Skil PWRCORE 20 PR0600B-00 Owner's Manual page 7

Maintain a firm grip, hold the saw firmly by the handle with one hand, with the fingers
•
encircling the pruning saw handle . Use your other hand to support the saw from
above and position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces (Fig . 4) .
Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken. Do not let
go of the pruning saw.
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height . This helps prevent unintended
•
tip contact and enables better control of the pruning saw in unexpected situations.
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect
•
replacement bars and chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw
•
chain . Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to increased kickback.
Fig. 4
Causes and operator prevention of pull-in
(Fig. 5):
WARNING
Pull-in occurs when the chain on the bottom
•
of the bar is suddenly stopped or significantly
slowed when it is pinched, caught or
encounters a foreign object in the wood. The
reaction of the chain pulls the saw forward
and may cause the operator to lose control,
which, in turn, may cause serious or fatal
injury.
Pull-in usually occurs when the bucking
•
spikes of the saw are not held securely
against the branch or limb and the chain is
not rotating at full speed before it contacts the wood.
To reduce the risk of pull-in:
•
Cut with a sharp, properly tensioned chain.
–
Always start a cut with the chain rotating at full speed and with the bucking spikes in contact
–
with the wood.
Use caution when cutting small-size brush, branches and saplings which may easily catch
–
the chain, spring towards you or pull you off balance.
Do not use the saw with a damaged or missing guard.
–
Fig. 5
Bucking Spikes
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