Echo DCS-2500 Operator's Manual page 10

For safe use of your product
Chain saw safety warnings
 Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain
when the chain saw is operating. Before you start the
chain saw, make sure the saw chain is not contacting
anything. A moment of inattention while operating chain
saws may cause entanglement of your clothing or body with
the saw chain.
 Always hold the chain saw with your right hand on the
rear handle and your left hand on the front handle. Hold-
ing the chain saw with a reversed hand configuration in-
creases the risk of personal injury and should never be
done.
 Hold the chain saw by insulated gripping surfaces only,
because the saw chain may contact hidden wiring. Saw
chains contacting a "live" wire may make exposed metal
parts of the chain saw "live'" and could give the operator an
electric shock.
 Wear eye protection. Further protective equipment for
hearing, head, hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Adequate protective equipment will reduce personal injury
from flying debris or accidental contact with the saw chain.
 Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder, from a
rooftop, or any unstable support. Operation of a chain
saw in this manner could result in serious personal injury.
 Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw
only when standing on fixed, secure and level surface.
Slippery or unstable surfaces may cause a loss of balance
or control of the chain saw.
 When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for
spring back. When the tension in the wood fibres is re-
leased, the spring loaded limb may strike the operator and/
or throw the chain saw out of control.
Causes and operator prevention of kickback
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 sudden reverse reac-
tion, 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 personal injury. Do not rely
exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a
chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cut-
ting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating
procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper
precautions as given below:
WARNING
 Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings.
The slender material may catch the saw chain and be
whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
 Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the chain
saw switched off and away from your body. When trans-
porting or storing the chain saw, always fit the guide bar
cover. Proper handling of the chain saw will reduce the like-
lihood of accidental contact with the moving saw chain.
 Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning
and changing the bar and chain. Improperly tensioned or
lubricated chain may either break or increase the chance for
kickback.
 Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes not
intended. For example: do not use chain saw for cutting
metal, plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials.
Use of the chain saw for operations different than intended
could result in a hazardous situation.
 Do not attempt to fell a tree until you have an under-
standing of the risks and how to avoid them. Serious in-
jury could occur to the operator or bystanders while felling a
tree.
 Follow all instructions when clearing jammed material,
storing or servicing the chain saw. Make sure the switch
is off and the battery pack is removed. Unexpected actu-
ation of the chain saw while clearing jammed material or ser-
vicing may result in serious personal injury.
DANGER
 Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling
the chain saw handles, with both hands on the saw and
position your body and arm to allow you to resist kick-
back forces. Kickback forces can be controlled by the oper-
ator, if proper precautions are taken. Do not let go of the
chain saw.
 Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height.
This helps prevent unintended tip contact and enables bet-
ter control of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
 Only use replacement guide bars and saw chains spec-
ified by the manufacturer. Incorrect replacement guide
bars and saw chains may cause chain breakage and/or kick-
back.
 Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain. Decreasing the depth
gauge height can lead to increased kickback.
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