Poulan 210 - Manual (Page 4)

WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Additional Safety Instructions throughout this Manual)
GUARD AGAINST KICKBACK
Kickback is a dangerous reaction that can lead to serious
injury. Do not rely on the presence of the chain brake to pro­
tect you against injury from kickback. Although it may appear
that the chain brake is stopping quickly, it still may not be fast
enough to provide protection in the event of kickback. As a
chain saw user, you must take special safety precautions to
help keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
A
KICKBACK WARNING
Contact at the upper portion of the tip of the guide bar
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. This is kickback. If the saw cl
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
result in serious injury.
Kickback
Path
Figure 2
REDUCE THE CHANCE OF KICKBACK
1. Recognize that kickback can happen. With a basic
understanding of kickback, you can reduce the ele­
ment of surprise which contributes to accidents.
2. Never let the moving chain contact any object at
the tip of the guide bar. Figure 2.
?>. Keep the working area free from obstructions such
as other trees, branches, rocks, fences, stumps, etc.
Figure .1. Eliminate or avoid any obstruction that your
saw chain at the bar tip could hit while you are cut­
ting.
4. Keep your saw chain sharp and properly ten­
sioned. A loose or dull chain can increa.se the chance
of kickback. Check sharpness and tension at regular
intervals with the engine stopped, never with the
engine running. Make sure the bar clamp nuts arc
securely tightened after tensioning the chain.
5. Begin and continue cutting at full throttle. If the
chain is moving at a slower speed, there is greater
chance for kickback.
6 . Cut one log at a time.
7. Use extreme caution when re-entering a previous
cut.
8. Do not start cutting with the bar tip (plunge or
boring cuts).
9. Watch for shifting logs or other forces that could
clo.se a cut and pinch or fall into chain.
10. Use the Reduced-Kickback Guide Bar and Low-
Kickback Chain specified for your saw.
CHAIN BRAKE
• A chain brake is:
- A device for stopping the chain when activated.
Figures 4 and 5.
- To be used only in an emergency. Do not use oth­
erwise except for testing or making adjustments.
• A chain brake will not:
- Prevent kickback.
- Work if it is not maintained properly. Check to
see if the brake works properly before every cutting
job. If the chain does not appear to stop instantly,
contact your Authorized Service Dealer.
CHAIN BRAKE
ENGAGED
Note proper grip
with thumb
under handlebar.