General Safety Rules - Craftsman CMCCSP20 Instruction Manual

English
‑ if trigger does not turn pole saw on and off. Chain
must stop moving when you release trigger. Have
faulty switch replaced by authorized service center. See
Accessories under Maintenance.
‑ while in a hurry.
‑ while in a tree or on a ladder.
‑ while on aerial booms, buckets or platforms.
‑ during high wind or storming weather.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES


DANGER: Shock Hazard. Serious injury or death from
electrocution if power lines are contacted. Never use
near any electrical source, wires, or power lines.

WARNING: For safe operation read and
understand owner's manual. Wear face shield (and/
or safety glasses) and hard hat to protect against falling
debris. Always have a clear work area, retreat path, and
be aware of limb/branch location to avoid falling limbs
and debris. Keep bystanders 50' (15 m) away when
operating saw. To reduce the risk of electric shock do not
use on wet surfaces. Do not expose to rain. Store indoors.
• To protect yourself from falling branches do not stand
directly under the branch or limb being cut. This unit should
not be held at an angle over 60 ° from ground level.
• Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil.
• Before you start the unit, make sure the chain is not
contacting any object.
• Make sure the cutting chain has stopped before setting the
unit down.
Service
• Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair
personnel. Service or maintenance performed by
unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury. Refer to
the Maintenance section of this manual.
• When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement
parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance section of
this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow
maintenance instructions may create a risk of electric shock
or injury.
Guard Against Kickback

WARNING: KICKBACK may occur when the nose or
tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the
wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a lightning fast
reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back
towards the operator. Pinching the saw chain along
the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly
back towards the operator. Either of these reactions
may cause you to lose control of the saw which could
result in serious injury to user.

The following precautions should be followed to
minimize kickback:
• Hold the saw firmly with both hands when the unit is
running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling
the saw powerhead handle and auxiliary handle. DO NOT
use the pole as a grasping surface.
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• Do not overreach.
• Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
• Don't let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch,
ground or other obstruction.
• Do not extend pole saw handle above shoulder height.
• Use devices such as reduced kickback chain, chain braking
system and special guide bars that reduce the risks
associated with kickback.
• Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
• Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of
the guide bar.
• Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other
trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or
avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while
you are cutting through a particular log or branch.
• Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose
or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback. Check
tension at regular intervals with the motor stopped and
battery removed.
• Begin and continue cutting only with the chain moving at
full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is a
greater chance for kickback to occur.
• Cut one branch at a time.
• Use extreme caution when re‑entering a previous cut.
Engage spiked bumpers into wood and allow chain to
reach full speed before proceeding with cut.
• Do not attempt plunge cuts or bore cuts.
• Watch for shifting branches or other forces that could close
a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
Kickback Safety Features

WARNING: The following features are included on
your pole saw to help reduce the hazard of kickback;
however such features will not totally eliminate this
dangerous reaction. As a pole 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.
• Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar, designed with a small
radius tip which reduces the size of the kickback danger
zone on bar tip. A reduced‑ kickback guide bar is one which
has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the number
and seriousness of kickbacks when tested in accordance
with safety requirements for electric chain saws.
• Reduced Kickback Chain, designed with a contoured
depth gauge and guard link which deflect kickback
force and allow wood to gradually ride into the cutter.
A reduced‑kickback chain is a chain which has met
kickback performance requirements when tested on the
representative sample of chain saws.
Pole Saw Names and Terms
Drive Sprocket or Sprocket - The toothed part that drives
•
the saw chain.
Guide Bar - A solid railed structure that supports and
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guides the saw chain.