Poulan 1992-06 User Manual - Page 3

WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (See Additional Safety Instructions throughout this Manual) GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK Kickback isa dangerous reaction that can lead to seriousinjury. Do not rely only on the safety devices provided with your saw. As a chain saw user, you must take special safety precautions to help keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury. A KICKBACK WARNING Kickback can 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 pinch.es 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, which stops 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 bait the guide bar can be rapidlydriven back toward the operator. Either of these reactions can cause loss of saw control which can result in serious injury. Kickback Path Figure 1 Avoid Obstructions • Clear The Working Area Never Reverse Hand Positions Figure 2 Figure 3 Stand To The Left Of The Saw Elbow Locked Thumb On Under Side Of Handlebar REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK 1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which contributes to accidents. 2. Never let themovingchain contact anyobject at the tip of the gui e bar. Figure 1 . 3. Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Figure 2. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting through a particular log or branch. 4. Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback to occur. Follow manufacturer's chain sharpening and maintenance instructions. Check tension at regular intervals with the engine stopped, never with the engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts are securely tightened after tensioning the chain. 5. Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If the chain is movingat a slower speed, there isgreater chance for kickback to occur. 6. Cut one log at a time. 7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a pre- vious cut. 8. Do not attempt plunge cuts. 9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pine or fall into chain. 10.Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low-Kickback Chain specified for your saw. MAINTAIN CONTROL 1. Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running and don't let go. Figure 3 . A firm grip can neutralize kickback and help you maintain control of the saw. Keep the fingers of your left hand encircling and your left thumb under the front handlebar. Keep your right hand completely around the rear handle whether your are right handed or left•handed. Keep your left arm straight with the elbow locked. 2. Position your left hand on the front handlebar so it is in a straight line with your right hand on the rear handle when makingbuckingcuts. Figure 3 . Never reverse right and left hand positions for any type of cutting. 3. Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet. 4. Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to keep your body from being in a direct line with the cutting chain. Figure 3 . 5. Do not overreach. You could be drawn or thrown off balance and lose control of the saw. 6. Do not cut above shoulder height. It is difficult to maintain control of the sawabove shoulder height and places the moving chain dangerously close to your upper body. 3