Warnings And Safety Instructions - Husqvarna 23 Compact Operator's Manual

WMNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Additional Safety Instructions throughout this Manual)
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious
injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices provided with
our saw. As a chain saw user,you must take special safety
recautions to help keep your cutting jobs free from acci-
ent or injury.
A KICKBACK WARNING
(ickback can occur when the moving chain con-
acts an object at the upper portion of the tip of
he guide bar or when the wood closes in and
)inches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the
lpper portion of the tip of the guide bar can
;ause the chain to dig into the object, which
kops the chain for an instant. The result is a
ightning fast, reverse reaction which kicks the
wide bar up and back toward the operator. If
he saw chain is pinched along the top of the
~ide bar, the guide bar can be driven rapidly
jack toward the operator. Either of these reac-
ions can cause loss of saw control which can re-
;ult in serious injury.
Figure 1
.
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Avoid
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,,
Obstructions
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Clear The
WOrkingArea ~&J7
Figure 2
Never Reverse
Hand Positions
I
Stand To
The Left
Of The Saw
Elbow
' Locked
Thumb On
Under Side
Of Handlebar
Figure 3
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
Recognize that kickback can happen. With a
basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce
tJ~fJement of surprise which contributes to acci-
Never let the moving chain at the tip of the
guide bar contact any object. Figure 1.
Keep the working area free from obstruc-
tions such as other trees, branches, recks, fences,
stumps, etc. Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any ob-
struction that your saw chain could hit while you
are cutting through a particular log or branch.
Keep your saw chain sharp and properly ten-
sioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the
chance of kickback to occur. Follow manufacturer's
chain sharpening and maintenance instructions.
Check tension at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure
the bar clamp nuts are securely tightened after ten-
sioning the chain.
Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is great-
er chance for kickback to occur.
Cut one log at a time.
Use extreme caution when recentering a
previous cut.
Do not attempt plunge cuts.
Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and
Low-Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and don't
let go. Figure 3. A firm grip can neutralize kick-
back and help you maintain control of the saw. Kee
f
the fingers of your left hand encircling and you le t
thumb under the front handlebar. Keep your right
hand completely around the rear handle whether
your are right handed or left handed. Keep your left
arm straight with the elbow locked.
Position your left hand on the front handle-
bar so it is in a straight line with your right
hand on the rear handle when making buck-
ing cuts. Figure 3. Never reverse right and left
hand positions for any type of cutting.
Stand with your weight evenly balanced on
both feet.
Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to
keep your body and head from being in a di-
rect line with the cutting chain. Figure 3.
Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown
off balance and lose control of the saw.
Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult
to maintain control of saw above shoulder height.
3