Craftsman 358.341143 Instruction Manual page 5

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
• Recognize that k ickback can happen.
With a basic u nderstanding ofkick-
back, you can reduce the element of
surprise which c ontributes toacci-
dents.
• Never let t hemoving chain c ontact
any object atthe tipofthe guide b ar.
• Keep w orking area free from obstruc-
tions s uch asother trees, branches,
rocks, fences, stumps, etc. E liminate
oravoid a ny obstruction that y our
saw chain c ould h itwhile c utting.
• When c utting abranch, donot l et t he
guide b ar c ontact another branch or
other objects around it.
• Keep s aw chain s harp a nd properly
tensioned. Aloose o rdull c hain c an
increase the chance ofkickback.
Follow m anufacturer's chain s harp-
ening a nd maintenance instructions.
Check tension atregular intervals,
but n ever with engine running. Make
sure bar m ounting nuts a resecurely
tightened.
• Begin a nd continue cutting atfull
speed. Ifthe chain i smoving ata
slower speed, there isgreater
chance ofkickback occurring.
• Use extreme caution when r e-enter-
ing acut.
• Donot a ttempt cuts s tarting with the
tipofthe bar(plunge cuts).
• Watch forshifting logs orother ob-
jects t hat c ould c lose a cutand pinch
orfall o nto chain.
• Use the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide B ar a nd Low Kickback Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
• Beextremely aware o fsituations or
obstructions that c an cause m aterial
topinch t he top oforotherwise stop
the chain.
• Donot c ut m ore t han one logata
time.
• Donot t wist the saw asthebar i s
withdrawn from anundercut when
bucking.
Avoid Pull-In:
• Always begin cutting with the saw 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 left of the s_._
Thumb on Y'_h_/_;_
underside / _'_
of handlebar _ \
Never reverse _,
hand positions
Elbow
7!',. ooked
• 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
with your right hand on the rear han-
dle when making bucking cuts.
Stand slightly to the left side of the
saw to keep your body from being in
a direct line with the cutting chain.
• Stand with your weight evenly bal-
anced on both feet.
• Do not overreach. You could be drawn
or thrown off balance and lose control.
• Do not cut above shoulder height. It
is difficult to maintain control of saw
above shoulder height.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
WARNING: The following fea-
tures are included on your saw to help
reduce hazard of kickback; however,
such features will not totally eliminate
this danger. Do not rely only on safety
devices.
• Hand Guard: designed to reduce the
chance of your left hand contacting
the chain if your hand slips off the
front handlebar.
• Position of front and rear handlebars:
designed with distance between
handles and "in-line" with each other.
The spread and "in-line" position of
the hands provided by this design