Reduce The Chance Of Kickback - Craftsman 358.350200 Instruction Manual

z'_ _____._=
dBIJWAHNING: Avoid kickback which
can result in serious injury. Kickback
is the backward, upward or sudden for-
ward motion of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the upper tip
of the guide bar contacts any object
such as a log or branch, or when the
wood closes in and pinches the saw
chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign
object in the wood can atso result in
Ioss of chain saw control.
• Rotational Kickback can occur
when the moving chain contacts an
object at the upper tip of the guide
bar. This contact can cause the
chain to dig into the object, which
stops the chain for an instant. The
result is a lightning fast, reverse
reaction which kicks the guide bar up
and back toward the operator.
• Pinch-Kickback can occur when the
the wood ctoses in and pinches the
moving saw chain in the cut along
the top of the guide bar and the saw
chain is suddenly stopped. This sud-
den 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. The saw is driven
straight back toward the operator.
• Pull-In can occur when the moving
chain contacts a foreign object in the
wood in the cut along the bottom of
the guide bar and the saw chain is
suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-
ping pulls the saw forward and away
from the operator and could easily
cause the operator to tose control of
the saw.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
• Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kick-
back, you can reduce the element of
surprise which contributes to acci-
dents.
• Never let the moving chain contact
any object at the tip of the guide bar.
• Keep 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 cutting.
• When cutting a branch, do not let the
guide bar contact another branch or
other objects around it.
• Keep saw chain sharp andpropedy
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can
increase the chance of kickback.
Follow manufacturer's chain sharp-
ening and maintenance instructions.
Check tension at regular intervals,
but never with engine running. Make
sure bar clamp nuts are securely
tightened.
• Begin and continue cutting at full
speed. If the chain is moving at a
slower speed, there is greater
chance of kickback occurring.
• Use extreme caution when re-enter-
ing a cut.
• Do not attempt cuts starting with the
tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
• Watch for shifting logs or other forces
that could close a cut and pinch or
fail into chain.
• Use the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low Kickback Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
• Be extremely aware of situations or
obstructions that can cause material
to pinch the top of or otherwise stop
the chain.
• Do not cut more than one log at a
time.
• Do not twist the saw as the bar is
withdrawn from an undercut when
bucking.
Avoid Pull-In:
• Always begin cutting with the engine
at full speed and the saw housing
against wood.
• Use wedges made of plastic or
wood. Never use metal to hold the
cut open.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Stand to the _ettof the saw
Thumb on
underside
of h_ Elbow
locked
Never reverse band positions
• A good, firm grip on the saw with
both hands will help you maintain
control. Don't let go. Grip the rear
handle with your right hand whether
you are right or left handed. Wrap the
fingers of your left hand over and
around the front handlebar, and your
left thumb under the front handlebar.
Keep your left arm straight with the
elbow locked.
• Position your left hand on the front
handlebar so it is in a straight line
4