Craftsman 358.740160 Operator's Manual page 5

anti-vibration system does not guarantee the
avoidance of these problems. Users who
operate power tools on a continual and
regular basis must monitor closely
their physical condition and the
condition of this tool.
With the engine stopped, hand-

carry the chainsaw with the
muffler away from your body,
and the guide bar and
chain to the rear,
preferably covered with a
scabbard.
MAINTAINING YOUR SAW
Have all chainsaw service performed by a

qualified service dealer with the exception of
the items listed in the maintenance section of
this manual. For example, if improper tools
are used to remove or hold the flywheel when
servicing the clutch, structural damage to the
flywheel can occur and cause the flywheel to
burst.
Make certain the saw chain stops moving

when the throttle trigger is released. For
correction, refer to Carburetor Adjustment.
Never modify your saw in any way.

Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or

fuel mixture.
Keep fuel and oil caps, screws, and fasteners

securely tightened.
Use only genuine accessories and

replacement parts as recommended.
Your saw is equipped with a temperature

limiting muffler and spark arresting screen
which meets the requirements of California
Codes 4442 and 4443. All U.S. forest land
and the states of California, Idaho, Maine,
Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, and
Washington require by law that many internal
combustion engines to be equipped with a
spark arresting screen. If you operate a
chainsaw in a state or locale where such
regulations exist, you are legally responsible
for maintaining the operating condition of
these parts. Failure to do so is a violation of
the law. Refer to the SERVICE section for
maintenance of the spark arresting screen.
HANDLING FUEL
Do not smoke while handling fuel or while

operating the saw.
Eliminate all sources of sparks or flame in the

areas where fuel is mixed or poured. There
should be no smoking, open flames, or work
that could cause sparks. Allow engine to cool
before refueling.
Always have fire extinguishing tools available

if you should need them.
Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area on bare

ground; store fuel in a cool, dry, well
ventilated place; and use an approved,
marked container for all fuel purposes. Wipe
up all fuel spills before starting saw.
Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fueling

site before starting engine.
Turn the engine off and let saw cool in a non‐

combustible area, not on dry leaves, straw,
paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel cap and refuel
unit.
Store the unit and fuel in an area where fuel

vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames
from water heaters, electric motors or
switches, furnaces, etc.
UNDERSTANDING KICKBACK
WARNING: Avoid kickback which
can result in serious injury. Kickback is
the backward, upward or sudden
forward 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 also result in loss
of chainsaw control.
Rotational Kickback
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
Pinch kickback can occur when the wood
closes 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 sudden
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
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
stopping pulls the saw forward and away from
the operator and could easily cause the
operator to lose control of the saw.
REDUCING THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
Recognize that kickback can happen. With a

basic understanding of kickback, you can
reduce the element of surprise which
contributes to accidents.
Never let the moving chain contact any object

at the tip of the guide bar.
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