Craftsman 358.360680 Instruction Manual page 4

_WARNING:Avoid k ickback
which c an result inserious injury.
Kickback isthebackward, upward or
sudden forward motion oftheguide
baroccurring when t he saw chain n ear
the upper tipofthe guide b ar c ontacts
any object such asalog orbranch, or
when t he wood c loses inand pinches
the saw chain i nthe cut. C ontacting a
foreign object inthe wood c an also re-
sult i nloss ofchain s aw control.
• Rotational Kickback can occur
when t he moving chain c ontacts an
object atthe upper tipofthe guide
bar. This contact can cause t he
chain t odig into the object, which
stops t he chain f oraninstant. The
result isalightning fast, reverse
reaction which k icks t heguide b arup
and back t oward theoperator.
• Pinch-Kickback can occur when t he
the wood c loses i nand pinches the
moving saw chain i nthe cutalong
the top ofthe guide b ar a nd the saw
chain i ssuddenly stopped. This sud-
den stopping ofthe chain r esults ina
reversal ofthe chain f orce u sed t o
cut w ood a nd causes the saw to
move i nthe opposite direction ofthe
chain r otation. The saw isdriven
straight back t oward theoperator.
• Pull4n c an occur when t he moving
chain c ontacts aforeign object inthe
wood i nthe cut a long the bottom o f
the guide b ar a nd the saw chain i s
suddenly stopped. This s udden stop-
ping pulls t he saw forward and away
from the operator and could e asily
cause the operator tolose control of
the saw.
REDUCE
THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
• Recognize that kickback can hap-
pen. With a basic understanding of
kickback, you can reduce the ele-
ment of surprise which contributes to
accidents.
• Never let the moving chain contact
any object at the tip of the guide bar.
• Keep the working area free from ob-
structions such as other trees,
branches, rocks, fences, stumps,
etc. Eliminate or avoid any
obstruction that your saw chain could
hit while you are cutting.
• When cutting a branch, do not let the
guide bar contact branch or other ob-
jects around it.
• Keep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can
increase the chance of kickback. Fol-
low manufacturer's chain sharpening
and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals, but never
with the engine running. Make sure
the bar 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 previous 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
fall into chain.
• Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide
Bar and Low-Kickback Chain speci-
fied for your saw.
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 tile _eftof the saw
Thumb on \!
underside ,_
Elbow
locked
Never reverse hand 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.