5
There shouldbe nosmoking, openflames,
or workthat couldcause sparks. Allowen-
gine to cool before refueling.
S Mix and pour fuel in an outdoor area on
bare ground; store fuel in a cool, dry , well
ventilated place; and use an approved,
marked container for all fuel purposes.
Wipe up all fuel spills before starting saw.
S Move at least 10 feet (3 meters) from fuel-
ing site before starting engine.
S Turn the engine off and let saw cool in a
non-combustible area, not on dry leaves,
straw, paper, etc. Slowly remove fuel cap
and refuel unit.
S Storetheunit andfuelinanarea wherefuel
vapors cannot reach sparks or open
flames from water heaters, electric m otors
or switches, furnaces, etc.
KICKBACK
WARNING: Avoid kickback which
can result in serious injury . Kickback is the
backward, upw ardorsudden forward motion
of the guide bar occurring when t he saw
chain near the uppertip of t heguide bar con-
tacts any object such as a log or branch, or
when the wood closes in and pinches the
saw chain inthecut. C ontactinga foreignob-
ject in the wood can also result in loss of
chain saw control.
S Rotational Kickback can occur when the
moving chain contacts an object at t heup-
per 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 to-
ward the operator.
S 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 reversal of the chain
force used to cut wood and causes the
saw t omovein the opposite direction ofthe
chain rotation. The saw is driven straight
back toward the operator.
S Pull-In can occur when the moving chain
contacts aforeign object in the wood inthe
cut along the bottom of the guide bar and
the saw chain is suddenly stopped. This
sudden stoppingpulls thesaw forwardand
away from the operator and could easily
cause the operator to lose control of the
saw.
Avoid Pinch--Kickback:
S Be extremely aware of situations or ob-
structions that can cause material topinch
the top of or otherwise stop the chain.
S Do not cut more than one log at a time.
S Do not twist the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid Pull--In:
S Always begin cutting with the engine at full
speed and the saw housing against wood.
S Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
Kickback P at h
Avoid obstructions
Clear the
working area
REDUCETHECHANCEOF
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 letthe mov ingchaincontact anyob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
S Keep the working area free from obstruc-
tions suchas othertrees, br anches, rocks,
fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid
any ob struction that your saw chain could
hit while you are cutting through a particu-
lar log or branch.
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
and maintenance instructions. Check ten-
sion at regular intervals with the engine
stopped, never with the engine running.
Make sure thebar clampnuts aresecurely
tightened after tensioning the chain.
S Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed, there
is greater chance of kickback occurring.
S Cut one log at a time.
S Use extreme 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
