Poulan PP5020 Owner Manual - Page 4

S Store the unit and fuel in an area where fuel vapors cannot reach sparks or open flames from water heaters, electric motors or switches, furnaces, etc. KICKBACK WARNING: Avoid kickback which can result in serious injury. Kickback is the backward, upward or sudden forward motion of the guide bar occurring when the saw chain near the upper tip of the guide bar contacts any object such as a log or branch, or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Contacting a foreign object in the wood can also result in loss of chain saw control. S Rotational Kickback can occur when the moving chain contacts an object at the upper tip of the guide bar. This contact 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. S Pinch-Kickback can occur when the the wood closes in and pinches the moving saw chain in the cut along the top of the guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stopping of the chain results in a reversal of the chain force used to cut wood and causes the saw to move in the opposite direction of the chain rotation. The saw is driven straight back toward the operator. S Pull-In can occur when the moving chain con- tacts a foreign object in the wood in the cut along the bottom of the guide bar and the saw chain is suddenly stopped. This sudden stopping pulls the saw forward and away from the operator and could easily cause the operator to lose control of the saw. Avoid Pinch- Kickback: S Be extremely aware of situations or obstructions that can cause material to pinch the top of or otherwise stop the chain. S Do not cut more than one log at a time. S Do not twist the saw as the bar is withdrawn from an undercut when bucking. Avoid Pull- In: S Always begin cutting with the engine at full speed and the saw housing against wood. S Use wedges made of plastic or wood. Never use metal to hold the cut open. Kickback Path Avoid Obstructions Clear The Working Area REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK S Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce the element of surprise which contributes to accidents. S Never let the moving chain contact any object at the tip of the guide bar. S Keep the working area free from obstructions such as other trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your saw chain could hit while you are cutting. When cutting a branch, do not let the guide bar contact branch or other objects around it. S Keep your saw chain sharp and properly tensioned. A loose or dull chain can increase the chance of kickback occurring. 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 nuts are securely tightened after tensioning the chain. S Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If the chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater chance of kickback occurring. S Cut one log at a time. S Use extreme caution when re-entering a pre- vious cut. S Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of the bar (plunge cuts). S Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could close a cut and pinch or fall into chain. S Use the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar and Low--Kickback Chain specified for your saw. MAINTAIN CONTROL Stand to the left of the saw Never reverse hand positions Thumb on underside of handlebar Elbow locked Thumb on underside of handlebar S Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running and don't let go. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and 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. S Position your left hand on the front handlebar so it is in a straight line with your right hand on the rear handle when making bucking cuts. Never reverse right and left hand positions for any type of cutting. S Stand with your weight evenly balanced on both feet. 4