Use and Care Manual

7
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
Kickback may occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper portion of the tip of the
guide bar or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contact at the upper
portion of the tip of the guide bar can cause the chain to dig into the object and stop the chain for
an instant. The result is a lightning fast reverse reaction which kicks the guide bar up and back
toward the operator. If the saw chain is pinched along the top of the guide bar, the guide bar can
be driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control
which can result in serious injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into the saw.
As a chainsaw user, you should take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or
injury.
CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF KICKBACK
1.Maintainarmgrip,withthumbsandngers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.
2. 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.
3.Onlyusereplacementbarsandchainsspeciedbythemanufacturer. Incorrect
replacement bars and chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to increased kickback.
Rotational
Kickback
Kickback
Danger Zone
Not for Reproduction