CHAIN SAW SAFETY MANUAL WARNING ! DANGER ! MISUSE MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES. YOU MUST READ, UNDERSTAND, AND FOLLOW ALL OF THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS IN YOUR CHAIN SAW INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING A CHAINSAW. DANGER! Chainsaw kickback can cause serious or fatal injuries. Read and follow the instructions to avoid kickback. ECHO supplies an anti-kick back guard called a Kick Guard ® with every new chainsaw.
KEY SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS These important safety symbols are used throughout this manual and may also appear on your chain saw. They are provided to make you aware of potential hazards, and the precautions you must take to protect yourself from injury. You must read and understand the explanations, and obey the instructions. These symbols appear on safety labels as a reminder to follow these important precautions whenever you are transporting, fueling, operating, servicing, or handling your saw.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS DANGER! Kickback hazard. Do not allow guide bar tip to contact objects. Allowing an unguarded guide bar tip to touch any object during cutting may cause the guide bar to suddenly kick up and back toward the operator, a forceful reaction called rotational kickback. Body contact with a moving saw chain will cause serious or fatal injury.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS WARNING! Keep hands and arms away from moving chain. Do not reach near a moving chain to grab or remove the material that you are cutting. WARNING! Do Not cut overhead. The cut material or chain saw can fall on you, causing serious injury. WARNING! Do Not use a chain saw with a loose chain. A loose chain can be thrown off the guide bar, and cause serious injury. WARNING! Do Not use a chain saw that has been modified or is in disrepair.
KEY CHAIN SAW TERMS – See Glossary at back for additional terms. BALLISTIC - A special material used in protection devices designed to reduce the risk of penetration from chain contact. KICK GUARD® DEVICE - The ECHO brand name for its anti-kickback bar tip guard. BINDING - Closing of the cut or shifting of the wood, possibly trapping the saw blade in the cut. Binding includes pinching. (Also, see PINCH.
INTRODUCTION WARNING! Before using your saw, read this Safety Manual and your chain saw instruction manual carefully. You must completely understand and follow all safety rules, precautions, and operating instructions. Echo recommends that you obtain and review the supplemental ECHO Chain Saw Safety Video. Congratulations on taking the right steps to learn basic chain saw safety. Over the years, Echo has developed and improved technology to increase the safety of chain saw use.
FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL This section explains the forces which must be controlled to avoid injury when operating either a gas or electric-powered chain saw. Always remember that your best defenses are to exercise caution and use the chain saw properly, and to be prepared to react to these forces PULL PULL, PUSH and KICKBACK are terms for the direction a reaction takes.
FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL FORCE OF GRAVITY & “FOLLOW THROUGH” – Gravity is always present and you must be prepared for it when you are operating a chain saw. During the cutting operation, the weight of the chain saw is supported by the material being cut. When the saw completes the cut, the saw is no longer supported, and the operator must control both the weight and the downward momentum of the saw. Never reach too far out with the saw. If you reach too far out with the saw, you may be unable to control it.
KICK GUARD® INSTALLATION DANGER! Chain saw kickback is an extremely dangerous reaction. Kickback can cause serious, or fatal injuries! KICK GUARD ANTI-KICKBACK BAR TIP GUARD: This is an anti-kickback device that covers Kick Guard® the bar nose to prevent chain contact at the kickback-generating area of the nose. The ECHO bar tip guard is called the Kick Guard ® device. With the device properly mounted on the bar nose, rotational kickback cannot occur. The device will also halt linear kickback.
CONDITIONS WHICH MAY REQUIRE REMOVAL OF KICK GUARD® In any circumstance, it is your responsibility to learn how to minimize the risk of kickback if you are using the saw without the Kick Guard in place. Even if you have prior experience with safe chain saw operation, or are trained in the prevention of kickback, please use extreme caution if you choose not to install the tip guard, or if you decide to remove it.
OPERATING SAW WITH THE KICK GUARD® DEVICE WARNING! Study your safety and instruction manuals, and be sure you understand how to keep control of the chain saw either with or without the Kick Guard ® device. WARNING! The Kick Guard ® device prevents rotational kickback when properly installed, but it cannot prevent other chain saw mishaps. Always wear protective articles such as cut-resistant boots, gloves, and leg chaps, and proper attire for chain sawing.
OPERATING SAW WITHOUT THE KICK GUARD® DEVICE DANGER! IF YOU REMOVE THE KICK GUARD, BE AWARE OF THE INCREASED RISK OF KICKBACK DUE TO THE BAR NOSE NOT BEING PROTECTED. PREVENT KICKBACK YOURSELF. DON’T LET THE BAR TIP CONTACT ANYTHING! Study the following illustrations related to kickback, and never make these kinds of errors! COMMON CAUSES OF KICKBACK KICKBACK KICKBACK IMPROPER INSERTION INTO A PREVIOUS CUT. BAR TIP CONTACT CAUSES KICKBACK.
OPERATING SAW WITHOUT THE KICK GUARD® DEVICE WARNING! Hold the saw firmly with both hands. Make sure your left thumb is always on the underside of the front handle. Never over the top! Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked to prepare for any sudden or unexpected reaction of the chain saw, and to maintain better control. WARNING! Do not let the tip or nose of the saw come near any solid object while the chain is rotating. Never let the saw dip into the ground.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM KICKBACK Your ECHO chain saw and its operator’s manual have been certified to meet the requirements of Voluntary Standard B175.1 of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). B175.1 sets forth the minimum safety requirements for the manufacture of gasoline-powered chain saws. ANSI B175.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM KICKBACK • Improper assembly of the chain brake to the chain saw may render the brake inoperable. • Wear and fatigue of the activating brake band or spring, and/or wear of the brake/clutch drum and pivot points may lengthen the brake’s stopping time or render the chain brake inoperable.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY DEVICES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM KICKBACK REDUCED-KICKBACK GUIDE BAR: In general, guide bars that meet this requirement, have small or reducedradius noses. All ECHO guide bars with reduced nose radius have been machined to accept a bar tip guard. (Some large radius bars may not accept a tip guard.) SYMMETRICAL REDUCED RADIUS BANNANA NOSE REDUCED RADIUS REDUCED-KICKBACK GUIDE BAR AND KICK GUARDTM DEVICE - These devices both provide strong protection against kickback.
OPERATOR SAFETY PHYSICAL CONDITION – Chain saw work and the associated clearing of branches and logs is a strenuous activity. You should be in good physical and mental health in order to handle your chain saw safely. Errors in judgment can be serious or fatal. If you have any physical condition which strenuous work could worsen, check with your physician before using a chain saw. Take frequent breaks and drink fluids, especially in warmer weather.
OPERATOR SAFETY Hard hat Hearing Protection Trim, protective clothing VITAL SAFETY GEAR TO WEAR WHEN CUTTING: Eye protection Elbow as straight as possible Non-slip gloves Thumb under handle bar ANSI Z-87 Eyewear Hearing Protection Hard Hat Protective, nonslip footwear No pants cuffs to snag in underbrush Protective Gloves Cut resistant Leg Chaps Cut Resistant Steel-Toe Boots PRECAUTIONS IN HOT, HUMID WEATHER - Heavy logger’s clothing can cause overheating and increase the risk of operator fatig
KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES DANGER! 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 lightning-fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator (this is called a rotational kickback). Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator (this is called a linear kickback).
KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES DANGER! Carbon monoxide is a poisonous odorless gas produced by gasoline engines. Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated areas. Do not run chain saw inside, in garages or sheds, or in confined areas with the possibility of poor ventilation- such as drainage ditches, low & confined creek beds, etc. WARNING! Do not operate a chain saw when you are upset, fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the operator’s manual maintenance instruction, is to be performed only by competent chain saw service personnel. (For example, if improper tools are used to remove the flywheel, or if an improper tool is used to hold the flywheel to remove the clutch, structural damage to the flywheel could occur.
KEY SAFETY AND RISK PREVENTION RULES WARNING! DO NOT WALK AROUND WITH A MOVING CHAIN, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF POOR TERRAIN OR AROUND OBJECTS OR DEBRIS THAT CAN CAUSE TRIPPING. ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR FOOTING WHEN REPOSITIONING YOUR SELF FOR THE NEXT CUT. WARNING! IF YOU SENSE A TRIP OR FALL, THROW THE SAW AWAY FROM YOU SO THAT YOU DO NOT FALL ON IT . EQUIPMENT TO BRING ALONG - When using gasoline powered engines, fuel supplies should be carried in approved type fuel containers.
RULES FOR SAFE FUELING WARNING! The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to Cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. WARNING! Gasoline and gasoline vapors contain chemicals known to the State of California to Cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. DANGER: Gasoline is an extremely flammable fuel. If spilled or ignited by a spark or other ignition source, it can cause fire and serious burn injury, or property damage.
SAFE WOOD CUTTING PRACTICES Operating a chain saw safely requires that the chain saw be in proper working order, with the chain properly tensioned. It also requires sound judgment, knowledge of proper cutting methods, and having a plan for every cut you make. WARNING! Do not let any person use your chain saw unless he or she has read the operator’s manual and this safety manual, and fully understands all instructions. Never let children or minors operate the saw.
PINCHING, BINDING & SPLITTING Wind bends trees. Gravity bends logs that are not flat on the ground. A log weakened by a cut over 1/3 the log diameter is like two logs hinged together. The cut may either close or open wider, depending on how the log is positioned. HINGE MOVING OPENED In bucking logs, always make the weakening cut from the direction (opposite the “hinge” side) which causes the cut to widen. If made from the wrong side, the cut will close, binding the saw and pinching the chain.
PRUNING SHADE TREES AND CUTTING SAPLINGS Whippy growth, such as saplings and tree branches, may resist being cut. Be prepared for the saw chain to skate along the surface and the material to vibrate from side to side. This can result in a sharp sudden pull on the saw or can cause branches to snap back at the operator. Be ready to resist this pull and avoid snapping branches.
FELLING TREES Please note that felling a tree is more complicated than often expected. Take time to plan cuts, fall path and escape route before felling the tree. Electric powered units may not be suitable for felling some trees. Consider such factors as tree size and location, circuit breaker capacity, and weather and ground conditions to determine if an electric powered saw is appropriate. Refer to instructions on using an electric saw.
FELLING TREES If the back cut is too low, or the “hinge” is cut through, the tree will not be under control of the “hinge” and may fall in any direction. Be ready to leave the chain saw and GET AWAY FAST, away from the tree’s falling direction! FALL When the tree does not lean in the desired felling direction, insert a plastic or wooden wedge into the back cut when there is room behind the saw blade. This will hold the cut open.
LIMBING AND BUCKING WARNING! Do not walk on the trunk or in a log pile, or cut while standing on it. WARNING! Take extra care when walking around a log pile, especially if logs are debarked or wet and slippery. Determine how the log or limb is tensioned. Apply the methods discussed to avoid entrapment of the saw. If the chain becomes pinched in a bind, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. Free the bind by lifting the limb. Use levers, poles, etc. for lifting. Avoid back injuries.
LIMBING AND BUCKING WARNING! Be alert for spring poles and stay clear of them during cutting. A spring pole can spring back suddenly when cut, or when the wood holding it down is cut away. A spring pole can strike you or deflect the moving saw chain into your body. Do not cut a tree in order to drop a tree that has lodged against it. Have lodged trees pulled down with proper power equipment.
FELLING VERY LARGE TREES Pertains to gasoline-powered saws only. Small gas powered saws and electric powered saws should not be used to fell very large trees. Only those that have been trained to cut very large trees should attempt these techniques. WARNING! Call a professional tree-felling service to handle jobs that are beyond your abilities and knowledge. This includes large trees, trees that are near power lines, homes, buildings and public roads.
BOW SAW WARNING WARNING! ECHO does not recommend the use of bow saws. If you choose to attach a bow guide to an ECHO chain saw, and thus create a bow saw, you do so at your own risk. A bow guide attachment increases the risk of severe kickback and serious injury. Do not use a bow guide unless you have experience or specialized training. Do not remove guard(s) or spur(s) on the bow guide provided by the manufacturer.
ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW SAFETY The electric chain saw unit is made of a molded dielectric material that reduces the risk of electric shock to the operator. Broken or cracked housings or guards may not protect you. Do not operate the unit if housings or guards are damaged. Use only identical ECHO replacement parts when service is required. Use of non-identical parts may create an electrical hazard resulting in serious injury or death from electrocution.
GLOSSARY OF CHAIN SAW TERMS GASOLINE POWERED UNIT TERMS THROTTLE TRIGGER - Located in the rear handle, it is used to control the speed of the engine. BOW GUIDE - A guide bar (see definition below) with a large open center used by some professional pulpwood loggers. THROTTLE TRIGGER LATCH BUTTON - The control used to set the throttle for a fast idle speed, required to start a cold engine. The throttle can be unlatched by squeezing the throttle trigger.
GLOSSARY OF CHAIN SAW TERMS FRONT HAND GUARD - This required device is intended to reduce the operator’s risk of injury from projecting branches and saw-chain contact with the left hand in the event the operator loses his grip from the upper part of the handle. Do not operate a chain saw with a loose or broken hand guard. GUIDE BAR - The railed structure that supports and guides the saw chain. HINGE - Uncut wood which holds the tree from twisting off the stump and guides or “hinges” its fall.
ECHO, INCORPORATED 400 OAKWOOD ROAD LAKE ZURICH, IL 60047 PHONE: (847) 540-8400 www.echo-usa.
