Homelite HOMCS10VNM User Manual - Page 15

OPERATION WARNING: Do not charge the battery in a damp or wet location. Do not use, store, or charge battery packs or products in locations where the temperature is less than 50°F or more than 100°F. Do not store outside or in vehicles. STARTING/STOPPING THE PRUNING SAW See Figure 6. WARNING: Keep body to the left of the chain line. Never straddle the saw or chain, or lean over past the chain line. Improper operation of the pruning saw could result in serious personal injury. Starting the pruning saw: n Make sure no objects or obstructions are in immediate vicinity which could come in contact with the bar and chain. n Press and hold the lock-out button. This makes the switch trigger operational. n Press and hold the switch trigger, release the lock-out button and continue to squeeze the switch trigger for continued operation. Stopping the pruning saw: n Release the switch trigger to stop the pruning saw. n Upon release of the switch trigger, the lock-out button will be automatically reset to the lock position. This cordless pruning saw is designed for limbing and pruning type cutting up to 6 in. in diameter only. PREPARATION FOR CUTTING PROPER GRIP ON HANDLES See Figures 7 - 9. Refer to Important Safety Instructions earlier in this manual for appropriate safety equipment. n Wear non-slip gloves for maximum grip and protection. n Hold the saw firmly with both hands. Always keep your left hand on the front hand grip and your right hand on the rear handle so that your body is to the left of the chain line. WARNING: Never use a left-handed (cross-handed) grip, or any stance which would place your body or arm across the chain line. Improper operation of the pruning saw could result in serious personal injury. n Maintain a proper grip on the saw whenever the unit is running. The fingers should encircle the handle and the thumb is wrapped under the handlebar. This grip is least likely to be broken (by a kickback or other sudden reaction of the saw). Any grip in which the thumb and fingers are on the same side of the handle, is dangerous because a slight kick of the saw can cause loss of control. WARNING: Do not operate the switch trigger with your left hand and hold the front handle with your right hand. Never allow any part of your body to be in the chain line while operating a saw. Improper operation of the pruning saw could result in serious personal injury. PROPER CUTTING STANCE See Figure 10. WARNING: Always use the proper cutting stance described in this section. Never kneel when using the pruning saw. Kneeling could result in loss of stability and control of the saw resulting in serious personal injury. n Weight should be balanced with both feet on solid ground. n Keep left arm with elbow locked in a "straight arm" position to withstand any kickback force. n Your body should always be to the left of the chain line. n Thumb should be on underside of handlebar. BASIC CUTTING PROCEDURE Practice cutting a few small logs using the following technique to get the "feel" of using the saw before you begin a major sawing operation. n Support log on a saw horse or cradle. n Take the proper stance in front of the wood with the saw off. n Squeeze the switch trigger and let the chain accelerate to full speed before entering the cut. n Begin cutting with the saw against the log. n Keep the unit running the entire time you are cutting, maintain a steady speed. n Allow the chain to cut for you; exert only light downward pressure. If you force the cut, damage to the bar, chain, or unit can result. n Release the switch trigger as soon as the cut is completed, allowing the chain to stop. If you run the saw without a cutting load, unnecessary wear can occur to the chain, bar, and unit. n Do not put pressure on the saw at the end of cut. Page 11 - English