Poulan Pro PP400E User Manual

Page 4

GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK

Follow all safety rules to help avoid kick-

back and other forces which can result in

serious injury.

Kickback Path

Avoid Obstructions

Clear The Working Area

WARNING:

Avoid kickback which

can result in serious injury. Kickback is

the backward, upward or sudden for-

ward 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.
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Rotational Kickback can occur when

the moving chain contacts an object at

the upper tip of the guide bar. This con-

tact can cause the chain to dig into the

object, which stops the chain for an

instant. The result is a lightning fast, re-

verse reaction which kicks the guide bar

up and back toward the operator.

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 stop-

ping 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 opera-

tor.

Pull-In can occur when the moving

chain contacts 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 opera-

tor and could easily cause the operator

to lose control of the saw.

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF

KICKBACK

The following precautions should be fol-

lowed to minimize kickback:

Recognize that kickback can happen.

With a basic understanding of kickback,

you can reduce the element of surprise

which contributes to accidents.

Never let the moving chain contact any

object at the tip of the guide bar.

Keep working area free from obstruc-

tions such as other trees, branches,

rocks, fences, stumps, etc. Eliminate or

avoid any obstruction that your saw

chain could hit while cutting.

When cutting a branch, do not let the

guide bar contact another branch or oth-

er objects around it

Keep saw chain sharp and properly

tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-

crease the chance of kickback. Follow

manufacturer’s chain sharpening and

maintenance instructions. Check ten-

sion at regular intervals, but never with

engine running. Make sure bar clamp

nuts are securely tightened.

Begin and continue cutting at full speed.

If the chain is moving at a slower speed,

there is greater chance of kickback oc-

curring.

Use extreme caution when re-entering

a cut.

Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip

of the bar (plunge cuts).

Watch for shifting logs or other objects

that could close a cut and pinch or fall

onto chain.

Use the specified Reduced-Kickback

Guide Bar and Low Kickback Chain.

Avoid Pinch-Kickback:
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Be extremely aware of situations or ob-

structions that can cause material to

pinch the top of or otherwise stop the

chain.

Do not cut more than one log at a time.

Do not twist the saw as the bar is with-

drawn from an undercut when bucking.

Avoid Pull-In:
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Always begin cutting with the saw at full

speed and the saw housing against

wood.

Use wedges made of plastic or wood.

Never use metal to hold the cut open.

MAINTAIN CONTROL
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A good, firm grip on the saw with both

hands will help you maintain control.

Don’t let go. Grip the rear handle with

your right hand whether you are right or

left handed. Wrap the fingers of your left

hand over and around the front handle-

bar, and your left thumb under the front

handlebar. Keep your left arm straight

with the elbow locked.