Kickback Safety Features - Black & Decker Alligator 90520380 Instruction Manual

90520380 Lopper w batt revised
- The natural lean of the branch.
- Any unusual heavy limb structure or decay.
- Surrounding trees and obstacles including overhead lines.
- The wind speed and direction.
- The safe distance between a branch and debris to be felled and
bystanders, buildings and other objects is at least 2 1/2 times the
length of the branch. Any bystander, building or object within this
distance is at risk from being struck by the falling branch.
- When cutting a limb that is under tension be aware of spring back.
When the tension in the wood fibres are released the spring loaded
limb may strike the operator and/or throw the tool out of control.
- Always wear suitable safety equipment such as non-skid
heavy-duty shoes, goggles, ear protection and gloves when
operating the tool.
- Ensure someone is nearby (at a safe distance) in case of an
accident.
- Do not attempt to operate the tool when in a tree, on a ladder or
standing on any other unstable support.
- Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
- Hold the tool firmly with both hands when the motor is running.
- Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Greasy oily
handles are slippery causing loss of control.
- Do not let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the
guide bar.
- Keep your saw chain properly tensioned. Check tension at regular
intervals with the motor stopped and battery disconnected.
- Begin and continue cutting only with the chain moving at full
speed.
- Watch for shifting branches or other forces that could close a cut
and pinch or fall into the chain.
- Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous cut. Engage
spikes on lower jaw into wood and allow the chain to reach full
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speed before proceeding with cut.
- Use of this tool for operation different to those intended could
result in hazardous situations. Cut wood only. Don't use this tool for
purposes not intended - for example - Don't use tool for cutting
plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials.
- If any debris gets caught with the guard or tool discontinue use,
disconnect power cord and clear debris.
- Worn chains and chain guide bars should be replaced.
- Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the manufacturer.
- This saw is intended for infrequent use by homeowners, cottagers,
and campers, and for such general applications as clearing,
pruning, cutting firewood, etc. It is not intended for prolonged use.
Prolonged periods of operation can cause circulatory problems in
the user's hands due to vibration. For such use, it may be
appropriate to use a saw having an anti-vibration feature.

Kickback Safety Features

Guard against kickback. Kickback is the upward motion of the guide
bar that occurs when the saw chain, at the nose of the guide bar,
contacts an object. Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of
the chain saw.
WARNING: The following features are included on your Alligator
TM
Lopper to help reduce the hazard of kickback; however such
features will not totally eliminate this dangerous reaction. As a chain
saw user do not rely only on safety devices. You must follow all
safety precautions, instructions, and maintenance in this manual to
help avoid kickback and other forces which can result in serious
injury.
Top Jaw - This has been designed specifically to cover the tip of the
chain bar where the danger zone for kickback occurs. In the event
of any kickback the guard also helps reduce the risk of the chain
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