Stihl 018 Instruction Manual - Page 13

001BA087 LÄ 001BA018 LA 001BA031 LÄ Cutting Instructions Grip: Always hold the saw firmly with both hands when the engine is running. Place your left hand on front handle bar and your right hand on rear handle and throttle trigger. Left-handers should follow these instructions too. Wrap your fingers tightly around the handles, keeping the handles cradled between your thumb and forefinger. With your hands in this position, you can best oppose and absorb the push, pull and kickback forces of your saw without losing control (see section on reactive forces). Make sure your chainsaw handles and grip are in good condition and free of moisture, pitch, oil or grease. !Warning! Do not operate your chainsaw with the starting throttle lock engaged. Cutting with the starting throttle lock engaged does not permit the operator proper control of the saw or chain speed. !Warning! Never touch a chain with your hand or any part of your body when the engine is running, even when the chain is not rotating. The chain continues to rotate for a short period after the throttle trigger is released. !Warning! Do not cut any material other than wood or wooden objects. Use your chainsaw for cutting only. It is not designed for prying or shoveling away limbs, roots or other objects. When sawing, make sure that the saw chain does not touch any foreign materials such as rocks, fences, nails and the like. Such objects may be flung off, damage the saw chain or cause the saw to kickback. !Warning! In order to keep control of your saw, always maintain a firm foothold. Never work on a ladder, or on any other insecure support. Never use the saw above shoulder height. !Warning! Never work in a tree unless you have received specific, professional training for such work, are properly secured (such as tackle and harness system or a lift bucket), have both hands free for operating the chainsaw in a cramped environment and have taken proper precautions to avoid injury from falling limbs or branches. 11