT
RIGH
ANI
CORRECT POSITION
Figure 3
1. Recognize that kickback can happen, With a basic
understanding of kickback, you can reduce the ele-
ment of surprise which contributes to accidents.
2. Never let the moving chain contact any object at
the tip of the guide bar. Figure 1.
3. Keep the working area free from obstructions
such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences,
stumps, etc, Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you
are cutting through a particular log or branch.
4. Keep your saw chain sharp _ and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the
chance of kickback. Follow manufacturer's chain
sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check
tension ,at-regular-intervals with the motor stopped,
neverwith the rnotorrunning. Make surethatbar clamp
nutsare securely tightenedafter tensioning thechain.
5: Begin and continue cutting only with the chain
moving at full speed. If the chain is moving at a
slower speed, there is greater chance for kickback
to occur.
6. Cut one log at a time.
7. Use extreme caution wheri reentering a previous
cut.
8. Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
€losea cut and pinch or fall into the chain.
10. Use the Reduced.Kickback Guide Bar and Low-
Kickback Chain speciffed for you r saw,
MAINTAIN CONTROL
1. Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands
when the motor is running and don't let go. F3gure
3. A firm grip can neutralize kickback and help you
maintain control of the saw; Keep the fingers of your
lefthand encirclingand yourleftthumb under the front
handlebar.Keepyourrighth_ndcompletelyaroundthe
rear handle whether you are right handed=or left
handed. Keep your ]eft arm straight with the elbow
locked.
2. Never reverse right and left hand positions. Fig-
ure3.
3. Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both
feet.
4. Stand stightly to t he left side of the saw, to keep
yourbody from being In a direct line with the cut-
ting chain, Figure 3.
5. Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown off
balance and lose control of the saw.
6. Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult to
maintain control of the saw above shouider height,