Gardena CST 2018-Li Operating Instructions Manual page 4

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. Holding the chain saw with a reversed hand
configuration increases the risk of personal injury
and should never be done.
• Hold the power tool 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
power tool "live" and could give the operator an
electric shock.
• Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
Further protective equipment for head, hands,
legs and feet is recommended. Adequate
protective clothing will reduce personal injury by
flying debris or accidental contact with the saw chain.
• Do not operate a chain saw in a tree. Operation of
chain saw while up a tree may result in personal
injury.
• Always keep proper footing and operate the
chain saw only when standing on fixed, secure
and level surface. Slippery or unstable surfaces
such as ladders 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 released the spring loaded limb may strike
the operator and/or throw the chain saw out of
control.
• Use extreme caution when cutting brush and
saplings. The slender material may catch the saw
chain and be whipped forward 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 transporting or storing the chain saw
always fit the guide bar cover. Proper handling of
the chain saw will reduce the likelihood of accidental
contact with the moving saw chain.
• Follow instructions for lubricating, chain
tensioning and changing accessories. Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or
increase the chance for kickback.
• Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and
grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing
loss of control.
• Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes
not intended. For example: do not use chain saw
for cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood building
materials. Use of the chain saw for operations
different than intended could result in a hazardous
situation.
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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 reaction, 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
cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is a result of tool misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given
below:
• 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 kickback forces.
Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, 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 better control of the chain 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.
Additional Safety Recommendations
1. Manual use. All persons using this machine must
read the user manual completely with extreme care.
The user manual must be included with the machine
in the case of sale or loan to another person.
2. Precautions prior to machine use. Never permit
this machine to be used by any persons who are not
perfectly familiar with the manual instructions.
Inexperienced persons must follow a training period
operating on a saw horse only.
3. Control checks. Check the machine with care
before use each time, especially if it has been subject
to strong impact, or if it shows any signs of
malfunction. Perform all operations described in the
chapter "Maintenance – Before each use".