Greenlee 42247 Operation, Service And Parts Instruction Manual page 12

Operation (cont'd)
• Kickback hazard:
Kickback may occur when the moving saw chain
at 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.
• Pushback hazard:
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the
guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back
towards the operator.
• Do not operate tool with a damaged or worn saw
chain. An improperly sharpened, dull, worn or
damaged saw chain increases the risk of
kickback and pushback.
Failure to observe these warnings could result in
severe injury or death.
Kickback (See Figures 5 and 6)
Kickback occurs when the upper portion of the guide
bar nose contacts a solid object or is pinched. The
reaction of the cutting force of the chain causes a
rotational force on the chain saw in the direction oppo-
site to the chain movment. This may fling the bar up and
back in an uncontrolled arc, mainly in the plane of the
bar. Under some cutting circumstances the bar may
move violently towards the operator. Kickback may
also occur when the guide bar nose is pinched, caught,
DANGER
ZONE
Greenlee Textron / Subsidiary of Textron Inc.
Figure 5
Kickback
H6200B / 42247 Chain Saw
encounters a foreign object, or is incorrectly used when
cutting.
Many factors influence the occurrence and force of the
kickback reaction. These include chain speed, the speed
at which the bar and chain contact the object, the angle
of contact, the conditions of the chain, and other factors.
To Avoid Kickback:
1. Hold the chain saw firmly with both hands and
maintain a firm, secure grip.
2. Be aware of the location of the guide bar nose at all
times.
3. Do not let the guide bar nose contact any object. Do
not cut limbs with the guide bar nose. Be especially
careful when cutting small, tough limbs, small size
brush and saplings which may easily catch the saw
chain.
4. Do not overreach to cut.
5. Do not cut above shoulder height.
6. Always begin and continue the cut at full chain
speed.
7. Cut only one limb at a time.
8. Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous
cut.
9. Be alert for the shifting of the limb or other forces
that may cause the cut to close and pinch the saw
chain.
10. Maintain the saw chain properly. Always cut with a
properly sharpened saw chain and maintain proper
saw chain tension at all times.
11. Always stand to the side of the cutting path of the
saw chain.
12
4455 Boeing Dr., Rockford, IL 61109-2988
Figure 6
Kickback
METAL
OBJECTS
815/397-7070