4
Avoid Obstructions
Clear The Working Area
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
S
Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kickback,
you can reduce the element of surprise
which contributes to accidents.
S
Never letthemoving chaincontactany ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar .
S
Keep the working area free from obstruc-
tionssuchas othertrees,branches,rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid
any obstruction that your saw chain could
hit while you are cutting. When cutting a
branch, do not let the guide bar contact
branch or other objects around it.
S
Keep your saw chain sharp and properly
tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-
crease the chance of kickback occurring.
Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening
andmaintenanceinstructions. Check t en-
sion at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Make sure the chain brake nuts are se-
curely tightenedaftertensioning thechain.
S
Begin andcontinue cutting atfull speed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greaterchance of k ickback occur-
ring.
S
Cut one log at a time.
S
Use e xtreme caution when re-entering a
previous cut.
S
Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of
the bar (plunge cuts).
S
Watch for shifting logs or other forces that
could close a cut and pinch or fall into
chain.
S
Use the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar
and Low--Kickback Chain specified for
your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Never reverse
hand positions
Stand to the
left of the saw
Thumb on
underside of
handlebar
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
Elbow locked
S
Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is run ning a nd don’t
le t go. A firm gr ip w ill help you re duce kick-
b ack and m a inta in co ntrol of th e sa w. Kee p
the fingers of your left hand encirclin g and
your left thumb under the front handlebar .
Keep your right hand completely a round the
rear han dle whether your a re right handedor
left handed. Keep your left arm straight with
the elbow locked.
S
Position your left handonthe fronthandle-
bar so it is in a straight line with your right
hand on the rear handle when making
bucking cuts. Never reverse right andleft
hand positions for any type of cutting.
S
Standwithyour weightevenly balancedon
both feet.
S
Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to
keep your body from being in a direct line
with the cutting chain.
S
Do not overreach. You could be drawn or
thrown off balance and lose control o f the
sa w.
S
Donot cutabove shoulderheight. It i sdiffi-
cult to maintain control of saw above
shoulder height.
KICKBACK SAFETY FEATURES
WARNING:
The following features
are included on your saw to help reduce the
hazard of kickback; however, such features
will not totally eliminate this danger. As a
chain sawuser, donot rely onlyonsafety de-
vices. You must follow all safety precau-
tions, instructions, and maintenance in this
manual to help avoid kickback and other
forces which can result in serious injury.
S
Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar, designed
with a small radius tip which reduces the
size of the kickback danger zone on the
bar tip. A Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar
has beendemonstratedto significantly re-
duce the num berand seriousness of kick-
backs when tested in accordance with
safety requirements for gasoline powered
chain saws as set by ANSI B175.1.
Small Radius Tip
Reduced Kickback Symmetrical Guide Bar
