Maintain Control - Craftsman 358.350461 Instruction Manual

Z_
LI_ WARNING: Avoid kickback which
can result in serious injury. Kickback
is the backward, upward or sudden for-
ward motion of the guide bar occurring
when the saw chain near the upper tip
of the guide bar contacts any object
such as a log or branch, or when the
wood closes in and pinches the saw
chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign
object in the wood can also result in
loss of chain saw control.
• Rotational Kickback can occur
when the moving chain contacts an
object at the upper tip of the guide
bar. This contact can cause the
chain to dig into the object, which
stops the chain for an instant. The
result is a lightning fast, reverse
reaction which kicks the guide bar up
and back toward the operator.
• Pinch-Kickback can occur when the
the wood closes in and pinches the
moving saw chain in the cut along the
top of the guide bar and the saw chain
is suddenly stopped. This sudden
stopping of the chain results in a re-
versal of the chain force used to cut
wood and causes the saw to move in
the opposite direction of the chain
rotation. The saw is driven straight
back toward the operator.
• Pull-In can occur when the moving
chain contacts a foreign object in the
wood in the cut along the bottom of
the guide bar and the saw chain is
suddenly stopped. This sudden stop-
ping pulls the saw forward and away
from the operator and could easily
cause the operator to lose control of
the saw.
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
• Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kick-
back, you can reduce the element of
surprise which contributes to acci-
dents.
• Never let the moving chain contact
any object at the tip of the guide bar.
• Keep working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches,
rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate
or avoid any obstruction that your saw
chain could hit while cutting.
• When cutting a branch, do not let the
guide bar contact another branch or
other objects around it.
• Keep saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can
increase the chance of kickback. Fol-
low manufacturer's chain sharpening
and maintenance instructions. Check
tension at regular intervals, but never
with engine running. Make sure chain
brake nuts are securely tightened.
• Begin and continue cutting at full
speed. If the chain is moving at a
slower speed, there is greater chance
of kickback occurring.
• Use extreme caution when reentering
a cut.
• Do not attempt cuts starting with the
tip of the bar (plunge cuts).
• Watch for shifting logs or other forces
that could close a cut and pinch or fall
into chain.
• Use the specified Reduced-Kickback
Guide Bar and Low-Kickback Chain.
Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
• Be extremely aware of situations or
obstructions that can cause material
to pinch the top of or otherwise stop
the chain.
• Do not cut more than one log at a
time.
• Do not twist saw as bar is withdrawn
from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid Pull-In:
• Always begin cutting with the engine
at full speed and the saw housing
against wood.
• Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Stand to the left of the saw
Thumb on
underside
of handlebar
Elbow
locked
Never reverse hand positions
• A good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands will help you maintain control.
Don't let go. Grip the rear handle with
your right hand whether you are right
or left handed. Wrap the fingers of
your left hand over and around the
front handlebar, and your left thumb
under the front handlebar. Keep your
left arm straight with the elbow locked.
• Position your left hand on the front
handlebar so it is in a straight line with