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SPECIAL
SAFETY
SECTION
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GUARD AGAINST
KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to ssdous
injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices provided
with your saw.
As a chain saw user, you must
take
special safety precautions to help keep your cutting jobs
free from accident or injury.
KICKBACK WARNING
Kickbackcan occur whenthemovingchain
contactsan
object at the upper portion of the tip of the guide baror
when the wood closes in and pinches the sawchain in
the cut. Contact at the upper portion
of the tip of the
guidebarcan
cause the 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, ff 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 control which can
result in serious injury.
NEVER
REVERSE
HAND
POSI_ONS
STAND
TO THE
LEFT OF
THE SAW
LEFT HAND
Figure 3
ELBOW
LOCKED
THUb]B ON
UNDER SIDE
OF HANDLEBAR
REDUCE
THE CHANCE
OF
KICKBACK
1.
Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
the element of surprise which contributes to
accidents.
2.
Ne_erlet the moving chaincontact anyobject 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 end propedy ten.
sloned. Followmanufacturer's chain sharpeningand
maintenance instructions.Check tension a_ regular
it_"_mlswi_ lhe er_ir_ _
nev_wilh_eengi_
running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts am securely
tightened alter tensioningthe chain. A loose or dull
chain can increasethe chance of kickback.
5.
Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. It the
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater
{:hence for kickback to occur.
Cut oniy one log at a time.
Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous
cut.
8.
Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9.
Watch for shifting iogsorotherforcesthat
could
close a cut and pinch or fail into the chain.
Use the Reduced-FJckback Guide Bar and Low-
Kickback Chain specified for yoursaw.
°
7.
10.
MAIXTAIN
OONTROL
1.
Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both h_nds
when the engine is running and don't let go.
Figure -3. A firm g_ip can neutralize kickback and
help you maintain control of the saw. Keep the
fingers of your left hand encircling and your left
thumb under the f_ont handlebar.. Keep your right
hand completely around the rear handle whether
you are right handed or /eft handed. Keep your left
arm straight with the elbuw locked.
2.
Position yourleft hand onthe front handlebarso it
is in a straightiine with your right hand onthe rear
handle whenma king bucking cuts. Figure 3. Never
reverse right and .eft hand positions for any type of
cutting.
3.
Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
4.
Stand slightly to the left side of the saw_ to keep
your body from being in a direct line with the
cutting chain. Figure 3
5.
Do not overreach. You cou|d 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 shoulder height.
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