Poulan 2300 AV - Manual (Page 3)

SPECIAL SAFETY SECTION
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious
injury. Do not rely only on the safety devices provided
with your saw. Asa 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 pinches 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 and
stop 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 bar, the guide bar can be
driven rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these
reactions can cause loss of saw control which can
result in serious injury.
NEVER
REVERSE
HAND
POSITIONS
mHAND
RIGHT
HAND
STAND
TO THE
* ^
LEFT OF
THE SAW
ELBOW
LOCKED
It THUMB ON
11 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 the moving chain contact any object at the
tip of the guide 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. Keepyour saw chain sharp and properly tensioned.
Follow manufacturer’s chain sharpening and main­
tenance instructions. Check tension at regular intervals
with the engine stopped, never with the engine running.
Makesure the bar clamp nut is securely tightened after
tensioning the chain. A loose or dull chain can increase
the chance of kickback.
5 . Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If the
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater
chance for kickback to occur,
6. Cut only one log at a time.
7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous
cut.
8. Do not attempt plunge cuts.
9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
close a cut and pinch or fall into the chain.
10. Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low-
Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
MAINTAIN CONTROL
1
3.
4.
5.
6
.
Figure 3
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
you are right handed or left handed. Keep your left
arm straight with the elbow locked.
Position your ieft hand on the front handlebar so it
is in a straight tine with your right hand on the rear
handle when making bucking cuts.
Figures. 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. Figure 3.
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 difficult to
maintain control of the saw above shoulder height.