User's Manual

• Pinch-Kickbackcanoccurwhenthethe
woodclosesinandpinchesthemoving
sawchaininthecutalongthetopofthe
guidebarandthesawchainissuddenly
stopped.Thissuddenstoppingofthe
chainresultsinareversalofthechain
forceusedtocutwoodandcausesthe
sawtomoveintheoppositedirectionofthe
chainrotation.Thesawisdrivenstraight
backtowardtheoperator.
• Pull4ncanoccurwhenthemovingchain
contactsaforeignobjectinthewoodinthe
cutalongthebottomoftheguidebarandthe
sawchainissuddenlystopped.Thissudden
stoppingpullsthesawforwardandaway
fromtheoperatorandcouldeasilycausethe
operatortolosecontrolofthesaw.
AvoidPinch-Kickback:
• Be extremely aware of situations or ob-
structions 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 the saw as the bar is with-
drawn from an undercut when bucking.
Avoid Pull-In:
• Always begin cutting with the engh_e at full
speed and the saw housing against wood.
• Use wedges made of plastic or wood.
Never use metal to hold the cut open.
N(_\ j_ Kickback Path
• Beginandcontinuecuttingatfultspeed. If
the chain is moving at a slower speed,
there is greater chance of kickback occur-
ring.
• Cut one log at a time.
• Use extreme caution when re-entering a
previous 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 Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar
and Low-Kickback Chain specified for
your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
Stand to the
hand positions
Thumbon
underside of
handlebar
X
!
Elbow locked
Clear The Working Area
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
KICKBACK
• Recognize that kickback can happen.
With a basic understanding of kickback,
you can reduce the element of surprise
which contributes to accidents.
• Never let the moving chain contact any ob-
ject at the tip of the guide bar.
• Keep the 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 you are cutting. When cutting a
branch, do not let the guide bar contact
branch or other objects around it.
• 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 the bar nuts are securely tight-
ened after tensioning the chain.
Thumb on underside of
handlebar
• Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both
hands when the engine is running and
don't let go. A firm grip will help you reduce
kickback and maintain control of the saw.
Keep the fingers of your left hand encir-
cling and your left thumb under the front
handlebar. Keep your right hand com-
pletely around the rear handle whether
your are right handed or teft 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
bucking cuts. 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 from being in a direct line
with the cutting chain.
• 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 diffi-
cult to maintain control of saw above
shoulder height.