Echo DCS-1600 Operator's Manual page 15

Kickback safety precautions
Kickback safety precaution for chain saw users: kick-
back 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.
In some cases, tip contact
may cause a lightning-fast re-
verse reaction, kicking the
guide bar up and back toward
the operator (this is called a
rotational kickback). Pinching
the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the
guide bar rapidly back toward the operator (this is called a
linear kickback).
Either or these reactions may
cause you to lose control of
the saw and come in contact
with the moving chain, which
could result in serious per-
sonal injury. As a chain saw
user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs
free from accident or injury.
With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or
eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contrib-
utes to accidents. Understand that rotational kickback is pre-
ventable by keeping an unshielded bar nose from touching
an object or the ground.
For safe use of your product
DANGER
Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to
the operator, helpers or bystanders may result from one-
handed operation. For proper control, always use two hands
when operating a chain saw, one of which operates the trig-
ger. Otherwise, this can result in the chain saw "skating" or
skidding, which can result in personal injury due to loss of
control.
Keep a good firm grip on the saw which both hands, with the
right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front
handle, when the unit is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs
and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip will
help you reduce kickback and maintain control of the saw.
Two hands must be used to control the saw at all times.
Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from
obstructions. Do not let the bar nose contact a log, branch,
or any other obstruction which could be hit while you are op-
erating the saw.
Cutting at high speeds may reduce the likelihood of kick-
back. But cutting at part-throttle or low speeds may be pref-
erable to control the chain saw in tight situations and may
also reduce the likelihood of kickback.
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