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that you understand the causes of kickback
and that you can prevent them with correct
working technique. If you are prepared you
decrease the risk.
A kickback occur when the kickback zone touches an
object with a rotating saw chain. A kickback can occur
suddenly and with large force, which throws the product,
guide bar and saw chain against the operator. Do not let
the kickback zone touch an object.
Kickback always occurs in the cutting plane of the guide
bar. Usually, the product, guide bar and saw chain are
thrown against the operator but can also move in a
different direction. It is how you use the product when
the kickback occurs that causes the direction of
movement.
The smaller the bar tip radius the lower the risk of
kickback.
A saw chain is made up of a number of links, which are
available as standard and low kickback. You can
decrease the effects of kickback by using the correct
cutting equipment with kickback reduction.
WARNING: No saw chain fully prevents the
dangerous situations that can occur during a
kickback.
Common questions about kickback
•
Will the hand always engage the chain brake during
a kickback?
No. It is necessary to use some force to push the
front hand guard forward. If you do not use the force
necessary, the chain brake may not be engaged.
This can occur if your hand only lightly touches the
423 - 002 - 01.03.2018
front hand guard. You must also hold the handles of
the product stable with two hands during work. If a
kickback occurs, your hand may not let go of the
front handle. Then it will not engage the chain brake,
or the chain brake will only engage after the product
has moved around a large distance. If this situation
occurs, the chain brake may not stop the saw chain
before it touches you. There are also some positions
in which your hand can not touch the front hand
guard to engage the chain brake. An example of this
is in the felling position.
•
Will the inertia release mechanism always engage
the chain brake during kickback?
No. First, the chain brake must work correctly. See
Maintenance and checks of the safety devices on
the product on page 19 for instructions about how
to do a check of the chain brake. We recommend
you to do this each time before you use the product.
Second, the kickback must be intense to engage the
chain brake. If the chain brake is too sensitive it will
be engaged all the time.
•
Will the chain brake always protect me from injury
during a kickback?
No. The chain brake must work correctly in order to
give the correct protection. The chain brake must
also be engaged during a kickback to stop the saw
chain. If you are near the guide bar, the chain brake
may not have time to stop the saw chain before it
hits you.
WARNING: Only you and the correct
working technique can prevent kickbacks.
To prepare the product for operation in
the tree
1. The ground worker must do a check of, fuel, start
and warm up the product.
2. Engage the chain brake.
3. Secure the product during tree maintenance work
above ground level. Fit the product with a suitable
strop as an attachment to the operator's harness.
a) Attach one end of the strop around the rope
eyelet.
Note: If the operator loses control of the product,
the strop will prevent the product from falling to
the ground. Attach the belt eyelet to the hook on
17
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