Poulan 545186808 User Manual

Page 4

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.

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 operator and could easily cause the

operator to lose control of the saw.

Avoid Pinch--Kickback:
S

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:
S

Always begin cutting with the engine at full

speed and the saw housing against wood.

Use wedges made of plastic or wood.

Never use metal to hold the cut open.

Kickback Path

Clear The Working Area

Avoid Obstructions

REDUCE THE CHANCE OF

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 ob-

ject at the tip of the guide bar.

Keep the 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 you are cutting. When cutting a

branch, do not let the guide bar contact

branch or other objects around it.

Keep your saw chain sharp and properly

tensioned. A loose or dull chain can in-

crease the chance of kickback occurring.

Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening

and maintenance instructions. Check ten-

sion at regular intervals with the engine

stopped, never with the engine running.

Make sure the bar nuts are securely tight-

ened after tensioning the chain.

Begin and continue cutting at full speed. If

the chain is moving at a slower speed,

there is greater chance of kickback occur-

ring.

Cut one log at a time.

Use extreme caution when re-entering a

previous cut.

Do not attempt cuts starting with the tip of

the bar (plunge cuts).

Watch for shifting logs or other forces that

could close a cut and pinch or fall into

chain.

Use the Reduced--Kickback Guide Bar

and Low--Kickback Chain specified for

your saw.

MAINTAIN CONTROL

Never reverse

hand positions

Stand to the

left of the saw

Thumb on

underside of

handlebar

Thumb on underside of

handlebar

Elbow locked

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 encir-

cling and your left thumb under the front

handlebar. Keep your right hand com-

pletely around the rear handle whether

your are right handed or left handed. Keep

your left arm straight with the elbow

locked.

Position your left hand on the front handle-

bar 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.

Stand with your weight evenly balanced on

both feet.

Stand slightly to the left side of the saw to

keep your body from being in a direct line

with the cutting chain.

Do not overreach. You could be drawn or

thrown off balance and lose control of the

saw.

Do not cut above shoulder height. It is diffi-

cult to maintain control of saw above

shoulder height.

This manual is related to the following products:

P4018WTL 952802143