SAFETY RULES AND PRECAUTIONS
r WARNING!
Because a chain saw is a high-speed wood-cutting tool, special safety precautions
must be observed to reduce the risk of personal accidents. Careless or improper use
may cause serious injury.
A. KNOWYOUR SAW
l_:Read your Operator's Manual carefully until
_you completely understand andcan follow all
iisafetyrules and operating :instructions before
_;attempting to operate the unit.
2. Restrict the use of your saw to adult users
who understand and follow the safety rules,
:_precautions, and operating instructions
found inthis manual.
B. P_AN AHEAD _
Wear personal protective gear. Al-
ways, :use,. steel-toed ,:safety foot-
11 wear with non-slip soles; snug-
fitting : clothing with reinforced
cutting resistant inserts; heavy-duty non-slip
gloves; appropriate eye protection such as non-
i fogging, vented goggles or face screen; an ap-
proved safety hard hat, and sound barriers -- ear
Plugs or mufflers to protect your hearing. Regular
users should have hearing checked regularly as
chain saw noise may damage hearing.
2. Keep children, bystanders, and pets out of the
workarea: Do not allowother people to be near
....the'chain saw when starting 0r operating the chain
saw.
3. Do not handle or operate achain saw when you
are fatigued, ill, or upset; or if :you have taken
alcohol, drugsor medication. You must be in
good physical condition and mentally alert. Chain
saw _work is strenuous. If you have any condition
.:_:ithat might be aggravated by r;trenu0us, work,
,check with your doctor before operating a chain
.saw;
4:'_Do not attempt to use your saw during bad
weather conditions such as strong wind, rain,
snow, etc., or during darkness.
5. Plan your sawing operations carefully in ad-
. vance. Do not start cutting until you have a clear
.:;'?work area, secure footing, and if you are felling
:;:trees,a planned retreat path.
C. GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of
the saw and possibly cause serious personal in-
jury. Kickback is the upward and backward motion of
the guidebar that occurs when the moving chain con-
tacts an object atthe tip of the guide bar.
To reduce the hazard of kickback:
1. Hold the sawfirmlywith both hands, Left hand
on front handle bar, right hand on rear handle
whether you are right-handed or left-handed.
Never use the saw with one hand.
2. Do not overreach.
3. Do not let the tip of the guide bar contact the
ground, another log, branch, or any other
obstruction.
4. Start the motor and see that the chain is mov-
ing at full speed before beginning orentering
a cut.
5. Cut one i:0g at atime.
6: Use_eYt:reme_ca:ution when re-entering a pre-
vious cut.
7. Do not attempt plunge cuts.
8. WatCh _for shifting logs or other forces that
Could close a cut and pinch thechain.
9. Do not cut above shoulder height:
10. Follow manufacturer's chain sharpening
and maintenance instructions. Keep the
chain properly tensioned. Check tension at reg-
ular intervals with the engine Stopped, never
with the engine running. Make sure the bar
clamp nuts a_resecurely tightened after tension-
ing the chain.
11. Use the specific Chain and Lo-Kick _ Guide
Bar designed for your saw to reduce the hazard
of kickback.
D. AVOID REACTIVE FORCES
Pushback and Pull-in occur when the chain is sud-
denly stopped by being pinched, caught, or by con-
tacting a foreign object in the wood. This results in a
reversal of the chain force used to. cut wood and
caiJses the_saw'to move iri_the opposite direction of
chain rotation; resulting in 10Ssof control andpossible
serious personal injury.
To avoid Pushback:
1. Be extremely aware of situations or obstruc-
tions that may cause material to pinch the top of
or otherwise stop the chain.
2. Do not cut more than one log at a time.
3. Do not twist the saw as the bar is w!thdrawn
from an under-cutwhen bucking.
To avoid Pull-ln:
1. Always begin cutting with the motor running
and the saw housing against the wood.
2. Use wedges made of plastic, wood, or light
alloy (never of steel or iron) to hold the cut
open.