Ryobi RY10518 Operator's Manual - Page 18

OPERATION KICKBACK PRECAUTIONS See Figures 16 - 17. Rotational kickback occurs when the moving chain contacts an object at the Kickback Danger Zone of the guide bar. The result is a lightning-fast reverse reaction, which kicks the guide bar up and back towards the operator. This reaction can cause loss of control, which can result in serious injury. PREPARING FOR CUTTING PROPER GRIP ON HANDLES See Figure 18. See General Safety Rules 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 handle 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 that would place your body or arm across the chain line. n Maintain a proper grip on the saw whenever the engine 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. PROPER GRIP WARNING: DO NOT operate the throttle 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. CHAIN LINE Page 18 - English KICKBACK DANGER ZONE Fig. 16 ROTATIONAL KICKBACK Fig. 17 PROPER HAND GRIP POSITION IMPROPER GRIP Fig. 18