Husqvarna 120 Operator's Manual page 11

serious injury or death to the operator or others. Do
not do operate the product on a ladder or in a tree.
(Fig. 28)
Kickbacks, skating, bouncing and dropping
Different forces can have an effect on the safe control of
the product.
• Skating is when the guide bar glides or moves
quickly across the wood.
• Bouncing is when the guide bar lifts off the wood and
touches it again and again.
• Dropping is when the product drops down after the
cut is made. This can cause the moving chain to
touch a part of the body or other objects, causing
injury or damage.
• Kickback is when the end of the guide bar touches
objects and moves rearward, up or suddenly
forward. Kickback also occurs when the wood closes
in and pinches the saw chain during the cut. Loss of
control can result if the product touches an object in
wood.
(Fig. 29)
• Rotational Kickback can occur when the moving
chain touches an object at the top of the guide
bar. This can cause the chain to bury into the
object and cause the chain to stop immediately.
The result is a very fast, reverse reaction that
moves the guide bar up and rearward in the
direction of the operator.
(Fig. 30)
(Fig. 31)
• Pinch-Kickback can occur when the saw chain
suddenly stops during the cut. The wood closes
in and pinches the moving saw chain along the
top of the guide bar. The sudden stop of the
chain reverses the chain force and causes the
product to move in the opposite direction of the
turn of the chain. The product moves rearward in
the direction of the operator.
(Fig. 32)
• Pull-In can occur when the saw chain suddenly
stops when the moving chain touches an object
in the wood along the bottom of the guide bar.
The sudden stop pulls the product forward and
away from the operator, which can easily cause
the loss of control of the product by the operator.
(Fig. 33)
Make sure that you understand the different forces and
how to prevent them before you operate the product.
To prevent kickbacks, skating, bouncing and
dropping
• While the engine runs, make sure to hold the product
tightly. Keep your right hand on the rear handle and
the left hand on the front handle. Tightly hold with
654 - 009 - 29.10.2020
thumbs and fingers around the handles. Do not let
go.
• Keep control of the product during the cut and after
the wood falls to the ground. Do not let the weight of
the product drop down after the cut is made. (Fig.
34)
• Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is
free from blockage. Do not let the nose of the guide
bar touch a log, branch or other blockages while you
operate the product.
• Cut at high engine speeds.
• Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height. (Fig.
35)
• Obey the manufacturer's sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
• Only use replacement guide bars and saw chains
specified by the manufacturer.
• The risk of kickback is increased if the depth gauge
setting is too large.
Personal protective equipment
• Always use the correct personal protective
equipment when you operate the product. The
personal protective equipment does not erase the
risk of injury. The personal protective equipment
decreases the grade of injury if an accident occurs.
• Generally, clothes should be close-fitting without
restricting your freedom of movement.
• Use an approved protective helmet.
• Always use approved ear protection while you
operate the product. Noise for a long period can
cause hearing loss.
• Use protective glasses or a face visor to reduce the
risk of injury from thrown objects. The product is
capable of throwing objects, such as wood chips,
small pieces of wood, etc., at great force. This can
result in serious injury, especially to the eyes.
• Use gloves with chainsaw protection.
• Use trousers with chainsaw protection.
• Use boots with chainsaw protection, steel toe-cap
and non-slip sole.
• Make sure that you have a first aid kit near.
• Sparks can come from the muffler, the guide bar and
saw chain or other sources. Always have fire
extinguishing tools and a shovel available to help
prevent forest fires.
Protective devices on the product
• Make sure that you regularly do the maintenance to
the product.
• The life of the product increases.
• The risk of accidents decreases.
Let an approved dealer or an approved service
center regularly examine the product to do
adjustments or repairs.
11