Craftsman 358.34160 Operator's Manual page 3

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SPECIAL SAFETY SECTION
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GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to
serious injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices
provided wtth your saw. As a chin saw user, you must
take special safety precautions to help keep your
cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
_k 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. Contactattheupperportionofthetipofthe
guidebarcan cause the chainto dig intothe object and
stop the chain for an instant. The result is a h'ghtning
fast, reverse reaction which kicks theguide bar up and
back toward the operator, ff the saw chain is pinched
along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can be
dttven rapidly back towardthe operator. Either ol_these
reactions can cause loss of saw control which can
result in se,'lous injurj.
KICKBACK
PATH
Figure 1
1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic
understandingofkickback, you can reduce theele-
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
obstructionthat 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 motorstopped,
neverwiththemotor running.Makesurethatbarclamp
nuts are securelytightenedafter tensioningthe chain.
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 o_ur.
6. Cut one log at a time.
7. Use extreme caution when reentering a previous
cut.
8."Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9. Watch for shiffing logs Orother forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into the chain.
10. Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low-
Kickback Chain specified for you r saw.
.5
CLEAR THE
WORKINGAREA
• Figure 2
KEEP A RRMGRIP
WITH BOTH HANDS
WITH LEFT THUMB
CORRECT GRIP INCORRECT GRIP
AVOID
OBSTRUCTIONS
CORRECT POSITION
MAINTAIN CONTROL
1. Keepa good firm grip on thesaw with both hands
when the motoris running and don't let go. Figure
3. A firm grip can neutralize kickback and help you
maintain controlof the saw. Keep the fingersof your
lefthandencirclingand yourleftthumb underthefront
handlebar.Keepyourrighthandcompletely aroundthe
rear handle whether you are right handed or left
handed_ Keep your left 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 slightly to the left side of the saw, to keep
your bod_ from being in a direct line with the cut-
ting chain. Figure 3.
5. Do-not overreach. YouCouldbedrawn or thrownoff
balance and lose control of the saw.
6. Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficultto
maintain control of the saw above shoulder height.
Figure 3
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